Chapter 22
Nina's POV-
Nina: Fabian?
He pushed the note in to the palm of my hand. As I read the note, he sat on the bed, ashamed. After I read it, I sat next to him and noticed he was avoiding my gaze.
Nina: Fabian. Please look at me.
He shook his head, so I got up and sat on his lap. I made him face me and, when he tried to talk, I placed my finger over his lips.
Nina: Fabian, are you really my Osirian?
He nodded his head.
Nina: Oh, Fabian. Don't- don't feel bad about- this. It's my fault. If I wasn't the Chosen One, you- me- we-we wouldn't be in this mess.
Tears prickled in my eyes as I covered my face, trying to hide my face. Fabian slowly pulled my hands away and inched his face closer to mine. I did the same and, just as our lips were about to touch-
Amber: Patricia! Nina! Fabian! I'm here!
We froze in our position and groaned in sync with one another. As we separated, I gently pecked his cheek. I stood up immediately and ran out the door, slightly embarrassed. Amber was seated in the living room, waiting for someone. I looked down, realized I was still dressed in my pajamas, and hurried to my room, quickly changing. I wore a dark purple cami, white skinny jeans that were tie-dyed lavender, a white vest, and black sneakers, just like the dream. I had just finished braiding my hair and pinning up my bangs with bobby pins again when I heard a knock on my door. I opened it carefully to see Fabian, dressed in a purple v-neck that matched my cami, black jeans, matching black sneakers, and a s;ight frown. Um, weird.
Fabian: You alright?
Nina: Ya, ya! I'm totally- I'm- I'm good. No worries.
Fabian: Nina, about the whole- almost kiss, I- I just-
Nina: It's alright. You were just trying to be- um- nice.
His frown deepened and his eyes dulled.
Fabian: Ya, I was trying to be- nice. But, look, about the note-
Nina: Fabian, the note seemed very self explanatory. I'm gonna die-
Fabian: Don't talk that way. We'll- we'll-
Nina: I'm gonna-
Fabian: No! Don't- you- I won't-
Nina: It's my destiny-
Fabian: Nina-
Nina: Fabian-
Patricia: Guys.
We looked at the door way to see Patricia and Amber together. Patricia was frowning while Amber slightly smirked.
Patricia: What's going on?
Amber: If I didn't know any better, I'd say Fabian was proposing to Nina or something.
That's when I noticed Fabian in a kneeling position in front of me while holding my hands. Patricia chuckled and Amber's smile grew as Fabian and I blushed. We slowly let go of one another as Fabian answered.
Fabian: We were just- well- we were
Nina: We need to make an announcement. To everyone in Sibuna.
Amber: Oh! What kind of announcement?
Fabian and I shared a look and, catching me off guard, he took my hand in his. It was comfortable, not too hot, not too cold, not sweaty, but just perfect.
Fabian: It's a surprise.
Fabian's POV-
Amber started to squeal when I took Nina's delicate hand in my rough one. The hand holding felt right, but it was just an act. Amber would make sure everyone in Sibuna showed up if she- you know- assumed the surprise had to do with Nina and my relationship together. Of course, it isn't.
Fabian: It's a surprise.
Amber squealed even louder and ran off with a smile on her face. Patricia looked at me and patted my back.
Patricia: Nice work, you two.
She winked at us and left, making sure Amber didn't go too overboard. Nina released my hand and looked at me in admiration.
Nina: Well done. I'm impressed. However, you forgot two major things?
Fabian: What would they be?
Nina: One, Amber will murder us for lying like that. And two, she's gonna tell everyone we're a thing and they'll also murder us for not. Except Joy, of course.
Her voice lowered when she mentioned Joy. I felt a tinge of pain.
Fabian: Nina-
Nina: Nevermind.
She took a shaky breathe and put on a smile, a fake smile, might I add.
Nina: So, what's the plan? We need to talk about Rufus returning-
Fabian: You losing your locket.-
Nina: Rufus kidnapping me last night-
Fabian: You have seven months to live-
Nina: My charm bracelet and my Mark of Anubis-
Fabian: Yup. Forgot that. How Rufus tried to drown you at the bridge-
Nina: The visions-
Fabian: The keys-
Nina: Our encounter with Anubis.
Fabian: Actually, encounters for me. And lastly, your locket is shattered.
Nina: Wow. We're messed up. Everything is so-
Fabian: Wrong, messed up, unfair?
Nina: All of the above.
Fabian: How do you think they'll take it?
Nina: Well, I guess we can add that to the mystery.
I couldn't help but laugh at her comment. She joined me and by the time we finished, I remembered something. The note.
Nina: What is it?
I must have stopped smiling, because Rufus knows where we are, who's here, and how to get in. Talk about creepy.
Fabian: The note.
Nina: Oh ya, we also have to mention it-
Fabian: No, that's not it. Remember when Patricia said she didn't know about the break in until she woke up?
Nina: Ya, but- oh-
Fabian: Ya, oh. Rufus knows where we are and how to get in. It's not safe for us here. It's not safe for you.
Nina: But-
Fabian: No buts, Nina. You need to leave-
Nina: I'm not leaving without you-
Fabian: You're the one at risk-
Nina: That's why I need you. You're Fabian Rutter. You've protected me all throughout high school-
Fabian: Yes, because letting you get kidnapped, overpowered by spirits, and abandoning you sounds like something a protective person would do.
Nina: Then again, you lunged at Rufus when he tried to take me away at our first prom, you got yourself cursed just to try and help me defeat Senkarah, you defended me when I stood alone, you're here for me now. There's a reason why you're my Osirian, Fabian.
Fabian: Ya, because Eddie quit and I was the only one in the same country as you.
Nina sighed and lay down on the bed. I walked over to the foot of the bed and sat on the floor, facing the door.
Nina: Fabian, promise me one thing.
Fabian: Anything, Nina, anything.
Nina: No matter what happens, whether I die, get injured, get lost, or kidnapped, no matter what happens to me, never blame yourself.
Fabian: Even if it was totally my fault?
I looked up to see Nina sitting behind me on the bed, looking down at me.
Nina: Even if it was totally your fault.
I sat myself next to her on the bed and gave her my final response.
Fabian: Very well. No matter what happens, whether you die, get injured, get lost, or kidnapped, no matter what happens to you, I can never blame myself. But, this is only for your sake, Nina, not mine.
Nina just nodded and rested her head on my lap. I smiled and stroked her hair until Patricia came by to tell us all of Sibuna had arrived. We were about to leave the room when I noticed Nina started to twiddle with her fingers. I placed my hand over hers and whisper words of encouragement in her ear. Then, I kissed her on the forehead. We walked out together and, at first, everyone looked happy and excited, but their smiles faded when they saw the seriousness in our eyes.
Nina: It's about time we tell you guys the truth.
Fabian: Even if you don't like it.