Chapter Three
The Hard Truth
Ten Days Later..
Sameera groaned at the lunch table, throwing her head down into her arms. Nick, eating a granola bar, looked at her. "You alright, Meera?"
"I don't know!" She said, her voice muffled. "I know the festival is all set up and ready to start after school, but I don't think I'm ready."
"For what? Not regretting the dare, are you?" He asked, smirking as she looked at him with one eye.
"I don't regret it, but why did you have to make it about me helping your class with their crap?"
"Because I wanted to see you in something similar to your work outfit outside of work for once. Plus, you said you liked the costume I picked out for you the other day. Well, me and Kari."
"I do, but isn't it a bit.. assuming? Plus, I'm surprised Keira even let you take her with you, really."
"Well, I offered to buy her a costume, too, you know. Kari is going to be the cutest little Pikachu, perfect for her own class' assignment."
"Oh no, she's part of Meyer's' class? God I don't know why I approved a Pokemon fight club."
"Because some of the other students will get a huge kick out of it, Meera. Especially because it'll be like that one episode." (A/N: Ngl, I remember something happening with humans in Pokemon costumes but I can't for the life of me remember when in the series it was.)
"Still, it sounds ridiculous, Nicky."
"I know, but you put the final approval on it, Sam."
"Yeah, yeah." She said, flinching when Nick's hand brushed against hers not once, but twice. "Nicky! I told you, not in school."
"But Meera! It's Halloween. And we did announce to the rest of the council we'd be attending the dance together later tonight."
"Yes, we did. As friends. I'm-"
"Not ready, I know. I'm frustrated about it, but I know." Sameera frowned at him. At least he's letting me in, more. As long as it doesn't end up like Sunday night again.
That previous Sunday, Nick and Sameera had hung out with Nashrah and Leona, Kari having stumbled upon them and joined them for some fun around town, all at Nick's expense. Their festivities ended when Keira had come to pick Kari up, the time getting a bit late for her. Nick and his mother had argued over it a bit, Nick bringing up a late night here and there wouldn't screw Kari's sleep schedule up to Keira's adamant denial of such things. Not to mention she had set Nick off, saying he was being a bad influence. Sameera had thankfully gotten between them and gotten them to back off, especially when she told Keira off that in the time Kari had spent with her older brother, Nick had done nothing to be a bad influence. Kari had just sat there as the argument happened, but she voiced her opinion as Keira and her drove off, telling her mother that Nick wasn't as reckless as he seemed, knowing it was the intense anger and betrayal he still felt towards Keira. She even told her that Nick found it hard at times to be the role model he was to her, only because she was the reminder of why Keira and Aram had first abandoned their first-born children. Since then, Keira hadn't argued with Nick over Kari, and that was a plus at least.
The real fire of the night was after the other four had left the restaurant and made their way home, however..
The Previous Sunday..
"Alright, you two. I'll see you tomorrow for school." Leona said as the three high school juniors and one Freshman reached their neighborhood and stopped in front of Leona's house.
"Alright, Leona. See you tomorrow." Nick said with a wave.
Sameera smiled and hugged her best friend. "Everything's going to be fine, Lee."
Leona giggled. "I don't know what you're referring to, but I don't doubt it will be fine in the end. Happy places, both of you." With another laugh, Leona went up to her door and disappeared inside.
Nashrah yawned after Leona went inside. "I'm gonna head in, too. See you in there, Meera. Until tomorrow, Nick."
"Night, Nashrah. Sleep well." Nick said, waving to her as she went to her and Sameera's house.
Now alone, Sameera suddenly felt more awkward than how Keira had looked at them when she had interrupted the small family-esque gathering. She turned towards Nick, and was shocked to her core when she found his lips on hers, without even a warning as she froze on the spot..
.. For all of about two seconds before her arms had snaked their way around Nick's neck and she moaned. This is actually happening! Wait, this is actually happening?! She thought as she broke away, panting and wanting more despite herself.
Nick looked at her, confused. "Fuck. That.. wasn't the right time, was it?" He asked, suddenly embarrassed and possibly ashamed of acting out like he had.
Sameera's eyes shone brightly as she shook her head. "No, it wasn't, Nicky. But, it's.. it's fine. This is fine. Totally fine."
"Then why do you sound so.. close to breaking down?"
"Because of what you keep doing to me, Nick! Fuck, this isn't good, not good. I've been trying so damn hard to keep this inside until I'm ready, and now I.. I.. ugh! Damn my feelings and this fucking imbalance in my mind!"
"Hey, hey. Meera, my bad, alright? I took the wrong cue, made a mistake.."
"It's not a mistake! Don't you think that, Nicky. Please, I.. I did want it, Nick. God, more than anything but it isn't time. Not yet. We're so close, I promise but.. I think we should clear the air with our parents, first. Before this escalates any further, we need that closure." Her hand rested on his chest, her other over her own heart.
Nick sighed, smiling. "Yeah, I figured you would say that. Before the dance, alright? If you'll be mine for the occasion?"
Sameera bit her lip. "Are you.. No, Yes, I'll go. We go, together. But, I'm serious. Your mom, my dad, we need to talk to them. Figure out what they're still keeping from us. We need this."
