Twin fates

[Poganin]

Gabriel

When he closed the front door behind him he immediately sensed that Nicola was home already. He even wanted to find her and say hi - after all they hadn't greeted each other today even though they had met briefly - but he also sensed that she was in a lousy mood. He didn't want to make it even worse with his tantrums. Gabriel realised that he was being childish about this situation but he didn't know how else to go about this, he wouldn't admit defeat and just wouldn't acknowledge that this was for the best.

Gabe trotted upstairs to his room, leaving wet footprints behind and made for the bathroom to remove and wring his clothes from water and leave them to dry and take a shower. He removed the ribbon tying his hair and undid the braid Nicola had made for him on Saturday. He realised that this must have been the reason for those girls to laugh at him at school. After all, a guy with a braid wasn't a common sight. Good thing that nobody made a comment about it.

He returned to his room with just a towel wrapped around his hips and chose a change of clothes: cargo pants and a regular t-shirt for a change. It was rare for him to put on something different than usual and after a while everyone had noticed that whenever Gabe was dressing differently, he was in a foul mood. It was like a warning sign - do not approach without a pointed stick.

He went downstairs to eat something and found a pot puffing merrily to itself. It smelled nice and tasty - one of Nicola's stews probably... it wasn't ready yet, he concluded but without her around there was no way of knowing. From the fridge he pulled some milk and made himself a bowl of cereal. He even considered taking another beer but his father might throw a fit later on. Just as he was taking the first spoonful in, Nicola appeared in the door and looked at him.

"Hi," Gabe said and averted his eyes, embarrassed.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola hadn't expected to see Gabe in the kitchen and the site that greeted her made her freeze. He was wearing different clothes and looked fresh out of a shower, the slight clean scent of soap lingering in the air. It made her stomach cramp up strangely, but she tried to ignore it.

"Um, hi." She said softly and padded carefully around the kitchen to check on the stew. Taking a big spoon for a drawer, she lifted the top off the pot and began stirring, then returned the top for it to continue cooking. She was keenly aware that Gabe was watching her and nervously set the spoon down in the sink to be rinsed.

After an actually moment or two of awkward silence, she looked up at his face, her lower lip involuntarily trembling. She bit it to try and stop the flow of emotions that kept wanting to burst free. "I..." She cleared her throat and blinked rapidly, "I missed you today. I'm sorry..." A single tear escaped and ran down the length of her cheek.

"I just wanted to help and Father Tully has always known what was best and...I love you!! I don't want something bad to happen to us, but GOD!" She finally raged, throwing her hands up and pushing away from the kitchen counter. Her hair was a mess and her eyes already bloodshot, but to him, she still looked rather cute. "It hurts, Gabe! All day long I've ached to be around you! I'm such a baby! I know it's only one day, but it's just not fair! And then you were mad at me, and that hurt more and the kids are school and so fucking stupid! It's unreal! And Mom is such a bitch and I had another dream! And usually I can deal with all this, but without you...without you..." She choked on a sob and hugged herself, bowing her head and trying to focus on her feet. "Please don't be mad at me anymore...please..."

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Seeing Nicola so miserable made him want to get up and hug her and kiss her and let her sob on his shoulder till she calms down. He saw and felt her sadness and desparation and those feelings equalled his anger and helplessness. And being helpless was the last thing Gabriel would acknowledge aloud. He felt like shit too with his usual... damn, it wasn't just usual, it was normal... order of things upset, turned upside down and inside out. When he had tried being alone today it only resulted in his pissy mood, the need to beat someone up and constant irritation.

Gabriel drank the last drops of milk from the bowl and looked at Nicola who was still standing in the middle of the kitchen, sobbing. He got up and turned to put the bowl in the dishwasher. This was one reason, the other was that he didn't want her to notice that he too was moved to tears by this idiotic situation and on the brink of breaking too.

"I'm not mad at you, silly. I just don't know what to do when you're not around and I know you just aren't there. I feel like shit. I dunno what to do with myself, with my time... Oh, I'll have a lot of time now -- I got suspended again," Gabe added getting up and leaning on the counter. "Look, one way is bad and the other is worse. We can't be apart like this or it'll destroy us but we can't be close like we used to or something even worse might happen. I just... I just don't know what to do, Nicola!" he turned to face her.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola sniffled and looked up at him, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand and wishing she could just launch herself at him and let him sooth the pain away. Taking a ragged breath, she turned around and grabbed a tissue, blowing her nose noisily into it. "I know...this sucks." She mumbled, blowing her nose again and then wiping her eyes once more.

