The soft glow of your living room lamp was the only light illuminating the space as you curled up on your couch. The faint sound of Gossip Girl played in the background, Gossip Girls voice narrating the scene as you popped a chocolate-covered strawberry into your mouth. You'd made them earlier in the day, craving something sweet, and now they were the perfect late-night snack to accompany your favorite show.
As you reached for another strawberry, a sudden knock at the door made you jump. Your heart skipped as you glanced at the clock — it was well past midnight. Setting the plate on the coffee table, you stood and cautiously walked to the door, your bare feet padding against the hardwood floor. Peeking through the curtain of the window beside the door, your breath caught in your throat.
Nicholas.
Without hesitation, you unlocked the door and opened it. He stood there, shivering slightly in the cold night air, his arms crossed over his chest. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his face wore an expression you'd never seen before — a mixture of sadness and vulnerability.
"What are you doing here?" you asked softly, concern evident in your voice.
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know where else to go."
You stepped aside, holding the door open wider. "Come in."
Nicholas stepped inside, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket as he glanced around. He walked toward the kitchen island, leaning against it and resting his arms on the cool surface. You closed the door behind him, locking it, and turned to face him.
"Is everything okay?" you asked, moving closer to where he stood.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "Everything's not okay."
You waited patiently, sensing he needed time to gather his thoughts. After a moment, he took a deep breath and looked at you, his eyes filled with emotion. "I got into a fight with my dad. A screaming match, really. It was bad... worse than it's ever been. He told me I was worthless, that I didn't deserve to be part of the family." His voice cracked, and he looked away, his jaw tightening. "Then... he hit me."
Your stomach dropped. "Nicholas..." you whispered, your heart breaking for him.
"I couldn't stay there," he continued, his voice trembling. "I just... I needed to get out. And for some reason, I came here."
You reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. You didn't deserve any of it."
He nodded slightly, his gaze still averted. "I don't know why I came to you. Maybe it's because... you're comforting."
A small smile tugged at the corners of your lips, but you quickly suppressed it, not wanting to draw attention to it. "Do you want to stay the night?" you asked gently.
Nicholas hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Yeah. Thank you."
You grabbed the plate of chocolate-covered strawberries from the coffee table and walked toward the fridge, placing the rest inside. As you did, Nicholas leaned against the counter, watching you. His eyes flickered to the TV, and a faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Gossip Girl again?" he teased. "Haven't you seen that a million times?"
You turned to him, rolling your eyes playfully. "Yes, but it's my favorite show. You know that."
"I do," he said with a knowing smile, his teasing tone softening.
Your cheeks flushed slightly, and you quickly brushed it off, motioning toward the stairs. "Come on, let's get you settled."
