Chapter 15

I creaked the front door open and floated in, undetected by Joy and Caroline. I dug myself deeper in to the crowd, making my way straight in to a stranger in a leather jacket.

Nina: I'm sorry.

Fabian: That's alright- Nina? Is that you?

I saw the stranger was my partner and smiled at him.

Nina: Hi Fabian.

Fabian: Nina, you look… wow.

For once, I couldn't blame him. After the girls finally convinced me in to wearing the dress, KT got to work on my hair. Now, my hair is in a curly side tail, clipped by bobby pins and small peach flowers. Somehow, the girls found my contacts and it made everything easier for Amber, who did my make-up, leaving me with red lips, black mascara and eyeliner, and a hint of blush. However, the blush that was on my face wasn't the make-up coming out right now. My gaze shyly fell to my feet, which were covered by my normal boots. What? I've been pushed out of my comfort zone! I had to wear something that looked like me.

Nina: Thank you. For once, I can agree.

Fabian: You're always beautiful.

I chuckled bitterly and turned away from him.

Nina: Ya, right. Like how I'm always happy or how I'm always smiling with my 'family'?

Fabian: Nina, come on. Don't get like this. Not here. Not tonight. Please?

I shook my head, walking away. I knew it was a mistake to come here. And yet, here I am, dolled up at a party where I'm not wanted. Suddenly, a girl was standing on the couch and everyone was listening. That's the power of Joy. Everyone shuts up at the wave of her little manicured hand.

Joy: I know that everybody is having a great time tonight. Well, ALMOST everybody…

She glared at me with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Uh oh, this can't be good. I felt myself start to back away to the door, but Fabian caught up to me.

Fabian: Are you going somewhere?

Nina: I'm leaving. This isn't me.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me in to his arms.

Fabian: Can I at least have this dance?

I bit my lip and searched for an excuse to get going. Sure, I'm blushing, but Joy's up to something and I don't want to be around to see what it is.

Nina: There's no music…

Fabian: Let's just pretend.

Nina: Ok. Let's pretend that I was never here.

Fabian: Come on, Nina. I won't bite.

Nina: It's not you I'm worried about.

Fabian: Please, Nina?

I finally had the courage to look in to his eyes. He looked right back and start to lean in. I tried to fight the urge, but it wasn't working. My lips were nearing his, so I started fumbling for words to get me out of it all.

Nina: Fabian, please don't- it's not me- Fabian, I'm not the one. Let me go-

Fabian: Stop it. Let your heart talk for itself, Mysterella.

A smile broke out on my face and my nose rubbed against the side of his, our lips nearly touching.

Joy: 'It happened again. I don't know what's wrong with me. I keep seeing them and it's breaking me to pieces. I'm being smashed.'

I gasped and stumbled back. No… she wouldn't… she's not that heartless… is she? There, in her hands, was the page from my song book/ diary. Please, no.

Joy: 'Dad, why? Why did you have to leave me alone? I had hopes and dreams, too, but without you, I have nothing. I have nothing to live for anymore. So, what now? Maybe I should go riding off in to the forest and never come back. I could just stay there and freeze to death. I could jump and purposely drown in the water out there. So many choices, and yet, none are worthy of me. I'm not worthy to even die out in the forest.' Nina, do you want to say the rest?

Everyone turned to me and then I realized I had written something even worse than suicide ideas, much worse. I ran to the couch and tried to pry the page out of her hands, but she kept it out of my reach.

Joy: Either you read it or I do. It's your choice.

I tried to run away before she continued, but I was pushed back in to Fabian.

Fabian: Nina, what's she talking about?

Nina: Leave me alone!

I ran to the door but froze when Joy continued to read.

Joy: 'I don't trust anyone, but I don't care. I don't need anyone. I've gone alone this far. I might as well keep going. As for that Fabian guy, I'm so confused. Why won't he leave me alone? I put up a barrier and he just bumps in to it every time he tries. When will he understand that I'm never going to change my ways-'

Patricia: Joy! Stop!

Everyone gasped and looked at Patricia. She stood on the couch and faced Joy.

Patricia: Why do you hate Nina so much?

Joy: I have no reason to like her. When did you become such a terrible friend?

Patricia: When did you become such a terrible person?

I gasped in shock. Why is Patricia standing up for me? What should I do now? Joy's only doing this to get to me, so if I leave, she wouldn't continue, now would she? I decided to run off. I left the house and started thinking. I can't go to my room. People will look for me there. I'll go to the forest, but I'll have to go on foot. People would notice if I took a horse. With that, I made my way out, the door bursting open and Fabian shouting my name.

Fabian: Nina!

I ran through the forest, the cold winter wind curling around my body. My legs were on fire, but I wouldn't stop running until I tripped on a tree limb and fell to the ground. I couldn't push myself back up, so I just stayed there. The cold started to freeze my bone and I knew I was going to get sick. Hyperthermia. Frostbite. Hell, that's if I don't freeze to death. My vision blurred and disappeared as the cold settled in.