Author's note:

Warning: LGBT material but nothing too strong.

I've also wanted to tell you that the next few chapters will be a little bumpy. I hope you'll enjoy this one.

-

Aline was dancing on the beach club's dance floor with a strong hands on her hips. The Latina smiled, twisting her body so she could see the man's face. An unknown dance partner had black hair, a few earrings, and an irresistible smile on his face. Aline immediately noticed his formed abdomen, concluding he was hot.

„I like your hairstyle," he whispered, as her hand went through her new blue strands.

„I know. I like it too," she replied.

The man laughed loudly, pulling her toward the bar. They both leaned against it, taking a break.

„I'm Mason. Nice to meet you," he said, stretching his hand. Aline accepted it.

„Aline!"

Mason ordered a drink for both of them.

„You're here alone?" he asked curiously,

Aline squinted her eyes, trying to read his intentions.

„I actually came with a friend but he disappeared. Probably looking for a girl or something," she responded.

„And you decided to find a boy?"

The Latina laughed loudly, throwing back her head and then taking a big sip of a cocktail Mason had previously ordered. She winked at him, not giving him a verbal response. They both were quiet, listening to loud music and swaying to the rhythm.

„Are you for another round of dancing?" he asked, offering her an open palm, which Aline accepted without thinking.

„Always."

She pulled him to the podium. The rhythm became a bit more sensual than before, so Aline didn't think twice about dancing. They both began to move a little more sensually and everything was right until Aline hadn't felt an arm on her shoulder. She turned around and her eyes widened. There was Maia, staring at them angrily, with her arms crossed on her chest.

Mason stood next to Aline, hugging her around the waist.

„Is everything okay? Is that your friend?"

Aline couldn't move, While Maia just looked at Mason's arm around her waist, raising her eyebrow questionably.

„I see you're having fun," she spat, then turned and headed toward the exit.

„Maia, wait!" Aline yelled in panic. The Latina wanted to go after her but Mason gripped her tighter, holding her in place. „Let go!"

„C'mon, let her go. She's probably just jealous of you," the black-haired man said amusedly but Aline pushed him hard and ran toward the exit. For a moment, she could hear his curses, addressed to her, but she didn't care. She flew out, at the hot night air and immediately searched for Maia, hoping the other girl hadn't gone straight home. This was bad...really bad. After a short walk around the club, she finally saw a familiar silhouette, sitting on the beach, near the sea. She immediately moved toward her.

„Don't even try to explain it," Maia said with somewhat shaky voice before Aline had any chance of speaking. She froze. Was Maia crying?

The Australian got up, facing the Latina. She was wearing a really short black dress, leaving almost nothing to the imagination but what got Aline's attention was her smeared make-up.

„It's not what it looks like, I swear," she said, trying to get close but Maia stepped back, smiling sarcastically.

„Really, Aline?" she asked, lifting one eyebrow. Aline noticed that the other girl often did that, especially if she was upset. „You're trying to convince me that you wouldn't go with him, if only you had a chance?"

„Actually...I wouldn't go with him," she fired back. „He found me on a dance floor, not the other way around. I haven't provoked him. The man just bought me a drink."

Maia laughed bitterly, not believing what Aline was talking about.

„This is the last straw," she said. „You know what, Aline...I'm done. You can go, you can do what the hell ever you want. I don't care anymore."

The Latina's eyes immediately went wide in panic and she approached Maia but the other girl stopped her, once again stepping back.

„What?"

„You heard me. The worst of all isn't what you've done but the fact that everyone was telling me how you are like and I decided against listening to them. I decided to trust you. I guess the joke is on me," she explained, looking to the side and blinking rapidly to avoid the tears. Apparently, she needed a few seconds to compose herself and then her voice became dead cold again. „I've already told you that I'm not doing informal things. You knew what I meant by that. And you obviously can't live without all those other people who pay you attention, so...I'll let you be."

Maia started to head toward the exit of the beach.

„No, Maia, wait..." Aline called her but the other girl just raised her hand, indicating that she has had enough.

„Keep the explanations to yourself!" she yelled, not turning around and leaving Aline alone, near the sea.

-

Daniel was silent. His hands were in his hair, clutching bluish brown strands. His eyes were wide open and he was in so shocked that he didn't move from the sofa for the next few minutes.

Brian, on the other hand, was very worried.

