Train Tracks // Nick Wilkins x OC

fritos

So before I start, this section has a huge TW for SA. The rest of the chapter contains mention of suicide, SH, divorce, SA, and trauma (it ain't good)

I haven't been writing lately because recently, I was sexually assaulted. Everything remotely related to love has been disgusting to me. I won't go into too much detail, but some people need to learn to control themselves. And yes, I have been told it was my fault for what I wore.

Thank you for listening. I will try to continue writing regularly now! I have a few other story ideas planned. Thank you all so much for the support, and I'm so sorry to disappoint with the wait!

._.

"Where are we going?" I asked her, as she drove us both down familiar streets. I had become so accustomed to Colorado now. It was my home, and though the worst things had happened to me, I felt safe.

I think my friends had a lot to do with it. Nick, especially, since he stopped that situation from getting worse. He really was a guardian angel.

I thought of Jared.

I realized Millie wasn't answering. I asked a different question. "How's Alyssa handling all of this?"

"She's become more confident lately. I'm really happy for her, because I expected her to be more scared. She honestly seems relieved."

"That's amazing."

"Yeah, I think so. She's decided that her goal is to get into a committed, real relationship."

We pulled into the parking lot of a small chapel on the side of a hill. The sun glinted off of the dew of the trees. The air smelled like rain. Having not been outside in days, I appreciated the soft peacefulness around me while I listened to her.

"This is where I always go if I'm mad at the rest of the world."

I closed my eyes. I could see why.

"When my parents broke up," she paused, "Alyssa was the only one. I became her mother. She looked for support in Jared."

She stopped again. I could hear a sniff. I couldn't fathom what she was remembering: maybe someone was abusive. Maybe, I thought, this is why she closed up. I savoured the rare moment of her showing emotion to anyone. To me.

"There was so much emotion. I didn't know how to handle it. I drove up this hill with plans to drive off of it. Then, I saw this place, and experienced it."

I knew how she felt.

"I think I met God that day. Here, come inside with me."

The morning birds faded behind me as I walked into the chapel. It was made of stone and looked larger on the inside.

"This is where I come sometimes. I sit right there. Alyssa comes with me if she needs to. I talk to God here."

I spoke for the first time. "You're a Christian?"

"Yeah, I guess I am. It's kind of comforting." She looked at the ceiling. "Can you feel what I feel?"

I didn't explicitly believe in God, but if He was real, it feels like He would live here. "I think so," I told her.

We stood there for a long time.

"Thanks for coming with me. I can take you home anytime you want, or we can just stay here a while. This church isn't really in operation anymore."

"Okay, thank you."

._.

Nick knocked on my door later that day.

"Don't open it just yet," he shouted from behind it. I giggled. "What? Why?"

"Just– just wait," I heard him exclaiming. He sounded like he was struggling. "Okay! You can open it now."

"What was it?" I asked. He looked normal to me.

He grinned. "I had a surprise," he said. "I had to prepare it."

"Well, what is it? And why didn't you just prepare it before you knocked?" There was something about being around him that made me feel so light. I could float away at any moment. I steadied my feet and made sure I was grounded, just in case.

He laughed at my questions. "I need your opinion," he said, shuffling his feet too.

"Just show me, already!"

"Okay." He hesitated, then pulled off his beanie. "What do you think?"

I stopped. And stared. And what the everloving frick did he do to his head.

"I– did Francis do that to you?"

"What? I thought it was nice."

"You did that. To yourself."

"Well, my barber. But yeah. What do you think?"

"I... I think it's nice. It works for Halloween. Very scary."

"Thanks." He scoffed. "I wasn't positive if I liked it, either. I'll– I'll grow it back."

"It's okay," I told him, smiling. "If it works on anyone, it's you!"

He looked genuinely appreciative. I hugged him. We both realised, blushing, and stepped back. "Sorry," I said.

"It's okay. I liked it."

He was still on my doorstep. As soon as I noticed that, Casey stepped out to hers. "What the heck?" She shouted across the street. "Nick???"

I couldn't hold in my laughter. "You told me before her?"

"I wanted an honest opinion!!" he whined, and glanced at her. "Pretend I'm someone else, and I'll wear a hat until it grows back."

I waved to Casey. "Hey! Come on over!"

"Noo!" he looked at me. "Don't let her over here!"

"Casey," I smiled at her. "This is... Bick."

She handed me a Frito from the bag she was holding. "Bick, you look like Sid from Toy Story."

He facepalmed. "Okay," he sighed. "Hats won't work. I'm just gonna hide in my room until it grows back."

"Good plan. The less we see of you, the better." Giggling, she lightly slugged him in the shoulder.

"Oh, and I almost forgot," Nick said. "Do you wanna go to Flagstaff with me this weekend? I'll pay,"

Casey slowly put a hand over her mouth. It got a lot hotter. "I mean. Sure. Yeah. Okay. Saturday evening?"

"Is 8:00 okay?"

"That sounds good."

He walked backwards off the porch. His eyes burned into mine. He almost tripped. As soon as he was out of sight, I turned to Casey.

"Just marry him, already. I won't mind being your sister," she told me.

"I– I don't know what to say. He made a move."

"That's right, hon." she patted my head jokingly. "He made a move."

Saturday night. Saturday night. Nick Wilkins asked me on a date.

Nick Wilkins asked me on a date.

(1016 words)