Page 7 of Cruel Destinies

“Bye, Dad. Niko should be here.” I wiped the sweat off my neck with my small hand towel, smirking as his nostrils flared.

“Ashlyn, wall-sit. Ten minutes.” With a stern look, Igneaus set the timer on his watch, but I rushed to the door while he was distracted.

“No, thanks. I'm meetingNiko.” I flashed him a cheeky grin and raced out before he could stop me.

And ran smack into the gorgeous boy in question.

As he caught me, I was grateful to be held up because I was sure to get weak in the knees just from the way his eyes shined when he smiled at me.

“Lucky I was here.” His smile turned into a cocky smirk, and I scrambled to get back on my feet.

I nudged him, then leaned in to give him a soft kiss. With annoyingly perfect timing, Igneaus opened the door. He loudly cleared his throat, causing Niko to take a step away from me.

“Sir—Mr. Summers—how are you today?”

I giggled at Niko’s uneasiness.

“I'm just fine, Nikolai. I see you're keeping busy.” Ignaeus looked down at Niko like he was going to eat him for lunch.

“Alright,Mr. Summers, bye now.” I narrowed my eyes at my father as I tugged Niko away from the training room. “Well, that went...terrific,” I teased when we turned the corner.

“Very funny. I have a feeling it would be exactly the same if you met my father. You're lucky it’s my mom that you get toknow.” I could tell Niko was serious, so I didn't provoke him anymore. Whenever his dad came up in conversation, Niko got scarily serious.

We had just stepped into the common room when his cell phone rang.

“Speak of the devil.” He kissed my forehead and turned away to answer the call.

I rushed through my shower, eager to meet him again after. But when he knocked on my door early, the look on his face said something was off.

I held the door open to invite him in as I towel-dried my hair. But he hung in the doorframe, giving me a somber look that was quickly dwindling my excitement.

“Are you okay, Niko?”

He looked down at his feet and spoke so low it was hard for me to hear him. “Come with me.”

He was avoiding eye contact. My heart sped up.

I slipped on my shoes and threw my hair up in a messy bun. As soon as I closed my door, he gently took my hand and led me out of the common room and straight to the library. With increasing concern, I let him take me to the darkest and dustiest corner, which opened into a cozy sitting space with bean bag chairs, completely out of sight. I never even knew it was there.

“This is my favorite spot in the entire Dome. As far as I know, no one else knows about it. Isn’t it cool?” He looked at me expectantly.

“I can see the appeal. It’s...nice.” I looked around hesitantly, but it quickly grew on me. I liked how cozy it was, how quiet it was—and how hidden it was.

“I found it one day when I was studying. I come here to read or just sit and think. And now I get to share it with you.” He wrapped his hands around my waist and fell back against the large and surprisingly comfortable lounge chair that exploded into a massive cloud of dust.

We laughed together as we coughed until the dust settled.

He gently sat me on the lounge chair and paced the small area. My heart raced faster and faster as he visibly grew more and more nervous. Dust particles danced behind him as he walked back and forth.

“Niko!” My nerves couldn't take it anymore. “Will you just spit it out already?”

He stopped his pacing and reluctantly sat beside me. He took my hand, his feeling oddly clammy and cold.

“So, you know it was my dad who called earlier. He had what he thought was good news. And normally, it would be... But now?” He looked down at our entwined fingers and shook his head.

“I'm sure whatever it is, we can get through it. Together.” With my other hand, I tried to softly lift his head. But when I did, I regretted it instantly. Dread was pasted all over his face. “What is it?”

“Tobias's dad, General Dracul, has an opening for an assistant intern. My dad thought I was the perfect candidate. I mean, it’s the direction I wanted to go when I graduated, and I’ve got the grades for it...so he volunteered me.” It sounded like it was physically hurting Niko to relay the conversation he had with his father. “He’s withdrawing me from the school. I leave within the next week. I’m so sorry, Ashlyn. We just got together...”

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