"I can't believe they suspended you again. Argh! It's so stupid/I]!!" Sighing, she leaned back against the opposite counter and regarded her brother, feeling better that they were at least in each other's presence. "I think I might go insane before this is all over with." Her grouching brought a twitching smile to his lips and she let out a soft giggle.

"Well...do YOU have any ideas? This is just crazy!!! What about summer! I don't want to avoid you all summer! I've only thought of a few things, but they seem...far fetched, I dunno." Racking her fingers through her hair, she puffed out her cheeks in frustration. "This is nuts!"

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

"There can be no talk of avoiding -- you saw for yourself what one day can do to us. I can't imagine being away from you for longer. We'd go crazy I guess, insecure and lonely, too. But on the other hand I think we should try to follow Father Belly's advice and try to keep physical distance."

"No hugging, no holding hands... is that what you mean, Gabe?" Nicola asked.

"I think so, yes. I'm sorry," he said, seeing her shoulders droop. "But we can still talk, can't we?"

"Yeah, but it just won't be the same."

"I know, sis. Maybe this..." he faltered. He wanted to say maybe this is our cue to start trying to seek comfort with others too and not just ourselves but those words wouldn't go through his throat. And it wasn't just because he didn't want to hurt her. It was as if some other force prevented him from saying it. His voice just died in his throat. "No, nevermind," he shook his head. "We'll weather this."

"But... what about the summer and our trip to Aunt Sarah's?"

"We're going, those plans haven't changed. Look, I'll still be walking you to school and then picking you up."

"And in between? I don't suppose you'll be handing at the school entrance," she giggled.

"No, I'll see about finding a job."

"Really? You? A job? A lazybones such as yourself working? My, Gabe, this really kicked you hard, didn't it?" she quipped.

"Shut up!" he cried and his smile died... "Damn, it means no tickling as well..."

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola grinned at Gabe's pouty face. "Well that's one plus for me!" She teased and winked, feeling a bit better. "Do Mom and Dad know about school?"

Gabe shook his head, "No...but it wouldn't surprise me if they find out before the night's end."

Nicola nodded and walked past him to check on her stew again. "Well, at least maybe they won't pick on you too much...I cleaned the house from top to bottom and made dinner. They can't grouch about much else."

"Yeah."

She resisted the urge to give him a hug and try and reassure him. "Well...this is going to take a while longer. I should probably unpack my school bag and get down to homework. It thought Mrs. Cobb was going to have a heart attack in class today."

"Oh...did you draw a stick figure?" He joked, knowing full well the art teacher wanted students to put all they had in their work.

"No!" She laughed, "Nothing like that...she was actually pretty cool. I had no idea..." Her words trailed off as she picked up her things and covered canvas. "Well, lets just say I must have been day dreaming. I'll set this in your room and you can look at it later. I'm using the bathroom, since you took a shower. I'm going to take a bath. Love you!"

Trotting up the stairs, Nicola made her way to her room, dumped the rest of her school things down and then put her latest art work in Gabe's room before locking the bathroom doors and setting about relaxing in a hot tub of water...

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Watching Nicola go upastairs Gabriel sighed and then yawned. Right, because Mrs Trump bothered him in the park he had missed his usual afternoon nap. It was too late to take one now nad if he didn't want to fall asleep he had to find something to do. This had to be remedied quick, he decided and walked to the living room to watch some TV but even a lingerie show on FashionTV failed to grasp his attention as he began yawning wider and wider. Finally he switched the TV off and looked outside. It was still raining so he went upstairs to give up and catch 40 winks.

Resting against the side of his bed was the cloth-covered frame with Nicola's latest painting. Taking it closer to the window, Gabriel moved the curtains aside and sat on the window seat. Taking a deep breath and exhaling he grasped the edge of the covering cloth. He hoped it wasn't the coloured version of the sketch of his face she had drawn on Friday. Chuckling to himself he flipped the cover over behind the frame and regarded the painting. At first he wasn't sure what he was looking at so he rotated the picture right and left before his eyes caught the refernce points and when he realised what he was looking at first he felt warmth spreading through him and then he roared out laughing, almost falling from his seat.

