I can't love you

Seven

Today our parents arrived home from their cruise.
I rushed downstairs to greet them but Nick beat me.
"How was bonding with Noah?" William asked while hanging his coat up.
"Pretty good, besides her panic attack." Nick plainly said, noticing me in the doorway.
"Noah, how was your time with Nicolas?" My mom questioned.
"Just fine. How was the cruise?"
"It was amazing. We're planning on going again, but this time taking the two of you." Rafella smiled brightly.
Nick shot an unsure look to me which made me giggle.
"We're only home for a few days, France is waiting on us for a business trip. Which means Nick will have to take care of you until then." William spoke and Nick groaned.
"You do know I have a life, right?" Nick said while sipping his tea.
"Yeah. I don't need Nick to babysit me." I crossed my arms.
"What happened last time you were alone Noah? Do I need to remind you every single time I leave?" My mom's voice became stern, her eyes widening.
"Whatever. I'm going back to my room."
I stomped up the stairs, Nick following behind me.
"What do you want?" I grumpily asked.
"Just curious. Why can't you stay home alone?"
I rolled my eyes and laid on my bed, trying to ignore Nicolas standing in the doorway.
"Does it matter? I'm 17, I'm old enough to take care of myself."
"It actually does matter Noah. Tell me, cmon." Nick sat on my bed and poked at me.
"Quit it." I mumbled.
"Not until you tell me."
I took a deep, frustrated breath and sat up.
"Last time I was alone I had a panic attack so bad I ended up in the hospital. Not to mention my dad had just gotten out of prison then and I was afraid he was going to come back and hurt me."
Nick stopped poking at me, his gaze softened and he sat there, completely silent.
"Oh. I'm sorry." He whispered.
"It's fine."
Nick placed his hand on my arm and I just stared at the wall.
"If I leave at some point during that two months, you can come along."
"I don't need a babysitter." My voice cracked.
"I'm not babysitting you Noah. I'm just protecting you, I am your step brother aren't I?"
I shrugged.
"Step brothers are supposed to hate their step sisters."
"I don't necessarily hate you Noah. I'll be back." Nick got up off of my bed and left my room.
He didn't come back for two whole hours, and by then I was already dozing off.
I had fallen asleep completely when I heard our parents arguing downstairs.
I slid my slippers on and tiptoed down the stairs but Nick grabbed my arm and pulled me by him, placing a finger to his mouth.
"Shh. They're arguing about you." He said while escorting me back to my room.
   I looked at Nick, watching a he pressed his ear against the wall to listen in on what they're saying.
   I did the same.
"She's 17 Rafella. She can take care of herself, she knows how to take her anxiety medication, and she knows not to leave the house without telling us." William said, trying to calm the situation down.
   "I don't know William. We'll talk about it on the plane."
    I looked at Nick and walked out of his room, going into my own.
   
A day or so later after our parents had left for France I was getting ready to leave with Nick although I didn't want to.
    "You ready freckles?" Nick asked while knocking on my bedroom door.
    "I guess so." I tiredly replied while getting up and putting my shoes on.  
    He walked into my room to find me in a long sleeve black dress with black heels.
    "Give me your wrist." He said, pulling out a red bandana.
    He wrapped it around my wrist, making sure to untuck my bracelet.
    "Is that my chain?" He snickered, pointing out the gold necklace around my neck.
   "Yeah. I meant to give it back." I reached for the clasp but he stopped me.
   "Keep it." He said, walking out of my bedroom.
Once we arrived at the party Nick carried around my Id since I didn't bring a purse.
Everyone fell silent as we entered the party.
Soon I realized they were all staring at me. Well, not at me particularly, they were staring at nicks gold cross necklace around my neck.
I clutched it in my hand as I followed Nick to wherever he was going.
"Hey want a drink?" A man said, walking up to me, distracting me from wherever Nick was going.
"No thanks." I say, shoving the cup away from my face as politely as I could.
"Cmon, my names Ronnie. You must be Noah." He smiled weirdly.
"Noah! Let's go!" Nick shouted.
I glanced at Ronnie and picked up my pace to catch up with Nicolas.
"Ignore him. He's an asshole." Nick turned his head, watching Ronnie while he held his hand on my back and encouraged me to walk with him at his pace.