Saving Nicole

Chapter 22: Like a Phone on Vibrate

Nicole's POV
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"You think you can get away and just up and leave like that, Amicus?" I demand, my voice raising higher. I rarely get angry, but when I do, you better watch out. "I'm not letting you go so easily." I snarl. It's the next day, and I came over like I do everyday.

His scarred eyes widen and he stumbles a pace back from the shiny wooden door. It creaks slightly and I shove out an arm to keep it from closing and step inside the mansion. "You think I'd give up that easily?" I question, glaring at him with my hard blue eyes.

He just stares at me, his face slackened. "Nicole..." His voice is hoarse from the permanent damage done.

"I come every day. Did you think you could avoid me?" He frowns, finally seeming to regain his senses because he takes a step away from me.

"I told you it didn't matter." He declares, glaring right back at me. His eyes are as hard as green ice. I always forget that we're best friends because of our hideous resemblance of stubbornness.

I poke my finger hard into his chest, forcing him back angrily. "You don't just leave like that, Dallas. I don't care what you say. It does matter. I don't care if you're scared. You need to tell me." I pause. "Does your mother know?" He winces. Of course she doesn't. "Come." I grab his wrist, walking past him and towards the marble staircase. The white floors are shiny from a fresh cleaning.

Dallas stumbles after me, trying to regain his balance so he can lurch away, but I keep a firm grip on him and pull him up the stairs.

"Nicole. Stop! Stop it!" He commands me, almost falling again. His eyes are wide with shock and fear and many other emotions, but he tries regain his balance.

Once we reach his room, I close and lock his door with a loud click, leaning against it so he can't get out. He glares at me angrily, his hands clenching and unclenching. "Now. You need to tell me what happened. No lying." I say, staring at him unblinkingly. He sits on his bed, the springs squealing at him and I come and join him, wary that he'll try and run out.

"It doesn't matter, Nicole. Why can't you just let it go?" He asks quietly, staring at me from the corner of his eye.

"Because something happened that you aren't saying. And obviously, it's worse than being physically torn apart." He flinches. "What can be worse than that? I. Need. To. Know. The doctors didn't say you had anything else." He shakes his head, blond hair flopping.

"I'm not saying, Nicole. Besides. I already told you last night." He growls, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"But I don't know what wolfsbane is!"

"Be glad you don't." He mutters, turning his fierce gaze away.

"Well, I'm going to." Hissing angrily, I push him backwards before he even has time to think. With a startled yell, he throws his hands back to support himself, but I shove them out from under him. I heave myself forward to sit on him, knowing he wouldn't hurt me if his life counted on it. Gripping his wrists, I pin his arms above his head. He knows exactly what I'm doing. His eyes widen and he growls at me.

"Nicole...Don't you dare. Don't. You. DARE!"

"If it doesn't hurt, then why are you freaking out?" I inquire smugly. He tugs and tugs at his arms, his eyes wide and filled with panic. I lift his shirt up slightly, and he thrashes to free my grip, but somehow, I hold on.

"Please don't... Please, please don't..." He resorts to begging, tilting his head back to expose his scarred throat. His chest heaves with shallow breaths.

"Relax.. I'm not going to hurt you.." I inform him. Peering down, I stare at the scarred words on his stomach. And that's when I see it. Usually, scars are lighter than regular skin, but these scars are darker. I run my thumb over the letter 'Y,' the tender skin making Dallas lurch and hiss between his teeth.