CHAPTER 7

Kat P.O.V:

The hotel room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the bedside lamp casting long shadows against the walls. I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers lightly tracing the fabric of the comforter. Across from me, Nick leaned back against the headboard, one arm resting casually over his knee.

Silence hung between us, thick and unspoken.

"Do you want to drink something?" He asked.

"Sure" I nod.

Nick reached for the bottle on the nightstand, pouring liquid in both glasses, a drink. He held out a glass toward me. "Here."

I hesitated for a second while looking at the liquid in the glass before taking it from him. The warmth of the liquid burned slightly as it slid down my throat, but it was a welcome distraction from the uneasiness lingering in my chest.

Nick exhaled, swirling his drink absentmindedly. "So, what's up with you? Besides being abandoned by your friends at a stranger's party."

I let out a dry chuckle. "Yeah, although I was expecting that they would definitely ditch me for some guys, I definitely did not expect it to happen so soon and the night to go like that." I glanced at him. "What about you? Why are you here?"

Nick smirked, taking a sip of his drink. "That's a long story."

"I've got time."

"Mom and Dad really miss you a lot" he says sadly breaking the silence first

"First you ditch my question and now then you started to act strangely, what's the matter Nicky. Please tell me" I ask softly "and no lies okay" I warn him.

Sighing he said "Kattie, sometimes I really wonder how you always know me very well that something is wrong with me"

"It's called Kattie's Magic" I joke to remove the tension between us

He chuckles and shakes his head "Glad to know you are not changed after that"

"So....." I asked

"You don't know what happened after you left, our happy family is not anymore perfect and happy like before, Dad wants me to join his company with Kyle, but I can't destroy my dreams. I want to chase them and made them real"

"So, they know about this?" he shakes his head

Great, that means he ran away

"I know what you are thinking that I run away from my problems, yeah that's right and there's one more reason why I'm here" he casually replies

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've been traveling a lot lately. Needed a change of scenery. Thought I'd stop by, check out the city... and, well, then I ran into you."

I studied him for a moment. He had always been like this— mysterious, distant, but still somehow protective of me in a way no one else was. Growing up, we had been close, inseparable even. I had looked up to him like an older brother, always the one to have my back. But over the years, life had pulled them apart.

Yet, sitting here now, it didn't feel like much had changed.

"Okay listening carefully, you are going back home and then you will tell them about this" I inform him seriously

"No....it's not simple as it looks.... they trying to put more responsibilities on my shoulder" he said

"W-What" I stutter

"Look.... I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let's talk about you. So, how's your college life? Is everything okay" he searches my eyes try to find the answers

"It's fantastic...... and everything is fine" I reply to him "Hey...don't worry I will talk to them; everything is going to be okay" I patted his shoulder and stand "I think. I should leave now" I said standing up

Nick watched me for a moment before pushing himself off the headboard "Please don't leave me tonight baby girl, stay with me" he begs me.

I blinked. "What?"

"Just for the night. It's late, and I don't like the idea of you walking home alone," he said simply. "Plus, it's been a while. We should catch up."

I hesitated for a moment, but deep down, I knew I didn't want to leave just yet. Being here with Nick - despite the strangeness of the situation— felt safe. Familiar.

"...Okay," I said finally.

Nick nodded, standing up and walking toward his suitcase. He rummaged through it for a moment before tossing a shirt in my direction. "Here, wear this. Might be more comfortable than your dress."

I caught it and smiled softly. "Thanks."

I missed his shirts so much.

I always steal his shirts and hoodies to annoy him.

I even brought his hoodies and shirts with me here.

Don't call me creepy, I just love to wear his shirts, they are awesome, branded and even more comfortable to wear.

As I slipped the oversized shirt over my head, I felt a strange sense of comfort settle over me. After changing into shirt, I open bathroom door and saw he was laying without shirt on the bed like always.

"I Know you have not eaten anything that's why I order your favorite pizza" he motioned toward the box.

I grin and sit on the bed with him, we talk about stuff and while eating and remembering our old times

"Thanks baby girl for cheering me up tonight" he said grinning

"So, when you are going back?" I ask

"Why don't you like my company?" He asks dramatically

Ha drama.

I glare at him.

"Not soon. I'm staying for a while"

Now we are lying on the bed, his hands are around my waist pulling me towards his chest and I rest my head on his chest.

Damn how always he smells so nice.

Old memories came back to me.

It's like old time, how we always cuddle and sleep together.

I smile thinking about old times.

"Good night, Baby girl" he kisses on my forehead

"Good night, Nicky"

Maybe tonight hadn't gone how I expected, but at least, in some way, it had brought me back to someone I had once thought I lost.

And maybe, just maybe, that wasn't such a bad thing.

I smile at him and close my eyes and soon meet to darkness

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A/N

Any idea why Nick is in New York instead of London?

Is there any other reason for him being here or it's just a coincidence?