Chapter 1

Emily sat in her room with her presents gathered around her feeling nothing but 
pain. She couldn't bare to close her eyes because whenever she did she saw 
Nikolas and Katherine in that bed together. She tried to be strong and prove she 
wasn't a little girl when she talked to Nikolas but all she wanted to do when 
she saw him was strangle him for breaking her heart. She sniffled a little and 
pushed everything off her bed clinching the teddy bear her father had bought 
her. She closed her eyes and sobbed into the pillow wishing that she could just 
turn off her feelings for Nikolas and never set eyes on him again. She could lie 
all she wanted to him about how nothing had changed but the truth was that 
everything had changed… and there was no turning back.

Nikolas got ready early trying to think of what to say to Emily when he went 
back to see her. He had trouble deciding on whether or not to go to see Emily. 
Maybe she'd think he was there to see Katherine. That would defeat the whole 
purpose of going. Nikolas stopped putting on his coat and fell back on to the 
couch looking up at the Wyndemere ceiling. For a moment he tried and tried to 
come to some sort of conclusion but nothing worked. Frustrated Nikolas placed 
his heated face in his cool hands. He was brought out of his thoughts when he 
heard Stefan's voice, “Nikolas?” Nikolas looked up and waved. Stefan slightly 
smiled, “I see that you're still worried. Is it Helena? Katherine?"

"Emily.” Nikolas replied looking down in shame.

"Ahh, well, have you spoken with Ms. Quartermaine, yet?” Stefan asked.

Nikolas shook his head negatively, “No, I… I was going to go see her at the 
Quartermaine mansion but I don't want to give her the wrong impression."

"You don't want her to think…"Stefan trailed off waiting for Nikolas to finish.

"That I'm there to see Katherine.” Nikolas stated.

"I must admit,” Stefan paused to smile supportively, “I wouldn't trade places 
with you for anything in the whole world."

Nikolas laughed, “I don't think anybody would."

"Maybe you should visit her at school.” Stefan suggested.

Nikolas nodded, “That's probably the best solution. Thank you…" Nikolas coughed 
awkwardly, “Father.” He grabbed his coat and walked out the door while Stefan 
began to get ideas of his own. If he could fix things between Emily and Nikolas… 
he might make up for some of things he had done to Nikolas in the past.

Emily sighed feeling like the whole world was weighing her down. She forced her 
books into her locker and waved goodbye to a few friends she had. Looking at the 
clock she realized she had made it through a whole day. She swung her tiny 
backpack over her shoulder and took the three books she need in her arms. 
Slowly, Emily dragged herself out of the school while her sneakers squeaked on 
the floor. Emily paused realizing her shoe was untied and the halls emptied 
while she tied her shoe. She finished quickly and brushed her bangs out of her 
face. As she began to gather her books she saw a shadow approaching. She 
squinted to looked at the shiny floor and saw the reflection. Quickly, Emily 
finished gathering her things and stood quickly. She gazed up and saw Nikolas 
nervously staring back at her, “Hi, Emily."

Emily could feel herself choking on her tears as she faked a smile, “Hi, 
Nikolas."

Nikolas shoved his hands in his pockets, “Can I give you a ride home?"

Emily blinked her eyes hard forcing her tears back, “Um…"She opened them and 
answered, “No, thanks. Reginald is coming to pick me up today."

"Oh.” Nikolas responded and there was a long moment of silence. Nikolas saw how 
her eyes began to look glassy and her whole expression and attitude seemed so 
sad. He knew every time they looked each other in the eyes he'd see the look of 
betrayal looking back at him, “Emily, we need to talk."

Emily shrugged, “What about?"

"You know what. We need to talk about what happened.” Nikolas replied.

Emily ran a hand through her hair, “I told you already. Everything's fine. I'm 
sorry I walked in on you it was my mistake…"

"Emily, stop!” Nikolas cut her off, “You have no reason to be sorry! I do."

"Nikolas, everything is fine.” Emily stated, “We're friends. Nothing else needs 
to be said."

"Yea, you said we're friends.” Nikolas grinned angrily, “And we both know it's 
not true."

"Nikolas! I don't want to talk! Ok?!” Emily snapped surprising both of them, “I 
just…" She used her free hand to wipe away her overflowing tears, “I just want 
to be left alone.” Emily pushed past him without another word. Nikolas wanted to 
run after her but knew it would only make it worse.