„Dan...say something," he pleaded, trying to look at his eyes but the tall man just lowered his gaze. He couldn't look at Brian's eyes. „You're scaring me. Say something."

Daniel's deep sigh interrupted the tension.

„What should I say?" he replied at Brian's request. „How the hell that happened?"

The other man squeezed his shoulder in support.

„I don't know. I think Nikki doesn't know the answer either."

Daniel suddenly jumped at his feet, heading to the exit but Brian stopped him.

„Where are you going?"

„Move!" he snapped. „I have to go to her. I have to talk to her."

Brian knew better than letting his friend get out of the apartment. Before that, he had to know what exactly was Daniel thinking about. Still, he didn't have to wait for an explanation for too long, because he made it clear.

„I have to tell her it's not going to happen," he explained, trying to remove Brian's hand from his shoulder. He knew this would happen sooner or later. He tried to warn Nikki but she didn't want to listen to him. Still, he decided to talk to Daniel and try to convince him otherwise.

„Dan...are you completely sure there'll never be anything between you two? Think about it...think well," he said but Daniel was looking at him like he was crazy.

„What the fuck are you talking about, Brian? I love Sofia. I'll always love Sofia. End of story!"

After finishing the sentence, the tall man just pushed Brian out of his way, rushing toward the lobby, fearing his friend would go after him. When he finally reached his car, it became clear Brian won't come. Daniel was pleased with him not trying to stop him but, at the same time, so upset over the entire situation that he simply couldn't think clearly. There were blurred images of two women racing through his mind. Nikki was important to him...she became very important. Daniel was very confident in his unconditional love for Sofia but he couldn't deny his affection toward Nikki. The woman had done so much for him. She had a lot of patience, always ready to listen. However...Daniel just realized how his closeness with Nikki boomeranged. She didn't want to be his friend nor was looking at him like a friend. The very thought of it was making him so upset.

He hadn't even realized when he had arrived in front of the hotel. He rubbed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. His gaze fell on the bright windows and Daniel began to weigh his decision to talk to Nikki. Still, he got out of the car. He had to hurry...before a panic attack blocked his way.

„Good evening, sir. Can I help you?" the receptionist asked, snapping him from his thoughts.

„Umm...I've come to visit a friend," he replied disoriented, not caring about being late.

„All right. Is he expecting you or do you want me to announce your arrival?"

Daniel just shook his head and headed to the elevator. He took a deep breath a few more times, trying to reduce the nervousness but it wasn't helping. Soon, he was in front of Nikki's door. He broke the ice with several decisive knocks. There was no longer going back and Daniel knew it.

After just a few short seconds, the door flew open and he found himself face to face with Nikki. He noticed that the woman had already changed in lighter clothes. He also noticed her wide open eyes and surprise.

„Why didn't you tell me?!" he fired right away. Nikki's face was changing colors and then she pulled him into the room.

„We can't talk at the door."

Daniel was looking around the room but soon he stood in front of her, demanding answers.

„That's not the answer to my question. Why haven't you told me what is happening before? Why didn't you tell me about your feelings?" he was asking a question after question, feeling angry. His anger was upsetting Nikki.

„As if it'd change anything," she said.

Daniel grabbed her upper arms, surprising her with his sudden movement.

„It would. Of course, it would change things."

She snatched from his grip, sitting down on the couch, while Daniel was nervously walking around.

„I was at Brian's. After your monologue, I needed somebody to confirm everything to me. Funny...he asked me if I'm sure there'll never be anything between us," he said but when his gaze fell on Nikki's hurt face, he stopped and rubbed the back of his head.

„Nikki...I think we should stop hanging out. And training together."

At his statement, Nikki's jaw almost hit the floor and she slowly raised from the couch.

„Are you fucking kidding me right now?"

Daniel's hand went through his hair. He had to calm down. This problem would never be solved with them screaming at each other. He asked Nikki to sit down and then dropped in front of her, flipping his body toward her.

„Look..." he started quietly. „I can't be what you want me to be. I can't give you that. You know how I feel, Nikki. We discussed it for a million times."

„I don't have a problem with that," she replied upset. „We are, above all, friends. And at the first sign of trouble, you want to escape from it. Are you really going to be a coward who, after a woman admits to you how she feels, is running from everything? Even from friendship?"

Daniel narrowed his eyes.

„Hey...I didn't ask you to fall for me! You did it all by yourself," he said angrily, standing up again.

