CHAPTER FORTY - NINE

NICK WALKER ©

Avery and I finished the exam for the day and walked out of the hall.

“Argh! Finally! We're done with today's exam,” Avery said as we walked.

“That was exhausting.” She stretched her arms with a groan.

“Oh!” She suddenly stopped like she had remembered something.

“I forgot to ask,” she whispered into my ear. “What happened to your lip, Nick Walker?”

I quickly turned to look at her.

“I... I bit my lip accidentally,” I said, and she rolled her eyes.

“Liar,” she whispered before walking ahead.

I sighed as I watched her.

I knew she was definitely going to figure it out.

“So, what's for lunch today?” she asked, slowing down so I could catch up with her.

“I don't know...” I began, just then, a guy walked up to us interrupting me.

“Hey, nerd,” he called.

“Someone's outside asking for the famous Nick Walker.”

He walked away before I could respond.

The famous Nick Walker?

I shook my head and walked outside with Avery.

“I wonder who's looking for you,” Avery said while I thought about it.

I wasn't expecting anyone.

I barely knew anyone around campus, so no one came to mind.

“Nick.” I heard that familiar voice call my name.

The voice was close.

My heart slammed against my chest as I turned around.

“Nick,” she called again.

“Mum?” I muttered, my hands shaking.

She smiled and pulled me into a tight hug.

Then she leaned back, cupped my face in her hands, and looked at me before hugging me again.

My mind went completely blank.

I couldn't think. I could barely breathe.

“Nick... you've grown so much,” she said with a warm smile as I struggled to catch my breath.

“I'm back, now. Huh? Mum's back.“ She said.

“Nick? Nick, are you okay?“ Avery asked beside me as she pulled me back from my mum.

Avery kept calling my name as she hit my face softly.

“Hey, Nick, stay with me.“ She said as she held me to herself.

“What's wrong, Nick? Tell me what's wrong?“ Mum said as I tried to catch my breath.

That evening came running in my mind as a tear slipped down my cheek.

Shouldn't I be happy that Mum was back? Wasn't this the day I'd been waiting for?

“I want...” I tried to tell Avery as she leaned closer so she could hear me.

“I want to leave,” I whispered, and she nodded.

“Please stay away from him,” Avery told her when mum tried to follow.

Whispers spread around us as we walked past.

A sharp headache hit me, and I clutched my head.

My vision slowly began to blur.

“It's okay, Nick. I'm here,” I heard Avery say.

“Let's stay in Professor Grayson's office. People are still staring,” she said before knocking on his door.

She knocked a few more times before Enzo finally opened it.

The moment he saw me, his expression changed.

“What happened to him?” he asked, stepping aside so we could come in before closing the door.

I sat down on the couch while Enzo knelt in front of me.

Avery quickly went to get me a glass of water.

“Nick,” Enzo said, concern clear in his voice. “Look at me.”

I drank the water Avery brought me before Enzo gently took the cup from my shaking hands.

“I'm fine. I promise,” I whispered.

I lay down on the couch and turned my back to both of them.

“What happened to him?” I heard Enzo ask Avery as I fought to hold back my tears.

After all these years...

She was coming back?

After abandoning us?

After leaving us without ever looking back?

I sniffled quietly as I tried so much to hold back my tears, covering my mouth to keep myself from crying out loud.

~ COUPLE HOURS LATER ~

I didn't realize when I drifted off on the couch. But this time, it felt different.

I was lying somewhere comfortable.

I took a slow breath and inhaled the familiar, expensive scent clinging to me.

Enzo's coat was wrapped around my shoulders.

A wave of relief washed over me when I realized I had fallen asleep on his lap.

I let out a quiet sigh as everything that had happened that afternoon came rushing back.

I still couldn't believe Mom came back.

After all these years.

“You want me to get you some water?” Enzo asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I sat up halfway, his coat still draped over my arm, and turned to look at him.

That was when I realized the sun had already set.

“Mira... Fuck, I'm late for work,” I muttered, quickly getting to my feet.

A sharp headache hit me again, making me wince as I held my head.

Without saying a word, Enzo got up and brought me a glass of water.

I took it from him and drank slowly.

I sat on the couch while Enzo stood in front of me.

“Miss Campbell went home to stay with Mira, and I already spoke to Kyle. But your mother refused to leave. She's still outside,” Enzo said.

I looked up at him.

Avery had probably told him everything that happened.

But Mum was still outside?

Does she want to see Mira too?

The same child she left behind with me.

I slowly wrapped my arms around Enzo's waist as he stood.

He gently ran his fingers through my hair while I hugged him from where I sat.

“I couldn't breathe when I saw her,” I whispered.

“I want to go home.” I looked up at him, and he gave a small nod.

We pulled away from each other.

He shut down his computer, packed his briefcase, grabbed his keys, and picked up my bag as well.

We left his office and headed to the parking lot, where I found Mum waiting outside.

“Nick. I've been waiting for you. Are you alright?” she asked, looking me over with worry.

I nodded and pulled Enzo's coat tighter around me.

“You want to see Mira, don't you?” I asked before she could say anything else.

“Mira? The baby?” she asked and quickly covered her mouth.

“The baby's fine,” She let out a relieved sigh. “Thank goodness.”

I scoffed quietly.

Did she really think Mira wouldn't survive?

Without another word, I walked toward Enzo's car and mum followed behind.