Mella giggled as she looked over at her friend, Deeva, raising an eyebrow as she held up her glass, “To the asshole that broke my heart. Let him have a life time of no.. No.. Sex! He liked that. None of that for him.” Laughter from all around her signaled that she had amused the crowd that had surrounded them in the bar. It started out at just Mella and Deeva pity drinking, but then a few calls were made and now, it was a party. Post break up party. She downed her drink and felt its sting on the way down, shaking her head before letting out a, “woo!” and asking for another. She frowned when the bartender refused her and she snarled at him, “Well thanks. Im not that drunk.” She slurred slightly and watched her vision blur. Lies. Maybe she was. RIght now, she didnt care.
She couldnt feel anything. She couldnt feel the broken feeling in her heart anymore and thats all that mattered. A few moments later, she felt herself being brought to the door by Deeva, telling her it was time to go home. She was going on about how she was starting to get feisty and she got her a cab and that she would meet her back at her place. She nodded and got into the taxi, closing her eyes and sighing, furrowing her eyebrows when she felt someone get in beside her, “I-I thought you were gonna drive behi-ind us.” She hiccuped and looked over at the person, raising an eyebrow when it was a guy instead of her best friend.
She couldnt feel anything. She couldnt feel the broken feeling in her heart anymore and thats all that mattered. A few moments later, she felt herself being brought to the door by Deeva, telling her it was time to go home. She was going on about how she was starting to get feisty and she got her a cab and that she would meet her back at her place. She nodded and got into the taxi, closing her eyes and sighing, furrowing her eyebrows when she felt someone get in beside her, “I-I thought you were gonna drive behi-ind us.” She hiccuped and looked over at the person, raising an eyebrow when it was a guy instead of her best friend.
Nick cleared his throat and felt a blush slowly creep on his cheeks “I-Im sorry. I didnt know there was someone in here.” He went to open the door but internally groaned when the cab driver started to pull away from the curb. Fantastic. This was the last thing he wanted to deal with at the moment. Nick had just gotten out of an 8 hour rehearsal for How To Succeed and all he wanted to do was just go back to his hotel and call it a night, but whoever was watching him wasn’t going to let that happen. Nick ran his fingers through his hair and sat back against the chair, muttering a soft ‘Fuck me.’ before shaking his head and looking out the window. Every now and then he would look over at the girl next to him, making sure she wasn’t about to puke or something. That would be bad. Nick stared at her for a little too long and crinkled his nose when she snapped at him “I wasn’t staring! Jeez. Don’t get your panties in a bunch.” He shook his head and looked out the window, hoping that this taxi ride would end soon.
Mella looked over at him and narrowed her eyes, “Who do you think you are? Dont talk to me like that. I might be drunk and you might be kind of attractive but I mean really, I wasnt the one staring. I can assure you, Im not happy about this either. So be a big boy and suck it up, pretty boy.” She scowled and looked out the window, glaring at the people that passed by. She hated people and men. Mostly men, though. They think theyre all that when they really werent. They all sucked. She sighed softly and sat back in the seat, shivering heavily when the guy opened the window and let the cold night air into the car, right into her face.
Nick rolled his eyes and closed the window, glancing over at Mella before looking back out the window. He huffed and stared ahead, furrowing his eyebrows when the taxi came to a stop. He leaned forward and cleared his throat, talking to the taxi driver “Uhm. Whats going on?” His brows furrowed deeper when the taxi driver told him that they were stuck in traffic. Nick groaned loudly and leaned back against the seat, folding his arms across his chest “Are you fucking serious right now?” He sighed and ran his fingers through his curly hair, tugging at the lightly before looking over at the girl next to him and then looking ahead. As if this couldn’t get any worse.
Mella groaned and looked over at him before, rolling her eyes, “I cannot do this anymore.” She dug in her purse as he questioned her words and tossed a few bills at the guy before waving at the two guys, “Adios amigos. Im not gonna sit around with a whiny pretty boy and in new york traffic. Id rather walk.” She smiled and started getting out of the cab, groaning when her heel got caught. She shook it off and shut the door, fixing her dress before staring to walk off to the sidewalk, ignoring the guys calls for her to get back into the taxi. SHe laughed and turned around, “One second ago you wanted me out and now you want me in. Too much hairspray clouding your judgement?”
