Nova

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

It was barely the ass crack of dawn when I felt my phone vibrate from beneath me, jolting me out of my sleep, though not strong enough a jolt to wake up Aubrey who lay beside me. She looked dead, but peaceful, with the corners of her mouth slightly curved up, and her face relaxed to the core. I wish I looked like that when I slept.

I gently got up off the bed and headed into the bathroom to wash my face. It was 5 a.m., rather early, but I had to be up before Aubrey was if I wanted my plan to work out. Plus, Hailey was also here, and I couldn't run the risk of her potentially seeing me sneak out either.

I didn't feel bad doing this, because I didn't have bad intentions. I was just gonna chill with the dude, see where his heads at, and decide what I wanted to do from there. The only part that makes me look a little guilty is the fact that I'm not telling Aubrey, but who the hell would? The girl practically brainwashed me two nights ago, which is sexy typically but not in this case.

Overall, I'd honestly rather just avoid Aubrey's intuition when voicing her opinion about another person in my life entirely. When Aubrey speaks, you think about it, for a long time. She knows what to say when she wants her way, without being excessive or making you uncomfortable. She knows how to nail shit in and make you second guess.

So with that being said, I figured that when Aubrey wakes up, checks the house, asks Hailey where the hell I am, and then texts me, I'm just gonna tell her that I'm at the library. Seeing that she's a "wing it" type of person, I know that she isn't into the idea of studying or preparing for shit. So the likeliness of her saying "Hey, I wanna come along!" isn't too big. The most I'll get in the situation is a "ew, library," or a "always knew you were a nerd. Have fun babe."

My phone buzzed again, in the same way that it had when it woke me up. "You up?" my screen read. It was from Rico. I unlocked my phone and liked his message, "yes I am," I replied, "getting ready now. Are your roommates there?"

"Yeah," Rico texted back, "you're good."

I nodded, though Rico obviously couldn't see that, and looked up at the mirror to examine my face. I had eye bags, though they were slight and temporary. My hair, which I was in love with, was curly, and the birthmark that sat on the trunk of my nose looked bigger than normal. My collar bones were prominent, because hello, I was kind of frail, and my lips were naturally glossy. Just the way I like it.

I was stuck between getting ready ready and looking presentable. I didn't want to do too much, because I didn't want Rico thinking I got pretty for him, but I also constantly fought the urge of wanting to look like a model everywhere I went.

Rico

I felt bad for lying to Nova and telling her that I had roommates because I truthfully didn't. That whole "roommate" thing here at FSU was for the poor people. However, if I told her it was just me, she may be reluctant to come by. I don't know her enough yet to know what she's like. All I know is I'm hoping to get a kiss out of her today.

"Rico!" A feminine voice sang. "Ricoooo!

"Nova!" I copied before opening the door. "Hi," a cheerful Nova grinned before giving me a very weak hug. "How are you?" I tried to quickly think of a witty response. "I'd be better if I got a better hug," I said simply, to which Nova chuckled, "Sure."

***

Nova

About two hours passed of Rico and I watching some boring soap opera on TV. I didn't even see what the heck Aubrey was talking about now that I was here. I didn't at all think that Rico liked me, I just thought he was incredibly lame.

I stood up. I couldn't keep watching this shit.

"What?" Rico asked standing up with me, "What's wrong?" I shook my head, "nothing" I began, "I'm just, kind of bored, to be honest. Can we do something else, Rico?" Rico nodded, "Sure. Chess?"

I squinted at him and he began laughing, "I'm playing with you" he said, "we can do whatever."

It was silent for a moment, and I believe the reasoning for that was that both Rico and I were expecting the other person to come up with something. "Uh," Rico finally spoke, "wanna drink?"

"Whatcha got?"

"I have Diamond Jubilee," Rico told me, "it's alcohol. Worth two hundred thousand dollars."

"Where'd you get two hundred thousand dollars to buy alcohol from?" I questioned, "Aren't you like, nineteen or something?" Rico chuckled, but not in a "blowing it off" or even an "involuntary" chuckle. His seemed more like a forced, awkward one.

"My parents have money" Rico informed me. "Given how you dress and shit, I assume yours do too?" I shook my head, not exactly sure if I should bother with telling Rico that I'm married... to a woman... who is also really rich.

Rico walked past me and opened his cabinet. He took out the alcohol, which sat in a holographic, foot-long bottle. It was super fancy, but I still thought Rico was out of his mind for buying a two-hundred-thousand-dollar bottle. The only way I'm purchasing that stuff is if it turns me white.

