it's in my heart, it's in my head, you
can't take back the things you said

———— P R O L O U G E ————

A small pile of packed bags lay at Nova Martin's feet, her back resting against the last step of the house she had just been expelled from. Tears pooled in her eyes, a mix of hurt and anger etching her delicate features. Nova had anticipated her parents' reaction to her pregnancy news, but being disowned and discarded was beyond her worst expectations. She understood they had a specific path planned for her: college immediately after high school, then a life mirroring theirs. However, Nova never imagined that straying from their immediate expectations would lead to the harsh words they hurled at her that night. The nineteen-year-old had similar aspirations, but she wished to pursue them in her own way and on her own timeline, hoping for their understanding.

Nova hugged herself for comfort as she recalled her father's words: "We warned you, Nova. We said that Nick was trouble. Now, you're facing childbirth alone." They didn't understand Nick as she did; they were unaware that beneath his battle with addiction lay the kindest soul, nor did they grasp the depth of Nick's love for their daughter. It was agonizing to see him self-destruct, to improve only to relapse into perilous habits. The constant worry that she was somehow at fault for his choices, despite his assurances that she wasn't to blame, that he was merely trying to escape himself, was excruciating.

"He may be a little lost and hard to understand but he's still my Nick. You don't give up on the people you love, I'm not like you two." Nova remembered the looks on their faces; a trace of sympathy flickered in her mother's eyes, yet she still turned a cold shoulder to her daughter. Her father showed no remorse, his arms crossed firmly over his chest as he waited for her to pack her belongings and leave.

Had they shown enough concern to ask, she would have eagerly shared that Nick was in rehab, striving for improvement, and that his spirits were lifted when Nova visited to share the news just a week earlier. The thought of losing Nick haunted Nova, especially with her parents' words echoing in her mind—that Nick wouldn't recover, that he lacked the desire to do so, and that she might face childbirth alone. Yet, Nova's optimism prevailed, clinging to the belief that Nick would rediscover himself, and she was determined to stand by his side throughout his journey.

The soft hum of Madison Clark's car engine prompted Nova to raise her head, exhaling a sigh of relief. As soon as she managed to gather a few belongings from her room and catch her breath, Nova called Madison. Upon hearing about the ordeal with her parents, Madison and Travis didn't hesitate to welcome her into their home. Madison cherished Nova, convinced there was no one more suitable for her son. She shared in the couple's joy upon learning of the pregnancy, yet, like Nova, she harbored concerns about whether her grandchild would have a father in their life.

Rising from the steps, Nova unsteadily picked up the few bags lying on the ground and draped them over her shoulder, clutching the remainder under her arm. Madison kept the engine idling as she exited the car, convinced that a cool drive back would benefit Nova. "Hey, sweetie," she greeted her at the sidewalk's end, gently taking the heaviest bag from Nova's grasp to assist.

"Hey, Maddy," she said, her voice weary, which Madison guessed was from the prolonged, heated argument with her parents. Nova passed the bag with evident gratitude, a sense of relief visibly washing over her. "Thank you for being here; I can't tell you how much this means to me," she expressed sincerely.

"You don't have to, Nova," Madison began, "You're family. I'd do anything for you in a heartbeat, sweetie, I hope you know that." A faint smile touched Nova's lips at her words, her head dipping in gratitude. Setting the bags down again, Nova wrapped her arms around the woman who had treated her better than her own mother ever did, a deep sigh escaping her as a solitary tear traced its way down her cheek.

Hearing that meant the world to Nova. She leaned her head on Madison's shoulder, and instantly, Madison placed the bag she was carrying on the ground to embrace her son's girlfriend with a motherly hug. It was evident that Nova needed this hug, so Madison held on, not letting go until she was ready to let go. As Madison heard Nova sniffle, she gently rubbed circles on her back, offering comfort.

Once Nova had composed herself enough to step back, Madison cupped her face, gently wiping away the tears with her thumbs. "Let's go home," she said. Nova nodded, giving a final sniffle before Madison released her. "You head to the car, okay? I'll get your things."

"Are you sure?" Nova was aware she wouldn't have spoken those words without meaning them, yet she felt compelled to verify.

With a comforting smile, Madison nodded, "Yes, go ahead and turn up the AC; it will help cool you off."

Nova cast a grateful glance her way before reaching for the car's passenger door. Yet, before she climbed in, she paused to gaze back at the house she had called home, her heart heavy with sorrow. A dent marked the garage door, a memento of the time she had collided with it on her bike under her father's watchful guidance. On the front porch, a recent birthday present of ornamental flowers for her mother rested peacefully. Her gaze drifted upwards to the second-story window, behind which lay the sanctuary of her childhood room.

The room Nick would always slip into during their high school years, the room where he gathered the courage to ask her to be his girlfriend. It may no longer be her room, but the memories linger on.

Nova ducked to avoid the car's roof as she entered, gently closing the door behind her. Madison stowed the last of Nova's belongings in the back seat and, moving to the driver's side, caught the gaze of the younger girl's mother peering through the front door window. With a mother's glare, Madison hoped the woman felt the weight of her mistreatment towards her child. Such a reaction was unfathomable to Madison if Alicia were in Nova's place.

Opting not to inform Nova that her mother was observing them, to avoid causing her additional distress, she proceeded to close all the windows, offered Nova another comforting smile, and drove her away from the harmful environment created by her parents.

-

Being in Nick's room without him felt odd. The cleanliness suggested someone else's handiwork, not his. Her bags lay unpacked on his bed, her energy too depleted to organize them that evening. A photo on the bedside table captured him and Nova, asleep in the Clark's old hammock, a moment Alicia had immortalized before their awakening. Next to it was her own image, snapped by Nick with a disposable camera. It was his cherished shot of her, laughing heartily at a joke he'd made off-camera, her hair tousled by the wind, a detail he adored.

Nova found solace simply by being there, yet she deeply yearned for his presence. She harbored the hope that he would dedicate the necessary time in rehab and not depart prematurely, so he could ultimately return home. But hope was all she could cling to.

Nova heard a knock at the open door and turned to see Travis, Madison's boyfriend, with his gentle gaze. She was aware that Nick didn't particularly like Travis, which she partly understood, but Nick hadn't taken the chance to get to know Travis and discover his deep affection not just for Madison, but for her children as well. Travis always treated Nova with kindness, cherishing her sweet nature as much as he did Maddy's. "Hey, kiddo, we've made dinner if you're hungry. Alicia will be home soon; you should come and join us."

Nova gave a soft smile. "Yeah, thanks, Travis. I'm just going to get changed, and then I'll come out."

Travis mirrored her smile. "Take your time, Nova," he said, gently closing the door behind her before he departed.

Approaching Nick's closet, she slid the wooden door aside and was greeted by his array of hanging clothes. Her fingers trailed over the sleeve hems as she looked for something comfortable to wear to bed. She chose his long-sleeved black shirt, the one with 'be kind' emblazoned on it, and was enveloped by his scent. Nova sighed, pressing the shirt to her nose, and whispered, "Please come home."

——— A U T H O R S N O T E ———

I am so insanely excited to write this story.
Nick is a complex character but he has a
HUGE heart and loves Nova more than
anything, he's just a little lost. I hope this
was an okay prologue, I think I liked it
a lot. I love that Nicks family loves Nova
like their own, cannot wait to write their
family dynamic and introduce the friendship
between Nova and Alicia :)

Please let me know what you think!

WORD COUNT: 1788