Chapter 3 is for: Fabina4eva, Obsession123
Song: In My Place by Coldplay
~*~3: Friend Of A Friend~*~
"Nina." Fabian managed as his throat closed quickly, it felt like sand was coating his lips. He watched her as still as a statue. It had been so long but he recognized her; he could never forget a face so perfect looking. Nina gave a weak smile to Fabian and bent over to help Trudy, the House Mother grabbed Nina's hand. "Oh thank-you honey." Nina's smile widen and Fabian let out a breath not realising he'd been holding it for the entire time. An Eighteen Year Old Nina Martin stood in front of him.
Her hair was shorter and blond highlights stayed tucked beneath wavy copper strands, her face had a natural amount of make-up; her lips looked glossy in the lighting, the simple black dress she wore complimented her small frame in every way while she seemed taller-a little more confident even. She looked-if possible-more beautiful than before.
"I'm OK!" Trudy announced to the crowd; they let out a collective sigh and chuckled humorless. After the laughter died down, Fabian shook his head drawing him back to reality: the crowd had pulled apart leaving him alone with Nina Martin. Nina Martin...three years since he last saw her and he was still tongue-tied in her presence. "Hey Fabian." Nina said weakly, her voice sounded scratchy pulled from her thin lips.
"Hey." He repeated being careful with his words. If he didn't think straight, he may say the wrong thing and offend her. Nina tried a smile but she could feel the pathetic exterior seeping through. She stared at Fabian, he looked different. His hair was longer and darker, he had lost the baby face features making his face seem more masculine; yet his soft blue eyes reminded her of the old Fabian. He'd grown and still maintained his skinny structure that emphasized that he was a clumsy teenager. She couldn't help but feel angry; Fabian wasn't supposed to change. She had always imagined-and she knew it was wrong-that he'd stay the same forever. Nina Martin could change and move on but she'd always have Fabian Rutter to rely on the fact that he would stay the same.
Everyone changes though, right?
"Nina! You look good! Umm, you went umm, exploring around uh Europe right? How was it? Did you see any ancient umm stuff? Was it fun? How long have you been gone? Three years? Amber told me-but it's not like I was ever asking! Whoa, three years is a long time! Poor Victor right?" Fabian rambled feeling the heat in his cheeks burn like someone had set fire to his face.
"So you're dating Joy?" Nina asked and ignored his rambles.
"No-I mean..." Fabian swallowed and Nina just stared at him confused; her delicate hands playing with the skirt of her dress. "I mean yes." He lied smoothly unlike how he had begun. "Really Fabian! I'm happy for you, I really am." Nina smiled and hugged Fabian tightly, her arms pulling him closer, his heart hammered fast as he could feel her hot strawberry breath on his face. He inhaled it feeling good as it filled his senses.
"Sorry!" Nina blushed and pulled away still holding his skinny arms; she bit her bottom lip-almost as if she was nervous. Maybe she still had feelings.'Fabian thought feeling ashamed that he felt like he used to while being around her. "Well...goodbye." Nina dropped her arms and ran them down her dress skirt. She twirled around leaving Fabian with just her strawberry scent behind.
Or not.
"Nina! There you are!" Amber cried relieved when she saw the girl she'd been searching for. "Yeah?" Nina looked up with a smile on her face, she had just seen Fabian Rutter. He was in the room beside her and she hugged him! It was weird how she felt like she was at home in his arms-pathetic and angst-y. Nina felt better since earlier; lately these days she'd begin to feel sick all the time: it used to happen to her as a child, headaches and stomach aches. Her parents had special treatments though but when Gran took custody they all stopped.
"What'd you want to tell me?" Nina asked, remembering before when her old friend seemed eager to talk. Amber just stared at Nina: her relief turned to fright. Oh god; I can't tell her! She doesn't need to know, I'll be OK. Amber thought to herself, running her hands through her perfect blond hair. "Amber...?" Nina asked waiting patiently. "I'm sorry," Amber whipped her head down in shame and then looked up with a changed expression. "I was just wondered if the dip was spicy or not-I read in a magazine that spice increases the likely hood of you getting wrinkles." Amber said. Insert smile. Amber smiled.
Before Nina could even question Amber, the blond spun around and skipped away down the Boys' Hall into the kitchen. "OK then." Nina said and lightly hit her hands against her stomach. The service would be over soon and Nina really wanted to go back to her Hotel-the last few hours had been pretty tiring. The older teenager went over to the coat rack and pulled her red button down jacket-from London-off the hook.
"Hey your that girl who left right?" Nina looked up to see the dirty blond boy she didn't recognize from before. Well not boy but the one that was talking to Mara. He wore a confident grin and had both of his hands into his black rocker blazer pockets; he even wore white chucks filled with doodles with his torn skinny jeans. "Hey I'm Eddie-I moved to this creeped out place like what? Two years ago. Anyways uh, everyone talks about you like a star and since you came today I kind of guessed it was you by everyone's reaction," His smile gleamed in the hall's light. "I guess they forget to mention that your beautiful too?"
"Ha ha, cute what's your name? Eddie? Well Eddie, I have a boyfriend. But I'm willing to start over-I'm Nina by the way and before you say anything I noticed you have an American Accent, you aren't from here?"
"Neither do you French Fries." He teased her and watched as she slipped on the red coat. "Well I got to go." She smiled at him and it surprised Eddie how joyful her smile was. He didn't have a girlfriend, Mara was long distance dating Mick, Patricia obviously had a thing for Jerome and Joy was complete anti-boy and on a path towards Woman Rights Activist after apparently she had a rough year with some of the teachers. But this girl-Nina-said that she was off-limits and Eddie respected that, he wondered if Fabian was her guy? He never shut up about her-and now Eddie knew why.
"Hey Eddie could you tell the rest of the Anubis House gang I'll visit on Wednesday for lunch...that's two days from now, right? Nina smiled and thought to herself: I'm not going anywhere.
