Chapter Thirty Seven

< Nina’s POV >

My head really hurts a lot. I regretted chugging down every last bit of alcohol when it was my first time drinking it. But it helped me a lot. As to why I was drinking alcohol? I don’t know...maybe I forgot about it.

The taste didn’t feel great at all. In fact, it has this strange pungent scent that hits on my nostrils and I almost puked at my first attempt. But later on, people circled around me, they encouraged me to have a drinking competition and I dare to give it a challenge. After all, they were nice and supportive as I drank...how many was it? Three or five mugs?

If I were my normal self, I would squirm and slowly run away but their cheers motivated me. I didn’t realize I was so easy to please.

Halfway through the drinking game, I saw a silhouette of two familiar men. It was blurry, really. But when I heard that familiar voice, I immediately knew who it was.

So, I greeted him for his birthday. I almost forgot to tell him that he was the best brother I ever had. But I was so out of it, so tired, so...so...drunk that I couldn’t say it.

Speaking of my future stepbrother, my so-called guardian glared at me as he grabbed my hand. Ugh, can’t he just let me off this time? He was the reason why I had this feeling---what is that again? I forgot already. But when he glared at me I glared back and uttered the words Gene used to say to our bullies.

I didn’t feel a bit of regret when I let out those words to him.

But then I feel dizzy, I need to get out of this room now. But I’m thankful that reliable arms placed me on his warm back and this made me feel comfortable.

It reminded me of Gene sometimes.

I was sure that I was in a car. I should be more alarmed by it but the familiarity of the voices despite being inaudible from the ringing sound of my ears, made me feel safe. I know I could trust them.

And I briefly had a conversation, to test out if it was Yu or not and when I recognized his voice, I drifted to sleep, feeling happier to get away from the noise and the smell of alcohol.

However, when I woke up, my head hurt a lot, my face was still warm from this feverish heat and I’m aware that I’m still out of my mind. I wobbly stood up and realized that I was in the familiarity of my room.

I’m home now. But how? I actually forgot.

I badly need water.

So I stood up, two wobbly feet trying to make their way to the door until I heard voices. It was a slow process but I recognized these are the voices of Yu and Luca.

I decided to open the door, slowly and stealthily coming out to see them. Apparently, despite that creaking sound, the two were so absorbed in their conversation that they didn’t notice me coming out.

My head is still throbbing, my vision is still spinning, maybe I should just get their attention and get me some water instead.

“How can I talk to her when she can’t even look me in the eye, obviously scared as if I was trying to kill her?”

That snapped me back, my eyes widened, the pain in my head, the nauseating feeling I have after waking up were quickly forgotten. And it is now replaced with the familiar feeling I had this morning.

Anger.

And at that moment, I remember why I was drinking: Luca’s smile triggered a strange feeling I never thought I had and mixed it up with the terrible encounter we had this morning. It’s as if he can smile at anyone, even with his friends, that little girl, Yu or even Heather.

But if it’s me, Luca would look at me like I am some kind of a pathetic human being, scared of the man who...well, nearly made me wet my pants three years ago.

So I blurted out those words.

“Well, maybe if you start smiling at me more instead of treating me like crap, none of this would have happened.”

And I feel satisfied seeing him in utter shock.

Yu is the first one who breaks the awkward silence. “So, k-kid, want me to get you something to drink? Yeah, some water!”

But I don’t want to give in to Yu’s kindness. I know he means well but if Luca claims he expressed his genuine feelings this morning, I should give him a piece of my mind.

“Do you seriously think that everything will be solved by the way we are right now?”

“Oh?” Apparently, Luca takes the bait, his expression shows impatience and annoyance as he stands up, crossing his arms as well. “When you said “we”, I thought it was just me who’s trying.”

I glare at him. “You should really get off your high horse, you know that?”

“Well, if only you stop being a pansy and tell me what you think, we wouldn’t be in this awkward situation.”

“Well, if only you stop glaring just like how you glared at me three years ago.”

“Well, do I? You always look down on your own feet.”

“Because I know, Luca!” I exclaim, making Luca flinch.

“I know that you couldn’t enjoy your private time with Heather here in this apartment, you couldn’t even stay in your own house even a minute longer and would rather sleep outside because of me! And every chance we meet, you dreaded being with someone who is a reminder of your broken “perfect” family! You don’t have to be too obvious about it, Luca!”

Why is he suddenly quiet? I thought he had more to say. So, with my drunken state, I continue.

“And every day I feel so miserable, seeing you like this. I tried my best to ignore it because all I care about is my mom’s happiness. But now after I decided to leave Freedomville, I want both my mom and your family to be happy…” I pause, my voice starting to tremble. I feel like I’m on the brink of tears but I tried to control it. “I left Gene there in Freedomville for that reason alone.”

“My mom is the mistress,” I continued to glare at him. “I know it was wrong. But she fell in love, your father fell in love with her, too. And your mother...accepted it.” I sigh.

“I should have hated you, really,” I continue, my voice is trembling now. “D-do you know how painful it is to hear that you can be nicer to anyone yet you couldn’t when I’m a-around? Honestly, I don’t get why you accepted your mother’s proposal. You should just throw me back to Freedomville since I’m better off there!”

And with that, with my two wobbly feet, I decide to head straight to the entryway.

“K-kid, where are you going?” Yu asks, stricken with worry and panic.

“Outside.”

“O-Outside? W-where—Nina!” Yu yell behind me as I slam the door.

I hear the door opening and I know that someone is trying to catch up to me, so I quicken my pace.

But one strong arm grabbed my wrist. It wasn’t a strong grip like it didn't want to hurt me. I just sigh, “Yu, leave me alo—” As I turn my head, I expect it to be Yu who is after me.

But instead, it was Luca. His face is flushed pink as he looks at me in the eye, instead of anger but out of concern.

“W-we really need to talk.”