Nick nodded. "Yeah, okay. Friday, then. After school, we go to talk with them."
"It's a date. Wait, not a date.." Now Sameera was just freaking out on her own, as Nick chuckled at her.
"Maybe not at that point. Now relax, Sam. We're fine."
Sameera looked at him, a relieved smile on her face. "Yeah. Yeah, we are. Night, Nicky. Sweet dreams." She turned away, walking towards her house.
"Sweet isn't what would describe them, Meera." Nick said, chuckling as Sameera turned back to him with wide eyes before she rushed into her house.
Once inside, Sameera leaned against the door with a sigh before she squealed loudly and happily before covering her mouth. It was already late, and she didn't need Nashrah being nosy about why she was suddenly acting like that. Still holding a hand over her heart, she sighed and made her way up to her room, realizing that as imbalanced as her mental state still was, she knew things had changed enough where she felt freer than ever. Climbing into bed, Sameera looked outside her window and, as her eyelids fell and sleep captured her, her fingers brushed against her lips with a smile.
End Flashback..
"I still think about it, Nicky. I can't help it."
"Think about what?" Came Leona's voice as she sat down, Nick's smirk falling to cover the truth.
"Nothing! Nothing at all. I gotta go. Mrs. Rai asked me for some extra credit yesterday and I should really get it to her." Sameera said, getting up from the table and rushing off.
Leona looked at Nick. "Alright, what did you two do now?"
"Absolutely nothing, I have no clue what you could mean. She had something to do for my mom." He shrugged, Leona, Nashrah and Kari all seeing his eye twitch at the mention of Keira.
"Whatever you say, Nick. The truth will eventually come out, right?"
"Probably." He looked at Kari. "You ready for the festival and dance tonight, Kar?"
"Pika Pika!" Said the thirteen year old, making the older teens laugh.
Later, Dismissal..
Since the student council had to stay after dismissal to finish prepping the festival (which would be in only about another hour and a half), Nick and Sameera had already stepped out from the prep for their personal mission, standing outside the door to their Physics class. Nick's eye twitched again as they heard giggling coming from inside, Sameera opening the door to find her father and Keira embracing and kissing. "I wish this could still last, Ar." Keira said sadly, brushing the longer hair from in front of Aram's face.
"I know, love. But, things will be fine. The kids will have their siblings, and we know Nick and Sameera will do everything they can to make sure they're alright." Aram replied, looking and seeing the two seventeen year olds standing in the doorway with quite comical faces. "Looks like we have company."
Looking at them, Keira separated from Aram and looked down. "Nick, Meera. What brings you both to us?"
"I.." Nick tried speaking but couldn't find the words until he felt Sameera's hand slip into his, the looks on their parents' faces priceless as they saw the action for themselves. "We're ready to talk. I'm done running from this, I just.. I need to know why? Why weren't either of us good enough? Why did you two even happen in the first place?" Nick could feel the tears stinging his eyes, but he couldn't stop some from falling to the linoleum tile floor.
Keira frowned. "Oh, sweetheart. Nick, this- Aram and I- this isn't just something we stumbled into when you were children. It.. it went a lot further back than that."
Aram held a hand up as Sameera went to answer. "Please, Meera, let her speak. She's held onto this secret far longer than I did. This is between Keira and Nick. Why don't we step into the hall to talk?" Sameera shook her head.
"No, I promised Nick I'd stay with him."
"It's alright, Aram. All four of us should be here for this conversation. As long as Kari doesn't hear this, she may be the result of it all but I'll be damned if she knows just how fucked up her parents always were."
Outside the door to the classroom, just as Aram shut the door after Keira's statement, Nashrah looked at a frowning Kari. "Alright, I think you can wait to show the costume off. Looks like the big people need to talk."
"You're only a few months older than I am, Nashrah. But, you're right. I know Nick and Sameera need this. And after this, maybe we can all go out together and be a real family."
Nashrah nodded, smiling sympathetically. "Yeah, maybe. Now let's go, we still have some fight club stuff to set up." Nodding, the two freshmen girls went back towards their homeroom to set up.
Meanwhile, Aram had taken position next to Keira, the two adults leaning enough to be sitting on Keira's desk while Nick and Sameera, mirroring their parents more than they cared to admit, did the same on the two front desks opposite Keira's. "What is all this really about, mom?" Nick asked lowly, doing his best to keep his emotions in check, which in turn was the opposite of Sameera's two sides as they argued in her head whether or not to just say fuck it and walk out.
"Nicky, you have to understand. Love is a very fucked up and fickle thing. It rips us away from things, towards others, and only some of those wind up being good. You and Sameera are the lucky ones. You had each other the entire time, even if you acted against each other at every step. I've asked around town about you both, since neither of you would have anything to do with us or this conversation. I was in love with your father, Nick, really I was. But that changed, or more like it reverted itself out of nowhere." She got quiet.
