Masked (#Wattys 2016)

Chapter 2

Walking past the numerous homes, Nina kept thinking about the competition. She had always been competitive when in came to showcasing her inner talents. She kept thinking about genres, story plots and characters.  After walking for another 5 minutes, she finally reached Demi's home.

She heard loud screams and the noise of broken dishes  as she made her way towards the porch of Demi's home, she was about to hesitantly knock on the door. When she heard Demi calling her from behind.

"Psst..over here"

"Demi, what's going on inside?"

"I'll tell you everything, but first let's get you in, you're freezing"

Demi took hold of Nina's arm and pulled her towards the back door of their home. As she was about to climb the stairs towards Demi's room, she saw Demi's mother picking up the broken pieces of the dish, the kitchen was a mess and she was crying hysterically.

Maybe it's a bad day to discuss competitions.

Nina hurriedly hugged Demi as she entered the room. 
"I want you to tell me everything"

Demi's eyes were pooling with tears as she hugged Nina tightly. 
"My parents are getting a divorce"

Nina was speechless, she didn't know how to console her. She was lost. She couldn't feel the pain Demi felt. She only hugged Demi tighter in an attempt to stop her from crying even harder. 

Poor Demi.

"It's all going to be fine"

"No! it's not, nothing will fine. I will be left all alone now"

"You're never alone, I'm always with you."

So young, i wish nobody goes through something like this in their lives, EVER. I would've broken into a million pieces if something like this happened to me. But Demi, she's strong. I know she is. 

Nina consoled Demi and told her it's just a bad nightmare, that this too shall pass. But what Nina didn't knew then was that, some nightmares never end. 

"You're a strong 19 year old, and i know you're going to emerge even stronger after this"

"What would i have done if you weren't here by my side today?"

"I'm always by your side and i PROMISE i forever will be" 

They lay on Demi's bed looking at the sky from the window on the ceiling,  Nina was always fascinated by the window, Demi told her, this was the only place she felt at peace. But today, the atmosphere in the room was different. It was dark.

"You know, i always wanted a window like this"

Demi smiled "It was dad's idea to get the window in such a position, he knew i loved the night sky"

I should've just kept quiet about the window, thing. 

"It's pretty."

Their conversation was interrupted, by a ring in Nina's phone. It was her mother.

"Yeah, ma"
"Where are you?"
"I'm over at Demi's."

"Do you even realize what time it is? Come home immediately." 

Nina cut the call, she could feel the tension in her voice. Her mother never talked to her in such a tone before. She hurriedly got up from the bed and started walking towards the door. 

"Nina, where are you going?"

"I'm sorry, I have to leave.Take care of yourself." 

Nina's voice sounded almost mechanical. Her mind was a jumbled mess filled with questions. She just wanted to get home. 

"But Nina..."

Demi was interrupted by the closing of her door, Nina left.

The walk back home, felt even more bitter and long. She kept thinking about the change in her mother's voice. She was confused at this change. She was dragging herself, her body felt heavy as the cold air hit her hard on her face.