Nick sighed and shook his head “Look I’m really sorry about being a dick. I really am, just please get back in the car. You’re drunk and its cold outside. I don’t want you to get hurt. Please?” He stared at the girl and groaned when she kept walking. He handed the taxi driver some money before following her out of the cab and catching up with her “Wait up!” When he finally got next to her, he looked down at her and held his jacket closer to him “Im not gonna let you walk alone. It’s New York City. You’re drunk. You’re a beautiful girl. Not a good combination. I just want to make sure you got where youre supposed to be safely. Thats all.” He sighed quietly followed her, grabbing her every now and then when she started to tip over or stumble over herself.
Mella looked up at him and pushed him away, “I Dont want you to follow me home. How do I know you wont take advantage of me on the way home? Huh?” She huffed when he explained that he wasnt that kind of guy and she fell into him, sighing when his arm helped keep her up, “Thats what my asshole ex said before he went and broke my heart with another women. He said he was a man and then he went behind my back, fucked another girl and planned on marrying her. Thats what he said.” She looked up on him and rose an eyebrow, “What makes you any different.”
Nick rose his eyebrow and looked down at the girl in his arms, sending her a warm smile “Well unlike your asshole ex, I was raised to treat girls like princesses. I would never ever do that to any girl I’m with. I can honestly tell you that. But you won’t know I’m different until you give me a shot.” He smiled and laughed a little when her eyes got wide “I’m not saying that you should give me a shot considering we just met and all but.. I’m just saying that you shouldn’t be so quick to judge someone without getting to know them first.” He smiled and continued walking with her “I’ll be honest. When I first saw you I thought you were a crazy party girl, getting drunk just like any other saturday night. I would’ve never thought that you had your heart broken. I learned something new about you. Something that changed my judgement about you.”
Mella looked up at him and rose an eyebrow, “I normally dont drink. I just needed something to take the edge off. By a lot.” She closed her eyes and put her hand on her head, groaning when the world started to spin. She fell back into nick and felt his arms keep her up, suddenly feeling a sense of security. She shook it off and looked around, looking at him, “Sorry, I got a little dizzy.” SHe stood up by herself and sighed when his arms stayed around her, looking up at him, “We’re at my apartment, you can let go of me now.”
Nick quickly pulled his arms away, clearing his throat “Sorry.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled, glancing at her “Well it was really nice meeting you.. I hope your ex pays for what he did to you. No girl should deserve someone that breaks their heart. He’s a jackass.” Nick smiled and waved at her, slowly starting to walk away “Goodnight.” He let out a breath and made his way down the street, holding his jacket closer to him as he moved near the curb to get a taxi. When he finally got one, he made his way into the warm cab, leaning back against the seat and closing his eyes. He couldn’t get his mind off of the girl he just met and he had no idea what her name was.
Alcohol, the drug of choice Mella used to get away from the thought of the stranger that helped her the night of her break up and the break up itself. It worked and was quick. It never failed her. One particular night, Mella was sitting drinking scotch at a bar, sighing as she sipped it mindlessly, closing her eyes as she felt it slowly make her chest stop hurting. She slowly opened her eyes and she sighed when a familiar pair of eyes looking back at her, full of concern. “We need to stop meeting like this, sir. I dont know who you are and you’re catching me at the worst times.”
Nick rose his eyebrow and sat down on the bar stool next to her, nodding at the drink in front of her before looking at the girl “Well.. I think you should put the glass down so maybe we can have an actual conversation without me having to worry about you puking all over the place.” He furrowed his eyebrows when she responded and he shook his head “No. I don’t think you should ‘pass.’ I think you should seriously put the glass down. I know I don’t know you but… I know that drinking isn’t the best way to deal with things. Sure, it may seem like it at the moment but honestly. You’re a beautiful girl and you shouldn’t poison yourself with this shit. Honestly.” He waited until she finished the drink before telling the bar tender to shut off the alcohol supply to her. Nick glanced at the girl before putting out his hand and smiling “Im Nick. Its a pleasure to meet you for a second time..”
Mella glared at him before looking at the bartender, “Im paying for this shit, dont listen to him.” She frowned when he agreed with Nick and she sighed, looking at him, “Im Mella and I think that you should let me deal with things the way I want to deal with things. Im a big girl and I can deal, and have a few drinks if I want to. You dont know what Im going through and you dont know how many drinks Ive had. For all you know it could have been my first one.”
Nick rose his eyebrow and gave her a look “I know for a fact that wasn’t your first one.” He put his hands on his lap and looked at her carefully “For you’re information Miss Mella. I do know what you’re going through. Heart break? Ive gone through that far too many times. It hurts. Like shit. I get that, but i’ve learned that drinking isn’t the best way to deal with it. It only numbs the pain.” He shrugged and looked around the bar before looking at her “I say you talk to me about your problems instead of telling Jack Daniels everything. He’s hogging it and thats not fair.” Nick smiled at Mella before narrowing his eyes a little at her as he watched her carefully “Do you want some taco bell? Im craving it right now.”