Nikki just smiled bitterly, shaking her head. She couldn't believe this was actually happening. She came to Naples to escape from feeling hurt and there she was again...feeling hurt.

„I think you should leave. Now," she said quietly, not looking into his eyes. She didn't want Daniel to see how much he hurt her.

Once again, he was standing in front of the couch, looking down at her sitting figure.

„And I will," he replied coldly. „Remember. I have a girlfriend. I love Sofia. I'll always love only Sofia."

As he turned toward the exit, Daniel caught a glimpse of a tear, falling down Nikki's face but it didn't stop him. He ran out of her room, not looking back. But as soon as the door closed, Daniel swallowed a big lump in his throat. He was sure he would never forget her hurt face.

„This is bad. Very, very bad."

The tall man was walking slowly down the steps, toward his car. Talking with Nikki was supposed to fix the situation but it could not end up worse. Sitting on the driver's seat, he rubbed his hair a few times and then lowered hands on the steering wheel.

The drive to the house was short. Daniel just wanted his bed and sleep.

-

„I wish things had turned out differently. I'm sorry, Nikki," Marina said as she went through Nikki's curly hair with her hand. The other woman was lying on the couch in her room, her head in Marina's lap.

Immediately after Daniel's departure, she invited the Latina to the hotel. The feeling of pain permeating every cell in her body was unbearable and she needed somebody to support her.

„I...I should've listened to Addison," Nikki stated with a trembling voice, wiping a salty traces on her cheeks. She got up, facing Marina.

„What are you talking about?"

She took a deep breath.

„From the arrival to Naples, Addison had tried to convince me that it was pointless to fly half a continent because of a man. I'm just running from problems," she was trying to explain. Marina's thumb was gently stroking Nikki's palm, trying to calm her upset friend. „And look what happened. Running away from one problem, I got into another...even bigger."

Bitterness was finding its way on the surface.

„And it's not so much about the fact that both of them had somewhat tricked me, each in his own way...it's about me. I let this to happen. How stupid can I be?"

She put both palms on her face as Marina remained speechless. She didn't know what to say to calm her down.

„You know..." Nikki started again, wiping the tears that were persistently falling. „I should just go somewhere...somewhere...in Europe."

„Stop!" the Latina finally said, grabbing both of her wrists to gain her attention. „You're doing the same thing again, Nikki. Darnell cheated on you and you've run away. Where're you getting with it? It caught up with you. Frankly...Dan was just a trigger. Think about it for a moment...nothing ever happened between you two and your reaction at his rejection is really tough. You're still drawing on the problems Darnell has created. And now...you're going to go to Europe? Along with Darnell, do you really want Dan's rejection to hunt you too?"

Nikki slowly snatched from Marina grip and got up, walking nervously around the room.

„You don't understand...I can't stay here," she said, going through her black curls. Marina didn't accept her explanation.

„Your friend from Seattle was right. Problems aren't solving by running. I get it...you're hurt but it's the wrong move to do. No matter what, I'm still glad you came here because I got an amazing friend. And you got us, Nikki. Brian, Aline, me and the rest. Dan is lost and too confused, but he'll soon realize what he had done and apologize. I'm sure you'll be friends again."

The other woman shook her head, almost violently.

„I don't want to be his friend. I can't," she said, her arms falling down her body in defeat. The Latina sighed, moving toward her and putting both hands on her shoulders. „Why am I never enough, Marina?"

„Listen to me...there's no point in losing words and tears on something you can't change anyway. You've tried...and you can't say it's your fault because it's not true. Don't even dare to fill your head with such thoughts, because you are enough."

„But it's my fault," Nikki said, tearing up again and ignoring Marina's last statement. „I never should've admitted him how I feel or allow him so much influence."

As she hugged her friend, Marina's face took a sympathetic expression. Nikki sniffled and then leaned against Marina's shoulder. She allowed the Latina to give her comfort. The friendly embrace was the only comfort she was looking for.

-

Daniel wearily stepped on the first step of the beach bar, where his friends were usually gathering. He rubbed his somewhat burning eyes. This morning, he woke up before dawn and couldn't sleep anymore. Nikki's hurt expression just wasn't leaving his head, so he wondered if there was any other way to solve this problem.

„I'm thinking too much," he said to himself.

The man looked around quickly. Several people were sitting in the corner of the room and the waiter was polishing glasses at the bar, hanging out with a familiar blue-haired girl. He immediately approached his friend.

