HEARTBEAT OVERNIGHT

Four

Hanna

"My facade grew wider, but my heart was broken into pieces. How on earth did my fate change overnight, if it wasn't meant to last?

"Where's Henry?" I asked Mom, intending to gather a piece of information about Nick's whereabouts.

"Gone out together with Nick, those boys literally can't be without each other for long," Mom replied, setting the table for breakfast.

"I'll be in my room, Mom," I said, walking towards my room without waiting for her response.

******

How long had it been since I shut myself up in the room? I had no idea. I had slept off and woke up weak, only to fall asleep again. By the time I was fully awake, I was weak and exhausted.

I stood up and picked up my phone from the desk, dialing Henry's number. I really wanted Nick to leave; maybe then I would stop feeling this strange. The phone rang for minutes before he picked up. "Hey, brother, how long is your friend Nick gonna stay?" I asked, holding my breath. Regret yes, I regretted asking instantly.

"How much do you want me gone?" a response sounded across the line, that,that foreign accent.

"Henry is across the field with Trunk. I saw it was you calling; that's why I picked up," he explained, his tone sounding wary. I must have surely stressed his emotions, but did he really love me as he claimed?

I was actually happy about Henry hanging out with the Trunk girl instead of Nick, but I wasn't willing and ready to think of the possibilities of my family finding out about my one-night affair with Nick.

"You can leave as soon as possible, thank you," I said and hung up. My breathing was shaky, and tears streamed down my cheeks. I was turning into a mess because of my brother's best friend how ridiculous.

No matter how much I denied my growing affection for Nick, I couldn't stop thinking about him. Everything we shared since we met, a night ago, seemed like years ago.

I checked my phone's time; only a few hours had passed, and it would be evening soon. I walked out of bed and sprayed my face with deodorant. After I was pleased with myself, I walked out of my room.

The previous night was more of a sweet dream than reality having the only person I had ever desired, and then he turned into the abomination fruits in the switch of time. I walked cautiously towards the living room; my legs moved hesitantly as I heard that overly familiar foreign accent.

"Nick!" My body trembled as the scene from the previous night popped up in my head. I pinched my waist, squeezing my thighs together.

"Hey baby," Henry called out to me, and my eyes cleared up immediately. How much I respected and cherished this little family left with me, I was convinced I would do anything to uphold their honor.

"Do you have fun, brother?" I asked Henry, making my way to the dining table. "Yes, I did, and Nick said a lot of admirable words about you," Henry said, and I saw the uneasiness in Nick's eyes. He must've told Henry not to talk to me about it.

"I'll be in my room," I muttered, standing up to leave for my room. I felt his painful gaze on me, like he hated the way things had switched, and I truly hated it too.

"No, you get down there and eat. You haven't eaten since yesterday. Are you fasting for Jesus?" Mom nagged. I sat back down, munching the chicken gently. The air felt awkward, and I really wished I could disappear.

"You must be having symptoms," Mom said, and I clearly heard Nick coughing as he choked on his food.

"That's not what I meant, oh Nick," Mom said, laughing hysterically. "Whenever she is feeling her period symptoms, she doesn't always feel like eating. Most girls can relate," Mom explained, and I saw him relax, his eyes focused on mine, probably thinking about the previous night."

"You can go relax in my room after you have filled your tummy," I nodded, and Mum patted my hair. That brought back memories, and I stood up and walked into Mum's room.

"Don't look so surprised, Nick. Hanna has always been a sweet, plus weird girl. She barely mingles with anyone, and she finds solace in books and her bed," I heard Henry talking to Nick. As much as I was angry, I thought it would be better if Nick stopped whatever feelings he might have for me. Why does Henry telling his best friend the truth about his little sister hurt so much? For the first time, I hate being an introvert and a very weird one at that.

My mum left the dinning with leftovers,she must've stopped eating to make the guys have the place to themselves,?so typical of my mum.

"She just hasn't met someone who boosts her morale. She's an asset of joy, I bet," Nick replied, and it melted my heart. I tiptoed to the door, opening it a little and peeping through the tiny open space.

"She had two friends in high school, but they became pregnant and couldn't graduate high school with her," I grunted. Why is Henry being like that? I failed to understand. He's never been that informative. He must've liked Nick so much.

"Let me impregnate your sister," my shoulders dropped, and my knees turned to water as I tried so hard to maintain my balance before falling on the floor. Thankfully, no one heard my fall. Did I hear that right? Am I hallucinating right now? I queried myself, standing up to peep again.

"You're sick, man. Don't be like that with me," Henry said. His angry tone indicated I actually heard that right. What on earth did Nick take?

Nick laughed, his face looking more appealing than ever. "She is going to belong to someone someday," he said,his look solemn. He must be praying that I belong to him because no matter how much I hate it, I knew he loved me, he adored me.

"Not soon, so get your perverted thoughts off my sister, you rich, spoiled jerk" Henry retorted,giving Nick a soft punch on the side and they both laughed together,they sync and that hurt,a painful reminder that Nick had belong to Henry and mum before he ever became mine.

"I would be leaving tomorrow morning," Nick said, facing Henry whose face had turned bitter.I rushed to the bed and muffled my cries into the pillowcase "It's okay, and I will be fine," I convinced myself, preparing for tomorrow. After all, my first love is leaving me on such bad terms.