This was precious! If she was painting such stuff at 18 what would Nicola's works look like in ten to twenty years. It was quite daring to do something like this pair of lovers in class. She could have got in trouble if someone saw this.

Then his laughter and smile died as he realised the place was familiar. At first he thought it was his and Nicola's beach over the lake they had visited on Saturday but then he realised there was no water, only grass and the pale moonlight. Something was lacking but he couldn't quite put his finger to it... As he turned the painting again it struck him... Trees! There should have been trees there, of course! It was the spot after all.

Gabiel took a piece of paper and scribbled you forgot about the trees around the clearing and stuck it to the cloth cover and carried it to Nicola's room.

Then he crawled into his bed and five minutes later he was asleep.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola took her time in the tub, soaking and humming softly to herself. She took the time to lather up her body and then apply a razor to her legs and underarms until her skin was soft and smooth all over again.

Just as she began to pat herself dry, she heard Gabe's laughter and giggled to herself. She knew exactly what he had been looking at and heard him shuffled back over to her room, then return to his. Curious, she wrapped a large white towel around herself and padded back into her space. There sat the painting.

Smiling she lifted the cloth off of it and read his little note. Confused, she studied her work and had to pick her jaw back off the ground. It WAS their place. Flushed, she quickly set the painting down and made a mental note to revise it later. What had she been thinking? Glancing at the picture sitting at the corner of her bed, she absently caressed on her knees.

The lovers were locked in a tight embrace of legs and arms, their mouths fused passionately. It suddenly made her hot, a soft moan echoing in her head until she realized with shock that it was her own and that her hand had traveled the distance from knee to crotch without conscious thought.

Gasping, she slid it away and got up, quickly deciding to put on some clothing before she checked on dinner and her parents arrival home.

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

When he woke up it was already dark. He must have been dreaming but he couldn't remember the details. It must have been a very active dream as his sheets and clothes were wrinkled and in disarray, he felt sweaty and more tired than when he had gone to rest. His hair too was damp with sweat. It really must have been one hell of a dream, he concluded.

And then he felt sick, a searing pain in stomach that almost made him puke right there and then. As he sat up on the bed he cringed and frowned as another spasm shot through him. What the hell was it? He had rarely been sick, if ever, and hardly ever suffered from stomach-aches. On his tongue he could taste something sweet and thick, as if a residual aftertaste of something he had drunk. Groaning in pain he got up and lumbered to the bathroom. Maybe that sandwich he had had in the afternoon was spoiled or something?

Gabriel barely made it in time as the moment he bent over the toilet his insides revolted and threw up everything he had in him, his whole body shaking with the strain. He kept on puking until nothing but bile spewed from his guts and even then he felt like vomitting some more. His coughs and groans were probably heard a mile away.

He got up and flushed the toilet, supporting himself on the sink as his legs were too shaky to stand on them. He washed his face from tears and spit and cleaned his mouth too, spitting and puffing.

He looked at his face in the mirror. He recalled his dream.

The other door opened and Nicola entered.

"What's wrong, Gabe?"

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Gabe hadn't made it to dinner and her parents had done nothing but rant about what a horrid son they owned anyway, that she was glad for it. She had sat silently and eaten little until they were done and then done the dishes before retiring, feeling drained. It was too early to fall asleep, she concluded 30 minutes into tossing and turning and so instead Nicola had put her heart back into sketching. Sitting cross legged in the middle of her bed, she had began drawing whatever flowed from her mind when she heard Gabe's retching. Her stomach turned at the horrible sounds he made and she hurriedly got up to see if she could help.

"What's wrong, Gabe?" She asked softly. He looked disheveled, sweaty and pale.

Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he didn't move, making her feel uneasy. "Gabe?" Stepping into the dim bathroom, she came closer and gently touched the side of his face. He felt cold and clammy. "Come on...lets get you to bed." She murmured soothingly and tried to steer him into his room, but his body wouldn't budge. Frowning, she peered up at him and felt a shiver run through his body. "What's wrong?"

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabriel saw Nicola's face reflected in the mirror next to his, he felt her presence and her touch but the horrid realisation of his dream locked him in a loop, separating him from the outside world almost compeltely. He shivered when he saw Nicolas's face impose itself on Nicola's. This was too much. This was getting out of hand. They needed help of a psychiatrist and not spiritual advice from a priest.

She must heve sensed some of his emotional turmoil in her heart because she shook him, trying to return him back home from wherever his mind was wandering and Gabriel blinked and almost collapsed as he tried to stand on his own two legs.

