Where Are You Now?

Chapter 42

Nick

"Prettymuch has now became a dangerous band to be around! There was a shootout in their album release party!-"

I turned off the tv and sank in the couch. I was an absolute mess. I couldn't get her out of my mind. I was so fucking worried.

The front door opened and Faiza walked in with a sad expression. I raised an eyebrow at her as she made her way over to me.

"You ok love?" I asked and she handed me an envelope.

I took it in my hands and opened it. It was an acceptance letter to NYU. My mouth dropped and I looked up at her.

"This is fucking amazing! Why aren't you happy?" I asked getting to my feet.

"Is it wrong to be happy in a time like this? I want to be happy but I can't bring myself to be when we're in a tough situation," she sighed.

"What do you want Faiza?" I asked as we sat down.

"Can you answer that question first?" She sighed grabbing her envelope.

"What?"

"What do you want? Or better yet.. who do you want Nick?" She asked and her eyes were watery.

"Are you about to cry? Faiza what do you mean-"

"Nick please just don't lie to me. We promised we would be honest no matter what. So please tell me if you low key still want Rose to be yours," she spat all at once getting to her feet.

I just stared at her. The question caught me off guard.

"Uh.. fuck why is this being asked Faiza you know how complicated shit is I told you-"

"Nick it's not a fucking complicated question. Do you still want the girl or not?" She asked a bit more sternly.

"Faiza I'm not answering that question-"

"I think you just did..." she croaked and she turned around to walk away.

"Faiza stop. You want me to be honest so I am. Rose. She's always been a complicated subject. I feel like me and her could never work because she has a whole fucking kid with Brandon. I can't see a future with her because I feel like I'm not good enough to be a stable foundation for her and Celine. It's just too complicated. It always has been. You Faiza.. you're new. You're different and there's no complication. I genuinely like you-"

"Nick imma stop you. Honestly I feel like you and Rose never had a chance to really know if you two can work. And listen I saw your reaction to her today. You can't function without her and you lose all your fucking senses when you're with her. And unfortunately you're not like that with me Nick. And honestly I knew deep down already this was gonna be the turn out. And I know when she gets back she's going to need you. And I don't share Nick. So I think we should just end this now. And not just because of Rose. Me too. I think I deserve a fresh start. I want to go to college and have a career I never thought I'll have. I want to be a nurse and help children around the world," she cried and I just stared at her.

I crunched my eyebrows in pain and went to the kitchen. I went in the cabinet and grabbed an envelope. I went back to her and handed it to her.

"What is this?" She asked opening it.

"There's a check for $3,000. There's your tuition," I replied.

"Nick no-"

"You need to fucking take the money," I said cutting her off.

I cupped her face and pressed my lips on her forehead. I pulled her into a hug and sighed.

"I just want to say thank you. For everything. I know you're going to change the world," I spat and she sniffed in my arms.

She parted from me and she had tears coming down her face. She smiled at me and took a step back.

"I will never forget this Nick. Thank you. You saved my life I really hope you know that," she sighed wiping her face.

"You deserve it and more. You saved me too," I replied looking down at my leg that was now healed.

"Bye."

Rose

I walked in the court room and saw everyone sitting on one side of the court. I walked in behind Andrew and we sat in the front.

"First we will have Brandon Arreaga step up to the stand and say his part," the judge announced.

Brandon got to his feet and made his way to the podium.

"Im Brandon Arreaga. I met Andrew at a rehearsal. He was dating Rose who I had a huge crush on for a while then. She found out he was cheating. They had a huge argument and when she was going to leave he slammed her on the car causing Nick to step in and defend her. He beat him badly but that's because he got physical with Rose first. Fast forward we started getting threatened. We found out it was him at a concert. He was threatening to shoot Zion and I jumped in instead. And I literally died. Then I came back but honestly the shit he's put us through is too much. I was even threatened with my daughters life from him. It's just been a really hard time. He needs to be locked the fuck up for good," Brandon growled.

"Nicholas Mara to the stand please."

I continued to stare at the floor. I didn't know what to to say. Andrew told me to deny everything. And if I didn't Nick would die. So much fucking death.

"I'm Nicholas Mara. As Brandon said, we met Rose when they were dating. I've known her for a while through twitter. Plus she was Zion's best friend. So instantly important to us. They were arguing as Brandon said and he slammed her on the car. And I don't tolerate men hitting women. I don't. So I lost it and yes I did beat him. That's what he gets for getting physical with a female. Well. Then I got hit by a car. And got hit by a car again. My career literally was off my radar nearly twice with this guy and he needs to be locked up. He's mentally insane. Like face it bud, you got what you deserve-"

"That's it Mr. Mara. Rosemarie Smith to the stand."

Nick looked over at me as is told up and I was shaking so much. He stopped in front of me and mumbled, "I don't care what he's threatening, you better do this for everyone else he's tortured. I know we don't know the whole story but this is the time to suck it up. Say the truth Rose. We're here for you."

It's not that easy Nick. I bit down on my jaw and walked to the podium. I looked at my family and saw they all gave me a side smile. Jewel mouthed 'it's ok' and I sighed. I looked at Zion and he mouthed 'I love you'.

I had to. For those two especially. My best friends since elementary. I had to.

I looked at Andrew and he stared hard at me. And already I felt the uneasiness. What they didn't know... is that I had a secret that he would expose if I told the truth. And none of them would be able to bare it. They would hate me even more if I didn't tell the truth. But the one it will affect the most?

Nick.

He will hate himself and me forever not telling him.