Wrapped

Chapter 25

Twenty five- Nick

"I love you," I mumbled into Zack's chest as we stood in our embrace.

The words seemed to flow right our of me, as if I was suppose to say that. Joy filled upside me. I finally gathered enough courage to say those simple three words. Every time I tried to say it before, I got either to scared or nervous and I would just begin to stutter and would end up saying something else. But now, I said the small sentence and it feels as if I'm a whole new person. I never felt this way before, not even with Pierce did I feel this happy and fulfilled.

Listening closely, I could hear Zack's heart begin to pick up its speed. Soon enough his heart was pounding in his chest. Was this a good thing? Maybe I surprised him, we did say that we should go slow with our relationship so maybe he wasn't expecting it. Or maybe he didn't know how to react. What if he doesn't love me back?

Zack pulled away slightly from our hug and looked me in the eye. Both of us having a small smile. "What was that?" He asked with a small, deep chuckle.

My grin left my face and became a frown. He didn't even hear me. Depression filled up inside me, he couldn't even try to make out what I said? I am leaving. This is the perfect time for one of us to say it. I probably shouldn't even try saying it again. He probably doesn't even love me. I really don't want to get hurt again either.

I looked at my shoes and sigh quietly, "I said that I was going to miss you," I lie, my tone making me sound slightly upset.

"I'm going to miss you too, babe," He says and sniffs as if he's about to cry.

I give him a sad smile and begin to turn away from him, "I'll call you when we land, okay?"

Zack nods and watches me leave, "Alright," he replied and gives me a small wave as I head off back to my mom.

As I approach her, she smiles sweetly, "You ready to leave?" She asks in a calm tone.

I shook my head and she chuckled slightly, "It's okay, honey," She said and gave me a hug, "I know you're scared, but we will be safe."

"Gate 'D' is now boarding!" I hear a loud voice blare through the intercom.

My legs begin to feel weak and my hands start to shake. Gate 'D' is my gate. I felt hot tears sting my eyes. I couldn't do this. I couldn't leave. I didn't want to leave Zack, or the dance studio, I didn't want to leave anything, I just wanted to stay home.

I felt my moms hand push my back, causing me to just a little. "Let's go," She said quickly and started rushing us to the gate. The closer and closer we got, the more nervous I felt. My stomach did flips and my heart raced.

As we boarded the plane with all the other passengers, I tried to calm myself down by taking deep breaths, thinking happy thoughts, but nothing was working.

"We sit right here," My mom said and sat down, sitting next to the window.

I slightly nodded and sat next to her. My palms are sweating and I was incredibly anxious. "Cover the window, please," I said quickly, my voice cracking.

My mom did it and faced me with a soft smile, "It's okay, Nick," She said in a comforting tone.

I nodded and bit my lower lip, "I'm just nervous," I said and grabbed the seat - belt, tightening it around my waist.

My mom nodded and patted my shoulder, "I know," She said and sat back in her seat.

I sat back as well, squeezing my eyes shut, waiting for the plane to take off.

After a few minutes, I heard a man's deep voice over the intercom say, "Good evening, everyone, today we will be having a smooth flight too Miami, Florida in approximately four hours. We will be taking off shortly after we get a head start and get going. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

So we're going to Florida. But why? Maybe she got an job offer there that she was going to surprise me with. Or maybe my mom was sick living here in Maryland, but would she really want to move because of that?

I felt the airplane start to maneuver and I looked at my mom with a scared expression.

She smiled slightly and tried to calm my nerves. "How about we just talk? That always helps me when I'm nervous."

"Okay," I say shakily and try to put on smile.

"You start," She grinned.

I thought for a minute. There was many things I wanted to talk about. Mainly just talk about why we are leaving when life seemed to be going so well.

"Why are we moving?" I ask finally.

Mom sighed and looked down, "I guess I do need to tell you sooner or later."

I nodded and then the plane started to lift off and go up into the air. Instantly I felt sick, as if I needed to vomit or something. This talking thing wasn't helping so far. My mom quickly grabbed my hand and I immediately tightened my grip. My breathing quickened and shut my eyes again.

After a while, my nerves began to calm and I started to relax. I loosened my grip and looked at my mom, she was grinning at me, "It isn't so bad anymore, is it?"

I shrugged and heard her chuckled.

"Can you tell me now?" I asked and tilted my head.

Mom sighed and looked at me, "We're moving because of your father."

My dad? I haven't seen him in ten years, why are we moving because if him? What did he do that causes us to leave the state?

"W-what?" I said confused, shaking my head, "That doesn't make any sense."

"It will make sense after I explain," She began with a sigh, "So, about two weeks ago, I got a letter from him. It said that he knows where we are and that he wants to see you. He left his number, so I called him, telling him that I wasn't going to allow it. Your father is a bad man, Nick."

I nodded. What was so bad about him? I know he left us, but I don't remember him doing anything wrong.

"He said that he was going to see you anyway, whether I like it or not. He hung up and hasn't answered my calls since. I just don't want him to hurt you, honey." She finished and gave me a sad look.

"I understand," I said, "I'm tired now, I'm going to try and get some rest."

"Okay," She began, "I'm sorry, sweetie."

"Don't be," I said and closed my eyes, "It's not your fault."

I actually didn't understand. I don't see why I couldn't just visit my father, I would really like to see him once in a while. I think it would be fine if I kept in contact with him. Why was my mom keeping me anyway from him?