Mella stared at him before sighing and nodding finally, “Sure why not. I need something besides booze in my stomach.” She chuckled and followed him out of the bar, stopping when they got to his car, “Really, I dont know you and I really dont know why Im getting into your car to said taco bell but if you try anything with me, I will kick your ass. Got it?” She smiled when he nodded and got in, buckling up before putting her feet on the dash before pulling her knees close and inhaling the air around her. It was a mixture of polo black and coffee. It was calming and she liked it. It felt safe. She looked over at Nick when he got in and sighed, “How the hell did we end up in the same place at the same time, again?”
Nick laughed and shook her head, glancing over at her as he started to drive down the New York City streets “Honestly? I have no idea. I guess you could call it fate or coincidence. I have no idea.” He chuckled and stopped at a light, glancing over at her before smiling “Alright. Tell me about yourself Miss Mella.. I don’t normally take random girls to taco bell but.. theres something different about you and I want to know what it is.” He smiled and stepped on the gas again, continuing his way down the New York City streets. Nick glanced over at her, taking her in as she thought about what to say. She was beautiful. No doubt about that. She had this beautiful brown eyes that made him get lost in them whenever he looked at her. Her hair was long and she had a killer body. Her personality was the best though. Thats what he liked most about her. She wasn’t like all the other girls he had met. She had some character to her.
Mella shrugged and looked out the window, laying her cheek against her knee as she stared at him, “Im not that interesting, I promise. IM just a girl from chicago that needed out. So I moved here after a guy that broke my heart and now here I am. with you. Going to taco bell.” She smirked and chuckled when he asked for me, shrugging before sighing, “Im 21 and from chicago. I have a huge family that I love more than life itself. I love music. Its a passion of mine. I love cats. I have one back at my place named Cleo. Shes adorable and I love her. I love to write and thats all I really have to say about myself..” She shrugged.
Nick nodded a little, stopping at a light before glancing over at Mella “Thats really cool. I’ve always been more of a dog person myself, but I’m willing to compromise.” He sent her a wink before continuing to drive again “So. Miss Mella. Why New York? I mean.. You could’ve chosen anywhere else in the United States. Anywhere else in the world really and you chose New York. Why?” He glanced over at her before looking back at the road, waiting for her response. Nick nodded as he listened to her speak, his heart fluttering at the sound of her voice. She had such an adorable voice. It was something Nick would never get tired of listening to, that was for sure. He smiled and nodded when she was finished, keeping his hands on the wheel as he made a left turn “Fair enough.” Nick pulled up to the taco bell and smiled at her “What would you like gorgeous?”
Mella pursed her lips and looked at the menu, wasting time as she knew Nick was watching her. She smiled and recited to him her usual order, leaning back and listening to him order their food before starting to take her wallet out. She frowned when it was taken from her and tossed in the back seat and she looked at him, “I was going to pay for mine.” She blinked when he refused and she sighed, giving him a look, “Nicholas I am an independent woman who can pay for her own taco bell if she wants. Let me cover some of it, please?”
Nick looked over at her and shook his head, glancing back at the window before slipping the lady some cash “Carmella. I do not care if you are capable of paying for your own taco bell. When you’re with me, you don’t pay for anything. Its not right for a girl to pay.” He smiled and took the change from the lady before pulling up and closing the window as he waited in line to get the food. He dropped the change into the cup holder before looking up at Mella and smiling “You’re a princess. You should be treated like one. That means no paying for anything, even if you’re capable of it.”
Mella sighed and felt her heart flutter at the sound of the words he used. Damn. The way he used his words made her feel like she really was a princess. She felt her heart sink. She wouldnt be a princess when he actually got to know her. She felt a pang of pain in her chest before she pushed it away and down it with Taco Bell. All throughout the ride, the two just sat and talked about anything and everything. Mella slowly started to fall for the guy, feeling safe with him around. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldnt help the feeling. She sighed when they sat by the bay, watching the sunset from the warm car. SHe pulled her knees to her chest and sighed, staring out at the boats on the water, “Wanna know something?” She waited until he nodded before looking at him, “I hate the fact that sometimes, you cant shut your feelings up.”
