Chapter 10
Illana loved the weekends; Saturday's being her favorite. She was able to do what she wanted, catch up with her friends and family. Her family was so important to her, and since she didn't see them much, she tried to call as often as she could.
She flipped the TV off and looked up at the clock. Eleven o'clock. Maybe things had gone well. She stood and started towards the stairs. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't thought about Nick all evening, hell all day, wondering what'd happened.
Vanessa sure was upset and Nick, poor Nick had been going out of his mind trying to figure out what to do. She sure wasn't treating him well; he deserved better than that. Shaking her head, she started up the stairs, when there was a knock at the door. She walked over and opened it. "Nick!"
"I know I said I'd call but, I needed to see you. Can you talk?"
She stared at him, his eyes were glossy and he looked tired. "Sure, one sec." She appeared a few moments later with a few blankets. "Come on, let's sit out here."
They walked out a little ways and they spread the blanket out on the grass and sat down. They were silent for a while, looking up at the stars when Nick finally spoke.
"She broke up with me."
Illana's head whirled around.
"She said we needed time apart, that she couldn't be with me anymore." He whispered, still looking up at the sky.
Illana looked down; she didn't know what to say. Whatever she thought would happen, she didn't think she'd break up with him. "Nick, I don't know what to say."
"It's ok."
She bit her lip, moving closer to him. She wrapped her arm around his back, quickly before she could think about it. "Maybe, maybe this is a good thing, for now. You tried ya know, and you were giving it your all. I think she needs to figure some things out."
He nodded. "I just didn't want it to be this way, I know we could work it out. I just don't know what else I was supposed to do."
She felt something in her clench, she couldn't stand this. Here he was acting like it was his fault, like there was something he wasn't doing, when it was all Vanessa.
He turned then and looked at her. Those eyes, so hypnotic, so deep. She couldn't look away.
You, have got to have the
Bluest eyes I've ever seen
And when I wake from dreaming
I am screaming out your name
"You've got prettiest eyes I've ever seen." She felt herself whisper.
Nick's eyes widened.
"I mean! Umm...I'm sorry, that was..."
"Thank you."
She stopped and looked at him, suddenly overcome with nervousness. "S-sorry, I shouldn't have said that." She fiddled nervously with the plastic string on the blanket. What was happening to her?
"It's ok Illana. Thank you for saying so." Nick chuckled softly.
"God, that sounded like a bad pick up line or something." Illana laughed.
"It was very nice of you to say."
He looked over at her again and she fell back on the blanket, anything to get away from the crystal gaze of his eyes. Nick followed, lying down next to her, staring up at the sky once again.
"It's a beautiful night." He murmured.
She nodded. "Yeah it is. I love when it's clear like this, and you can see the stars."
"Mmm." Nick looked over at her out of the corner of his eye. The comment about his eyes had taken him totally off guard. For some reason, the remark made him feel ten times better. More so, to see her so flustered was somewhat of a thrill for him. Maybe he hadn't lost his touch.
"You know Nick, you really are a great guy. Don't let this get you down. It's not you I swear." Where was all this coming from? Why couldn't she control what she said around him? She groaned in frustration and turned her head to see Nick looking over at her. She felt his hand find hers and squeeze it gently.
"Thank you."
Yes, I must confess
You simply are the best
And there's no point denying
When I'm lying by your side
That it's...
She quickly looked away, forcing the swirling in her stomach to stop. Her mouth was dry and all she could focus on was the feel of Nick's hand, which was still in hers. This was wrong, very wrong. He's her best friends boyfriend...well was. Was, he was no longer Vanessa's boyfriend. Fear washed over her, which meant that...that... She bolted up quickly.
"Illana? What's wrong?" Nick sat up next to her.
She looked over at him. It was happening. She recognized this feeling, the way she felt every other time. She was helpless to stop it.
More than just a crush
Everytime we touch
Cause babe you know
You make this feel brand new
Like there's been no one else but you
For the first time I feel
This could be the last time I'm real
Fall...in...love
The way she was looking at him, it was intense, sensual. He couldn't help himself as he reached up and tucked a strand of hair that was blowing in the breeze, behind her ear. "Illana?"
"S-sorry. Thought I felt something crawling on me." She smiled weakly.
"Yeah?" Nick looked behind her, brushing off her back. "I don't see anything."
"Good." She cleared her throat and looked back up.
Nick looked up also. There was something different about her now. She seemed, almost nervous around him. He looked over at her again.
"What?"
"Nothing, just thinking."
She brought her gaze to his and he was immediately taken aback. Those brown eyes bore into him, searching. He could feel his heartbeat quicken. What was going on?
"Must be something else, the look on your face is a trip." She giggled.
"Huh? Oh, I guess you could say that." He smiled, winking at her. It was so easy to talk to her, and this, he hadn't done this in a long time. Talking, sitting under the stars. It'd been so long. It was like, like she was healing him.
He winked at her, why did that make her insides all warm? Damnit! She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed that it wouldn't happen, just don't let him take her heart. She couldn't afford to have it broken again.
And for a thousand years
I hope to stay right here
Wrapped up all around you
So glad I found you
You make me feel so pure
Like you're some kind of cure
Baby you're my healer
You heart stealer of a man
Not much was said, and it was a comfortable silence. Nick found that his gaze kept drifting over to Illana. The way she looked, her head lifted her eyes closed. She looked so natural, so carefree. He really didn't know much about her. He'd never really had the chance to ask her anything personal. For some reason, he knew now wasn't the time, it just wasn't right.
She could feel him staring at her, and she had the urge to check her hair, anything. She brought her legs up and rested her chin on them. There was so much she wanted to say, but yet, she couldn't.
It's more than just a crush
Everytime we touch
Cause babe you know
You make this feel brand new
Like there's been no one else but you
For the first time I feel
This could be the last time I'm real
Fall...in...love
Why did he feel like he'd known her forever? Like he could tell her anything? He wanted to pour his heart out to her, and he knew she'd be ok with it. He had to be closer; he had to feel her. He reached out, taking her hand again.
She turned her head; he had her hand again. She swallowed hard as she turned her head to look at him. It was only him, and only he could see her, only he could touch her. And that's how she wanted it.
Hold me
Baby cause you know me
Cause every single touch
It's more than just a crush
Reach me
Only you can see me
And what I crave so much
It's more than just a crush.
He reached up and gently caressed her cheek. He needed contact. "You know something, in the theater, when we were sitting there. All I said to her was that I wanted to touch her, to hold her. She wouldn't let me Illana, she wouldn't let me hold her."
The tear made it's way down her cheek at the sound of pain in his voice. His gaze on her never wavered though. Gently he brushed the tear away.
"Would you hold me? Will you let me hold you Illana?" He found himself whispering.
She didn't need to answer as she moved forward. Nick opened his arms and pulled her into his embrace.
"Thank you." He whispered.
It's more than just a crush
Everytime we touch
Cause babe you know
You make this feel brand new
Like there's been no one else but you
For the first time I feel
This could be the last time I'm real
Fall...in...love
For a thousand years...
Crush- 3G's