"What is it, Gabe? What happened? You saw something, right?" Nicola inquired following her instinct.

He frowned and spat into the sink, then flushed his mouth again.

"I had another of those damned dreams," he whispered coarsly, looking at her in the mirror. "I was in that place you painted only there were trees around like I wrote you and I saw... I saw... They killed themselves, Nicola..."

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

"Oh...god." She whispered and sat down heavily on the nearby toilet. "But...they loved each other! Why would they kill themselves?"

"I don't know." He whispered, hanging his head.

"OK...well, lets get you to bed." She said, standing to help him. Wrapping one arm around his waist, she let him lean into her body as they shuffled back into his room. A sickly sweet scent filled the air, making her cringe. "Ugh! Nasty! Gabe, what in the world...?"

"I know." He mumbled, "It was all in my mouth, that sweet taste. Too sweet. Like syrop, only worse."

Helping her brother into a chair, Nicola went to his bed and began stripping the linens, throwing them aside as she began remaking his bed with fresh ones. Her mind was racing through different images. Different dreams. "Her father..." She finally said, fluffing up one of his pillows. "He didn't want them together. Nicolas tried to convince him, but the man wouldn't hear of it. He wanted Gabrielle to marry a rich man. Do you think...maybe they did what Romeo and Juliet did, only there was no faking, but just death." She shivered at the thought. "They really loved each other...but what does that have to do with US?"

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabriel sat down on the bed and sighed, shaking his head. "I have no idea, sis, none at all. It's like something opened inside us last Saturday and keeps pouring in."

Nicola stood there, watching him, sensing both his physical and mental condition. There was nothing they could do -- they didn't know if they were having these dreams just because or was there some deeper meaning to them. Gabriel wasn't very eager to look for any answers now, he still felt shaky and weak and in his mouth he could still somehow taste that damned potion Gabrielle and Nicolas had taken. It was a residual part of that dream and yet it was real too. Weird.

"I'm not sure if I like that. It's like someone is playing with my mind and making fun of me," she said and sat on the other side of the bed with her back to her brother.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I wish it stopped. I don't think I enjoy dreaming of being a chick, even though she's kinda hot," he chuckled winced when Nicola punched his shoulder lightly. "Hey, no touching, remember?"

"I know, I know. But you know what, all this is giving me so much inspiration for drawing and painting. Sometimes ideas just come into my mind by themselves and..."

"Take my visions too if you don't mind then. I think I can live without them."

"Ooooh, you're such a meanie. Aren't you the least bit interested in what really happened?" Nicola pressed on.

"How do you even know it really did happen? We can be going through some difficult period in twin life and so close as we are it's no big deal we're having the same dream. Hell, we had them already before!"

"Yes, Gabe, but think. Are those the same dreams we're having now?"

"Well, yeah, I guess so. There's this Nicolas guy and Gabrielle. It's all the same."

"No, it's not! The people are the same but the dreams aren't. It's like watching mixed scenes from a movie in the wrong order. Like piecing it together part by part, can't you see that?"

"Nicola, I just puked my guts out. It's too hard on my poor head. If I can't pound something hard it's too hard for me to tackle... Uh, I mean..." he blushed, realising how what he had just said could be read.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola quirked a brow and smothered a giggle at his embarrassment. "Well, that's more than a sister needed to know, but OK. I know what you're saying." She assured him and grinned, then sobered a little. "What I'm saying is that we seem to be seeing bits and pieces of their lives and you just experienced the end."

Propping her elbows on her knees, she cupped her face in her hands and stared out of his window. "I'm not usually into all this paranormal type stuff...but this is just weird! It's VERY real. Yes...we've had some dreams that have mimicked each other before, but nothing that has made us physically act emotions out or even get violently ill!! This is MORE! I just wish we knew why exactly. Maybe when we go to Aunt Sarah's we can find some help - without anyone knowing. This town is too small. If I fart the whole neighborhood knows about it!"

Gabe snorted, then coughed. Nicola winced and stood, burying her hands into the small pockets of her PJ bottoms. "You going to be OK?"

He nodded as she paced the length of him room and stopped occasionally to wiggle her toes in his plush carpet. "I guess I should let you rest. Maybe we can think of something tomorrow when you feel better."