Nick let out a breath and leaned back against the seat, taking a sip of his diet coke before glancing over at Mella, nodding a little “I know how that feels. I hate it too. You keep telling yourself that you don’t want to feel one way but… Somehow it just gets through. You know?” He nodded when she nodded and he looked out at the boats, letting out a breath “I’m not the kind of guy that shares his feelings with the world. I like to keep them to myself and I like to keep them hidden. For some reason, I just.. I’ve never been a fan of showing emotion, but sometimes.. Even though I try and I try to keep my feelings from showing, they just show up anyway and people make a big deal out of it. Oh! Nick is showing emotion! Im not as serious as people think I am.. I just.. Handle things in a different way.” He glanced over to Mella and tiled his head to the side “You know?”
Mella looked over at him and nodded, smiling, “I get it. I do it too. Except, mine just happen. Im known for showing emotion. Its written all over me, I guess. And then I try and hold them in and it makes my heart feel heavy. ITs strange.” She sighed and looked out at the water, looking at her feet before speaking up again, “I guess what I meant to say with that is that I cant help but feel safe with you, Nick. I mean, Ive never felt safe. With anyone. No one has ever just.. been there. I mean. I guess. I dont know what im trying to say.” She looked at him, “You’re different and I like you.”
Nick smiled brightly and looked over at Mella, slowly reaching his hand over to her and placing it on top of hers “I like you too Mella.” He smiled and rubbed her hand gently, feeling the sparks that shot through his arm from the contact. Nick slowly pulled his hand away after a few moments before looking back at the water, continuing to watch the boats “We should go boating sometime.” He laughed when she made a comment about how random that was and he shrugged, glancing over at her “Well it sounds like fun! Plus, it gives me a reason to see you again.” Nick smiled and sent her a wink before looking back at the water and sighing. After a few hours of just sitting and watching the water, Nick drove Mella back to her apartment. He stopped in front of the building and smiled, looking over at her “I had a really great time today Mella.. Maybe there’ll be another time? I want to see you again. Thats for sure.”
Mella smiled and nodded, looking over at him, “I would like that.” She put her number in his phone and smiled at him as she grabbed his stuff, “Text me later. Ill probably still be up.” She chuckled and leaned over, kissing his cheek before getting out of the car adn waving as she got into her building. She sighed as she walked into her apartment and looked down at her phone, giggling at the text she received from him. Man oh man, was Mella in love.
A few months later, Nick and Mella had been seeing each other almost everyday. They weren’t really boyfriend and girlfriend because neither was comfortable with taking their relationship to the next level. They both had just recently gotten out of long term relationships and needed a few before heading back into one. But for the time being, the two enjoyed each others company. With each and every passing second, Nick was falling more and more in love with Mella. He loved everything about her. He loved the way she would run her fingers through her hair in frustration. She loved the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled brightly. He loved her laugh. He loved hearing her voice. He loved everything about her. Nick sat backstage as he prepared to go onto stage as Finch in How to Succeed in Business. The opening night was long gone, but he still felt like it was opening night. Nick glanced down at his phone and quickly texted Mella back, setting the phone on the counter of the vanity ‘I miss you too Mell. When are you gonna come to one of my shows? You have to come to one before my run is over. Otherwise I’ll be heart broken. Honestly. I will be.’
Mella looked down at her phone as she walked into the theater, laughing a little as big rob showed her where to go, to where Nick would be. She texted him back, ‘Oh gosh, Nick. I dont know. Really, I promise. Ill try my hardest to be at one. Im just so swamped with school work and everything. I promise. Ill try. Just.. close your eyes and pretend Im there and maybe itll help for tonight.’ knowing he would probably do that, Mella found her way into the powder room, seeing Nick on his stool and smiling. He was perfect. Everything about him. She watched as a look of disappointment washed over his face at the text and then, he closed his eyes. She made her move and walked over behind him and put her hands in her pockets, “Im sure you’ll do amazing Nick. And really, you think I wouldnt be at one of your shows? What kind of friend would I be if I missed it? Jeez.”
Nick nearly fell off his stool when he heard Mella’s voice from behind him. He turned around and smiled brightly, jumping off the stool and gathering her into his arms. He kissed her head softly, keeping her in his arms “Thanks Mella! I’m so glad you’re here.” He kissed her head again before pulling away and smiling down at her. It took everything in him not to just bend down and capture her plump lips in a kiss. Nick let out a breath and winced a little when the make up artist yelled at him for moving. He glanced back at the make up artist and smiled a little “Sorry Helen..” He made his way over to the stool and sat down, glancing back at Mella before smiling brightly “I’m so excited you’re here! This just made my night!” He smiled brightly and was still for Helen before introducing Mella to Helen. Helen smiled and pulled out some eye-liner “So you’re the beautiful Mella! Nick talks about you. All. The time. Oh my goodness. I was starting to wonder if he was making you up!” She laughed and shook her head “Im kidding! But you really are beautiful. Just as Nick described you to be.” She smiled and looked down at Nick, continuing to apply his make up.
