That Thing That I Needed [Nick Austin]

CHAPTER 10

"Did I ever told you that Scarlett drove for the first time when she was sixteen and she drove so wild that her brother promised to never ride with her again?" Natalie asked Nick as they both laugh.
"I've never even seen her drive so wild yet..." Nick commented.
"Well..." Natalie just said as we ate at a restaurant.

"Anyway... Christmas break is in two weeks. I'm gonna tell you this right now Scarlett. I won't be spending the time with you this Christmas. Something came up in the company. I'm afraid you'll have to spend your break with Uncle Noel."
"What? No! I won't ever, not even a second, spend time with him!" I told Natalie as my mind went back to that bad memory.
"Well, you can't spend Christmas alone."
"I'd rather spend it alone than go and spend my Christmas to that asshole."
"Scarlett, I know that what happ—"
"I lost my appetite. I'm going home." I jolted from my chair and went out of the restaurant.

"Scarlett, wait!" I heard Nick yelled from behind me. It's either he's too fast or I ain't that far from him to grab my hand.
"What?"
"It's not safe. I'll walk you home."
"I'm gonna be fine. I just need some time alone."
"I'll leave once I'm sure you're safe." I just continued walking to my house.

We didn't talk the whole while. I'm just glad it's not awkward.
"We're here. I'll see you tomorrow." Nick said. I nodded and went inside.

The following days went by real fast.
"Hey Addison? Can I ask you something?" I asked to Addison at chemistry.
"Shoot."
"What exactly happened to you guys? It's been bothering me and I don't have a single clue. I mean I know it doesn't concern me but you're still my friends." I said. She sighed.
"They had a big fight. Like a really really big fight."
"They?"
"Thomas, Daisy and Chase. Its mainly Thomas and Daisy." She said.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Financial problems. But don't worry. I'm sure they'll solve it soon and hopefully  before Christmas because we all promised to spend Christmas Eve at the Hype House." She said. I nodded.

After class, Addison and I waited for Charli and Avani since I promised them that I would go with them Friday night after school to go shop some gifts and clothes and stuff.
"I made a list for what I'm gonna buy." Avani said as we went inside the mall.
We first ate at a restaurant before we all shopped for gifts.
"Okay. I'm gonna buy the boys gifts first. Scarlett, I'm gonna need your help. And you should buy some too." Charli said.
"Sure."
"Okay. I'll go with Addison." Avani said. We parted ways.

"First of all, what should we get Tony and Ondreaz?" Charli asked.
"I think I'm going to give them shirts, I guess." I said.
"You give them the t-shirts while I give them shirts. How about that?"
"Cool." I said. Charli and I went to find two matching outfits for Tony and Ondreaz.
"Okay, next up is Kouvr and Alex." I said.
"Does Kouvr like teddy bears? I saw a teddy bear around here. It reminds me of Kouvr." I told Charli.
"Kouvr's fine with anything. I'll give her a dress." Charli said. We both got what we wanted to give Kouvr. We decided to give Alex a teddy bear too, from the both of us. I bought Addison a necklace. She was my first friend. And Dixie... I bought her a pair of sandals.
Then I heard Charli gasped.
"What?" I asked.
"We should give Avani a makeup set!" She excitedly said.
"That's a great idea." I agreed.

"What should I give Chase?"
"I don't know. You should give something sweet, not too pricey or cheap. Something that'll remind him of something." I suggested.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"I'll probably give him an accessory since he loves them." I told Charli. She nodded.
"Okay, I got Thomas a cat collar. It's for Artemis really, but it's Thomas cat." Charli said. I laughed at her.
"Okay, last one! Nick." She said. Why did the thought of him made me shivered. Not in a bad way though.
"He's courting you, right?" I nodded at her.
"Should I just give him you?" I looked at Charli. She laughed.
"I'm kidding! He likes teddy bears. Like literally. So why not give him one. How about you?"
"A hoodie." I quickly said.

After that endless shopping, we went home. The next weekend, I went out to buy some gifts for Nessa and the others.

December twenty third. I was lying on the couch with my phone when I heard my doorbell rang. I went to see who it is.
"Hey Scarlett. Been a while."
"Ashton!" I said, surprised.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as I let him in.
"I'm just checking up on you." He said as he sat at the couch.
"How you doin lately? How's Clark University?" He asked.
"It's... Good." I answered.
"Anyone bothering you? You better tell me right now so that I can go to his house and beat him up." He said. I laughed at him.
"Fortunately, no. The people there are really great." I said.
"Scarlett... I heard something." He said as he looked at me. More like eyeing me.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"I heard someone's courting you... Who is it?" He said sounding excited and curious.
"What? Why would I tell you that? Where did you even heard that?"
"C'mon Scarlett. I grew up with you and your brother. You're like my little sister. So spill. Who is it?" He said.
"Fine. That's one reason. It's Nick." I simply said.
"The guy who I met that one night?" He asked. I nodded.
"He has great taste. When are you answering him?"
"Answer him?"
"When are you gonna say yes? You like him. I can tell." He said.
"Where do you get that?.... I don't know.." I said.
"Anyway. I bought gifts for you and your father. Open it on Christmas, alright?"
"Really? Gee, thanks." He thanked. Once I gave him the two boxes of presents that I neatly wrapped, he started talking.
"Why don't you spend your Christmas with Uncle Noe—"
"No!" I quickly said.
"You know what he did to me better than anyone." I told him.
"But—"
"Ash, did Natalie sent you to convince me to spend my Christmas with that jerk?"
"What? No! It just came in my mind a while ago. And besides, Natalie and I aren't so close to do that. But where are you gonna spend your Christmas?" He said.
"Here. Or at my friends house. Or with Nessa." I answered.
"Okay, at your friends house or at Nessa but don't spend it here alone." He said.
"Okay, okay. Stop acting like my brother." I said.

"Alright. I should get going. I still have errands to run." He said. I chuckled.
"Bye. Get home safe."
"I will."

*******

WHAT IS UP GUYS?! I KNOW I HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATING FOR A WEEK AND I'M SO SORRY FOR THAT AND FOR THIS SHORT CHAPTER. BUT DON'T WORRY, I'M BACK AND I PROMISE THAT ILL UPDATE THIS WITH A MUCH LONGER AND MORE EXCITING CHAPTERS. ANYWAY, I HOPE EVERYONE IS SAFE.

LOVE Y'ALL ❤️❤️❤️