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

"Alright," he nodded. "Wake me up if I'm not around tomorrow morning. I'll walk you to school and carry that sack of bricks for you," he tried joking and winced when his stomach did a 360. "Sleep tight."

"See you tomorrow, Gabe." Nicola waved him goodbye and went to her room, closing the door behind her.

Gabriel sighed and changed into his pj pants. Scratching his chest he climbed under the sheets and closed his eyes, hoping that dreamless this time sleep would come soon. He sat up and cursed, of course the light was still on. Growling to himself he got up and switched it off. The room got smothered in a pleasant gloom that creeped from all corners and nested itself comfortably in all spaces not covered by the moonlight seeping in through the crack between the curtains.

Gabe crawled back into bed and sighed. He was still feeling sick but there was nothing more in his guts to throw up. Having slept previously he had trouble falling asleep now, for a moment he was even afraid another fit of his crazy phobia might kick in but turning his thoughts elsewhere managed to rid him of that thought. Hoping that those dreams about Gabrielle would stop once and for all Gabriel turned on his side and watched the window, a million random thoughts going through his mind. He felt the bandage on his right hand become loose so he unwrapped it and wound it into a ball he put under his pillow. The knuckles still hurt but he decided to let the skin breathe overnight.

Finally, after an hour or two of tossing and turning and cursing he fell asleep.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

The rest of the evening was uneventful. Nicola sketched into the late hours and finally fell asleep with pencil and paper in hand, only to be woken up by her blaring alarm clock. Stumbling around, she grouched under her breath as she went through her morning routine and dressed, packing her things as she went. Finally set, she quietly entered Gabe's room to find him curled into a ball, huddled under piles of his blankets. "Hey sleepy head." She said, gently pushing his shoulder. He groaned and yawned, muttering. "Gabe! Come on, I have to go to school!"

"Noooo..." He whined and she smiled as he rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes. "You slave driver."

"Well at least you feel better. You're teasing me again. That's always a good sign."

He smiled weakly. She resisted the urge to pounce on him and give him a good morning tickle or snuggle. Instead she stepped away. "I'll meet you downstairs. Hurry up!" She told him and gave him a playful poke before rushing out.

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabe grumbled, sat up and yawned furiously while stretching his arms. Something popped in his back and he winced. Damn, to get up so early when he could be sleeping until 10 or so. Scratching his chest he shambled to the bathroom where he quickly brushed his teeth, showered and shaved. Afterwards he put on his usual daily attire and trotted downstairs while tying his hair in a ponytail. Nicola darted out of the kitchen and handed him a sandwitch.

"Here, I made this for you. Let's go, let's go, I don't want to be late. Come on, Gabe, wake up alreday!" she commented when she saw him munch so slowly.

"Alrights, mistress Nicola, whatever you say, your slave will obey. Geeez! Where do you get all this energy in the morning, sis?"

"Our brains works best in the morning, you know. You should take the opportunity to learn a lot!"

"Yeah, well, not my brain. Hnnnnngh!" Gabriel threw Nicola's backpack over his shoulder. "Bricks, dammit," he mumbled. "My brain works best when my stomach is full. One measly sandwich is not enough to get my head to work."

"I see. Tomorrow you get up first and prepare yourself a king's breakfast. Ingrate!" Nicola laughed and started running.

"If you think I'm going to chase you with this luggage on my back you're very wrong," he called after her as they proceeded down the street and yawned again.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

It was amazing how one morning could have been so bad one day and then good the next. Having Gabe around made all the difference, even if it was a short walk to school. Gabe yawned all the way and Nicola teased him until they reached the school yard. Nicola gave him a hasty hug, even as he tried to fend her off, giggling as she ran into the building.

Inside Nicola threw herself into her work, trying to ignore the 'three stooges' as best as she could. She knew that 'Curly' would probably be looking for her as he had done before.

Unfortunately, as easy as it was throughout class to avoid him, lunch was another issue. Avoiding the cafeteria, Nicola slipped into art class to work on some extra ideas that had come to mind. Busy with her sketches, she was suddenly all too aware of the prickly sensation that someone was watching. Glancing around, she spotting him in the doorway grinning. "Hey sexy." He purred, shoving off and ambling her way.

"Go away, I'm kind of busy."

"Aww...come on Nicola. Don't play so hard to get." He chided, sliding onto a stool close to hers. Only he wasn't interested in art or her work.

"I'm not playing hard to get. I'm not interested!" She gritted out, flinching when he ran a finger down her bare arm.

