𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓜𝓻𝓼. 𝓘𝓷𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓜𝓮𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓽...

Chapter 23

Today was the last day Emerson would stay at my home to take care of Remington while I went to school and work regularly. I didn't have many classes on Fridays and it was a bit quiet today. I spent some time in the music hall and I wondered if Nina would be here. I looked in the orchestra section of the stage and was happy to see her down there playing beautifully on the piano. I went around to open the door, and when I stepped inside she turned and had the brightest smile on her face when she saw me. "Carina!", she cried out in joy. "Hi, Nina! It's good to see you again", I said as I sat next to her and she gave me a small hug. "I'm sorry it's been so long since we last talked", I told her with a guilty tone, "A lot's happened and it's been a little hectic for me." She shook her head while smiling and responded, "Don't worry about it, Carina. I just hope everything's okay with you."

I was wondering if I should her the truth or tell her later when it's appropriate. Looking at her, she looked like she wouldn't tell anyone or take advantage. "Nina, if I tell you what's happened to me lately, will you promise not to judge me?", I asked her hoping not to make a mistake. She nodded and replied, "Of course. You never judged me, and that's all I needed to know you're a good person." I nodded briefly, then stared at the piano keys before finally telling her. I took a deep breath and started speaking. "Well, last Friday, I was almost run over by a car when I wasn't paying attention while crossing the street." She grabbed my hand and had fear in her eyes. "Oh, my God, Carina! I hope you were alright!" I patted her hand while she still held on to my other one and continued,"I'm okay, Nina, I promise. But that's only because someone pushed me out of the way and saved my life. Unfortunately, they got hurt instead and I had to help them recover."

"Really, someone saved you from getting killed?", Nina questioned with eyes wide with shock and curiosity. "Yeah, they did", I said with a small smile. "Who was it?" "If I tell you, you can't tell anyone else unless I say so, okay?" I demanded, and she nodded once while anticipating. I closed my eyes for a few seconds before finally telling her. "Remington Leith." When I opened my eyes, I found shock, surprise, and mysteriously, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She pulled away from holding my hand, making me already regret what I had just said. "Remington Leith pushed you out of getting killed by a car, and then got hurt instead?" The way she said that question seemed like it was a bad thing. "Y-Yeah. I honestly didn't believe it myself he would do something like that for me", I acknowledged trying my best not to make it any worse than I may have. "So he's been in your home ever since?", she asked with a strange tone in her voice. I replied hesitantly, "Yes..."

She stood up from sitting on the bench and walked around the room. I was already terrified of what she was thinking. "Nina, are you ashamed of me or upset with me? Did I say something wrong?" She shook her head no but didn't look at me. Then she stopped walking and just stood in front of the wall, her back toward me. "Carina", she finally exclaimed. "Yes, Nina?", I replied. "Do you...like Remington?" I felt all my fear in my my veins become replaced with embarrassment. "W-What?", I could barely speak. "I mean, do you have feelings for Remington?", she asked again. I felt my heart beat slightly faster, and I shook my head, "No, I don't. Even if I did, that has nothing to do with why I wanted to help him." She finally faced me, and she looked resentful toward me.

"Nina", I questioned, "do YOU have feelings for Remington?" She folded her arms and looked like she might cry. "yes." I gasped and clasped my hands over my mouth. "Oh, my gosh, Nina. I had no idea. Nothing happened between him and me, I promise. I mean, he tried flirting with me a few times, but I know he's not really serious. He just likes to mess with me." She then started crying and I felt terrified. "Nina, are you okay?", I consoled as I rubbed her shoulders. "No", she remarked though her tears, "I'm just upset at myself and embarrassed. I've had a crush on him for two years now, and I'm still too afraid to make a move. Every time I try to talk to him, I get too nervous and I chicken out. And when I think I might have a chance with him, I get too insecure he won't like me and turn me away." I started tearing up and now wish I didn't tell her.

"Nina", I said soothingly and reassuringly, "You're an amazing girl and super sweet. Who wouldn't like you?" She looked at me, and stopped crying for a little. "I can help you to finally get to know him if you want. I'd hate for you to miss your chance with him. I'm sure he'd love you." Nina was silent for a moment as I helped her realize how awesome she was, but then she shook her head and started to walk out of the room. "Nina?" I called out to her when she just opened the door and froze and turned to me when I did. She wiped away her tears, and said before leaving my sight, "Maybe this is just one of those times I can't get something I want. Forgive me if I'm distant because I might not take this lightly." I was left alone in the room sad and hating myself for being so ignorant and naïve.

OMG!!! What a shocking development, don't you think? This might put a bump into Carina and Remington's relationship if it ever grows into something bigger than friendship. Will Nina break off her new friendship with Carina over her insecure and buried feeling for The Masochist or will something unexpected happen to make things better for all of them? 🙄🙄🙄 If you liked this chapter, please leave a like and/or comment!