Goth Ghost

Chapter 6: What About Underwear?

Kian’s POV:

I hate it when people summarise a huge timelapse in their life, but I’m gonna do it anyway. The days I waited were horribly dull. It was only me going in and out of the hospital. The doctors tried to get her parents’ contact details, but they found nothing. She has two sisters and a brother, but we couldn’t reach them.

It was about four days after the shit with Brian that I remembered Nicki had to go to work and she’s late. Duh.
I drove to the pet store hesitantly. What am I actually going to say? I have no right to mix in with her work-life, but…who else does she really have? My Lexus came to a stop as I parked in front of the store. The bright logo was making me nauseous. How did Nicki manage working here?

I entered the small colourful building, my breath suddenly short and tense. He stood there by the counter…um…Nico, that’s his name. His eyebrows were a scowl the second he saw my face. “Um…hey, Nico,” I said sheepishly. That was the lamest greeting in history.
“What do you want?”
“…Can’t a guy buy some chew toys without being questioned?”

“Oh please. Like you were here for chew toys the other day,” he said sarcastically. Shit, he’s right. I was here for Nicki that day…I’m her for her today too…dammit. “I think we got off on the wrong foot,” I said. I raised my hands to my chest, as if to admit defeat. “You think? Last time you came here, you took my co-worker away and left me to clean up her shit, as always,” Nico grumbled. Damn, this guy fucking hates me. “Last time I came, she wasn’t in a hospital-bed,” I said softly.
“What do you mean by that? Is she okay?” asked Nico, his face changing to concern. “She got into a car accident. About a day after she left here. She’s been in the hospital for a while.”

“What? Where were you at that time?”

“…I was in my apartment when someone called me saying she was in an accident…so I ran all the way to get her,” I said, feeling awkward.

“…Shit…where did the car hit her?”

“A while out of L.A.”

Nico narrowed his eyes. “Why would she go there? She hates driving long-distance,” he said as he crossed his arms across his chest. I swallowed hard.
“I wish I knew…” I mumbled. Why would she? Maybe she…no. She wouldn’t go to Wren’s house without me. Why would she? We’re in this together, right? I’m just stupid and making assumptions.

“Don’t boyfriends know where their girlfriends go before they almost get killed?” Nico grumbled. Did he really think…?
“I guess so, but…I’m not Nicki’s…boyfriend,” I said, the words tasting sour as they exited my mouth.

For a brief moment, I swear Nico’s face lit up. His dark eyes became hopeful. Aaaah…I get it. Nico’s body lost its stiffness and he seemed to calm down. “I…I gotta go, Nico. I have to get Nicki’s stuff,” I said awkwardly turning around. My foot was in the door when I heard his footsteps behind me.

“Isn’t that a bit weird?” he asked. I turned around to face him. My height usually made me self-assured in stare-downs, but Nico looked like he could actually kill me. I bit my tongue in confusion.
“What?”
“You’ve known Nicki for three days. I’ve known her for almost two years. I think I’m the one to help her out.”
I scoffed loudly. Nico’s calm posture went stiff again.
“I’ve known about her accident for almost a week. You’ve known about it for about five minutes.”
“Don’t get cocky with me.”
“You sound like my dad, but he’s less annoying.”
“I don’t get what the fuck she sees in you.”
“My kickass personality and my general awesomeness.”
“Oh, please. You’re so full of yourself.”
“I might be but you’re too pathetic to do anything about it.”