Aram cleared his throat to continue. "Keira and I were high school sweethearts." Both teens looked at them in shock. "Surprised no one's ever told you about that. But it doesn't matter. I left town for college, and Keira didn't want a long-distance relationship, so we broke up and went back to being good friends. It hurt when she told me she started dating Elias, that she was in love with him. But I wished her the best, Keira's happiness was my first priority. Then, I met Gail in my sophomore year, and we got married by the time we graduated. It was a miracle we could even afford the wedding we had. After that, I suggested we move back here, partially out of home sickness. By the time we managed the move back to town, Sameera had just been born, and you were still on the horizon, Nick. I was happy for Keira, and I told her as such, but I also told her that I hated missing her, hated the fact that we weren't the ones married like we had talked about during high school.."
"If I had known how things would turn out in the end, I wouldn't have given you up, Aram. But, then you two wouldn't have been born, or if you were the closest options would be twins or being a year apart. Sameera, you were so young so I doubt you remember what you did the first time you and Nick actually met as babies." Sameera shook her head. "You hugged him. Never seen the boy in your life until then but you grabbed onto him and oh, you two were the cutest thing in the world. I knew right then, you two would be meant for each other, and there was the thought that you were a way to keep Aram and I together.. Until things got heavy between us during your playdates. It didn't take long to escalate to full-on sex and then Kari was conceived. Nick, your father never even knew I was pregnant when I left. I only told Aram I had to leave but he needed to stay. I couldn't uproot him from the life he made, the family he cherished. I was a selfish bitch for taking him away, Sameera and I want you to know I would change that decision if I could go back. Keep you fully together and not this.. indecisive, spiteful young woman with both the brains and beauty to drive the boys wild. I know about your little forbidden fruit reputation among the boys. Those who aren't scared of Nick, that is." Keira smirked before continuing.
"What I'm saying is that I left and had Kari far from here, but I kept Aram occasionally updated. I had to, Elias and I were practically loveless when it came to sex which made Aram the obvious father. Then, he left to be with us and we are happy, and we both hate that our happiness has been hindering and stopping yours."
"But then why do you both keep talking like you only moved back to make peace with us because you're ill or something? Don't apologize for all of the past bullshit if you're just gonna make us say goodbye for good. That's what we don't want to do. We want to be able to have you back." Sameera was about to cry. She didn't need this.
Neither adult said anything for a long time. "So that's it? Something is wrong and moving home was your final goodbye to us? An insurance policy for that sweet girl we've gotten to know and treat like the family she is?"
"You two are the only ones we could entrust Kari and her brother to! Look at your father, Nick! Even though I'm the cause his disability would mean you would step up and Gail hates the fact we have two kids together, so she wouldn't keep them both unless Sameera had a say in the matter as I'm sure she does. We're sorry this has to be this way, we wished things weren't playing out like this. We've been seeing doctors for most of the past six years, but none of them can figure out what's wrong. All they could tell us is that we have at most a year."
"A year? So you can't even be there to see us graduate? The children you owe the most to? Absolutely nothing can be done? Gail knows holistic doctors, maybe one of them can help just.. If nothing else can you at least try to make it until then?" Sameera was in Nick's arms now as she cried. She really didn't need this right now. "Today was supposed to be a good fucking day!"
Nick's hand combed through her dark red hair. "Hush, Meera, hush. It'll be alright, mi vida." Keira couldn't hold her own tears anymore, sobbing into her hand. "I'm sorry, mom. You should have come back sooner."
"I tried to tell her that, Nick, I did. Unfortunately, her fears were realized as soon as you saw us the night we arrived in town. You two weren't ready for us to have this talk. Sameera still wasn't."
"No, she wasn't. Neither am I, honestly. But, I've been the irrational one for too long about this. I.. I'm still going to be upset over this, but I'll stop the senseless arguing about it. If I only get my mother back for a year, then I'll take what I can get. But, how can you both have the same thing wrong? What the hell happened to you both wherever you were living?"
"We don't know, and that's another issue. For some reason no one can figure out, our bodies are failing, becoming weaker. More often than not, we can deal with it, but some days.."
"I get it. I hate this, but I get it. Even as advanced as it is, sometimes our medical system can't find what's wrong. Granted, sometimes that's because hypochondriacs exist, but that's not the point. You both need to understand this as well, Aram. My father will never be how he was when we were little kids, he's been without his right mind for far too long. I'm emancipated, Aram. Have been since I was thirteen."
"That's understandable, you didn't have one parent, barely had the other. We're sorry we made you have such hard times, Nick. Both of you. We regret making our mistakes but to see how well you two have grown up despite that abandonment? We couldn't be any prouder of you if we tried. It doesn't make up for the years of emotional damage-" Nick chuckled as Aram rolled his eyes. "But as long as we have left? We only hoped you would let us apologize and give us a chance to make some part of that up."
Sameera was still crying hysterically when she glared watery daggers at her father. "Neither of you should have fucking ran away! Elias must have known there was something between you and his wife before we were born, he would still be intact if you had just come out with this shit instead of taking the coward's way out!" Before Nick could do anything to help her calm back down, she rushed out of the room.
"Oh, this seemed so much easier in my head."
"Well, it was always going to be more a matter of time, wasn't it? I'll see you guys later, I need to find Sameera before she does something she's going to regret." Nick sighed, making his way out of the room and asking any students passing by if they'd seen the crying girl pass them.
Sameera was alone in the darkened classroom for the student council, everyone else being out helping with the festival when Nick finally found her. She wiped her eyes as she saw him. "Meera.."
