"I'm gonna kill him," I shout furiously.
I clench my first tightly, digging my nails into my skin. Pacing back and forth, I try to calm myself down-- to no avail. I know that I've been abused, and that shit wasn't fun nor was it deserved. I feel like there was nothing I could've done for me, but I'll be damned if I sit here while Josie goes through it.
After cleaning and bandaging J's wounds, Niro stands and walks over to me, gently grabbing my shoulders. "GG, breathe," he says looking into my eyes. I try to avert my gaze and pull away, but he's quick to grab my chin and angle it up to him, "Look at me."
"I know, okay? I need you to calm down though," Is all he said before quickly hugging me tightly. Going back to check on J, I look at her as she quietly weeps while trying to answer Niro's questions. 'I can do this... everything will work itself out,' I think to myself.
"Okay, okay. So what do we do? We need to call the cops," I say as calmly as I can. Josie's eyes widened at my words as she struggled to find the words to speak through her sobs. "I-I tried that. But he started whaling on me the s-second I g-g-grabbed my phone," she cried.
I tensed again. Taking a breath, I walked over to her and gently wiped her tears. "We can't let him get away with this J, I'm calling the cops."
Without another word, she simply nodded and sniffled as I began dialing 9-1-1.
-
When the cops arrived, they slammed us with questions as the EMTs worked on J's wounds, commending Niro on his work. We did our best to answer questions as J did her best to talk. The whole thing was kind of draining, to be honest.
And what was more interesting, I noticed the officers whispering and giving side-eyes to Niro. I wonder what that was all about.
Two days later
This day was unlike any other. It was supposed to be warm outside, but it felt cold.
I shivered in my puffy jacket as Niro wrapped his arm around me. I snuggled into him, feeling the hard press of his chain through his jacket.
”Are you not wearing a shirt? It’s cold as shit out here,” I said looking at him in dismay.
He laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “Feels good to me GG, you gotta be anemic.”
I elbowed him slightly. He always teases me about how I’m always cold and probably anemic since I already take iron pills. But the doctor said I’m fine so I simply roll my eyes.
He winces before pulling me closer to him, laughing it off. The press of his chain, spark my curiosity— causing me to look up at him as we walk.
‘Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen his chain before. He always keeps it tucked in his shirt.’ My thoughts dance in my head as I finally realized we’re stopped walking.
”Drifting off into space again,” he questioned. “I wanted to show you what this place looked like at night but you’re not even paying attention.“
We’re at the park again as usual. But this time, we came at night when there’s no one around. Taking a walk, surrounded by the sounds of the night was blissful.
Especially with Niro here, not that I’d ever tell him that.
Noticing the scenery around me, my jaw drops. At the big tent where community events are held, butterfly lights line the opening and surround it.
In the center of the tent, one of the benches is decorated with a tablecloth and plates set out with a picnic basket in the middle. I turn and face Niro— mouth agape as the shock continued to wash over me.
”W-what is all this?”
He smirks, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the scenery. “I had some help setting all of this up but uhhh… it’s for you,” Niro said, rubbing the back of his head.
I jump at him, embracing him in the tightest hug I’ve ever given someone. “I don’t deserve this, you know.”
Niro simply shakes his head, “Thing is, you do. Now come on, we got food to eat.”
We walked hand in hand towards the bench, sitting down on opposite sides. One by one, Niro started taking out the food he bought— Olive Garden is my favorite.
This night was everything. So much had been going on this year. Meeting Niro, the situation with Caleb, Josie, and Murphy…
So much had happened in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. So much I felt like I didn’t deserve, yet had worked so hard to get.
Being here now, with someone I really care about… makes me realize how special and hectic this year has been since meeting him.
I honestly think I’m starting to fall in love with him. But we’re not even dating, so how can I feel like this?!
After dinner, we made the slow walk back to the car as we traveled back to campus. The drive was silent but calming. It felt like this moment would never end, and I hoped it wouldn’t.
I opened the door to my room slowly, checking to see if Josie was already in bed. Seeing the bed empty, I remembered that she was hanging out with Caleb all day and wouldn’t be back til tomorrow.
I smiled and ushered Niro inside. Closing the door, I text Josie that I’m in for the night. Putting down my bag, I turn around and witnessed a welcoming sight.
Niro’s back was facing me as he removed his jacket, revealing his bare skin. He reached into his bag, pulling out a black tee and pulling it over himself. Well, it was fun while it lasted.
I turned back around before he could notice me staring, my cheeks flushed red. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out some shorts and a t-shirt when I felt a body press up behind me.
I jumped harshly as arms embraced me gently. “It’s okay, it’s just me,” I felt Niro’s warm breath against my neck.
His touch felt good and my tense body slowly relaxed in his arms. I frowned, “You scared me, dummy.”
”I know, I’m sorry.”
”Alright, alright. Now turn around so I can get changed,” I said pushing him back. He put his hands up and backed away, turning away from me.
I quickly got changed before getting in bed. When I was finished rummaging around, Niro turned around and started towards me.
I sat up, “Uh, what you doing playboy?”
He laughed quietly, “Do you trust me?” I held back a laugh, what does he think this is? Aladdin?
I shook my head, “Yes.”
He climbed in next to me, pulling me towards him. “Come cuddle, stop acting brand new.”
”N-n-nobody’s acting brand new. This is just a lot, what happened to baby steps,” I sneered.
I felt him shrug his shoulders without another word. I closed my eyes trying to will myself asleep when the bed shifted slightly and I opened my eyes to see Niro now in front of me. “What?”
