Jessica, ever the practical one, asked, “But what about you, Nina? It’s one thing to be supportive, but what about your dreams, your ambitions? It’s not just Enzo’s journey.”
I smiled, trying to mask the whirlwind of emotions threatening to surface. “It’s okay, Jess. Enzo and I are in this together. We’ll figure things out. He has his dream to chase, and I have mine here.” Lori took a step closer, her voice dripping with concern. “Nina, you’ve always been the strong one among us. But remember, you don’t always have to be. If you ever need to lean on someone, to talk, we’re here.”
The tenderness in her voice, the genuine care, nearly broke me. It was at moments like these that I realized how fortunate I was to have friends like Lori and Jessica. Friends who saw past my brave facade, recognizing the vulnerability that lay beneath. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free.Jessica, nodding in agreement with Lori, added, ” And Nina, please tell me you’ve thought about therapy. We’re worried about you, especially now.”
Her words caught me off guard. Everyone seemed to keep bringing up the idea of therapy, but I didn’t want to go. I was fine on my own; I didn’t need it.
And besides, after the school therapist, Edward, turned out to be a raving lunatic, I wasn’t so keen on opening myself up like that to a stranger again.
“I don’t need therapy, Jess,” I said, maybe a little more coldly than I intended.
Jessica held up her hands, realizing she might have pushed a boundary. “I’m not saying you need it. I just think that it would be good for you.”
“We worry about you,” Lori interjected. “Because we love you.”
I took a moment, my breath steady, trying to control the rush of emotions. “I appreciate the concern, really. But right now, I’m perfectly fine.
What Enzo and I have is strong. We’ll weather this storm, like we have so many others.”
Lori took my hand, her touch warm and comforting. “We just want the best for you.
Remember that.”
I nodded, tears threatening to come but I firmly. held them at bay. “Thank you, both of you. It means the world to me.”
After a brief pause, I continued, “Now, I should go check on Enzo.”
Lori and Jessica exchanged a glance, and with a mutual nod, they stepped aside, letting me pass.
I made my way outside, the cool night air embracing me as I stepped into the garden. Enzo stood there, silhouetted against the moonlight, his shoulders slumped, his entire demeanor a mask of desolation.
Without a word, I wrapped my arms around him from behind. He leaned into the embrace, and I could feel his heartbeat hammering through his ribcage, a steady rhythm that had been my anchor through thick and thin.
“You did the right thing,” I whispered, turning him around to look into his eyes. “This will be good for you.”
He smiled weakly, but before he could respond, the door creaked open, and Matt stepped out.
“Enzo,” he began, his voice shaky, “I can’t believe you’re leaving us. We won’t know what to do without you.”
Enzo looked at him, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “That’s where you’re wrong, Matt.”
Matt frowned, clearly taken aback. “What do you mean?”
With a deep breath, Enzo placed his hand on Matt’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“I’ve seen how you play, how you inspire the team, how you’ve always been there for all of us,” Enzo said, leading up to the second big announcement of the night, the one that I was most excited for. ” You’ve got the heart and the skills, and I’m glad to call you my Beta.”
Matt furrowed his brow in confusion. “What are you saying, Enzo?”
Enzo grinned. “I’m making you the new hockey captain.”
The sight of Matt and Enzo embracing warmed my heart. Their friendship was one of those rock-solid connections, deep and unwavering. They were more like brothers than mere friends. Standing a little way off, I took a moment to appreciate the bond they shared, and the beauty of such relationships.
I decided it was best to give them their moment, so I turned on my heels and made my way back inside.
The cacophony of the party seemed muted to my ears, as if I was experiencing everything from within a bubble.
As I wandered around, taking in the faces of friends and loved ones, I was suddenly gripped by a strange sensation in my stomach. A sudden wave of nausea washed over me, and I felt my head spin.
I quickened my pace, pushing through the crowd, my hand pressed over my mouth. The bathroom seemed miles away. When I finally reached it, I barely had the strength to lock the door before I was throwing up into the toilet.
For a moment, I sat there, my head resting on the edge of the bowl, wondering what on earth had happened.
“It must have been something I ate,” I muttered to myself, even though I had barely nibbled on anything. “Or maybe that one drink was too strong?”
After splashing some water on my face and taking a few deep breaths to steady myself, I felt considerably better. The sickly feeling had ebbed away, replaced by a light-headed sensation that wasn’t altogether unpleasant.
I took a few moments to compose myself, checking my appearance in the mirror. My makeup was slightly smudged from the tears, but it was nothing that couldn’t be fixed. After a quick touch-up and some mouthwash, I took another deep breath, unlocked the bathroom door, and rejoined the party. 1
Emerging from the bathroom, I was immediately enveloped by the lively energy of the party. The room was filled with the vibrant sounds of laughter and music. People were chatting animatedly, their glasses clinking, and the ambiance was infectious.
In the center of it all, people had pushed the furniture aside and were dancing.
Before I could process everything, a familiar hand wrapped around mine, pulling me into the midst of it all. It was Enzo, his eyes bright and mischievous, his grin contagious. Without a word, he pulled me close, our bodies swaying to the beat of the music.
I laughed, allowing myself to get lost in the moment, to forget the worries and uncertainties of the future. Enzo’s presence had always had that effect on me; with him, everything else seemed to fade away.
As we danced, his grip on me tightened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. “Nina,” he whispered, his voice low and husky, “I love you.
You know that, right?”
The sincerity in his voice caused my heart to flutter, and I tightened my grip on him. “I love you too,” I replied, my voice barely audible above the music.
He pulled back slightly, looking deep into my eyes.
“We’ll figure this out. The distance, the time apart…
I promise we’ll make it work. We’ll plan regular visits, okay? Whenever we can.”
I smiled, warmth spreading through me. “Of course, I’d love that,” I replied, pausing for a moment before teasing him. “Just promise me one thing.”
He raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident. “What’s that?”
I playfully poked him in the chest. “You better not forget about me and meet some new girl while you’re gone.”
He laughed, the sound rich and hearty, making me feel light-headed. “Oh, Nina,” he said, pulling me close again, “no other woman in the universe could ever compare to you.”
Enzo’s words made me smile. However, as we continued to dance, the realization hit harder than I expected.
With my own aspirations leading me into pre-med, following Enzo to his hockey training was out of the question. Our dreams were pulling us in two different directions, and the weight of our impending six-month separation settled in my chest like a stone.
My vision blurred, and tears began to prick at the corners of my eyes. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to see me like this, especially. Enzo.