To Fall So Deep

Nina didn't even open the hospital room door, and she could already hear Kathleen happily babbling away about something on the television. This brought a smile to Nina, as she was amazed that even after surgery and all the pain she had to endure, Kathleen was able to stay positive.

Nina pushed the door open, and saw that the thick curtain covering the bed was pulled off to the side. And lying there with a juice box in her hand was Kathleen.

"Ate!" Kathleen squealed in excitement. Nina ran to her side and hugged her tight.

"Oh my gosh, how are you? I'm so sorry!" Nina choked, her voice cracking.

"Ate are you going to cry? Please don't. I'm okay, seeee…" Kathleen pulled out of the hug and smiled from ear to ear, her eyes crossing. She pointed to her goofy face, and Nina couldn't help but to let out a chuckle.

"Okay, okay, I believe you," Nina pulled her sister close again.

"We'll give you girls some privacy," Corrine said, pulling Leo's hand as she started for the door. They left the sisters to speak and immediately Nina went straight into it,

"What the hell happened? Who did this to you?"

"I don't know," Kathleen shrugged. She took a sip of her juice. "I was waiting to be picked up, and bam… someone hit me on the side of the head. I don't really remember much after that. I was pulled into somewhere dark."

"And no one was around? Weren't you in downtown? That place is bright, even at night. Someone was bound to see you,"

"I was at the very end of the street, and it was already late. Shops were already closing,"

"Do you remember anything, anything at all about your attackers? Hair color? Skin color? Height?"

"They were wearing ski masks, and all black. There were three of them," Kathleen explained. Nina rubbed her forehead in frustration.

"Any tattoos, piercings… odor?" Nina pressed. Kathleen went into her mind, trying to recollect any memory of her attackers.

"Uhmm, one of them was left handed?"

"Left handed?"

"Yea, they kept hitting me with their left… you usually punch with your more dominant hand," Kathleen suggested. "And that person was definitely a girl."

"How do you know?" Nina asked.

"Her fake nail came off," Kathleen answered. She sipped the last of the juice and placed it on the table next to her.

Some girl is walking around Ashford with a missing nail on her left hand. It could be anyone, and it was this thought that discouraged Nina. Nevertheless, she was still determined to find out who hurt her sister. Maybe Kathleen will remember something else later on, and maybe it'll be the key to finding her attackers.

"Did you want more juice, or water, or anything?" Nina offered.

"Cold water would be great. My throat really hurts," Kathleen mentioned. Nina nodded, and walked out of the room. In her search for a vending machine, Nina could hear whispered yells from around the corner. She stopped, peaked around the wall and found Leo and Corrine deep in discussion about something serious.

"Don't quit," Corrine asserted.

"We can't afford it," Leo sighed. "With Kathleen's hospital bills, campaign funds, our monthly bills… we're running out of money."

"We'll move to a smaller home at the other end of Ashford. I'll get an extra job tutoring," Corrine surmised. She pulled Leo into a hug, rubbing his back.

"I can't make you do that… I really think I should withdraw. Styles keeps attacking this family, and family comes first," Leo noted.

"I'll get a job!" Nina blurted. Leo and Corrine turned their attention as Nina walked out from behind the wall. "I'll apply everywhere. There's a cafe downtown, I can try there… I already have espresso experience."

"Nina, I don't really think you should--"

"No, Corrine. I think this may be a good idea," Leo interrupted, holding his hand out to Corrine. "She can work part time as long as she keeps studying. All her paychecks, she can keep. We won't have to give her an allowance anymore. It'll teach her responsibility, discipline, and it'll be a nice distraction."

"Distraction? Distraction from what?" Corrine questioned.

"From that Styles boy," Leo grunted. Nina looked at her feet.

"Then it's settled," Nina swallowed, glancing up from her tattered Chuck Taylors to her father, "I'm getting a job. I'll start applying first thing tomorrow after class."

"Leo, she's just a child. She shouldn't have to worry about any of this," Corrine argued.

"No Corrine, it's okay," Nina assured. She forced a smile. "I'm gonna go get some water for Kathleen."

With that, Nina turned on her heel and followed the hallway down to a set of vending machines selling snacks and bottled beverages. As Nina fed one of the machines money, she started to cry. It was at this point did Nina want nothing more than her mom. She missed her greatly, and would do anything to get her back. She didn't even have the option of sitting at her gravesite; to lay flowers by the tombstone, sit under the tree and reminisce on the good times with her mom. She never got to apologize to her for the terrible thing she said the night of the accident.

And this was what truly bothered Nina.

* * * *

Harry entered his home, locking the door behind him. A warm, delicious smell of something chocolate wafted into his nose. He closed his eyes and breathed it in. He made a mental note to bring some of Rosie's famous baked goods to Nina-- she'd love them.

"Rosie! What are you baking? It smells scrum-dilly-umptious!" Harry sang at the top of his lungs as he made his way from the foyer to the grand kitchen.

He dropped his backpack and keys on the couch of the front living room, and rounded the corner. In the kitchen standing with both furious and concerned faces were his parents. Behind them, the kitchen television was on and instead of Rosie's usual soap operas playing, it was the evening news.

"Harry, please explain this," Des demanded, pointing to the television screen. Harry looked, and playing on the 6 o'clock news was a video clip of both him and Nina in the hospital parking lot from earlier today.

"What's there to explain?" Harry snapped.

"Do you realize who you're snuggling up to in this video? That Dela Vera girl. She's poison!" Des accused.

"She has a name. It's Nina, and she's not poison. She's kind, beautiful, and full of life," Harry praised.

"Harry sweetie, Nina Dela Vera is a delinquent. She'll get you into trouble; she'll bring you down. She's a distraction! Not like Jezabelle who is the perfect match for you," Anne justified. Harry groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Don't you roll your eyes at your mother Harry! I forbid you to ever see that girl again. She's bad news!" Des shouted.

"You forbid me?" Harry laughed. "You're mental if you think you can stop me from seeing Nina. Your priorities are all fucked up, and it's driving this family insane. All you care about is the stupid election, and you'd do anything to win. Even if it means hurting the Dela Vera family… I hope you lose!"

"You don't mean that," Anne gasped, and Des banged the cabinet with all his strength. The wood splintered into tiny pieces, startling Anne.

"I do," Harry sneered. "I care about Nina. She's my--"

"Shut up! I will not have my son associating with some American harlot!" Anne interrupted.

"I love her!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs.

It was this revelation that caused his mother to lose her control. She slapped Harry across the face, leaving his cheek stinging and red. Harry didn't even flinch. He just stood there glaring at his parents with so much ire that it could start a war.

"I love Nina, and you can't stop that," Harry breathed. He turned away, leaving his crying mom to fall into his father's arms.

Notes

Happy Friday loves!

I hope you're having an amazing Friday so far, I know I am! It's a chill day for me, and all I want to do is lay around in my PJ's all day, watch movies, and bake cookies. I'm looking at this story, and it just hit me that I'm already on chapter 26. I'm also currently working on another story as well which will have a bit more of a serious undertone, more adult content, and yea! Haha! It won't be posted for a while, but I will let you know when I do. Thanks again for reading chapter after chapter. Readers who have been here since the first chapter, to the new readers who decided to give this story a go, thank you SUPER DUPER much! It means a lot, and I really appreciate it. Don't forget to leave feedback if you have any, please vote up this story, subscribe, and recommend to all your friends. Have an amazing weekend!

Thanks,

-Erica Jaine <3