“Nothing. You’re just beautiful. I want you to be mine, you know,” he said calmly.
My head was spinning. He’s saying all of this so chill as if this isn’t a super big deal— well, at least to me. My already flushed cheeks began to hurt as I covered my smile.
He spoke again, “Don’t be shy. You down?” A weight felt as if it had been lifted off my chest. As if all my questions had been answered. Niro James likes me.
I nod my head the best I can in agreement, earning a kiss on my forehead in return. “Sweet,” he says with a toothy grin.
I smile from ear to ear, admiring the one who now calls me his. The light from the moon peered in through the window.
Glinting, I notice the light reflecting off of something. Looking down at Niro’s chest, I see the chain outside of his shirt and it almost makes me sick.
‘A tall dark male, with a silver chain and cross. It’s him!’
My eyes widen as I turn over and grab my phone. “What’s wrong GG,” he questioned. “Nothing, I-I forgot to tell J something. You can go to sleep,” I reassured him.
He gave me a sleepy thumbs up before getting up so I could leave and rolled back into the bed. I grab my key and headed outside the door towards the bathroom.
I dialed on my phone as fast as I could, putting the phone to my ear. The phone rang twice before a drowsy “hello” filtered through. “J, I gotta tell you something.”
”Hmm, what is it at this hour?”
I bit my lip, “You were right.”
-
I sat beside Niro, slightly leaning into his chest as Josie and I bounce ideas off each other for this project we're doing as our elective final. Our pending project distracted us from the events we knew would be carried out today. The anxiety from it all was killing me.
Music blasts from Niro's phone as we vibe along when there's a deep knock on the door. It’s time.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN8AP2jS0R
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
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"OPEN UP! CAMPUS POLICE!!"
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsJAE8cl9v
Josie and I jump at the sudden noise and look at each other before looking at Niro. ‘I wish it didn’t have to be this way but I had to do this.’
I get up from my spot as Niro grabbed my arm gently.
“Maybe I should get it,” he questioned. He seemed nervous as if he knew what this was about. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did.
I shake my head and he lets me go as I walk over to the door as Josie follows close behind. Taking a deep breath, I open it.
Officer Terrence, who I spoke with earlier, appears. “Is he in there?”
I simply nod and move out of the way as the officers make their way into the room to Niro.
”Niro James, you have the right to remain silence. You’re under arrest for the robbery of 7/11. Anything you say can and will be used against you.”
Niro’s eyes widen as he struggles to get out of the officer’s grip while they cuff him. He looks over at me and Josie in confusion.
”Bro what the fuck?! What’s going on G?”
His voice broke my heart, but it hurt, even more, to sit next to him every day as if everything was okay.
I lowered my head to the ground. “Your necklace,” I mumbled.
”What,” he exclaimed as he was being ushered away. I grabbed my phone and key as Josie closed the door behind up.
He shouted all the way downstairs:
“Why?! I didn’t do nothing, get your fucking hands off me yo!”
When we finally got outside the anger in my whelmed up, as did the tears.
”Your necklace,” I spoke up. “I saw… your necklace, the day the store got robbed. When you pushed me to the ground after taking my stuff I saw it. And again last night right before bed.”
I swear if his eyes could’ve gotten any wider they would’ve. He gazed at me as if I had two heads.
Officer Terrence then explained to him that eyewitnesses later came forward reported having seen someone fitting his description after another convenience store was robbed a week or so later.
Apparently, he wasn’t so careful that second time as someone got a picture of his face from the video cams in the store.
He was seething, but no words fell from his lips as he couldn’t seem to find the words to speak.
I felt myself release a breath. I contained myself as long as I could on the walk to the cop car before I couldn’t hold it anymore.
"I fucking trusted you! I trusted you! I let you into my heart and see me for who I am because I thought you were someone special. I thought you would be the one to change some things, and to a certain extent, you have," I shouted, looking down at my feet to hide the tears that were burning to come out. But as well as I could hide my face, I couldn't hide the hurt and shakiness in my voice. Josie grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly, giving me reassurance.
My feelings were betrayed. My trust was betrayed. My first real crush and this is what happened, how ironic. I seem prone to this shit.
I couldn't even look him in the eyes. He took my heart and stepped all over it, he betrayed my trust and I fell for it. I fell for him. If I had known then what I knew now, I would've stayed far away from him. Maybe he would've been caught earlier if I had. But who's to say or know what would've happened. So right now... all I can do is speak my truth.
"You- You showed me something I never thought I would see and awakened feelings I didn't even know I was allowed to have. You made me feel like I was a person and invited me into your life. It may not have all been lies, but you played a role in why I am the way I am and you didn't even know it. You were the mastermind behind the rollercoaster of emotions I'm feeling right now," I paused again. But this time, I raised my head to look at him as my tears continued to run and stain my cheeks.
"I forgive you... for what you did," I said, receiving a pained look from Niro. "Gemma, you can't be serious, he--," Josie started but I cut her off as soon as I could. "Nah J, I forgive him... for stealing from me. But, I won't forget how it made me feel and I won't forget or forgive the lies he told, the truth he covered up... He cracked me all over again, but I'll be damned if I say he broke me." I gave Josie a reassuring look, giving a faint smile through my teary eyes, and gave him one last look before turning around to walk back to my room. "Alright, let's go," The sheriff said as they turned the opposite way towards the cop car.
That was the last time I saw you.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
Thank you all for reading the season one finale of 'Stolen Romance'. I hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to what's going to happen next! I plan to start publishing season two sometime later so be on the lookout. I appreciate all the support for this series and I will see y'all later! Byee~~
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