"This isn't okay, Nicky! Not at all! We're their children, for fuck's sake! They should have thought of us so much sooner! I hate them!" She sniffed, arms crossed.
"I know it isn't okay. I agree with you, Sameera. Unfortunately, we were dealt another bad hand. But there's still one hand that hasn't gone bad, and it sounds like even our parents know it won't end badly." Sameera looked at him, confused. "Us, Meera. You heard what my mom said. We've had this connection practically since birth. And if today is going to reveal fucked up shit like our parents dying in about a year, then I'm not willing to let it end on that note. It's time we stop this stupid runaround we've been doing since the night they came back."
"Nicky.."
"No, Meera. I'm serious about this. I don't care if you're still imbalanced or whatever it is that blocks you from feeling our mutual feelings." He crossed the room, taking Sameera's hands in his own as she did her best not to look at him.
"Don't.."
"Sameera Priyanka Halliwell, just stop and let me say this." Now Nick had her attention as her eyes shot to meet his, Sameera didn't even know Nick knew her middle name. "You are the only thing that keeps me going anymore in this fucking town. You've always been. When my mother left, you were there for me. When your father left, I was there for you, too, but you chose to shut me out. I should have tried harder to keep you there, I really should have. But, instead I let you become this you, the one I can really say is amazing. Yeah, the whole bigot thing is there but you've been much better lately." Sameera frowned. "You are amazing, no matter how you are. You know where that picture I drew last week came from? The memory of it? It came from the first day of our freshmen year, our homeroom. It was the only time you didn't look at me like I was the worst piece of shit in the world, and don't deny that's how you thought of me. I am the delinquent here." He sighed.
"But that look meant something to me, and now you've seen that. The last few weeks, revealing myself at the café to Sunday night.. I'd never trade any of it. I would never trade you for anyone or anything in this world. And as much as we can't change the fact that it happened, our parents doing what they did made you who you are today. They made me, too. My mom gave me stupid levels of anger and your father gave me a reason to redirect that anger. I told you what he asked me the night he left. You fight yourself over it day and night but you know, deep down and as cliché as our lives have somehow become, that we are meant to be together. I've been showing you that fact wholeheartedly since showing you who I was at your job."
Sameera sighed, putting her index finger to Nick's lips to silence him for a moment as she nodded tearfully. "You're right, Nicky. I have thought about how.. perfect we are. The problem with my imbalance is you are missing. I feel like my mind is on autopilot most of the time but when I'm near you, I.. I feel in control. That night we first walked home holding hands? I didn't even know I had done it until we were at home and about to separate. And I hated having to do that one tiny thing. It felt like I needed more time or something, I don't know. This is all new to me, really thinking about it.
"Then after that, I did it more, I felt like I needed to test the waters. I was unsure of how to still act around you, all the blushing and nervousness you did to me stifled how my heart was screaming to be with you. Then you got drunk and I had to go pick you up. The night we wound up in each other's arms.. I felt so safe when I woke up that I wished we didn't have to get up at all. Then you woke up and I got nervous again and I thought I was just going crazy. But I wasn't. I was just feeling my own fear at the mere possibility that you'd do something negative at the sudden.. shift." Now she was blushing, biting her lip. "I'll admit I've thought about slipping you something at work just to get back into that position." She giggled then, smiling brightly even with her eyes still tearful. "And then the kiss on Sunday night made my mind reel and absolutely go crazy. I was a total girl once I was in my house, squealing at the top of my lungs even at close to midnight. But, all of that is just the preface of it, isn't it? The truth of the matter isn't a very long explanation at all.. because.. the truth is that we are just like the parents who broke us. Powerlessly in love with each other, and yes most likely meant to be as well, as if you'd let anyone else touch me, anyway." Having finally confessed the source of the weight on her heart and shoulders, she giggled and put her head on his chest. "I'm sorry I've been such a bitch about all this. You never deserved that treatment, Nicky."
Nick smiled as he brushed her hair behind her ear. "I never blamed you. Not once." He leaned in to kiss her, but she pulled back as she laughed. "What?"
"Really? Quoting Aerith of all people? And from something so obscure these days? God, you're such a nerd. But I love you, regardless, you big dummy." She giggled before she kissed Nick.
The two lost themselves in their kiss as the door opened to reveal Leona, looking for the lost council members. "Oh, well this changes things, doesn't it?" Sameera jumped back and almost fell backwards over the desk she had been leaning on before, Nick stopping her fall as they both looked to Leona, frowning. "Sorry! But everyone's looking for you two. And why aren't either of you in costume, yet?"
"Oh, shit.. We totally forgot about the festival." Now Nick laughed. "I don't think we're doing the festival. That is, if you're still feeling unsure of everything?"
"What I just saw didn't look like the actions of someone unsure of anything." Leona commented as she tucked herself into the classroom and barricaded the door with her body. "Does this mean.." She pointed between the other two teens before twisting her index and middle fingers around each other.
Nick looked to Sameera, which amused Leona to no end when Sameera's face darkened considerably. "Wh.. Yes, it does. It's been driving us both nuts long enough. So yes, Leona, I can safely say Nicky and I are going to date. Starting tonight, although he has me helping his class through the whole festival as well. Are you sure you don't want backup to keep the peace during the festival?" Everyone will know I work at the maid café when they see me with Nicky..
