| Chapter 26: "What are you doing here, Nikolas?" Sarah asked, confused. "I heard that you were leaving." He took a deep breath. "Sarah, you can't go." Sarah turned around and put a hand on her suitcase. "Well, why should I stay? So we can just be friends?" Sarah angrily turned around. "You don't realize how much you hurt me, do you? You pushed me out of your life when you were hurting, Nikolas. I wanted to help you, but you pushed me away. And then, when you finally got better and I saw you…I told you I loved you! And you pushed me away again. How can I live with that? You're the only person that I've ever loved, and you humiliated me!" Nikolas opened his mouth to say something, but Sarah stopped him. "Please, Nikolas, I don't want to hear excuses." "I'm not going to give you excuses, Sarah. I'm going to tell you the truth." Nikolas took a step forward. Now, the two of them were only inches apart. She couldn't avoid looking into his deep, brown eyes. "I broke up with you because I was scared. These feelings were all new to me, and I didn't know how to deal. You scare me, Sarah. Not in that rebellious, mischievous way. You scare me because you challenge my feelings. Because once in my life, someone really cares about me. I was too afraid to admit it, so I took the cowards way out. The truth is, I love you too." Sarah's expression turned from anger to hopefulness. "You do?" Nikolas nodded. A smile slowly replaced the frown on her face. Nikolas moved closer and put his hand around her waist. His head lowered as he softly kissed her on the lips. When they finally pulled back, he was smiling. Sarah flung her arms around him and grinned happily. "I'm staying!" Emily looked up as the door to her hospital room opened. "Hi Mark." She greeted him, smiling. "Hey, fellow escapee. When are you breaking out of here?" "Twelve o'clock sharp." She smiled as she buttoned her black cardigan sweater. "Lucky you. I get to stay here for another day of testing before I get out." "Don't worry, Mark. I won't forget to put dynamite in your get-well cake", she teased. Mark chuckled and watched as she packed up her things. "So, I guess you can't wait to get home to decent food." Emily glanced at him. "Yeah, although the food is the only thing I'm looking forward to." They both turned as the door to her room opened. "Hi Lucky, hi Lizzie." Emily said. "Come on in." "Hi Em, hey Mark." Lucky greeted the two. "How are you feeling?" Liz asked her. "I'm feeling better, thanks." Lucky looked at Emily's belongings on the bed. "You're going home?" he asked, confused. "Yeah, this afternoon." "Hey, that's great." Emily glanced at Mark sadly. "Yeah, I guess it is." She looked back at Lucky and Lizzie, her tone changing. "So, have I missed much in school?" "Just a few tests in all your subjects and a ton of homework. Nothing to worry about." Liz smiled. Emily rolled her eyes. "Right." She said, sarcastically. A knock came from the door and Emily smiled at the very familiar face. "Hi Amy." "Hi Em. Are you ready? Monica's here to pick you up." "So soon?" Emily asked. Amy nodded as Emily shrugged. "Yeah, I guess." "Ok, I'll meet you by the nurses station then." She turned to Lizzie. "Elizabeth, if you can come outside with me, I have something for Audrey." "Sure." Liz replied. Lucky looked back at Emily and caught her gazing at Mark. Feeling uncomfortable he said, "Liz, I'll come with you." Emily bit her lip nervously as she looked at Mark. "I'll see you soon?" she asked, hopefully. Mark nodded. "Of course. I have to tell you how my getaway went, after all." He laughed nervously. "Well, I'd better go." She picked her backpack up off the bed and put it on her shoulder. Emily opened the door and looked back at him. She smiled, but Mark could see the sadness in her eyes. "Bye Mark." She turned and walked down the hallway. Mark watched her from the doorway until she disappeared around a corner. "Bye Emily", he whispered. |