My Russian Romeo

Aura of Lies

March 3. Nick? Why is he here? What does he want? Is he here to look down on me? Tell me I'm worthless? Nick comes out of the shadows and calls out my name. "Karter!" He says in a loud whisper. I flinch and scoot backwards. Nick walks closer and climbs up to my window. I slam it shut, and he stares at me angrily.

"Open the window Kar." His voice is muffled, and I can barely hear, but I know what he wants me to do. I shake my head and refuse. Nick slaps his hand on the window. "I said to open the damn window! Open. It."

At this point I'm starting to feel like Nick will start getting aggressive with me if I don't do as he says. So, I opened the window and allowed him in. He dusts himself off and makes himself comfortable on the bed. I asked him, "Why are you here? We have nothing to do with each other. Why can't you just leave me alone."

"Karter, listen, I'm sorry for cheating on you. I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry for all the things I've said to you and about you." I don't believe him not one bit. I hate him. I can't go through that heartbreak again. I have to tell him o- "Y'know I didn't mean any of it right? I love you okay, just... take me back and everything can go back to normal." He didn't mean it? Is he being serious right now? He played with my feelings and left me for some whore off the streets! Tell him how you feel, Karter!

"See, I know you probably hate my guts. I promise I'll never hurt you again." Nick stands up from my bed and takes a few steps towards me. I back away slowly but he just keeps coming closer. "Babe, why are you backing away from me? I just told you I loved you and everything. Don't you love me back? I know you do. There's no denying it. Just take me back so we can get this over with."

"Leave. Leave right now Nick. I can't get back with you. Not after what you did to me and how you treated me. I'll never forgive you for that. I gave you all my love. Literally placed my own heart in your hands. You crushed it!" Nick laughs. "Oh yeah. It's whatever now though. So just say you love me back already."

I hate him. "No! Get out of sight Nick!" Nick grabs my shoulders. His grip is so tight that I can see the white in his knuckles. He scowls angrily. "Listen here you little bitch! I'm giving you the chance of a lifetime and you're fucking refusing? Take. Me. Back!"

I hate him. "No! You're the one who cheated! I'm not going to date a cheater. Leave me alone and leave this house!" Nick shoves me into the wall and points. "You're going to regret this. Trust me, you're going to be wishing you said yes." Nick climbs out of the window and slides down the roof. He flips me off one last time before running across the street. I let out a sigh of relief and shut the window. That bastard. I hate him.

The following day, I was at work, manning the counter at a nearby Buckstar. Things were hectic and I was focused on getting through the sudden lunch rush. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar figure approaching. It was Nick. My stomach tensed as he walked up to the counter.

Nick leaned in and spoke quietly, avoiding drawing the attention of the other customers. "Hey, Kar, can we talk for a sec?"I tensed, keeping a cool demeanor, "I'm pretty busy right now, Nick. Can it wait?"

"No, it can't wait," Nick insisted. "Please, just give me a minute. Just one minute." I sighed internally, knowing I couldn't avoid this interaction, especially while on the job. "Fine, one minute. What do you want?"

Nick seemed relieved that I had agreed to talk with him, even if reluctantly. He glanced around, making sure no one else was within earshot, and then took a deep breath. "Listen, Karter, I know I messed up big time," he began. "I hurt you, and I said terrible things. I don't know what got into me..."

I crossed my arms, remaining guarded but listening attentively. "Okay, you've got my attention," she said curtly, "What's the point of all this? Is it an apology, or what?" Nick pauses, his eyes locked on my impassive face. He seems to be mulling over his next words, weighing his options. Just as he's about to speak, a loud crash comes from the kitchen area, drawing the attention of everyone in the restaurant, including mine. I look apologetically at Nick and excuse myself to investigate the disturbance. The tension in the air hangs heavy as Nick stands there for a moment before scowling and turning away out of the building.