Between Us

Six

Niko's phone alarm went off again as he grabbed our shopping bags from his car. We had arrived back at his house and my feet felt heavy with fatigue.

"I'll be right back," he said quickly, and rushed into the house, leaving the bags behind.

Why was he acting like that? And why was his alarm randomly going off?

It definitely wasn't normal.

I huffed out a breath and picked up the bags, shutting the passenger door with my leg. It closed with a slam as I locked the car and entered the house.

Inside I set the bags next to the kitchen counter and poured myself a glass of water. Footsteps sounded in the hall and Niko appeared.

"Sorry about that," he said, laughing nervously. I raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

Something wasn't adding up.

"No worries. So, what time are we leaving?" I asked, changing the subject to stop myself from digging too deep into his life.

I hadn't been honest with Niko. I was aware that there were going to be more than a few people there, and every time I thought about it, my heart started beating just a little bit faster.

It didn't help that they would all be strangers.

He must've sensed my internal conflict and stood in front of me. I nearly jumped when he placed his hand over mine.

I looked up and met his eyes. There was no smirk on his face. But I saw the way he looked at me- with kindness or pity, I couldn't tell.

"Don't worry, I'll be right there with you. Start getting ready in an hour, okay?" He replied. I nodded and pulled my hand away from his.

The strange tingly sensation in my chest was back.

Niko said he had to pick up some food for the house since I was there now, and left a few minutes later. I insisted on going with him, but he just shook his head and told me he'd be back in thirty minutes.

When I heard his car roar to life outside, I swooped up the bags and headed for my room. Taking out the dress, I laid it out on the duvet alongside all the makeup items and shoes.

I'd never worn heels before, but if I wanted the look to be complete, I'd have to wear the shiny black heels that we had bought.

Smiling to myself, I thought I heard something from the hallway.

"Niko?"

I walked out of my room and looked around me. There was nobody there. Scratching my head, I was about to walk back into my room, when I saw that Niko's door was slightly ajar.

Doubt churned through my mind as I took a step closer to his room.

What the hell was I doing? Invading the privacy of someone who had shared their house, food and money with me?

I wanted to walk away, back to my room to get ready for the party. But something stopped me. It was the strange feeling that started at my knees and made its way past my bones and into my core.

Inhaling deeply, I glanced at the stairs before pushing Niko's door open.

I found myself in a plain room, quite like mine, except for the wall of photographs that concealed any spec of white.

Taking a step closer, I noticed the bed was unmade and like Niko's car, the smell of coffee filled his room. It wafted up my nose and thrummed through every breath I took.

Carefully, I made my way to the colourful wall. There were photos pf anything and everything. A squirrel in a park. A little girl on a swing. A park bench. A traffic light.

But one photograph grabbed my attention. It was of a younger Niko standing beside a blonde girl. They were half-leaning on his car and the date was written on the top, in neat cursive handwriting. It was dated three years prior. The exact same day: 16th March.

That was today.

Shaking my head, I turned back to leave, when  I saw the folder on his desk. It was overflowing with papers and even had a coffee stain on the cover.

Before I could change my mind, I left his room and quickly locked myself in my own room.

Leaning on my door, I was breathing hard, as if I'd just been caught doing something wrong.

When I had calmed myself down, I took a quick shower, dried my hair, and pulled on the dress. It was so warm and light it made my lips pull up into a smile.

I brushed through my dark hair but left it open. When I had finally applied enough makeup to cover my spots and dark circles, I began pulling on the heels when I heard the front door open and close.

Niko must be back. I got up and waddled to my door, closing the light and smoothing the material. I scrunched the edges of the deep red dress in each hand and clacked down the steps.

When I saw Niko, who was miraculously already dressed in a tux and clutching a blazer in his hand, my breath hitched.

He looked absolutely breathtaking. His afro was combed away from his eyes and his brown eyes shone despite the lit up hallway. His suit trousers were a perfect fit and the tux really emphasised the muscles underneath.

I noticed him staring, but not at the dress.

At me.

His eyes didn't leave my face as he reached me in two strides.

We were standing so close I could feel his breath fan my face.

"You look-"

"Weird? I know, I haven't worn this kind of dress before but it's really comfortable-"

"No you idiot," he chuckled, "you look beautiful," he breathed out the last word like it was something he couldn't even imagine saying.

My cheeks were flaming red and my hands felt clammy. Why the hell was my heart beating so damn fast?

"Ready?" He asked, stepping back and offering my his arm.

I swallowed but wound my arm around his. We began walking just as I nearly tripped over my heels. Immediately, Niko had both his arms wrapped around my waist protectively.

"Uh, yeah. These shoes are a little hard to walk in, but I'll manage," I said, pivoting my foot in mid-air to get rid of the pain.

I looked up at Niko shaking his head.

"One sec," he announced and released me, running up the stairs two at a time.

When he came back, he was clutching my trainers in one hand as he almost flew down the banister.

"Here," he said, holding them out to me. Then he did the most unexpected thing I could ever imagine.

He led me to one of the kitchen stools and sat me down. Crouching down, he gently tugged off my heels and set them aside, before putting on my socks and shoes.

"You really didn't have to do that for me. I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself you know," I exclaimed when he dusted off and pulled on his black blazer.

He tutted.

"Does this make me qualified to be your knight in shining armour?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I couldn't help but laugh as I playfully punched him in the arm. He caught my fist in midair and pulled me closer. And for a millisecond, his eyes glanced at my lips before he gave me a cheesy smile and turned away.

"Your carriage awaits, m'lady."

And for the first time in my life, I felt like I had left my reality, where my mother had ignored me since the day my dad died.

Where my brother would watch from the sidelines as bullies kicked me repeatedly in the stomach until they saw blood.

A reality where every sadness from every moment of my life had led me to the bridge that day.

But this wasn't reality.

This was a fairytale. One I wished could never end.