I'm a day late. Sorry. I have some good news:

Yesterday, I sang on a stage for the first time in my life in front of a crowd of 200+ people. I'm so happy! I've gotten over my stage fright!

Also, I need advice. My boyfriend and I have been dating for 9 months now (holy cow, I can't believe i's lasted this long!) and idk what to give him for Christmas or what to do. Any advice (even if you think it's a "stupid idea") is appreciated. The irony is that I'm the creative romantic one and I'm out of ideas. XD If you can help, please PM me ASAP.

Chapter 19-

I entered my room to find Fabian sitting on my bed. I closed the door behind me and he immediately stood in my presence.

Nina: Fabian? Oh, um, hi! I wasn't expecting you.

Fabian: Ya, I'm sorry. I just got worried when you ran off and I didn't know how long you…you'd take and-

Nina: Thank you. It's nice to see you. And, you know, I really had fun today.

Fabian: I'm glad you did. Um….I need to tell you something.

Nina: Ya, sure what is it?

He came close to me and took my hands in his. I felt a blush creep through my cheeks and I became a little nervous. What is he doing?

Fabian: Nina, I, um, I need to be honest with you….I….I'm trying to tell you that…you're a really pretty girl and you're smart and thoughtful and…I have a confession to make.

Nina: …Fabian?

I backed away slightly but he followed me. He put his hands on my shoulders and pulled me close to him.

Fabian: Nina…I…from the first time we met, I couldn't get you out of my head and…I still can't. You were in a coma for three weeks. I thought I had lost you. I really did. And….what I'm trying to say is that…Nina….I…I'm in love with you.

I was at a loss for words. He…he's in love with me. My dream guy is in love with me. My best friend is in love with me.

Nina: ….Fabian…I…

I noticed he had a pen in his pocket and an idea popped in to my head.

Nina: Can I borrow your pen?

His eyes went from disappointed to surprised to curious as he passed it to me. I took his pen and started scribbling down something on the arm that was clean. I wrote "I'm in love with you too, Fabian" and drew a heart afterwards. I passed him his pen and he put it away as I showed him what I wrote. His eyes perked up and a smile crossed his face. I couldn't help myself. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in to a kiss. He wrapped his arms around my waist. Now, I don't know what the perfect kiss is supposed to feel like but our kiss…I felt my bottom lip tingling and I smiled in to the kiss. Butterflies were filling my stomach and my mind was all focused on his lips and how warm and soft they were. I heard a knock on the door, but I didn't respond until the door opened and Joy came in looking like she had an idea.

Joy: Nina, why don't we…oh.

Fabian and I broke apart and we both blushed. Joy was confused but I could see hurt in her eyes…she really likes Fabian? That wasn't a part of the act?

Joy: Sorry to…interrupt. Fabian, can I borrow Nina for a minute?

I was about to go with her when Fabian stood in front of me.

Fabian: Why do you need Nina?

Joy: …um, we need to talk.

Fabian: About?

Joy: Look, Fabian, I just want to talk to her. Nina, please?

I nodded and gently pushed Fabian to the side. I could tell he was worried but I gave him a reassuring look. Joy and I went outside and went out to the stables, just to make sure no one else was listening.

Nina: What's up?

Joy: Ok, so I was thinking about the plan and…why don't we get more people involved?

Nina: Well, more people means more likeliness for exposure.

Joy: I know, but…KT, Trudy, Amber, Willow, Alfie, Patricia, and Fabian are our closest friends. They'd be willing to help. And it's only 5 days away. We need to make our plan Caroline-proof.

Nina: ….do you think it'll work?

Joy: There's a higher chance it'll work if we have more support.

I thought about it for a minute and nodded. That's a good idea.

Nina: …you actually like him. It wasn't a part of the act, was it?

Joy sighed and nodded.

Joy: I…I knew it was wrong. I knew that he liked you from the moment you two met and….I don't know. I really liked him. Everything I did that involved him…I was bitter and jealous. I mean, I was so used to being cruel to you that I told myself that it wouldn't make a difference what it was about. I…I let my emotions go too far and I blamed it on mom but….it was all me. And I'm sorry.

I put my hand on her shoulder and she looked at me.

Nina: It's ok. You're forgiven.

She smiled and took my hand, leading me back to my room.

Joy: Get in there and steal his heart. You deserve a little love.

I smiled and pulled Joy in to a hug. She hugged back and….it felt good to finally have her as a sister.

Joy: Come to my room. You can tell me everything there.

She winked and ran back to the house. I smiled and shook my head. Oh Joy. I walked in to my room and Fabian jumped to his feet.

Fabian: Nina, are you ok? What did she say to you? Did she hurt you? I swear-

Nina: Fabian! Calm down. No, she didn't hurt me. I'm totally fine. And we were talking business. It's fine.

Fabian: Are you sure?

Nina: I'm positive.

I plopped down on my bed and he did the same.

Fabian: I never got the chance to finish.

Nina: There's more? Jeez. I feel so important and special.

Fabian: Well, you are. Anyways, since you're in love with me too, I wanted to know if you would be my girlfriend.

I smiled and I was about to nod when a thought popped in my head. I'm only gonna be here 5 more days. After that….who knows where I'll end up. I thought about it and knew I couldn't say yes. I can't get his hopes up just to break them in a few days.

Nina: Fabian….I want to say yes. So badly. But…I can't. I'll hurt you. I can't say yes. I'm sorry.

The smile on his face dropped and I could tell I had hurt him.

Nina: …Fabian-

Fabian: Is it Joy?

Nina: What? No, it's not-

Fabian: What did she say to you? Did she threaten you?

Nina: No-

Fabian: Did she curse you out?

Nina: What? No. Fabian-

Fabian: What did she do to you? Did she-

Nina: Fabian! I said no because I might be leaving!

He closed his mouth and reopened it. He did this a few times before saying one word.

Fabian: When?

Nina: In five days.

He said another word.

Fabian: Where?

Nina: I…I don't know.

He got up and left. I didn't follow him. I knew he needed time.