The One Where She Got Away
"Where did all the strawberries go?"
Nina took her packet of cigarettes, took out one, put it in her mouth and lit it up. "Oh, Alex ate them."
"Oh." Ian took a sip from the beer. "Do you know where is Matt?"
She pulled a little smoke into her mouth and then blew it out. "I don't know."
Text to: Nina.
I'm eating from those buns and they remind me of you.
"Do you want some?" Ian asked, pointing the beer.
"No." She pulled a smoke again and responded to the next she got.
Text to: Derek.
Oh! I'm craving for those buns!
"Okay." Ian sat down on the couch and took another sip. He was watching Nina, who was smoking, texting to someone and laughing. He thought maybe it was one of her girlfriends, so he didn't ask. He just kept drinking from his beer.
Text to: Nina.
Tell me that Ian isn't there and I'll bring some for ya.
Text to: Derek.
He's here. :) Aren't Jules and Ri with you?
Text to: Nina.
No, they left me. Come to me.
Text to: Derek.
I can't do that, Derek.
Nina kept laughing, but wasn't saying anything to Ian, she wasn't even looking at him. So Ian just felt the need to ask her. "Who are you texting to, babe?" He spoke softly, waiting for her response.
Text to: Nina.
What? Are you scared? No one is kidnapping you.
"A friend." She smiled, pulled some smoke from the cigarette again and continued texting.
Text to: Derek.
I'm scared of you. :D
"What's his name?"
Nina blew out the smoke and then stubbed out the cigarette. "His?" She laughed.
"Yeah."
Text to: Nina.
Of me? Now you're in the trouble, Dobrev.
Nina didn't respond to Ian, she just kept texting.
Text to: Derek.
Oh yeah?
Ian sighed silently and spoke again. "Are you not gonna tell me?"
"Derek."
Ian's heart started beating fast. He knew it. He just knew it. Anger swirled like a red tide within him, rising to choke him. His breath became harsh and shallow and the feeling of jealousy was slowly growing into his skin, filling his blood. It made his eyes go dark and his mouth became a straight line.
He didn't really feel like saying anything so he just shot. "Oh."
Text to: Nina.
Where are you tomorrow?
"Is it a problem?" Nina looked up at Ian.
"Nope. Unless you're flirting with him." His mind was whirling with thoughts that only made him assume the worst.
"Um okay." She looked at the screen again and started texting again.
Text to: Derek.
We will see each other on Saturday.
"Come here." Ian reached his hand to touch her. He just wanted to feel her in his arms.
Text to: Nina.
Saturday? Why?
"No, wait."
Text to: Derek.
Because we will celebrate Jules' birthday. What are the costumes?
"Sure." Ian swallowed and then curled his upper lip to keep himself from speaking.
"I will be with Julianne and Derek on Saturday." Nina spoke, while her eyes were still locked on the screen.
"Where?" He said automatically.
"Los Angeles."
Text to: Nina.
Me...have no idea. You something sexy.
"Why?"
"Because I wasn't on her birthday party."
"Aha." His voice was dark and the acid was practically dripping from the corners of his mouth.
"Are you okay with that?"
"I don't know. Do you like him?" His hands automatically curled into fists at his sides, itching to swing out.
Nina sighed and rolled her eyes. "Don't talk to me anymore."
"I'm just asking."
"Yes, I like him. And I slept with him three times on our vacation and I'm pregnant from him." She started shouting. Of course, she wasn't being serious. She was being sarcastic. She was just tired of Ian being jealous all the time. "God, just stop it!"
He had imagined what she said and he felt like he was going to barf. "You asked if I like Crystal. Now I'm asking if you like Derek."
Text to: Derek.
Can you come and pick me up, please?
"What are you texting now?" Ian spoke again and stood behind her, reading the message. "Are you serious?"
"Ugh!" Nina pulled away from Ian and left the apartment.
Text to: Nina.
I will come, of course. Where?
But Ian followed her, leaving the apartment with her. Nina just got in her car and before she locked herself in there, Ian opened the door of it and got in as well.
"Get out of my car!" She shouted.
"No."
Nina took a deep breath, looked at him angrily and get out of the car. She started walking down the street. Ian got out as well and started walking after her.
"Where are you going?"
"Leave me alone." She started walking faster, wrapping herself with her coat.
Ian put his hand on his arm and stopped her. "No."
"Don't touch me." She grabbed his hand and took it away from her, then started walking again, and texting.
Text to: Derek.
No, don't come.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Ian walked next to her.
She turned around and looked at him angrily. "With me? Or with you? I can't breathe from you. Stop following me!"
Text to: Nina.
I'm close, let me come.
Nina looked at the text, but didn't respond and put her phone in her bag, then continued to walk around the streets.
"I won't stop, where are you going?"
"It's not your business! Stop..." She shivered a little.
"Yes it is. Because I care, unlike you."
"Then why did you said those things?" She yelled.
"Stop yelling," He narrowed his eyes. "Why did you said you are pregnant from him?"
"Because you annoyed me with your questions!"
"It's like you have never asked me that. What's the big deal?"
"Fine, what do you want from me?"
"I want you to come home." Ian started speaking softly again.
"I don't want to!"
"I will walk with you then. Do you even know what could have happened if I wasn't here with you? It's midnight!"
"Leave me alone, please." Nina got in some courtyard. "Go away, Riawna doesn't like you." She rang the doorbell, without looking at Ian. She just wanted him to go away for now. She needed to be alone or with a friend for a while.
Ian stood there frozen, still staring at Nina. "Do you even care?"
She didn't say anything, even though she have heard him. She just got in the house when the door opened. At least, Ian was kind of reliefed because she was going to spend the night with a friend and not Derek. And she wasn't all alone, wandering on the streets. So he just got back home, feeling really bad. He grabbed a bottle of bourbon and just drank. And drank...