Love Aint Always Pretty

Obscurité

Translation: darkness

Origin: French

53

NICK'S POV

SEVEN YEARS AGO

It's been almost a year since my mother died. It's been almost a year since my mother's case was closed. It's been almost a year that I've been fighting for justice of my mother's death. Hans was the one who killed my mom. He intentionally killed my mother but he didn't get to be put in prison cos they paid the entire police station. They paid the witness and they left town right away after that day they killed my mother.

Yes, they. Hans and Mr. Forster.

It has been almost a year too since I lived alone in the house with Tracy. It's been almost a year I've been wanting to get my revenge on them. And it's been almost a year since Catherine left me.

Catherine found out on that same day who killed my mom and she couldn't stand being around me cos she felt guilty of what happened. When I got back home that day, I couldn't find her clothes on our dresser and I found a note on the kitchen table. That's all she left me, a note.

She said how sorry she was and how guilty she was of what happened. She said she didn't want this to happen. She blamed herself that my mom died. She said she didn't expect her father could go this far. She said she's going back to her father. She left me just like that. She left me so easily as if what we had was nothing important.

Catherine left me alone.

"Congratulations Nick." Tracy hugs me.

"Thanks Trace." I hugged her back and kissed her forehead.

"Bro, we're graduates! Wuhooo!" Alec fist bumped with me.

I smiled at him and he hooks his arm around my neck. "Dude, stop with that remorseful look. I'm sure your mom is proud of you right now."

"I just wish she could've seen me right now. She'd be so proud of me. She'd tell me for sure that she didn't expect I'd pass high school." I laugh humorlessly.

I looked up at the sky. "This is for you mom."

"How about we go to Tuck's party tonight? They said it's going to be epic! It's the last party we could attend to as high school. What do you say?" Alec offered.

"I can't leave Tracy alone." I say.

"Mom will guard her for us. She could sleep in my place." Alec blurted.

"I'll be fine Nick. Just go and have fun." Tracy says.

•••••

Later that afternoon after attending my high school graduation, I waited for my shift in this mechanic shop to end. I tried to do little fixes in the engine of this car that needs to be picked up any minute now. It's an old classic car and it's a pretty damn beautiful ride. Mrs. Tonkin, the wife of this shop's original owner, said that a beautiful man and a pretty lady owns this ride and she also said it's a pretty damn special car for them cos they'll be using it when they get married.

I stared at the engine as Alec starts trying it back again. He starts the engine and thank goodness it starts working. Alec steps out of the driver's seat.

"It worked bro!" Alec chimed.

I smile and closed the trunk. "That's really brilliant. I'm sure the owner of this car will extremely be happy."

"Damn this baby is a 1959 classic."

I smiled.

"Boys! The owners of that car are here." I hear Mrs. Tonkin call out to us.

Alec and I hurriedly turned around to see who it was. To my surprise, I dropped the tool from my hand and I stood there, frozen. My eyes grew bigger every time they walked near us and my heart was pumping really fast. I feel so surprised and happy but furiously angry.

Catherine is with Hans!

I know Catherine was also shocked to see me too and Alec even stared at me the moment he knew it was her and this douche bag. Her eyes looked like she's about to cry but she's holding it back.

her. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to ask her where she was for almost a year of leaving me. I wanted to ask her how she was. I wanted to ask her why she left me so easily. I wanted to do

Happy with Hans.

and a pair of golden flats. She's so

and closer to us, I knew something was not right here. I glared at Hans and he was so calm. He planned this. He knew I worked here that's why he brought this stupid car here. I

is Hans Fitzgerald." Mrs. Tonkin said to us while gesturing. "And his

Fiancée.

back. I don't want to cry in front of this bastard who killed my mother. Catherine stands right before me. She gained weight. Her cheeks are a

My eyes dilated.

She's pregnant!

Catherine is pregnant.

he's marrying her. It's really lovely. They're such

heart being ripped right in front of them and Catherine isn't even doing anything. She just kept looking at me. Not a word said. Not a how are you from her. Not even an I miss you Nick

up to her and she's looking

glanced at Hans then looked back at her as I exhaled heavily. "And

from them and I hear Mrs. Tonkin calling out my name. I couldn't look back. I'm so hurt. She's left me for almost a year and now she shows up with her bump and being married to Hans soon? Catherine is so unfair. I waited for her to come back. I held on to that promise that her and I made. I held on tight to it even though she left me cos I know that she loves

up!" Alec

pants as he

hear it Alec."

him up there? That dick killed

my head. "Catherine was

fingers

Alec. Not in front of Catherine and

fucking

Alec said. Instead, I drove back to that old house where Catherine and I used to live together. Even though it was a short period of time, it was very memorable to me. This place was where Catherine and

my gun and inserted it inside my jeans then covered it over with my shirt. I had this gun ever since my mom died. Dad came here last year and left it for me, he

of me. I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. Catherine's image appeared on top of the staircase. She paused and looked shocked to find me here. Slowly, she starts coming down the steps and I didn't move from where

a surprise." She says

What are you still doing

says

many months?" I asked as I stare at

at me.

I watch her sit down on the couch. The couch where we'd used to cuddle or make out with when we watch a movie she loves. "Sit with

a word and neither did she. We stared at the tv right across us as our reflection

how we'd run around this living room chasing each other like little kids?"

I nod.

cooked together, we washed clothes together, we ate together, we washed dishes together. I learned how to do chores cos you taught me. You learned not to cook cos of me. We

and Hans but we. You and

head

happened to us? What did I do wrong? Why did you leave me just like that? Why didn't you come

grew up, Nick." She

me was true. He was right about everything he pointed out to me.

you were

was young and careless Nick. Sixteen year olds

away with me and being with me

then I realized that I need to live my dreams and not to

by her answer. Her words were knife and how she said

you ever love me

and she's

loved you so much. I used to

to

small soft hand. I hold onto it, for the first time after a year. "God knows how much I missed you Catherine. I missed you terribly

I was doing the same thing. "But you lived."

in hopes that you'll come

sad and slightly

let you go..." I trailed

then she was the first one who let go of me. She was

me kiss you." I

first time we do it. She tilts her head sideways, feeling my palm closely. I started moving closer and closer to her until both of closed our eyes, until my lips were on her

I say as I pull myself away from