"Come on Nicola...don't tease like that. You know you liked it when you felt me pushing up against that sweet ass." He murmured low, but loud enough for her to hear, his breath fanning against her cheek.

She jerked and gasped when he grabbed her other arm and pulled her up against his chest. "Give me a kiss and I'll see what I can do about not bothering your brother anymore."

Nicola craned her head back, trying to avoid his lips as he tried to lean in for a wet one. "Let me go! Ugh!"

"Come on, you little bitch, you know you want this! Don't try and act like you're too good for me!" He growled, taking a hand full of her hair and pulling her face down to smash against his. His lips were brutal and vile, making her stomach turn as he pushed his tongue clumsily against her mouth, trying to pry her lips open.

"MR. JORDAN!" A high pitched, outraged female voice cut in.

Nicola stumbled back as he shoved her away and hit the floor bottom first. "How DARE you come into my class room and...and voilate this young woman!" Her teacher wagged a slender finger at the flush young man, his eyes slitting with anger.

"She wanted it!" He retorted, standing and making his way out the door, "Report this and there will be hell to pay."

Nicola groaned and stood, rubbing her sore tush and began packing her things up. "Nicola..."

"It's OK...I'm fine. Just leave it be. They are just a bunch of brutes and school will be over for me soon. Thank you though." She said with a soft, sad smile and left to return to her classes.

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Having walked Nicola to school, or rather lugged her pack for her, Gabriel was left with nothing to do so according to his decision he bought a local paper and entered a cafeteria to have some decent breakfast and browse the job ads. He wasn't very keen on office work since he could barely use a computer to check his mail and sitting cramped in an uncomfortable chair for several hour held no appeal to him whatsoever. He circled a few interesting offers with a pen and re-read them while munching on his fourth sandwich. When he was flushing it down with coke he noticed the owner grinning at his from behind her counter where she was pouring coffee for another client.

"You sure have a healthy appetite, boy, haven't you?" she called at him with a motherly smile.

Not knowing how to answer and suddenly self-conscious that half of the place was looking at him he just blushed, smiled back at her weakly and nodded, taking another bite.

"I swear, you eat as much as my husband!"

"Only it doesn't show on him as much, eh, Thelma?" one of the clients joked and some people laughed.

"Shut up, you!" Thelma, who herself was quite a big woman shouted. "Here, sweetie, have some more. It pleases this old woman to see her work appreciated so much," she said, serving Gabriel another three sandwiches and a glass of coke.

Sweetie?! Gabe shook his head but helped himself to the new serving eagerly.

"What's that you're lookin' for there, eh?" Thelma asked as she peeked into the newspaper.

"Work," he answered shortly, taking a sip of his drink.

"Woo, young man. With health and appetite such as yours you should look for some good exercise, like a construction site or a storehouse..."

"Or sex!" someone commented once again and everyone laughed.

"That's basically what I'm looking for..." Gabe started.

"Ain't gonna find much of that here, boy," again everyone laughed. This was getting bad. Gabriel closed the paper and fished some money for his breakfast.

"Thanks you," he mumbled and moved to the exit.

"You know, boy. If you aren't scared of putting that muscle of yours to work..."

"Which muscle would that be Thelma?" The same voice called again but the guy calmed down and shut up when Gabe looked him with murder in his eyes. Jokes were alright but there was a limit.

"As I was sayin'. My husband is doing some work on this storeroom of ours out back, making it bigger, adding some space. Well, he's so stubborn and proud he won't admit he needs some help with this and he's not thirty anymore. So, if you're interested in earning some you go and talk to him. Hell, I'll even give you a decent breakfast and lunch every day. What do you say?"

"Why not I guess..." Gabe mused.

"Good then, go to him and tell him I sent you and don't you let him chase you away. You need help, you call me. Y'hear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now, don't you ma'am me, sweetie. Just call me Thelma like everyone does."

"OK, I'll go talk to your husband... I guess."

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola silently brooded over her books as class by class passed by with agonizing slowness. Thankfully she really didn't have that many classes with Curly and the rest of the afternoon passed with no other complications. Still, she wanted to rush off and take a shower as soon as she got home. The lingering feel of his slimy kiss was enough to make her want to vomit right then and there.