No they won't, so stop finding excuses. You just admitted you're going to the dance as a couple, not just friends. Said the other side of Sameera's personality. So take the festival in stride. Act up the role you two have. And I don't know, try to be romantic. Vampires and romantic go together way too fucking well for my tastes but it'll make a fun show for me. There was a dark chuckle as the voice faded but Sameera nodded.
Yeah, maybe you're right. Guess we'll have to bring the more seductive side of yourself out, huh? Actually, do I even really have a seductive side to myself? Sameera was curious, but also fearful of the possible answer to that kind of question.
Not like that. You do have a natural affinity for it, pertaining to Nick, though. Monday of last week as an example, the whole leaning into Nick thing?
Point taken. "Nevermind, I think I'll be just fine. And you both might be surprised." With a deviant giggle, she practically skipped out of the room.
Leona looked at Nick. "Is it just me, or does she seem a bit.."
"Too chipper, suddenly? She'll be fine. Although, her costume is still at home.. Fuck, I need to catch up with her. We'll be back soon."
"Please do, the festival starts in forty-five minutes and you are needed to start your vampire cafe!"
"We'll be there. No problem." He said as he left the room to rush after Sameera before she got too far. In her new mood, there was no telling how she would be acting right now.
He caught up to her a few blocks away, surprising him how fast she had managed to walk already. "Wait up, Sam. Are you sure you're okay?" He asked her with uncertainty as he fell into step with her.
Sameera beamed at him. "Yeah, Nicky. Honestly, I've never felt better. I think I finally feel the balance I've been looking for."
"I mean, we did just confess our entire souls to one another just now."
"Yeah, but that's not just it. The two sides of me are just in sync now, but yeah could be the same thing really." She shrugged. "You didn't have to follow me back home for my costume you know, hon."
"I know, but even Leona was a bit put off by your sudden excess of.. giddiness? I think that's what it seemed like."
Sameera giggled. "Of course I'm giddy. I actually feel happy, and not some bullshit, half-assed act that I normally put on."
"Well, it seems your breakdown is over with, at least. Meera, we need to talk about our-"
"Not right now. We're just making us a thing today. We can deal with the rest of the fallout with our parents tomorrow. Or next week." She stopped, turning to him. "I just want you to myself for a bit first, is that so wrong?"
Nick smiled with a chuckle. "No, I guess it isn't. Fine, we hold off on that for another day, but it is something we need to work through. Ignoring it-"
"Won't make it go away, I know. I wish it could. I'd much rather ignore the fact that they're dying and just focus on maybe trying to reconnect somehow. As hard as that apparently is."
"Fair point. But, that just means we need to really think about whether we want to let them back into our lives like that. We'll at least be ready when they pass, but that's not for today. Today was supposed to be a better day, like you said. Come on. We can't be late to our festival debut, can we?" He laughed, holding out his hand.
Sameera rolled her eyes with a giggle as she grabbed it and the two proceeded to rush themselves towards home.
Nick, by sheer stupidity, had left his own costume at home too- another reason why he had run after Sameera- and went to get it as Sameera went inside, sighing happily as she closed the door. "That sounded almost sickeningly happy. What's got you in such a rare mood?" Said Gail as she stood in the doorway to the kitchen nearby.
Sameera jumped. "Mom! Jeez, give me a heart attack why don't you? And if you must know, it's finally happened." The wide smile she directed at her mother told Gail all she needed to know, but the mother could also see the hint of sadness in Sameera's eyes.
"Well, it was only a matter of time. What's got you sad, then?" Sameera muttered something under her breath. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
"Dad and Keira are dying.. No one knows from what but they were told they have about a year left, the both of them."
Gail's eyes went wide as she processed what Sameera had just said. "What? Sameera, are you.."
"Oh, I'm sure. If it wasn't true, then me and Keira wouldn't have both broken down so hard when they told Nick and I less than a half hour ago."
Gail looked away, sighing. "Well, they both deserve it."
"Mom, that's not fair and you know it. What about Kari and Axel? He's barely a year old. Even you aren't that spiteful."
Gail frowned at her daughter. "I'll be as spiteful towards your father and his new wife as much as I want. My statement stands, they deserve it for what they did.
"Even if they do, that's not fair to their kids and being a mother I thought you'd understand that."
"You think I don't? Sameera, your father made his bed and now he has to lie in it. It's horrible that those kids have to be put in such a situation, it truly is, but we can't-"
"Nick and I are already listed as their guardians when it happens, mom. But can you blame dad or Keira for doing that when we, being their oldest siblings, would be considered their next of kin anyway?"
"And? What do you two intend to do then? Elias is already in a precarious enough position with his mental health, putting even one of his ex-wife's children that weren't his into their house could set him off even worse. It seems your father and Keira intend for you and Nick to play house or something."
