Kiss & Tell | Nicolandria FF

Part 16 - Nic

TJ was the first to stand in front of the fire pit. When asked who wanted to couple up with him, Vanna unsurprisingly stood up. Nic knew that Ace wasn't interested in Vanna to begin with, but watching Ace walk up to the fireplace made him nervous.

Next it was time for someone to choose Ace. Much to Nic's relief (and anxiety), Coco stood up. Ace sighed in relief, and Nic could feel his heart starting to pound.

Everything was going to be okay, he thought to himself as he watch Taylor walk up to the fireplace. Jaden just needs to choose me. That's all.

"Girls, if you have a better connection with Taylor than with your current couple, please stand up now." Clarke shifted next to him, and he wasn't at all surprised when she got up.

And now Nic was at the front of the fireplace. That familiar feeling of bile rising up his throat, that familiar of feeling of nausea hit, and he felt anxiety press down on his knees. Suddenly the fire pit was huge, the fire dangerous, and his heart was pounding so fast he could feel it rattling his bones.

He swallowed and tried to stare straight ahead, tried not to vomit when TJ asked the girls to couple up with Nic if they were interested.

The air was too quiet, too still. Nic locked eyes with Jaden again. She was making that face again—eyes sharp, lips twisted in concentration. She peeling back his head, trying to work into his brain, solve the crime.

He hated that she saw him. The only person she was comfortable allowing to do that was his beautiful Olandria.

Jaden exhaled sharply, and closed her eyes. Taylor and Ace stared anxiously, Ace shooting a glare at Jaden every chance he could get. Austin wouldn't stop staring at her, like he wanted to know her next move.

The girl stared at him one more time, before looking away. She discovered everything she needed to know.

Austin was the one to read his eulogy. "Nic you have not been picked in a couple. You have 30 minutes to pack your bags and say your goodbyes."

The words echoed around him in a whirlwind, and he stood there in stunned silence. He pursed his lips and tried to exhale. It came out shaky.

Taylor was the first one to break the tension. He got up, followed by Pepe and soon the rest of the boys and they wrapped him into a big embrace.

Nic couldn't speak. He was gone—this was how he was leaving Love Island. Nic kept his eyes closed, didn't want to open them. This had to be a dream. A sick sick sick dream. But Ace and Taylor was crying on his shoulder, and Nic felt his own eyes burn.

He was gone. He was really gone.

Nic didn't survive Casa amor.

He was a travel nurse. Packing was easy. But surrounded by boys that he grew to love? His face went hot and his eyes burned. Fuck, he was crying. It was truly over.

He wouldn't get to say bye to Cierra, or kiss her again. He wouldn't get to watch Chelly and Ace compete over something stupid. He wouldn't get to see Pepe find someone new to love, or watch Amaya squeal and run around in circles with joy. He wouldn't dance with Taylor again. Wouldn't laugh at Austin's weird jokes, or tease Andreina's sweet accent, or have random conversations with Iris.

He didn't know TJ that well, he wouldn't miss him at all.

But still. He'd miss the villa. He'd miss all of it.

One last group hug.

And then Nic began to walk down the corridor, heart tight with regret.

Because most of all, he'd miss Olandria.

He'd miss her strong energy making him stand up straight, the way she carried herself like royalty. He'd miss how easy it was for her to soften, her eyes twinkling with joy at something that wasn't that funny but she thought it was. He'd miss her absentminded touches, her heavy gaze. He'd miss the way her cheeks rounded perfectly whenever she squeaked out a gorgeous laugh. He'd miss the way she smirked at their pinkie promises, the way she hugged like she wanted to warm him up.

He'd miss kissing her. He'd miss staring at her, secretly.

He'd miss liking her.

Nic ran his hand over his face like an idiot as he rolled his suitcase over. Off to the hotel, and then the airport, right? Probably do interviews, and get asked questions he'd be too sad to answer.

He looked up at the Fiji night sky. There was the North Star—Chelly, Cierra, and Olandria told him it was Evangeline from a Disney movie. The princess and the frog.

Olandria had nudged him. "You gotta wish on it, Nicky-poo," she said with sparkles in her eyes.

He hated that stupid nickname, but he loved hearing it come out of her mouth.

Nic stared at the star. This was stupid.

But—

If he had to wish a real wish, it would be to start all over again.

It would be to pull his big boy pants up and walk over to Olandria on the first night. Tell her that he thought she was the most beautiful woman he's ever seen, and he's traveled to many countries and seen many women. He'd tell her he'd want to get to know her, and he'd start by becoming her best friend. But he'd always make sure that whenever she kept too much distance, to pull her in carefully and carefully. Remind her that she was beautiful, and incredible, and all the pretty things. Tell her how beautiful her eyes were.

Nic would be brave enough to make space for her, and he'd make sure she was brave enough to accept it.

His wish was to have Olandria.

A car began to drive up. It must've been the one take him to the hotel. He wondered which girl got removed. Would it be selfish to say Cierra? Maybe they could try this time, actually, out in the real world.

Although, if Olandria still existed, then he would always think of her.

He wanted Olandria. He wanted to be brave enough to learn to love her. And maybe that would mean she'd have to see all the parts of him he'd prefer no one see, but he liked her enough that he was okay.

He wanted Olandria.

The car parked out front, haphazardly, and for a second—for a brief second, he saw a familiar silhouette that made him pause.

No fucking way.

He tried to squint, but anticipation rose up to his gut. Nic couldn't stop the smile that was starting to spread on his lips.

It couldn't be. It fucking couldn't be.

The car door open.

The goddess had a big smile on her beautiful face, and in the worse acting voice he's ever heard, called: "Quick! Hurry up! Get in!"

Olandria would never win an Oscar, but Nic couldn't care less. His jaw dropped and he covered his mouth.

"What the fuck?"

He could see the North Star from behind the car in the view, twinkling wildly.

His wish was being granted.

Olandria laughed and it sounded like music. "Nic, c'mon, hurry!"

And that sprung him into action.

He grabbed his suitcase and raced to the car, and she easily made space for him. Immediately he was hit with the smell of her, the beautiful smell of her.

He didn't know what the fuck was going on, what was happening.

But he did know that the North Star—Evangeline—was giving him the chance to make his wish come true.

He had to be brave. He had to try—not just because she wanted him to, but because he wanted to.

Nic was going to pursue Olandria.

Third time was the charm, it seemed.