„Hey!" he greeted her briefly, sitting down. Aline looked surprised.

„Hey...what are you doing here so early?"

Daniel sighed and pointed out to Aline's alcoholic drink, showing the waiter what he wants.

„I couldn't sleep anymore. To be honest...I feel like shit," he explained, then put his hands on his face, his elbows leaning against the bar. Aline took a sip of her drink, nodding her head in understanding.

„Just like me!"

Only then did Daniel look better in his friend. Aline looked as if hadn't even slept at all. Big, black circles around her eyes were speaking for themselves.

„It must be fucked up if you're drinking hard liquid in the morning. What happened?"

For a few moments, the Latina was just staring at the bottles, neatly placed on the shelves on the other side of the bar. She was thinking of what to say to Daniel.

„Maia. Yesterday I went out here and there was some guy, who pulled me to dance with him. Long story short, she caught us in compromising position and said she no longer wants to be the second choice. She broke everything....whatever it was."

Daniel sighed sympathetically, patting her shoulder.

„You screwed up badly," he said. Aline only nodded, not looking at him.

„I don't know what to do and how to fix everything I fucked up. I think I can't fix it anymore."

„Do you want to fix things with her?"

„Yeah...I wish I could."

Daniel rose his glass, which was in the meantime brought to him by the waiter, and toasted.

„Then find a way," he said briefly.

Aline lightly poked her glass over his and then they drank them empty. The Latina just waved at the waiter and he quickly filled them up again.

„We'll get drunk. At eight o'clock in the morning," Daniel stated, his voice a little bit astonished. Aline just laughed...bitterly.

„Yes!" she replied. „It's the best way to forget about all the problems we have, right?"

The tall man immediately smiled back, once again emptying his glass. Two friends spent the entire morning in the bar. Daniel stopped counting the drinks that were turning as well as money going to the bar register. For a brief time, he managed to forget all about the complicated situation in which he found himself by exchanging old childhood stories with Aline. It seemed like talking about everything but a certain Australian woman had the same effect on Aline. While they were giggling uncontrollably, a visibly irritated waiter approached them.

„Guys...I think you both should go home. I'll call you a cab," he said.

Aline squeezed her eyes, trying to see better who had addressed them and Daniel just shook his head.

„We haven't drunk everything yet," he said.

The waiter raised his eyebrow questionably.

„You drank enough and it's just past noon."

„Okay, okay, dude, calm down," Daniel muttered, rising to his feet but he couldn't stand upright without support. Aline's head was leaning against the bar. „I have to go to work anyway. We'll leave."

„You'll be happy if you don't get fired," the waiter said quietly so Daniel couldn't hear him. „I'll call you a cab."

As soon as the waiter disappeared to the back room, Daniel slightly hit Aline, who seemed to be asleep. She immediately filched.

„What?"

„Let's go. I have to be at work in half an hour."

She got up, hugging him around the waist and they both headed out od the bar, on the sandy beach path. The same waiter went after them to be sure they don't fall.

„The cab will be here in any moment. I'll help you get to the street. And Linares, please just don't throw up on the stairs like the last time, because I'm the one who has to clean it up."

The man was in the middle, both of his hands on their waists, helping them to get to the street. Daniel was already half asleep, while Aline was just looking around. In a few short minutes, a green vehicle stopped at the taxi spot and the driver got out of the car. He immediately stared at the scene in front of him.

„It's Monday, 12:30 p.m. What the hell is this?"

„Their stupidity, that's what it is," he replied. „They had a whole bottle of whiskey."

The driver helped him to put them in the back seat.

„If one of them throws up in the car, I'll send you a bill," he warned the waiter, then returned to the driver's seat. He gave him a paper with the address and some cash. He knew who Daniel was and that he's working with Brian Murphy.

A nervous driver was praying for them not being sick.

They managed to get to the destination without any problems. Daniel opened the door clumsily and they both got out. The driver couldn't get off faster.

„Brian is going to kill me," he said and Aline just giggled. Both of them banged through the door, knocking hard on the wall. They laughed loudly.

„What's going on here?!" Brian yelled, coming from the back room and then he just widened his eyes in shock. „What the hell happened to you?"

-

Author's note:

Well, I don't have much to say. Daniel's jerky side is coming back again. He rejected Nikki, as expected.

If you guys liked it, please, vote or comment. I'd be grateful to you.

Next update: Tuesday!

Stay true to yourself and have a nice day.