True Fate

by Varadeaux, Shayna

  "Okay see you soon Rhea.” he answered softly.

  "Bye.", she said. She'd have to remind herself to relax on the trip and not be so nervous around him. She took a deep breath and double checked her packing.

  ###

  The movie was almost over and seven o'clock was fast approaching, meaning everyone would be here soon. She wanted Rhea to be here too so she called her feeling pretty sure she could do that without breaking down.

  Aaron was putting up the leftovers and Nia turned her phone on again and dialed, on the second ring was interrupted.

  "Nia!” Rhea gasped into the phone. Nia knew Rhea was worried and she wanted her to hear her say she'd be okay, that was just their relationship.

  "Hey Rae.” she said.

  "How's it going sweets?” Rhea asked carefully.

  "It's been better, can you come by Aaron's? They're coming by tonight and I want them to meet you. So they know you mean business.” Nia explained.

  "Say no more! I'm there! Wait what time is... hey! I'll be there in five!” Rhea said hanging up on Nia.

  Nia laughed. She missed her best friend for sure.

  Her phone rang before she could turn it off and she thought it may be Rhea so she answered without checking the ID.

  "Rae? Did you forget something?” she asked into her phone.

  "Nia?” she heard Lena's small voice but couldn't believe she'd been so stupid.

  "Oh, hey Mags. What's up?” she asked trying to sound nonchalant.

  "Where have you been Nia? Mom and dad are having hushed conversations about you and it's freaking me out. I tried to call earlier but your phone was off I guess. What's going on?” Lena asked with a knowing tone.

  Nia took a deep breath and answered as best as she could. "I had a fight with Dad. He just hurt my feelings. Everything is going to be okay but I want you to tell them I'm leaving tomorrow instead of Monday. Tell mom I'm safe, I'm at Aaron's house.” she said all at once and waited for the barrage she was sure would follow.

  "Wow, okay that's crazy and cool. Will I get to see you before you go though? You know they'll want to see you before right? And Amarie too. Please?” Lena pleaded.

  Nia let out a deep breath she was going to have to go pick stuff up anyway. She and Aaron could go by there after 'the meeting' tonight.

  "Okay I'll be by later on tonight. I love you, you know that don’t you?” Nia asked her as sincerely as possible.

  "I know Nia. I love you too.” Lena said.

  "Bye, see you later. Will you tell Amarie for me?” Nia asked.

  "I will, bye.” Lena said as she hung up.

  Nia could only hope tonight wasn't going to blow up in her face. She wished things could go back to how they were before all of this started. As long as she didn't have to be alone with her dad she didn't think she'd have a meltdown.

  First things first and that would be getting Rhea's plans by Darragh, Eric and Avery and approved. She knew Rhea was just trying to make it easier on her. It's a lot to keep up with when there's lies. Nia definitely didn't need that on top of everything else. There was enough lies floating around as it was. What she figured is Aunt Amarie has to know what she is and who she is, that is where this journey was supposed to lead. Either that or she'd discover it on the way. Whatever it was she was just ready for everything to be out in the open. What was eating at her was not knowing if her mom knew about the promise marks or what they meant. She hoped to not find any of that out tonight.

  All she wanted quick and easy but she feared she'd get drawn out and difficult. One issue at a time was going to be the only way to hang onto her fleeting sanity.

  Chapter 14

  Sitting on the recliner in her own clothes again Nia waited while Aaron was in the bathroom changing when the doorbell rang. She got up and answered the door, it was Eric so she opened the door. "Avery and Darragh are on their way up, they had to get something from the car." he explained.

  Eric unexpectedly wrapped her in a hug. Those dumb butterflies were there again, if that's what they were. She just felt electric around him, and she heaved out a ragged breath feeling like she could cry. But she wouldn't, not now.

  Aaron came out of the bathroom to see Nia with her face in Eric’s neck and her feet off the ground with him tightly hanging onto her. He knew Eric was frantic earlier trying to figure out if Nia was okay. If Aaron had felt desperate and suffocated maybe he had too. But he could also feel her joy and sorrow through the bond, he had told her he wouldn't be jealous and he'd be understanding, but the physical contact was a lot to swallow.

  You could hear Avery and Darragh coming down the hall as her laugh stopped short with the scene in the doorway. Aaron recognized the feeling that was mirroring his own and cleared his throat.

  "Oh!” Nia exclaimed as Eric abruptly placed her feet on the floor, she was absolutely embarrassed. Having had no intention of lingering in that embrace it was just so darn comfortable. He'd immediately started filtering relaxing vibes into her almost lulling her to sleep when someone had cleared their throat. There was no way to explain that and she wouldn’t get it now as Avery relaxed her daggered eyes and Nia went to stand next to Aaron.

  'Great now this is going to be awkward.’ Aaron thought as he stuck out his hand. "Eric, Darragh.” he said shaking their hands. "Avery.", he said with a nod.

  She gave a tight smile, "Hey."

  "Come in everyone.” Aaron said trying to stave the anger welling up inside of him. If Avery was feeling it too, what did that mean?

