My Hero

Chapter 22

 "I love you Phoenix..." He whispered with his head against my forehead. My breath stopped.

"I-I-I no. I'm sorry I can't do this." I stuttered, stumbling backwards, out of the room.

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"And you just ran out?! How could you do that to him?" Rio yelled at me through the phone. I sighed.

"Rio I don't love him."

"You-You don't?" I shook my head, then realized she couldn't see me.

"No." She was quiet for a moment.

"Oh. That's kinda shocking." She said quietly. "I need to tell you something." She said softly.

"Ok." She took a deep breath.

"Dylan asked me out and I said yes." I was shocked. I dropped the phone and stared at the tree in front of me, while I was on the balcony.

I bent over and picked up the phone. "Oh." She sighed.

"You're not happy." She stated more then asked. My heart started racing.

"N-no. I am. Just a little-a little shocked." She knew I was lying, I could tell by her lack of words.

"No you're not."

"Rio I don't really want to talk about this." I whispered. 

"No. I want to know why you aren't happy that me and a boy you told me you DIDN'T like are dating!" She yelled. I flinched and opened my eyes slowly. 

"Because Rio. Me and Nico are dating but only if it were ok with Dylan. I thought I had moved on when I saw him with Ashley, but I guess now that you tell me you guys are dating, I guess that means I'm not quite ready to be over him yet. Ok? Are you freaking happy?!" I yelled into the phone. She was speechless and I heard someone come into the hotel room. I sighed.

"I have to go goodbye Rio." I said sternly into the phone. I hung up before she answered.

I stood and walked back into the hotel room.

Nico.

He saw the distressed look on my face, and instantly knew something was wrong. He continued to keep walking through the room until he made it to me and enveloped me in a tight hug. We stood there for about ten minutes, until I pulled away. 

"What's wrong baby?" He asked in a soft voice.

"Dylan asked Rio out and she said yes." His eyes lite up.

"That means we can date." I gave him a faint smile.

"I kinda thought we were." I said real soft, as he held me at my waist and I wrapped my arms around his buff torso.

He gave me a smile then frowned. "Then why are you so upset about Dylan and Rio?" I looked away from his eyes.

"Because I'm still not a hundred percent sure yet." I whispered. His grip on my waist loosened. 

"Then what is this?" He snapped, quietly.

I didn't answer.

"Then what the hell is this!" I flinched as he yelled.

"I-I don't know." I mumbled. He growled and pushed the stack of books, roughly off the side table, grabbing his hair in fists and pacing the small living room.

"I do know. I do know that I like you. A lot. A lot Nico. From the moment I set my eyes on  you, I've liked you. Ever since I saw your brown hair and your brown eyes, You make me laugh when I really want to cry. You held me close when I was cold, and you offered a hand to hold every time I needed it. I love how your personality draws people in, and I love the way you're always here and have always been. You are the sun in my day, the wind in my sky, the waves in my sea, and you're the beat in my heart." He stopped pacing and stood still.

"I want to always be in your arms, I want to feel your touch, I need you so much! You lighten my day and make me feel wanted. My favorite place is inside your arms, enveloped in your strong hugs. And all I want," I hesitated.

"Are your lips on mine." he tensed up, his head turning to the side to hear me better.

"You want what?" He questioned softly.

"You." I whispered. I watched him close his eyes and take a breath. 

"I-I don't believe you." He whispered. I stamped my foot, watching him flinch.  

"Why not?" I questioned loudly.

"Because you said you don't trust any guys, why the hell would you want to kiss me if you didn't trust anyone?" I sighed and took a quiet step forward.

"I trust you." I whispered.

Step.

He shook his head, tears forming in his eyes.

"Do you like me Nico?" Step.

"Of course-I don't know anymore Phe." He whispered, stopping himself short just when he was about to say the answer I wanted to hear.

Step.

"Do you?" I questioned.

Step. Step. Step.

"I don't know..." He whispered, letting a tear escape.

Step.

"Yes you do! Why won't you just tell me?" I whined, but still keeping my composure.

Step.

I was so close now, I could reach out and grab him. Grab my baby.

"Because I'm afraid." He whispered.

Step.

Now I was right up against him, he just didn't know it.

I stood on my toes and put my mouth extremely close to his ear.

"Of what?" I asked seductively, breathing slowly out of my mouth and letting my breath fan across his neck.

"Us." He whispered so softly, I had to strain in order to here him.

"Please don't be." I begged him softly. He waited a while before finally answering.

"Did you mean all those things you said?"  He asked in a shaky voice.

"Of course I did." I whispered. "And so much more!" I said, tempted to reach out and wrap my arms around his stomach.

"Don't lie." He whispered, letting another single tear escape.

"I don't want to kiss you. Not yet. I'm not ready." I said, so softly a mouse wouldn't be able to hear, but he did.

He heard me.

I watched him let out a breath and smile.

"Thank you." I furrowed my eyebrows.

"F-For what?"

"For not lying to me." He sighed. "For being honest." I sighed and waited, trying to get the words out.

"I need you Nico. I need you in my life and by my side. Holding me." I whispered.

"I need you too. But I don't know about this whole Dylan thing?" He trailed off. I shook my head and wrapped my arms around his stomach, laying my head against his back and pulling myself up against his muscular body.

He crossed his arms over mine, grabbing them with his hands.

"I-I don't want-I don't need Dylan as much as I want and need you." I felt him take in a deep breath.

"Then will you--?"

"PHOENIX? HURRY! IT'S DAISY!" I heard Ben yell from the hall, pounding on my door. I lifted my head from his back and looked at him.

"Please tell me later. I must go." He nodded his head and took my hand in his, rushing for the door.