Mella blushed and shook her head, putting her hand on her chest, “Oh wow. Thank you. Im flattered.” She giggled and looked at nick, putting her hands in her lap before smiling brightly, “Im so excited to be here! I had this planned for so long you have idea.” She chuckled when he asked why she didnt come to an earlier one and she smiled, “It wouldnt have been as special.” She waited until Helen left before sitting in one of the chairs, listening to him talk about how nervous he was. She sighed, “I know, nick. Im here though. Ill be your good luck charm.” She smiled and leaned over, running her fingers through his hair, “Theres so much gel, you dont look like yourself.”
Nick chuckled softly and glanced up at his head before looking at Mella “You don’t like it? It’s been getting all the ladies, I thought I would keep it like this.” He laughed when she punched his arm and he shook his head, wrapping his arms around her “I was kidding. I was kidding. I hate having this much product in my hair. Its gross.” He smiled and leaned down, kissing her head softly before rubbing her back “Where are you sitting?” He waited for her to respond before nodding and smiling “I’ll be sure to look out at your section throughout the play. Just for you.” He chuckled and groaned softly when Big Rob signaled to Mella that it was time to go. Nick held her closer and shook his head “No! Don’t go!” He whined a little when she said she had to and he pouted, tapping his cheek “Good luck kiss?”
Mella smirked and nodded, smiling up at him, “sure.” She put her hands on his cheeks and leaned up, planting a big kiss on his lips before quickly pulling away and smiling up at him, “What? THAT was a good luck kiss. Good luck, Nick. Love you!” She smiled and sent him a wink, leaving him standing there frozen as she walked out by his family, whom she’d become really close with, and sat with them, giggling when they told Dani what happened. She giggled and bit her lip, shrugging a little, “What can I say? It had to happen sooner or later. hes not gonna be able to focus on anything the rest of the night.” She smirked.
Dani laughed and shook her head, hugging Mella tightly “Im so happy Nick met you. Honestly. You’re like my favorite.” She smiled and pulled away from the hug, sitting back against the chair with Mella as the musical started. Throughout the musical, Dani would nudge Mella whenever Nick would look over at their section. Dani giggled quietly when Nick stumbled over a few of his lines, glancing at Mella before high fiving her under the seats. After the show, Nick paced the dressing room, taking off his costume as he huffed. Of course Mella would do that to him. Of course. He glanced over when he heard a soft knock on his door and he let out a breath, calling the person in before looking at himself in the mirror. He took off his bow tie and glanced behind him, narrowing his eyes a little at Mella before making his way over to her. Nick pulled her close and kissed her passionately, pulling away after a few moments “That was for making me unable to focus on anything besides you all night.” He leaned down and kissed her again, pulling away “That was because I’ve been wanting to do that all night.” He leaned down one last time and kissed her, pulling away after a few moments. He smiled and stared into her eyes “That was because I’ve been waiting for forever to do that.”
Mella giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning up and kissing him again and again and again (i had to erase a few. I lost my cool.) before pulling away before smiling, “Ditto. Damn that felt good.” She laughed and pulled away for good, pushing off his chest and sitting on a chair, holding onto his hands before raising an eyebrow, “Exactly how long is forever?” She smiled a little when he said forever being the moment he met her and she nodded, pursing her lips, “I can relate. Its been hard the past few months.. just.. being around you. In a good way of course.” She smiled and looked up at him, clearing her throat, “I guess this is the part where I tell you that Im in love with you.”
Nick chuckled softly and looked over at Mella, smiling at her “I guess this is the part where I tell you that Im in love with you as well..” He sent her a wink and walked over to her, kissing her again before smiling when he pulled away “Im glad I can finally actually do that now.” He smiled and walked into the bathroom, changing out of his costume before putting on a pair of jeans and a nice shirt. Nick walked over to Mella and smiled at her, holding out his arm “Shall we..?” He smiled when she nodded and he walked with her to the door, stopping before they left “Wait. I have to ask you something.” Nick waited until he had her attention before getting down on one knee and holding onto her arms “Carmella AnneMarie Franco… Will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”
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