"Here," he said as he handed me a hand-sized glass. "Kinda big for alcohol don't you think?" I asked, to which Rico shrugged. "I can handle it," he said, "if you can't-" I cut him off. "I can!"

"Alright," Rico said as he began downing his glass. I watched in shock as Rico made drinking alcohol look like a piece of cake. I sighed and took a sip, to which I quickly crunched up my face. "What?"

"This is hard liquor" I replied, "how the hell did you just chug it down? Hard liquor tastes rancid."

I watched as Rico's pupils dilated. "No way," I said in a low tone looking at him, "you're already drunk?" Rico scoffed, "no," his tipsy ass said. "I'm not. Hand me the bottle."

"I'm not sure if I should," I said as I examined Rico. He was rocking from side to side and looked as if he were on the verge of throwing up.

"Okay," he somewhat slurred, though it was barely noticeable. "Why not hand me you then?" I scrunched my face up in disgust. "Ew! What's that even supposed to mean?"

"Oh, don't act all confused and grossed out" Rico murmured, "you wouldn't have come here if you didn't like me." My mouth fell agape, why was it that every time Aubrey called some shit, it came to pass?

"I-I'm sorry Rico" I apologized as Rico leaned towards me, lazily attempting to kiss me. "I should've made it clear earlier, but I'm not available. I'm married...to somebody." Rico scoffed.

"Stop playing hard to get" he insisted, "I want you, and I know you want me." I gently pushed Rico, who once again was trying to kiss me, away from me. "You see this rock on my finger Rico?" I asked, "Why would I randomly have a ring as massive, and expensive looking as this if I wasn't married?" Rico was evidently overcome with anger all of a sudden.

"Then why didn't you mention you were married when I talked about how I had money?!" Rico asked in a loud, aggressive tone. "Because if you're married then you're obviously not living at home, and are clearly financially stable enough to take care of yourself. You could've said you and your spouse had fucking money." I sighed in slight distress.

"Because I'm married to a woman" I confided. "Homophobia is still a thing, I didn't know how you'd react and I assumed you weren't even into me like that so it didn't matter." Rico looked as if he didn't believe me. I groaned.

"Look," I explained, "I'm sorry, I can leave. I don't want things to be weird between us, but it is and that's my fault." I tried walking towards the door, but Rico stepped in front of me. "What do you want?!" I damn near yelled. "You're mad I don't want you, but don't want me to leave?"

"You never know if you'll like something if you don't try it" Rico encouraged, grabbing my neck. "Get off me!" I shrieked as I shoved Rico and ran to the door. As I was trying to open the doorknob, Rico gripped my mid-section and tried to pull me back.

"Help!" I screamed as I purposely threw myself down, with Rico following. I took that opportunity to punch Rico in the eye, distorting his vision for a second, and rolled over him, making my way to his bathroom. Chest heaving, I quickly checked for my phone before I locked the door.

I stayed silent as I slid down the door, trying my best to hold in tears. I was having flashbacks from the time that my estranged aunt kidnapped me and attempted to send me to Cuba. She swore it was Tallahassee that we were coming to, but my Haitian third eye said Cuba. Speaking of, I wish I paid attention to my Haitian third eye as of late, because it probably would've saved me from this shit.

"Open the fucking door slut!" Rico raged as he banged aggressively against the door. Panicking, I made a group chat with Nick, Lewis, and Jason.

"Help!" I texted, to which Nick instantly replied with "?" and Jason hearted Nick's message.

"I don't have all the time in the world right now" I texted, "so I'm just gonna send you my exact location. I agreed to hang out with Rico, but he got crazy and is trying to force himself on me. I almost got away but he threw me away from the door."

"What the fuck?" Nick replied, "Where are you now? Closet?" Lewis hearted Nick's message.

"No" I texted, "bathroom. There's a lock so he can't get in, but I fear he may start stabbing at or beating the door." Rico banged again, "Don't make me have to open the door myself bitch!"

"If I stop responding that means he did something to me" I texted, "he's threatening to take the door down right now." I bit my lip and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. I hope that this isn't how I die. I had always hoped that my passing would be peaceful, like in my sleep. Or something instant. But by the sound of it, Rico was ready to make me suffer.

Aubrey

"What?!" I asked Nick, "She's at who's house?" Hailey rubbed her eyes, seeming to have just woken up. "What's going on?" I looked at her but didn't say anything. Nick was still on the line. He told me that Nova was in danger and was trapped in Rico's bathroom. Rico was apparently trying to hurt her.

"Send me the location she sent you" I demanded of my friend. "I'm coming right now."

