Chapter 50
She was early, she wanted to say that it hadn't been planned, that she wasn't worried or anything, but that would be a lie. She was terrified. The night was eerily quiet, the moon full and the air cool. She bit her lip, her leg bobbing nervously. What in the hell was she doing here? Chasing after the writer some mysterious card, it was total insanity. She shook her head, was nuts.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over and leaned against a large oak, staring up into the sky. She remembered the last time she'd been here, and smiled. The night had been a lot like this, only she hadn't been alone then. She rubbed at her head, and looked back up at the sky just in time to see a flash pierce the sky. She straightened up and gasped softly. A shooting star! A sad smile crossed her lips. The last time that happened...
"Did you make a wish?"
The voice broke through her thoughts and she whirled around her heart racing. She didn't see anyone, it was too dark. She swallowed hard.
"Do you remember what you wished for?"
She could swear the voice was moving, first in one place then another. She looked around frantically.
"What did you wish for Lana?" The voice whispered.
She stopped, going totally still. It couldn't be.
"Did you wish for the same thing I did that night? The same thing I wished for tonight?"
Her eyes scanned quickly, turning in a slow circle. Just one look...just one. She stopped again, she could feel eyes on her and she turned, her eyes widening. The darkness seemed to part as he emerged from the shadows.
She felt her legs starting to tremble as he came to stand in front of her, the moonlight shimmering down on him. He offered her his hand.
"Dance with me." He whispered.
She stared at him in confusion.
"Dance with me Lana."
Would you dance
If I asked you to dance?
Shakily, she took his outstretched hand and let him pull her into his arms. She looked into his eyes, and immediately wanted to run. She pulled away, but he held her closer.
"Don't run Lana. Just dance."
Would you run
And never look back?
"N-Nick, what's going on?" She finally choked out.
"I missed you."
She saw his eyes go glossy as her vision started to blur.
"I turned to find you, and you weren't there. I reached out for you at night, and you weren't there. Instead there was this pain, and it's only gotten stronger. I need you. Only you can stop this pain."
Would you cry
If you saw me cryin'?
Would you save my soul tonight?
"Wha-what about Vanessa? I thought that..."
"No, she...we're not together anymore. She let me go."
"Nick! Why? I thought that you loved her."
"I do love her Illana, I'll always love her. But it's you...that I'm in love with. You that I want to be with." He murmured leaning down, brushing his lips over hers lightly, feeling her slight tremble.
Would you tremble
If I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this
"You...you can't love me." She didn't know why he couldn't, but she just couldn't fathom the idea.
"Why not?" He smiled.
She shook her head. "You only just said it a few days ago...in the heat of the moment. And right now, it's just emotions talking."
"It's not emotions. I said it before Sunday also Illana. Before anything happened. Three times I've told you that I love you."
She looked at him lost.
"Right now, Sunday and Saturday."
"Saturday?"
"The most important time. The first time I told you. Right after we'd made love, I told you that I loved you as I held you in my arms. You drifted off, you must not have heard me."
She stared at him in shock and suddenly, she remembered. She'd been so sleepy, but she remembered hearing him say something right before she drifted off.
"I tried to tell you again before you left that morning, but I never got it out. Then the whole thing with Vanessa happened."
She shook her head, she couldn't believe it, he really did love her. She pulled away from him, walking a short distance.
"Lana, did I say something wrong?"
She turned to look at him. He'd said everything right. "No, I'm just...I don't know."
"I don't want to pretend anymore Illana. I'd do anything to be with you, that's all I've ever wanted, to be with you again." He whispered coming up to her and wrapping her in his arms again.
Now would you die
For the one you love?
Hold me in your arms tonight
"Let me be with you."
"I'm...scared." She'd hurt so much after her last relationship, she was scared.
"So am I. But I'm here for you baby, we'll be scared together. We'll go through it together. Let me take that fear and pain away for you." He kissed her cheek gently.
I can be your hero, baby I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
She wanted him to; she wanted him to help her through it. She wanted him. "Nick...are you sure? Sure you want to do that?"
"I want you, I'd do anything for you. I would never lie. I guess what I'm wondering is, whether you'll stay, or run from me again. I don't think I could take having my heart broken a second time. It hurts too much. "
What she'd done really wasn't fair, but she wanted to make sure that he knew what he wanted. That he figured out what he felt.
"I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you Nick."
"I know baby. I keep thinking that I'm crazy or something. I mean, you're my ex's best friend, but I can't help it. I'm in way too deep now to pull away. I need you."
Would you swear
That you'll always be mine?
Would you lie?
Would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care you're here tonight
"I need you too." She smiled.
"You do?"
"Of course I do, I love you."
His eyes widened. "You love me?"
She nodded. No more pretending. "I want to be with you too."
I can be your hero, baby I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
He took her in his arms again, and just held her. It was too much to believe.
"Thank you for being there for me. Throughout everything, you were my friend. Someone I could talk to. And just as easily as you became my friend, you became more than that too."
She looked down and she felt him gently lift her chin with his fingers.
"You've always been more to me than just my friend and you knew it."
Illana did know, she hadn't wanted to face it, it'd been too risky. Maybe now she was ready to take that risk. She looked into his eyes and he smiled and all she wanted to do was take him in her arms. She'd officially lost her mind, and it'd never felt so good.
Oh I just want to hold you
I just want to hold you
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
Well I don't care you're here tonight
"I was just too damn stubborn to see it. I do love you Nick and if you still wanna, well I think we should try to.." She was silenced as his lips covered hers.
He pulled away. "Are you kidding? If I still wanna? I've been more than ready!"
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah I know! No need to rub it in."
He laughed. "You're my hero."
"Me?"
"Yeah...you." He grinned pulling her into his arms.
She smiled. "I'll be yours, if you'll be mine."
"I'll always be yours." He whispered, as their lips met in another kiss.
I can be your hero, baby I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
You can take my breath away
I can be your hero...
Hero - Enrique Iglesias
The-End