She itched to see Gabe, but there was no way she would tell him what happened. He would certainly loose his mind and go into a murderous rage and THAT she did not want. Sighing to herself, she absently jotted down notes as the teacher blabbered on about god knows what! She had lost interested in the first few minutes of class and now was just passing the time. She wondered what her brother was doing and if he had found something to occupy his time yet.

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

After some shouts, threats and haggling Gabriel agreed with Thelma's husband, Burt, that he would be coming everyday to help rebuild the storehouse. They agreed for payment and Thelma promised to throw in two meals a day. Gabe promised to come to work today after lunchtime and informed them that he would be having a break each day but didn't say why, they didn't need to know he would be taking a break to walk Nicola home after her classes. He shook hands with Burt and was on his way.

Gabriel still had some time before Nicola would finish her classes so he wandered aimlessly downtown, windowshopping and visiting places he hadn't seen in a while for various reasons. He found it strange that neither Thelma nor Burt commented on the nasty bruise on his face. Maybe they didn't care or preferred to stick to their own business. He also thought they were too trusting of a perfect strnager. Oh well, Gabe wasn't going to rob them or anything and the physical work would do him good anyway.

When the time was right he returned to the school and waited at the gate, leaning on the wall and sucking on a leaf of grass he picked up.

"Oh, I hoped I might find you here," someone said, a female voice. Nina.

"What do you want?"

"I was hoping perhaps you changed your mind..."

"About what?" Gabriel inquired with a puzzled look on his face.

"Don't tell me you forgot! I invited you yesterday! Come on!"

"Oh, I already said no, didn't I? Leave me alone, Nina."

"Hey, I heard you got suspended again. That true?"

"Now you're pushing it. Get lost."

"Sheesh, next time I won't even bother."

"Good. See ya," he grumbled and turned his head away from her, not interested in anything she might want to say.

Fifteen minutes later Nicola came into view, carrying her heavy bag and waving at him. She was smiling but Gabe could sense that underneath something was wrong, some dark cloud, a shade of some sort.

"Hey, everything okay?" he asked before she even had the chance to say 'hi'.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola bit back a curse...the one downfall to their relationship was that Gabe sensed everything! Or just about everything, especially negative feelings. "I'm fine! How are you?" She asked, holding her tone cheerful and happy.

He didn't seem totally satisfied with her act. "Something happen that I need to know about?"

She fought back the blush that was starting to creep up her neck and shook her head. "No! Sheesh! I just had a hard time in one of my classes." She said, hoping that half a truth would be good.

"Hmf!" He eyed her a moment and finally shrugged. "I got a job."

"Really!?" She exclaimed and then covered her mouth. "Sorry. Where at?"

"The local cafeteria...you know, we've been there before and I go there all the time."

"Yeah! Awesome! What will you be doing?" The image of Gabe in a apron sprung to mind and made her grin, "Serving people?"

He slanted her a deadly look and she giggled, "NO! I'm helping the shop's husband build onto the place. I get free meals though."

"I'll have to remember and drop by sometime after school and bug you." She teased, fighting off the urge to give him a great big hug. "I'm happy for you. At least you won't be too bored, hmmm? So when do you start?"

"How about you tell me what's wrong?" He interjected

Nicola huffed and looked away, crossing her arms. "I told you, I'm fine! Just a little stressed, is all!"

Gabe let out a grunt and shook his head. "It's more than that. Come on, Nicola. You know it'll only make things worse if you don't tell me."

"Just drop it!" She warned, wagging a finger at him as she stopped walked. "I don't want to talk about!"

He could tell a tantrum was near, but for whatever reason couldn't drop it. Something was lurking inside that needed to come out and she was going to spill it. "Tell me..." He urged, standing his ground, his arms crossing over his own chest.

"Damn it!" She stomped her feet, suddenly furious. "Can't you just leave it alone!?"

Throwing her arms up, she began to walk past him, but he caught her arm in a gentle, but firm grip and spun her around. "Nicola, don't be a brat!"

"Don't be a jerk!" She yelled back and grabbed her pack off his shoulder, "I don't want to talk about it!"

Holding her upper arms, Gabe fought the urge to shake some sense into her. She was as stubborn as a mule sometimes, her eyes flashing daringly up into his face. "Let me go!" She ordered, tugging against his grip.

"No!"

Suddenly she gasped and blinked furiously, "Gaaaabe..." She whined and felt her weight give way at the knees, her body going slack as her eyes rolled back.

