Broken Generation (Sequel to Don't Go)

Chapter 18

** 9 months after Nicole Woke up **

** Crimson's P.O.V. **

I took a deep breath as I felt my old clothes settle on me once again. The falling in reverse shirt matching the teal blue beanie and converses, the bracelets resting comfortably on my wrist. My black jeans rubbed against each other as I exited the building, the front of my shirt clutched tightly in my hands as I looked around nervously. Someone walked beside me and arms wrapped around me- causing me to squeal first in fright then in happiness as I realized it was Austin holding me. He set me down and I hugged him tightly, breathing in his comforting scent before pulling away, looking around.

"Did Josh come?" I asked, and he frowned a little bit.

"Sorry Bluebird, I haven't seen him yet. He said he would try but something else came up." He said, and I hugged him again as I wrestled my sad feelings down. Josh had his reasons, and they were always valuable in his way. I pulled out of the hug and Austin looked down at his phone, answering the apparent call and mouthing a sorry to me. I shook my head and waved it off, looking down at my feet.

"Yea man, I'm down with that. In that case I gotta bring Crimson with me though, that okay?" He asked, and I looked up at him, feeling hopeful. There was a pause and he smiled down at me, winking and nodding in confirmation. I relaxed and smiled back, looking up at the sun with closed eyes.

"Yea, yea, no that's-" He suddenly cut off mid sentence and I looked back at him, eyebrows furrowing in confusion at his opened mouth terrified look. "-I, I gotta call back." He said weakly before hanging up, the phone nearly falling out of his hand as he put it in his pocket.

"What is it?" I asked, turning to look at what had caught his attention as such. I froze as I saw Nicole, though for a different reason than Austin had froze. Nicole was staring at Austin, wide eyed and shocked as well.

"Nicole?" He whispered softly, and Josh looked between the two, not knowing what the hell to do. I looked between the two as well, before gently grabbing Austin's arm, tugging on his sleeve.

"Austin." I whispered, and he looked down at me. The hurt in his eyes. My own heart squeezed as I stared into those eyes. Josh had looked like that before this all happened, and now that Austin looked at me like that... He had finally accepted the fact that she was gone, that the world was to continue on without her, and now she was here, standing in front of him in the flesh.

"I-It wasn't my secret to tell." I whimpered out, grabbing his sleeve tighter as I felt my body began to grow weak. He looked back to Nicole and took a step forward. I let go of his sleeve as he walked up to her- hesitantly reaching out before resting a hand on her shoulder. She flinched slightly and suddenly he was hugging her- seeming breathless and weak.

"I can't believe it! You're actually alive!" He said, and she hesitated before hugging back, slightly smiling as he began laughing.

"This is amazing! We can tell Oli! And everything will be okay!" He said, and Nicole pulled out of his grip- shaking her head quickly as she stared up at him.

"No, Austin, we can't please. He can't know." She begged, and he looked down at her, confused. "He can't know, please keep it a secret... I'm actually living a normal life, I don't want the attention, I don't want that pain again. Please." She whispered- her voice breaking as she stared up at him. Josh gently grabbed me and I looked at him for a moment before looking at Nicole, tears starting to build in my eyes. She was happy to be living a normal life, to have a job because of who she was, not because of her lover.

"Please." I begged softly, and Austin looked over at me. He looked slowly to Nicole then me, before letting out a soft sigh and nodding.

"Fine, fine I won't tell anyone." He said, and Nicole smiled gratefully as Josh wiped the tears out of my eyes, kissing me sweetly. I kissed him back, relaxing in his touch as I pulled away, laying my head against his chest. I looked over at Austin and he smiled at me, and I smiled back. Maybe the people inside were right. I would get better as I got back with my friends and let myself gain a normal routine. As I fell back into a familiar and good routine.