COMPLICATED.

CHAPTER 23

ROUGH NIGHT

Too much confusion in my head. Too many confessions, too many hidden truths, too many lies, too much of everything.
Not so long ago I had such a perfect life, a future already planned, in short, a dream life. College, studying music, performing in the greatest stadiums in America, and why not, in the world! Live with Leo and build a family with him. And now look where I am!
Locked up' in the car, drunk, with what I thought was my best friend, and now he's...I don't even know what he is to me.
We've always had an honest friendship, built on honesty, telling each other things right away. Now it's enough if we don't send each other to hell, and we're almost there.
I've always hated drama, and he knows it. Yet today he did one, why?! Did he do it for me? The most romantic part of me rejoices at this. But the bitch in me remembers that girl. Evidently they already knew each other, they weren't strangers at all.
No, he did not do it for me. He was just pissed that I didn't tell him right away about my future intentions.
He wants her, she wants him.
Stop living in fairy tales, Emma. Your boyfriend betrayed you, you let your family down, and Nick is already getting tired of you. You have to move on, go to London and forget everything.
But can I forget about what happened with you, Nick? Can I forget about you?
I look at him while he is driving, his eyes are wrinkled and tired. His hands grab the steering wheel firmly.
The headlights of the other cars
illuminate his face, enhancing his wonderful green-water eyes. I could drown in those eyes...
Oh, Emma, stop it! It's just fantasy!
I have to lie on the bed and get over with this colossal hangover. I'm degenerating.
<< Do I have something on my face? >> he says laughing.
Good, he also realized that you were staring at him like a psycho!
His laugh... What the hell! Control yourself!
You're mad at him, and that's not gonna change just because he's an hunk.
I puff and look the other way.
'He only wants her '.
<< You know that's not what you think, right? >>
<< We agreed not to talk...>>
<< I didn't promise you anything. Come on, I know what you're thinking. >>
<<How do you know? >>
He looks away from the windshield and finally looks me in the eyes.
<< I know everything about you. >>
Touché. It's true, he knows me. Or rather, he knew me.
<< I've already told you. I'm not the Emma you remember anymore. >>
<< She's right here in front of me. >>
I don't think so.
<< She's not. >> I whisper.
I need to get out of here, I can't breathe.
I realize I'm in front of my house. I would like to say goodbye, thank him for the ride, but I can't , everything that happened tonight is unforgivable.
I open the car door and get the hell out of this damn car.
My head is spinning, I'm swirling, I can't stand up. Never drink so much again.
<< Ok, melodramatic. I'll take care of you. >>
I decide to ignore this stupid nickname. He grabs me by the legs and carries me in his arms to the front door.
This scene is hilarious, if I have to tell the truth.
<< I'm not a bride that you have to carry in your arms till the door of the house! >>
<< Yes, you would like a husband like me! >> We laugh hard and, just for a moment, I forget everything. I know that reality will soon rub the truth in my face, but for now it's just the two of us, him and me. As we always were.
He grabs the keys from my purse , opens the door and, once inside, puts me down.
It's all dark, obviously everyone will be already asleep.
In an attempt to light a lamp I stumble upon Paul's Legos and start laughing nonstop.
Nick gives me a sign to be quiet but it's too late, my parents turn on the kitchen light and look at me with open mouth.
How long have they been waiting for me?!
<< Hey guys! >> I exclaim with a shrill voice. Okay, I've reached the limit.
Nick helps me get off the ground and holds my hand to prevent another fall.
<< She's drunk, right? > my father says.
I love him, I swear.
Nick bites his lip to avoid bursting to laugh.
<< Just a little, I take her to the room and put her to bed. >>
<< All right , thanks Nick , you were very kind to bring her back in one piece>> my mother says in a sleepy voice.
<< Hey wait, do you agree that he takes me to my room?! And so you don't have any doubt that we could have sex?! >>
Oh fuck, but what did I just say?!
My parents are shocked by my words and Nick has become all red in the face.
<< Ok , that's enough! I'm so sorry...>> he says putting his hands on my mouth to shut me up.
<< It's okay for me, just don't make too much noise, I would like to sleep. >> says my brother from above the stairs.
He's 10 years old, yeah that's right.
<< Paul! Go back to sleep now! >> my fathers says.
<< Ok, we'll try. >> I say winking at him.
<< Oh my God, let's go! >> Nick pushes me down the stairs to get to my room.
As soon as we go in, I jump on the bed and I get under the blankets.
<< Don't you wear your pajamas? >>
<< No, I'm too tired. >>
Actually , I'm destroyed.
He comes near the bed and fix my pillow.
<< Then try to sleep as much as you can, because it will be a rough night for you. >>
<< Nick? >> I call him in a whisper.
<< Yes? >>
<< Do you like me? I mean, do you really like me? >>
He just smiles at me.
<< Good night, piccola. >> he whispers to me giving me a kiss on the forehead.
And happily I fall into a deep sleep.