Cruel
Twists of Fate
2014
Loren tapped on Nick's bedroom door. No
response. "Hey, Keats, you going to let me edit that latest English essay
or what?" She asked as she opened the door. His room was
empty. "He must not be back from the gym." She mused. That man
spent more time lifting weights than anyway she knew. Of course, she
couldn't say that the effects weren't well worth it. His muscles were so
well defined that they were easily displayed in even the most conservative of
suits. She smiled to herself as she crossed the room to find the essay on
his desk. She would get a head start on proof reading it. Knowing
him, there would be quite a few mistakes.
Lori lifted up a stack
of books and began to shuffle through the papers beneath them. Thud!
She jumped as a black and white mottled Composition Book landed on the
carpet. The pages fluttered by as she bent to retrieve it. 'God
help me, I think I love her.' Lori froze. The sentence had jumped
out at her from the page. Feeling guilty, she picked the book up and sat
down on the edge of his chair. A cursory examination of the notebook
proved that it was some sort of journal. Although she knew it was wrong,
she could not tear her eyes from the page.
' I've always felt
it since the first time she looked at me with those eyes. But, it's gotten
so much worse as time goes by. I can't look at her now without feeling my
heart skip a beat. She takes my breath away. I love her. I
know I do. It kills me to think that I can never tell her how I
feel. God, I want to hold her just once. I want to kiss her just one
time before I die.'
Lori swallowed hard, feeling the flush of
her cheeks. Nick was in love! With whom? The question didn't
strike her as odd, but the jealousy beginning to ignite within her left her a
bit confused. Why on earth was she jealous of Nick's crush? "Maybe
because you'd like to be the object of his affection." She suggested aloud
to herself. Nick? Did she really have feelings for the boy she'd
considered a friend for the past two years? In some ways, it seemed all
wrong; but in other ways, it made perfect sense. "Do I love him?"
She asked herself softly.
There was no longer a question of right
or wrong. She needed to know who Nick had fallen in love with. Her
eyes scanned the remaining paragraphs looking for any indication of
identity. 'She's so beautiful. Everything about her exudes
warmth and kindness. When I look at her, I want to pull her into my arms
and never let her go. At the same time, I am so painfully aware of the
scarves, turtle necks, and chokers she's forced to wear to hide her scar from
the world. How could I have so hurt the only woman I've ever loved?'
"Lori?" Nick's voice startled her from the doorway. She
tried to hide the notebook, but knew there was no point in
it.
"Nick! I...I was looking for your English essay." She
explained, guiltly putting his journal back on his desk.
"Well, *that*'s
not my essay." He informed her with a hard tone. She failed to see
the hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I...I'm sorry, Nick. I really
am sorry. I shouldn't have read it. It was wrong...but Nick?"
Lori paused, building her courage. "I...I love you, too."
Nick's
frown deepened into a scowl. "No, Loren, you don't. You don't know a
thing about me. If you knew about my past..."
Loren sized him up
for a moment before she walked over to his bed, sat down, and patted the seat
beside her. Once he complied, she gently took his hands in hers.
"Nick, I know everything. That barcode isn't a gang tattoo, it's what
Manticore used to identify you. You were an X-4, a genetically engineered
soldier meant to fight wars so others didn't have to. I don't know how you
escaped, but I'm glad you did. I know what you are, and I still love
you."
Nick's expression went from shock, to relief, and finally settled
on anger. "How? How do you know that?" He asked in a
whisper.
"My father was Five Star General Matthew Davis with the
Department of Defense. He was the military liason for Manticore.
He...He helped them get funding for their experiments." Lori shivered.
"I'm sorry, Nick. I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I was
afraid you'd leave. I was afraid that you would think I was only being
nice to you as a way to atone for my father's sins. That wasn't why I did
it, Nick. I did it because I saw an abused teenager who had the potential
to one day become a truly wonderful man. I love you. I need
you. Please, don't leave..." Her quivering voice was suddenly
muffled by the feeling of soft, warm lips pressing against her own. She
felt one strong arm wrap around her waist and pull her close to his tautly
muscled chest. His other hand snaked up to cradle the back of her head and
ensure that their first kiss would continue until he decided to release
her.
Lori melted in his embrace. Oh yes, she loved
him. She couldn't doubt it anymore. When he pulled away to catch his
breath, she pushed his head back down to her own with a little
giggle.
When they finally broke contact, Nick left his arms around her
and pulled her as close to him as he could. "I don't care why you did what
you did, Loren. I'm just glad you did it. You gave me everything I
could have ever wanted. No, you gave me more. I love you more than
anything in this world."
Lori placed one hand against his chest and
pushed herself back to look at him. "Where's your english essay,
anyway?" She asked with a mischevious smile.
"I, uh, haven't
written it yet. I'm having trouble with the story." He admitted with
a flush.
"You've come to the right place, my love. What's the
story?"
"Orpheus." He leaned over and plucked the book from his
bedside table.
"A love story? How appropriate! I'll
help you with it...and if you're a good boy, I might be persuaded to reward you
for studying so hard."
Nick grinned evily and pinned her against the bed
with another kiss.