Crossroads → Nicholas Scratch [CAOS]

v. what meets the eye

WHAT MEETS THE EYE
CHAPTER FIVE

The rate of her heart had slowed down to a more even pace after Nick had insisted on walking her home. She felt guilty for having worried her father and brother so much and was not looking forward to the all-too-familiar lecture she was probably going to get. She was grateful that she had Nick beside her, walking her own. He seemed to always know what to say or do to make her laugh. For most of the walk, Dani had mostly been distracted from her incessant, worrying thoughts, laughing and smiling too much to even remember that it was way past her curfew.

"So, will I be seeing you again?" Dani interrupted the few seconds of silence, glancing at Nick momentarily before looking ahead once again.

"Do you want to see me again?" He smirked, of course.

"I swear, Nicholas–" She laughed in disbelief at how consistent he was with his teasing and wit that he thought was so charming. "Do you ever respond with a serious answer?"

He laughed, pulling his gaze away from her. "Yes, Dani, you will be seeing me again." The upward curving of the corners of his mouth was persistent. "How about tomorrow?" Not having expected how whole-hearted he was being, she stared at him for a moment, trying to search his eyes for confirmation. She couldn't tell whether he was being earnest or not. When the sincere smile on his mouth persisted, she pursed her lips that slowly began to curve upward and pulled a lock of her hair behind her ear as she turned her attention to the ground shyly.

"Tomorrow sounds good." She nodded, trying and failing to prevent her grin from growing even wider. It was hard to describe the aura surrounding them during their midnight stroll. The rustling trees and shimmering stars filled the night with an almost tangible tranquility. surprisingly, in the silence, Dani's mind hadn't been incessantly wondering what her dad was going to say— in fact, she had completely forgotten about what awaited her at home.

She expected it to feel like an eternity until they got to her house, but strangely, they arrived in what felt like only moments. The pleasant walk came to an end too soon. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was disappointed at how quickly their time together came to a close. She stopped in front of the white-painted house, Nick following her lead, standing still beside her. Through the windows she could see that all the lights were on, reminding her that her dad and brother were inside, waiting impatiently for her to arrive.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Dani." With a smile, she nodded in confirmation, waving before she turned around and started walking up the porch steps. But before she placed her fingers on the doorknob, she realized that she had been so distracted by the adrenaline that she didn't get his number. She spun, calling out to him.

"Hang on, Nick-" her voice trailed off as she came face to face with nothing but night air. She glanced around, wondering if maybe he'd started walking already, but he was gone. He vanished, like the last spark on a burnt piece of paper. She scanned the area once more before sighing. And she thought the people in Riverdale were weird. She whirled back around with a start, surprised when the door was swung open with considerable force, revealing her fuming dad.

"It's almost ten, Dani." The disappointment in his eyes was soul-crushing. Very rarely had she been given that look, but still, it was unbearable to see how much she'd let her father down. "What if something had happened to you?" His lecture began even before she stepped foot into the house.

"Nothing happened to me, Dad," Dani assured, stepping inside and peeling her jacket off her body. "I was with a friend at Cerberus Books the entire time. I promise, I just lost track of time. Nick even walked me home, so I wasn't alone at all. I was perfectly safe."

"Nick who?" Her dad folded his arms over his chest, a stern look on his face. She knew that expression all too well.

"Nicholas Scratch. He's a friend of Sabrina's," she explained. Before she could say anything more, her dad interjected, an interrogative edge to his voice.

"Nicholas Scratch?"

"Yeah, he goes to Stone Ridge or something," she clarified, her tone tired and worn. She was exhausted from school and his questions were only reminding her of that fact.

"He walked you here, huh? A rich guy like him doesn't own a car?" An eyebrow was raised in question. It was almost like he was talking to himself rather than to Dani.

"Does it really matter?"

"Look, Dani. I don't want you out late anymore, alright?" Not as bad as she thought.

"I know. This was just a one-time thing," she repeated, wanting the conversation to end so she could go to sleep. "I won't be home this late again."

"That's not what I meant," her dad stated, gravity dripping from every word. "From now on, you come straight home from school."

"What?" she asked incredulously, her lips parted in shock. "Dad, come on," she forced a laugh, hoping he was exaggerating.

"I mean it, Dani," his voice was sterner now.

"But Dad-"

"No," He shook his head and held his hands out in a gesture of finality, to show that there was no compromising. "Unless you're with me or Calum, I want you home by four-thirty— just until it's safer." Just until it's safer? Dani wondered if she had heard him right. Even her dad's eyes widened slightly, shocked by his own words— like he hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"What are you talking about?" She frowned, straightening her posture and crossing her arms over her chest defiantly. "Until what's safer?"

"We just got here, kiddo. We don't know if Greendale is any safer than Riverdale yet, is all I meant," he said and smiled reassuringly. "Why don't you get some rest? It's late and you have school tomorrow." She wasn't oblivious enough to believe that. He was lying and Dani intended to find out why.

"Yeah, okay," she mumbled, surrendering the fight. At least until she had a full night's sleep. He leaned forward to kiss her forehead. "Goodnight."

All the positive memories of the day were shoved to the back of her mind as she trudged upstairs. Her brain had put the conversation between her and her dad on repeat. Sure, his cover-up was somewhat convincing, but still. She couldn't help but feel like there was more to it than what meets the eye.

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→ author's note

okay nowwww things can gradually start getting more interesting. let me know what you thought of the chapter!

votes, comments and follows are more than appreciated.

i hope you enjoyed!