"Maybe they are, but it won't be an act, not by the time it happens." Sameera sighed in frustration. "I thought you wanted me and Nick together? Wanted us to look out for those kids, despite the negativity you feel towards them. I haven't really seen Axel yet, but Kari is fucking adorable, a mini-Nick if I'm being honest. And you know what, mom? It wasn't even Keira or dad who decided to make the move back here, it was Kari. And do you know why? Because that sweet girl wanted to know us. She wants her family to at least be somewhat together before she loses her parents, if she even knows about their condition."
Gail sighed. "Well, I trust your judgment, Sameera, you know that. I just don't want you kids jumping into something you're not ready for."
Sameera rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, mom. Like you haven't already thought about how volatile me and Nick could be right now, and what that could lead to. But, I have no desire to have a baby while I'm still in school. Maybe, I really haven't thought about that chain of events as of yet. Too occupied with.. Damn it I'm going to be late. I gotta get my costume and go."
"Hold on another minute, young lady." Sameera turned, bouncing impatiently on her heels. "You're not talking about that getup hanging on the back of your closet, would you?"
"Y-yes? Oh, mom don't you start. I'm working with Nick for the festival and he got it to match him for the night."
"I don't like how revealing it looks, Meera."
"Mom!" Sameera groaned. "So what? I'm seventeen and this is my first date and Nick won't let any other guy within ten feet of me. I'll be as safe as anywhere in these screwed up times." She stopped for a moment. "Wait, I just admitted tonight is a date, didn't I?"
Gail giggled despite herself. "Oh, go on. You don't want to keep Nick waiting, now do you. I think he'll be here right around.. now." There was a knock on the door as Sameera squealed and ran upstairs to get her costume. How did she fucking know?!
When she came downstairs with the costume folded neatly in the bag at her side, she took a breath before opening the door. "I don't know why you're so nervous. It's just Nick. You've been practically dating for weeks already, by the amount of time you spend with him."
"But this is the real first date, I'm going to be nervous, mom."
"Don't be. Just be yourself, Meera, like you always are with him. Just with added affection." Gail giggled as Sameera opened the door. "Have fun, and make sure Nashrah gets home at a reasonable time."
"I will, mom. I may stay out later, though."
Gail nodded, smiling as she looked at Nick. "I know you'll do it anyway, but keep her safe, Nick."
"I wouldn't dream of letting anything happen to her. That she wouldn't want, at least."
Sameera blushed as she pushed past Nick. "We're going to be late!" She said, desperate to escape her mother's teasing.
Nick chuckled as he closed the door to follow after her, as Gail shook her head with a smile. "Those two.."
The couple thankfully made it back to the school with just enough time for them to change into their costumes, but Sameera still took longer to commit to the look of the costume. When she came out of the bathroom, Nick looked at her, stunned. "Did I fuck it up?" She asked, fearful of Nick's answer.
Nick shook his head. "No, never. You.. You look beautiful, Sameera. I wasn't expecting the makeup, to be honest, that's all "
"Oh. I thought it would help the look a bit more. I can take it off-"
Nick stopped her before she ducked back into the bathroom. "No, Sam. You look perfect. Now let's go before we miss the opening ceremony." She beamed at him, and he saw the fake fangs she wore, mirroring the ones he had on. "Good touch with the fangs. I thought you'd forget about them."
"Never, not when I have to match you, Mr. Cosplay."
"You do realize that is a cosplay outfit, right?"
She looked at him as they entered the entrance courtyard, where the other students and present staff members were already assembled to begin the festival. "Wait, but this fits me like it was tailored.." Nick nodded, making her blush. "How did.. How do you know my measurements?!"
"Stalking you." Nick joked, evident by the laugh he let out. "Nah, I actually asked your mom about it. I didn't tell her what the outfit looked like, all I said was the shop tailors them right there when you buy the costumes."
"Well, if I tell her it was your idea to get this then maybe she won't think I'm going out in something too slutty for her taste."
Nick chuckled. "Your mom really said that?"
"No, but it was implied. This isn't from some doujin, is it?"
"No, jeez. We really have to talk about how you know that term. It's actually just a custom version of Lulu's dress from Final Fantasy X."
"Of course it is. That does explain the crisscrossing holes in the leg area. Better without that damn fur lining, though." She said, emphasizing her point by shrugging the frill-edged but otherwise furless shoulders of her costume.
"I figured you'd like it better like that. Granted, the fur lining around the neck and sleeves was the least of the inconsistencies in that game. I mean, she lived on a tropical island and always wore that dress. She had to be sweating like a pig twenty-four-seven."
Sameera laughed as they approached the podium. "Well, all I'll say is when we're done here, you're unzipping this thing. I struggled getting it up to the top."
"Fine with me. Anything to touch you." He teased in her ear, Sameera nudging him as he laughed, the two taking their positions alongside Leona on the stage set up for the podium by the school entrance.
Sameera took a breath before she spoke, the principal motioning for her to step to the podium. "Good afternoon, everyone! My name is Sameera Halliwell, current president of the student council and it is our honor to welcome you all to our annual Halloween Festival! There will be plenty of booths outside in the inner courtyard as well as each of the classrooms, which each have a theme to them. The festivities will be wrapping up at six-thirty to make way for the dance, held in the gym. That in turn will end by ten tonight, since tomorrow is actually the day in question and all of us probably have some form of plans already. Now, let the festival begin!" She threw her arms up and the crowd all cheered as Nick grabbed the microphone off of the podium.