"What happened?" Hailey asked as I hung up. "Nova's at this boy, Rico's house. I warned her not to fucking hang around him because I knew he wanted her. She still snuck behind my back after promising me she wouldn't, and now he's trying to hurt her because she rejected his advances."

"What?" Hailey asked, now apparently wide awake. "Is she hiding somewhere or is he like, chasing her around?" My phone pinged with a message from Nick, giving Rico's location. "She's hiding in a locked bathroom, but Rico's trying to knock the door down." Hailey went wide-eyed.

"You're going?" she asked, "do you want me to come?" I shook my head. "I am going, yes, but Pepper could use a companion. You're a great friend, Hailey, seriously, I'm grateful for that. But Jason, Lewis, and Nick are already on their way."

"Okay," Hailey smiled, "I'll watch Pepper. Be safe Bree." I gave Hailey, who I considered to be my best friend though she was Nova's first, a hug. "Thank you, Hays. I love you."

Nova

I heard a loud, loud, series of bangs on the door. They were probably the most violent bangs I have ever heard in my lifetime. Rico was so out of it that he hadn't even thought to think that it might just be somebody that I'd sent at the door. "I'm gonna answer" this drunk bastard informed me, "you better not move." As if I was gonna open this door with the dude several yards away from me.

I heard Rico unlock the door and listened closely as Jason seemed to be the first to come in. "Where the fuck is she?!" he yelled as if I'd been his own child that was missing. "Don't play with me Rico I swear if you hurt that girl I will kill you."

"Drink?" Rico asked Jason, to which I heard evident hits being made. "Look for her!" I heard Jason demand, which I'm sure was to Nick or Lewis. "I got Rico, just find Nova. Quick! We don't know if he hurt her and she's bleeding out or something!"

"Get off me!" Rico screeched like a little girl, but it wasn't effective. The punching noises became more prominent. "Shut the fuck up!" Nick yelled, "Where is she, Rico?" I debated whether or not I should just open the door and show myself. I was really about to until I heard the one voice that I was deep down hoping I wouldn't hear.

"Is Nova okay?" Aubrey asked, "Did you find her?"

"Looking right now," Lewis replied, to which my stomach just sank even more. I couldn't hide forever one, and two, why would I wanna hide? But Aubrey was here and I had no choice. I mean, I could see if Hailey could get Aubrey to leave, but that was probably meaningless. I know Aubrey, and given the circumstances, I know that she's most likely not budging. "Nova?!"

Then, the doorknob began jiggling.

Shaking, I got up and slowly turned the doorknob to see a serious-faced-looking Aubrey. I wish words could even describe how pissed my wife looked. Seriously, in all our time beefing at Norwood, she didn't ever look this mad. I couldn't stand to look at her, so I looked down.

"Jesus" Lewis whispered as he came to the doorway, with Nick behind him. "You okay Nov?" I nodded slowly, "I'm fine," I said, still looking down. I could feel Aubrey's blank eyes burning through me. She wasn't asking me anything and she didn't look sympathetic. She looked as if she was ready to have my ass sleeping in the garage for a year straight.

"Did you guys do anything?" Aubrey asked, her arms down by her sides and the only emotion emanating from her body, being the seriousness of her face. "No," I sighed, "he tried to kiss me a few times but I pushed him off and punched him. I managed to lock myself away here without him doing anything." Aubrey didn't nod like I'd expect her to have by now. She continued to look through me, blinking a few times.

"How'd you know I was here?"

"Nick told me" Aubrey informed me, looking like a damn robot at this point. The lack of any kind of enthusiasm was putting fear in me. I get that I messed up, but I barely mess up.

"Is there...something going on here?" Lewis asked, referring to Aubrey and I. "Why is this so..."

"Hostile" Nick finished. "Very, very, hostile."

"I asked Nova to stop speaking to this boy" Aubrey answered, not looking at Lewis or Nick. She was still posed in her incredibly creepy state. "And she promised that she would. Instead, she sneaks behind my back to see him. And look what happened? We had to be captain 'save-a-dumbass'."

"Do you guys want a moment?" Lewis asked as Nick looked over at Jason. "Don't kill him!" he yelled at Jason while walking towards him. "You don't wanna go to jail. I think he gets the message for today. We can always whoop his ass again another day."

"No, we don't need a moment" Aubrey answered Lewis, "we have a home. We can talk there, later." Lewis nodded and turned to walk towards the door. Aubrey folded her arms and took a step towards me. The hostility and uncommonness in her behavior frightened me a little, so I stepped back.

"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," she said in a low tone. After a minute passed of me just looking at her and saying nothing, she too turned and walked away like how Lewis and Nick both previously had.

I groaned.