This Is Us

Chapter Twenty-One: Nicole

Isabella pov

I look over at Carl who is sleeping peacefully, I lean in and kiss his cheek slowly. I walk to my desk and take out a paper and pen and start writing:

"Dear Carl,

By the time you wake up I am probably gone, thank you for everything you have done. I am sorry, I can't stay here and watch people die because of something I am keeping. Trust me it is better for me and for you. Tell Aubrey I love her and tell Daniel I say thanks.

with all the love,

Isabella"

I whip away my tear and put the paper beside his phone, I look at Carl and sight, I pick up my bag and walk out of the room quietly, I walk into Aubrey's room and see her sleeping, her head on Daniels's chest. I smile at how cute they are and close the door quietly. I walk downstairs and take the car keys, I look around the house and smile at the good memories. I walk out of the house and get in the car, I take a deep breath and start making my way to the airport.

About an hour I got into the airport and got a ticket back to Australia, I decided to see stepfather and mother, I need answers to help my real parents. I walk into the plane and find my seat that was beside the window. I sniffle and sight "you alright?" a girl beside me asks and I nod "yeah" I say and she gives me a sad smile "Nicole" she says sticking her hand out "Isabella" I say and she nods " why are you crying leaving behind someone special?" she asks and I sight "something like that, why are you leaving?" I ask and she looks around and faces me "my dad is in dangerous business, best thing to do for me is to run" she shrugs and I nod slowly "yeah business is my reason of leaving as well" I say and she gives me a sad smile "damn we already got a lot of stuff in common" she says and I chuckle.

*

It has been hours since we have been at the airport, but we finally landed and I am so jetlagged. "you have a place to stay?" Nicole asks and I sight "Nah I am just gonna go to a hotel," I say and she shakes her head "nonsense you can stay with me, I need a friend anyway," she says and I smile and nod "thank you, Nicole," I say and she nods. After an hour, the cab drops us off at Nicole's apartment, "hope you don't mind it isn't as much" she says and I chuckle "I don't mind Nicole it is enough that you're taking my messy ass in" I say and she laughs. We get into the apartment and I smile, it is cute" "welcome to my apartment" she says and I chuckle "thank you again" I say and she nods "let me show you your room" she says and we walk past the kitchen and go into a hallway "here this is it, you have your own bathroom" she says and I nod and open the door, the room is big "you take a shower while I fix us something" she says and I nod and walk further into the room. I open my bag and take out my pajamas, I walk into the bathroom and strip out of my clothing. I put the water on good temperature and go under the water, I close my eyes and I only see Carl's face and I feel his touch everywhere making it hard to breathe. I open my eyes and look around the bathroom to see it is just me.

I walk out of the shower and change into my pajamas, I dry my hair and put it in a ponytail. I walk to the kitchen and see Nicole setting the table, as I am about to say something my ringtone makes me snap my head on the table, I walk to it and see 65 missed calls from Carl and 89 messages, 33 calls from Aubrey and 77 messages and more calls from Daniel and messages. "your friends or lover?" she asks and I sight "both and his name is Carl" I say and she smirks "do you have a picture?" she asks and I nod and smile, I go on my gallery and show her the picture we took at my birthday party, we were standing and my head is on his chest, smiling while his hand is on my bareback and he is giving a little smile "holy sheesh he is a whole meal" she says and I burst out laughing "did you know?" she asks and memories from the night comes back "ah yeah yesterday" I say and her eyes go wide "and you left after while he's sleeping?" she asks and I nod "girl you need to tell me everything but first we have to eat" she says and I nod and walk to the table with her.

"to make you feel comfortable to talk about it, i am gonna tell you why I left first, my dad is in a mafia and he was gonna marry me to one of his business partners and wanted me to join the business" she says and I gasp "oh my gosh "I say and she nods and sights. "well it is only fair if I tell you about me then" I say and tell her everything from the beginning until me running away.

"oh my god!" she says her hands on her waist, I nod my head and sight "yeah" I say and sight "after everything you found a better man who you love" she says and I nod my head whipping away my tear "come on sweetie it is 4 am you need to rest" she says and I look at the time "goodnight Nicole and thank you million times" I say and give her a hug.