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

"Hey, whoa!" he called, now fighting to keep his balance and not let Nicola fall to the ground, which wasn't easy with a heavy bag on his back and his sister in front. For a moment it looked like a gruesome dance as he was trying to remain standing and securing her in his arms. "Nicola? Nicola!" When he realised she fainted he panicked a little but quickly regained his senses. There was no time for losing head.

Making sure the backpack wouldn't fall he crouched a bit and raised Nicola in his arms but there was nothing in sight to put her on so he turned back and walked back to school as fast as possible. People looked at him strangely, someone offered help, someone proposed to call an ambulance but he just walked onward, hoping that the nurse's office at school. He shifted his hold on her and her head rolled and rested against his chest.

"Run to the nurse's office," he huffed at someone who was just leaving the school grounds. "Go!" he shouted at the stupefied kid. "Just a sec, Nicola, it's gonna be fine."

When he entered the school the corridors were mainly empty. From the opposite direction he saw the nurse run towards him.

"What happened?" she called from the distance.

"I dunno. We were talking and then she just fainted. Please help her!" Gabe replied, stress making his voice a bit higher.

"Take her into my office, quickly!" the nurse urged him and ran back.

Gabriel walked as fast as he could but with the heavy backpack on it wasn't so easy. When he finally put Nicola on a bed he was red and breathing hard. He dumped the bag on the floor and looked at the nurse, panting. "What's wrong with her, what happened?"

"Calm down, relax. Let me take care of her. Sit down and have a glass of water and let me do my job, boy."

Gabriel did as he was told but only for the duration of drinking one glass of water, then he sprang back to his feet and approached the bed Nicola was on. Unconsciousl he took her hand and started whispering. "Come on, Nicola, wake up, come on, sis, wake up, wake up, wake up. Open your eyes, please... Come on..."

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola was confused. Her body wasn't moving or responding to what she wanted it to do. As if deep in sleep, she could vaguely hear Gabe's voice echoing in her mind, but she could hardly get her eyes to open or mouth to move. The warmth of his hand held hers. She was panicking! What was wrong with her?!

Then slowly light began to filter in and images flickered before her. Someone was leaning over her, tears shimmering in her gray eyes. "Nicolas..."

"Don't leave me..." She whispered hoarsely, working her throat to get the words out, "Gabrielle, don't leave...I miss you...you promised, forever..."

His angel smiled so sweetly that his heart ached, her cool fingers brushing at his hair. "And it shall be, my love. Time, just a little more time..." She murmured softly.

"No! Please, don't go! Don't go Gabrielle!" Heart racing, Nicola suddenly gripped her brother's hand, gazing up at him, but her vision was glazed, fear glistening in their depths. "Please don't leave, don't leave again Gabrielle! I love you! We've waited so long!"

"Ssshhhh..." She soothed, full lips pressing against his, drawing out a soft sigh. "Be strong, Nicolas. The time will come."

Coldness seeped in, drawing tears to her eyes, falling silently down the sides of her face. She blinked and reached out, crying out her name again, but Gabrielle was gone.

Puffing out breaths, Nicola focused on Gabriel's face, confused and feeling weepy. "What happened?"

The nurse hovered over her, looking worried. "You fainted, dear. Did you eat today? Are you not feeling well?"

"No..." Nicola whispered, "I'm OK...I'm OK...must be just...stressed. Finals and all."

The nurse didn't look convinced, but with Gabe's help she slowly sat up and shook the fogginess from her mind. "I just want to go home..."

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

"Alright, wait here and I will organise us a ride home," Gabriel said a darted out from the nurse's office. He was relieved to see nothing was wrong but at the same time it worried him that Nicola had fainted out of the blue. This could have been the outcome of their argument but to lose consciousness like that?

Saying that he would find a ride had been easier than actually finding one. Luckily he stumbled upon Mr Trump who seemed ready to go home.

"Gabriel? What are you doing here? I thought you are suspended."

"I am. But Nicola fainted on her way home and I brought her back. Are you going home now? Could you give us a ride?"

"Sure. Meet me at the parking lot."

"Right, thanks," Gabe nodded and ran back to fetch his sister. "Ok, Mr Trump said he can give us a lift," he said and picked Nicola's bag and helping her up, steadying her on her legs. "You wanna lean on me or are you alright by yourself?"

"I... I'll be fine," she muttered. "Just walk slowly."

"Uh-huh. Damn you gave me a scare, sis. What the hell was that?"