"And if anyone wants to see this one at work, then come on down to room 328!" Sameera grabbed the microphone back as Nick was mid-sentence.
"Nicky?! What the hell?"
"What, it's not like they can touch. That's my job." He walked off the podium as the rest of the students went dead silent before one student spoke up towards the back of the crowd. "It's about fucking time!"
Sameera groaned. "Go do a fucking flip off the roof then, Gordon!" She said before she followed after Nick.
She caught up to him just inside, where their parents were both chuckling to themselves, most likely from Nick's little scene and Sameera's consequent reaction. "Was that really necessary, Nicky?"
"No, but I found it entertaining." He smiled cheekily as she sighed.
"What am I going to do with you?"
"Come be my assistant manager?"
She rolled her eyes with a giggle. "I did lose the bet, after all. Not that I mind that much now." She leaned in and gave Nick a peck on the cheek. "You're still an idiot."
"Correction, I'm your idiot. It's just official now." He said, offering his arm. "Shall we?"
Sameera laughed as she looped her arm in his. "Yes, let's. I do have one little question."
"Yeah?" Nick encouraged her as they walked to his homeroom.
"Before, you called me your life in Spanish." He looked at her curiously. "Oh, you didn't realize I would understand that so easily, huh?" She giggled. "I was just curious."
"I was going to answer you, Meera. The truth is, you are my life. You have been since you were my rock after mom left. Even when you denied any attachment to me."
Sameera's hair covered her face as she lowered it, hiding in his arm. "I'm sorry.. God you're such a sap, but I love it."
"No need to apologize, Sam. I never held it against you." Together, they walked upstairs the rest of the way to Nick's homeroom in comfortable silence.
As the entered the classroom in question, however, there was nothing but chaos ensuing. Students were running around like they'd all lost their heads, but the panicked screaming proved that false. Sameera looked at Nick, who looked back both shocked and confused as she huffed. "What the hell is going on here? We're supposed to be hosting a café, not an evacuation from alien invasion."
Everyone stopped and stared at the girl who had shouted, most of the other students there confused as to who it even was. "Who is that?" Asked one of them as Nick's laugh booked through the room at Sameera's expense.
As the girl fumed, Nick hushed her with his hand on her shoulder. "Alright, guys just calm down. What is happening here? I left this classroom over an hour ago and we had nothing left to prep."
"But, boss," Nick rolled his eyes. Sometimes being the leader of a group wasn't always wanted. "We don't have tea for our customers! We put it all away in the cabinets for today, but all of the cases are gone!"
Nick went wide-eyed. He'd seen them out those tea boxes away himself just the day before. "What? No.." He rushed over to the cabinets along the back wall of the room and opened them one by one, looking for the missing items as Sameera stayed by the door, ready to leave if needed.
One of the other guys approached her, smirking cockily. "So, hot stuff, where are you from? Pretty sure I've never seen you around before."
Sameera scrunched her nose at the other student. "Ew, Ryan, seriously? None of you realize it's just me?"
The guy froze as he looked at her again, eyes widening. "S-sa-Sameera? What's with the get-up?"
"Haven't you ever seen someone dress for Halloween, before? Ugh, you are one of the guys that make me realize why I hate your gender so much."
"Oh, stop, Meera. There's always an exception, right?" Nick said, coming back to her and wrapping his arms around her front. "And leave my girl alone, Ryan. Go find another girl to attempt to woo."
"Your girl? Since when did Sameera even decide a guy was worth it?"
Sameera, still fuming, pouted. "You try being readily able to date when even looking at a boy reminds you of shit you'd rather not remember. And Nick is.. has always been worth it, I was just too stupid and proud to see what was already there. Now fuck off. What's the deal with the tea, hon?"
Nick shook his head. "All gone, and that makes no sense. Ryan, I want you and Farrah to go around and see if anyone might have grabbed them by accident. I remember we didn't specify the tea was for our classroom during the festival, so maybe another similar class is using them. In the meantime, Sam, you think your work buddies could bring us some? It would be quicker than going to the nearest store."
Sameera looked at him with a hostile look, one which Nick just deflected with a smirk as she sighed. "I'll call them. I'll be back."
Nick nodded and watched her go as Ryan slugged him in the shoulder. "Nice work. Finally, someone tamed the beast."
"You're a moron. Sameera isn't a beast, she's been hurt in the same way I have been in our lives. There was no taming needed, just.. closure. Don't worry about that, alright? Now, go forth and see if you can't find our stolen tea. I need to check in on my little sister."
"Little sister? But you're an only child, aren't you?"
Nick was going to answer when the subject of his words appeared in the doorway. "Nick? Why'd sis rush out of the school with her phone in hand?" Kari asked.
Ryan looked at the newcomer. "Why do we have one of the freshman Pokémon fight club members here, now? Is she..?" He looked at Nick, who nodded while holding his head.
"Yes, Ryan, that is both mine and Sameera's little sister. Since apparently no one here actually knows about the situation other than the bits and pieces I choose you all to know, the fact is that Kari here is my little sister despite looking a lot more like Sameera, but she's Kari's older sister too. I'll explain whatever else later but right now, put a damn sign on the door and tell anyone who asks that we needed to make emergency preparations. I'm going to make sure Sameera doesn't get cornered by anyone else. You too, Kari."