  They filed in and he quickly apologized for the lack of seating in his under furnished apartment. But the trio were content to sit on the floor with their backs to the wall. The doorbell rang again and Darragh jumped to his feet and readied himself, though for what Nia had no idea.

  "It's just Rhea. Now I warn you this girl is closer to me than a sister and she's super perceptive. She knows stuff and before you get all crazy about that you need to know she knows a lot about me. Plus she was there on my eighteenth birthday, she knows the words I said that night better than me and she saw my eyes glow and she knows that I'm different.” Nia quickly spoke before any protests could be made.

  "Nia!” Rhea said loudly banging on the door.

  Aaron opened the door for her, "Whoa, chill on my door, Miss Impatience." he said shaking his head.

  "Nia." she said again going directly to her and wrapping her in a hug. "Oh, sweetie everything is going to be okay. I'll make sure of it.", she told Nia, who laughed.

  "Everybody this is my mother hen, Oh I meant best friend, Rhea."

  Rhea looked around with reddening cheeks, "Oh, hey.” she said turning to the two strangers again seated on the floor.

  They stood and introduced themselves individually Darragh introduced himself as Sean coming over from the kitchen. Rhea narrowed her eyes at each of them, trying to convey her toughness and the fact she barely trusted them.

  "Have you told them anything?” she asked turning to look at Aaron. He coughed a little, "Umm, no they just got here actually. But feel free.” he said motioning with a wave of his hand.

  Rhea cleared her throat and mustered all the bravery she had and that's kind of a lot. "Okay I know that you're all coming along on our trip. Now, since Nia is bringing her boyfriend, I'm bringing our friend Adam. We met him in fifth grade and we both trust him, right sweets?” she said looking at Nia, who smiled at her and nodded.

  "I also rented a Suburban, there's room for all of us and I got a turtle on top for the bags.” she said and waited.

  Darragh got up and stood looking at Rhea, perhaps he was feeling out her mind but it looked like he was sizing her up. "Then call me Darragh instead of Sean. You can handle that can't you?” he asked.

  Rhea smiled, "Darragh, cool name, got it.", she answered.

  "What color is it?” Avery asked out of nowhere.

  “What?” Rhea asked.

  “The car…” Avery answered.

  "Oh! Sorry, it's Black and it has dark tinted windows
just in case we need to hideout at night.” Rhea said proudly. "It's parked out in the garage if you wanna see it.” she informed them.

  Eric was smiling at Rhea, "So. I guess you're the nosy, no nonsense friend, huh?” he asked and Avery scoffed.

  "He's a little rude, sorry.” Avery said grimacing.

  Eric stepped closer to Rhea draping an arm around her shoulder. ”Let's check out that ride.” he said winking at Nia and Avery.

  All of them went down to check out their transportation.

  Their guests left from the garage, they'd see them when they slept tonight anyway.

  Nia turned to Aaron. "I wanna go get my stuff tonight and Rhea's coming with us.” she said informing them both at once.

  Neither questioned they just nodded. "We'll take my car.", Aaron said, then added. "I’ve got to go lock up.", he told the girls as he popped the locks to his car so they could wait there.

  "Could you grab my purse?” Nia asked.

  "Of course, be right back.” he said without having to think about it and a smile that could melt her heart.

  Rhea laughed once they were in and Nia hit the locks. "Wow that has to be a new record. Trained already that's amazing Nia!” she said ribbing her friend.

  "Whatever!” Nia said laughing.

  Wow, was she really laughing. Man she loved these two, Rhea could make her laugh and Aaron could definitely make her smile. She was dreading seeing her dad tonight but with these two she felt okay enough to do it.

  "Should I call my mom?” she asked Rhea.

  "If you want to, yes. It may be a good gauge of what you may walk into.” she said.

  "Mag said they've been having hushed convo about me." Nia was worried that the lies extended to her mom, no she was actually dreading it.

  "Well in that case no, let's surprise them. Are we on time?” Rhea asked.

  "No if we leave now, we'll be a little early. I wanna sneak up on them.” Nia said.

  "That's my girl.” Rhea said as they watched Aaron coming their way.

  "So how’s it going with him?” Rhea asked quietly.

  "It's great and I'm glad I have him Rae, really.” she said turning to look Rhea in the face. She squeezed Nia's arm. There was no doubt Rhea only wanted what's best for Nia that would always be enough for her.

  Aaron got in and they set out. "Okay, so I don't want to be without either one of you at any time. I have no plans to talk to my parents alone tonight. I just want to get my stuff, tell my sisters goodbye and try not to breakdown. But I will let you know if that changes.” Nia said sighing.

  Rhea leaned forward, "Don't worry Nia, I won't leave your side.” she assured.

  "I'll do whatever you need.” Aaron said grabbing Nia's hand then bringing it to his lips to kiss it.

  They rode in silence the rest of the way to Manvel, Nia hoped that her parents didn't make this any harder than it had to be. There really was nothing they could say or do to make it better. Pulling up the driveway Nia had Aaron stop out by her trees first. She got out of the car and took out a bag from the storage chest and filled it with some stuff she clearly didn't want to leave behind. Placing it in the trunk she got back in and they moved on to the house.

  Lena was sitting with her knees pulled to her chest in an oversized rocking chair on the porch. The glow from her cell phone cast a bluish hue onto her brown hair and bronze skin. Nia ruffled her hair in passing.

  "Hey, stop that!” Lena exclaimed jumping up to hug her.

  She smiled at Aaron, "Nice to see you again.” Lena said to him only.

  "Hey Lena.” he replied shaking her hand.

  Rhea swooped Lena up and gave her a squeeze, "Hey little mama!” she said with a huge smile for Lena.

  "Hi Rae! I've missed you!” Lena replied. She loves Rhea about as much as she loves Nia maybe more sometimes. She grew up with her always around.

  The trio made their way up to Nia's room. She wanted to get her stuff as soon as possible and try to avoid any collateral damage. But she stopped short in her room and froze as she heard whispers coming from her closet. Holding her hand out behind her to silence Rhea and Lena they all froze.

  "Mom?” Nia said as she took in her teary eyed mother sitting at her desk clinging to a picture of Nia.

  "Oh, Nia, thank God!” she said sniffling and embracing her bewildered daughter.

  "Mom, what's wrong?” she asked actually feeling scared more than anything else.

  "Oh, honey. I don't know what happened between you and your dad, but you do know he loves you don't you sweet pea?” her mom inquired weakly sniffling between her words.

  "He won't tell me what happened he just said not to be surprised if you don't ever come back. I asked and asked but all I got was silence!” she told her.

  Nia didn't know what to tell her. She wanted to say something give some sort of explanation but the generic, 'He hurt my feelings', won't work on her mom.

  She wasn't sure what exactly to tell her but she needed to make her okay.

  "Mom, I love you and I love dad too.” she said wincing from the pain the revelation elicited. Knowing she would love him no matter what explained why it hurt so much. She got that hollow, sinking feeling and quickly shook it off.

  If he didn't tell her mom anything there had to be a reason, but she was thankful she didn't know.

  She wrapped her mom in another hug relieved she was in the dark for now. Aaron's eyes met hers as she conveyed her message mentally. 'I'm going to have to lie to her, she doesn't know anything and for now I think it's safer that way. So whatever I say and do, just go with it. Please?’ she sent him through the bond.

  Giving her a small smile he nodded imperceptibly, 'You got it beautiful, be strong,' he sent back to her along with strength and what she was starting to recognize as a genuine love.

  "Mom, I told dad Aaron was coming with me on the trip and Adam is going too, he was supposed to fill in for Rhea so he's going to have to hire a temp. He's upset about both things at once. He told me I hadn't known Aaron long enough to be going across country with him. But mom, I felt it from the moment I met him, he's different and we may be going too fast for dad's liking but I am nineteen.”

  Margie just stared at the floor chewing her lip.

  When she didn’t answer Nia continued. “Just trust me on this.”

  Aaron came closer and Nia loosened her grip on her mom and turned so she could see him.

  "Mrs. D, I promise to keep her safe and I promise I have no ill intentions. I know we have only known each other a short time but it feels like a lot longer to me," Aaron tried to explain to a wide eyed smiling Margie.

  "Oh, honey, I am happy for you both. I really am, love is a funny thing and when it's right, it's right! I didn't know your father long at all when we got married. It was only eight months!” she said as her bubbling laughter echoed through the room. Nia's mouth dropped, she had heard her parent’s story a thousand times, and it was love at first sight. They just knew and eight months later they were married. How could she have forgotten, but they don't have the promise marks, so they can't be like her, right?

  Nia went to the bed and sat with her legs feeling shaky, she couldn't wait to get to the bottom of all of this it was just too much. Never having lied to her mom she was glad she wasn't far off aside from the reason for her and her father's fall out.

  "Margie?" she heard her father's voice from the hall and stiffened.

  Surely he won't out her on the lies she just told. But she had to act quickly so she got up shakily and turned to her mom.

  "I'm going to go talk to him.” Nia said standing and walking across the room to the door. She braced herself and summoned every ounce of courage she possessed and felt some that wasn't hers but was much appreciated.

  Nia stepped into the hall and was shocked by what she saw. Her father, the strongest person she knew, with red rimmed eyes and disheveled hair. He was in a t-shirt and shorts with mismatched flip flops. She'd never seen him so lost looking it was odd because he
was always put together so well.

  "Nia," he breathed barely audible.

  "Dad, I need to talk to you. But not here.” she said shakily.

  'Going with dad to his office, Rae knows where it is. If I need you I'll call you.’ she quickly sent while her dad led her to his office.

  He went to the couch and Nia closed the door and followed. She took a deep breath and paced in front of him. He sat there with his head hung, wringing his hands.

  "Dad, I don't know how much you know, but the fact you haven't told mom anything tells me you won't. I told her our fight was about Aaron and me getting too close too fast and that he's going with me on my trip. I also told her Adam was going with us. The number for the temp service is stuck on the inside of the top file cabinet.” she said as fast as she could. The next part would be harder. He just nodded not looking at her.