Leaving the classroom, Kari followed Nick out into the hallway, the cape of his costume billowing out dramatically as they turned to walk down the hall. "What happened? I thought you and Meera said all the festival stuff was over and taken care of?" Kari asked, taking the hairband with the signature Pikachu ears off of her head and allowing her red hair to flow behind her more freely.
"Someone took all the tea for my class' café. I sent those two who were with me to see if they could find who took it while I sent Sameera to call her job for some assistance. If anyone we knew personally had any tea bags or whatever to spare, it would be them."
"Alright, but then why was she crying when I saw her? That's why I came to see you."
Nick looked at her as he stopped rushing, his steps slowing to a crawl. "Meera was crying?" Kari nodded. "Damnit. I knew Ryan got to her. Alright, then I'm going to go to her. Go back to class, tell Nashrah what happened but that it's all fine and we'll figure it out. Do not go to mom or your dad, let us teens handle each other. Our parents don't need to be unnecessarily worried or stressed."
Kari nodded, frowning. "Alright, Nick. If you're sure."
Nick nodded back with a smile. "I am. Thanks for looking out for us, little sis. It's supposed to be our job looking out for you."
Kari giggled. "Yeah, well with how you and Meera are, I think now and then you both need a third party making sure you're both alright. And mom would hate it if I ignored you guys.."
"Nuh uh, mom is proud of you, Kari, I promise you that. Nothing could change how proud any of us are of you. You brought our family back together, Kari, and.." Nick could feel the tears threatening to fall as he wiped them away with a sigh. "Whatever happens, nothing is your fault. Just know that, alright?"
Kari nodded but stayed silent for several moments. "What's so important that I can't know about it?" Nick looked at her curiously. "About my mom and dad? I know they've been looking into things behind my back, and you and Meera probably know more about all of that."
"Yeah, you're right. We do. It's.. I won't say it isn't important, because I know it is. They're your parents just as much as they are mine or Sameera's. Just don't worry for now, alright? Me, Meera, mom and your dad, we're all going to figure things out and then you'll know everything. I promise. There's just a lot of.. adult things going on that we all just feel you're better off not knowing right now."
Kari frowned, but nodded as she hugged her older brother. "I get it. I trust you and Meera. Now go find her. She needs you."
Nick nodded. "Ten-four, sis. Go kick ass in your class, alright? You have a couple of fighters for older siblings, so you have to have some kind of affinity to it."
Kari nodded with a cheeky smirk. "Oh, I'll make all of them see I'm the little sister of the school delinquent."
Nick laughed. "Don't let mom hear you say that, though." He said, finger to his lips as Kari nodded again, running back off to her classroom. Nick smiled sadly as he went outside the school, being where Sameera probably had been headed.
He kept an eye out for her red hair, but she didn't see his girlfriend anywhere around the outside stalls, so he continued further out to the gates to the school, where he finally found Sameera, looking no worse than he'd last seen her as she sat on the divider between the sidewalk and the road, several feet away from the gates themselves. He approached her. "Hey. You okay, Meera? Kari said she saw you crying?"
Sameera looked at him with a smile, one he'd seen too often the past three years not to recognize. "I'll be fine, Nicky. You know me, tough girl and all." She was lying, Nick knew it. Sameera's voice was cracking.
"Everything's going to be fine. Meera, mama, today may not have gone so well so far, but there's still plenty of time to turn it arou-"
"That's not it, Nick. It's like we've become parents all of a sudden, haven't you seen it? Not just with Kari, but like with your classmates just now. They have no respect for me, not really. It's like we need to keep asserting our authority to a bunch of toddlers and frankly, it's pissing me off to the point of crying."
Nick nodded. "Yeah, I know. Ryan needs to learn to read.. well, the room and other things." He chuckled as he positioned himself to sit behind her, Sameera now on his lap more than the divider as his legs held hers up as she kicked out, her heels hitting lightly against Nick's feet. "But you know, you are right, yeah? We did basically become parents, although I'm starting to think we should start trying to look after Axel now and then. Because of whatever is wrong with our parents, we will need to step up and be the parents he needs, the other adults in our lives don't want the responsibility because of what those two kids mean to them."
"But we're different. Kari and Axel, they're.. they're our younger siblings, and if the only parents they have die, we become parents before we even want to."
"I don't mind that, though, Sam. Not if you're by my side." His hand had entwined with hers now. "Now, enough of this depressing talk. Did you get a hold of anyone at the café?"
Sameera nodded as she leaned into him, exhaling deeply. "Giselle is bringing it, all unmarked teabags." Nick nodded, chuckling. "Gotta keep my cover somehow."
"Yeah, yeah. You mind having company while you wait?"
Sameera smiled. "Course not."
She leaned up to kiss him as the couple heard Giselle speak from next to them. "Oh, it's finally happened! Everyone at work will be so happy!"
Giselle's enthusiasm scared Sameera into pulling back with a blush as her hair began levitating again as she glared at her coworker. "Elle!" She shouted, pouting as both Nick and Giselle laughed.
