The Consequences Of Being Alone

~Twelve~

~CORY~

A couple of days after my disgusting, heart pouring moment with Nadia, I decided to give her some space. Everything was moving too fast and she knew it too, I read it in her journal. But, she had also said not fast enough. Whatever that meant. I also decided not to lurk in her home, giving her actual space.

I spent my day down by the water where our first date had occurred. Skipping rocks and laying in the smoldering sun. I think about that day a lot, I was honestly shocked she had agreed to go with me. Nadia was smart, she knew not to trust strangers, but trusted me.

Jeez, even when I'm away from her I can't stop thinking about her.

I groaned as I stood up, disappointed that I was already missing her. I brushed off my hands at my sides and decided to make a rash decision. I closed my eyes and reopened them and found myself inside of Elijah's apartment. It was... different. It was definitely a bachelor's pad. But, his art covered the walls. Little doodles on all different kinds of paper. Some more extravagant than others.

After spending some time studying his drawings, one caught my attention. It was placed in his living room above the television and it was bigger than the rest. It was a drawing of Nadia. I scowled when I saw it. But, she looked beautiful. Her long black hair framed her face as she looked down at a book, engulfed in its words.

Why is this here?

Curiosity got the best of me and I found myself heading up the stairs of his two story apartment. When I reached the top, there was a room with a lock on it and then his bedroom next to it. I only knew it was his bedroom because the door was wide open.

I crept inside and was disappointed. It was plain and boring. His bed looked as if it belonged in a hotel room and there was nothing on the walls. His furniture was... minimalistic. I walked closer to his bed and looked at the dent in the mattress where Elijah laid at night. In the corner of my eye, I saw something sticking out from underneath his pillow. I quickly grabbed it and realized it was a polaroid picture of Nadia in a bikini at the lake.

A sharp ting of anger surged through my whole body. It was clearly a consensual photo because she was smiling and waving. But what he was doing with that photo, was most likely not consensual. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to relax. I slipped the photo into my jean pocket to throw away when I left his apartment.

I found myself standing outside of the locked door staring at the padlock. Debating whether or not I should go inside. Fuck it. I stepped inside, going through the door. Something I still wasn't used to even after all these years of being dead.

My face dropped when I saw what was inside. My mouth gaped open as I looked all around me. I thought shit like this only existed in movies. But, here it was right in front of me. A literal fucking shrine of Nadia. Pictures, drawings, clothing, letters, trinkets and so much more. Even printed out pages of exchanged text messages. A yellow sticky note on the desk stood out to me—

'For my favorite artist.'

I felt a strange feeling I hadn't felt for some time, jealousy. I was no artist, let alone a tattoo artist. Nadia told me how much she loves tattoos. I quickly snapped out of it when I heard the front door open and keys jingling. I knew I couldn't be caught, obviously. So, I kept looking around. Until my phone buzzed. Yes, I can have a phone but it isn't invisible or quiet like me. So, it was a risk pulling it out. But, I did it anyway.

Nadia
Are you here? You're not responding
5:03pm

Cory
On my way. Just out exploring.
5:04pm

It wasn't a complete lie. I heard shuffling from outside of the door and I quickly shoved my phone into my pocket, luckily it disappears there. The door opened and Elijah stepped inside and took a deep breath. He walked over to where I stood at the desk and he opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of Nadia's panties. I watched as a sat in the chair and shoved them into his face. As soon as I saw him unzip his pants, I rapidly closed my eyes and opened them and saw a familiar face.

"Have I ever told you how much I hate Elijah?" I winced remembering what he saw just moments before.

Nadia shook her head in shock, "That was random." She walked up to me and wrapped her arms around my neck, "Don't worry, I hate him too."

I placed my hands on her hips and slid them underneath her t-shirt, feeling her soft skin. She practically purred at my touch. I leaned in close to her face, "I'm glad."

Nadia grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me into a kiss. I fully wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into an embrace. Our bodies pressed against each other. I slid one of my hands down and grabbed her ass and squeezed, causing her to squeal and smile.

I felt myself growing hard and deepened the kiss. Pushing her toward the couch, the back of her legs rested against the cushion. Before I was able to put her onto the couch fully, she reached down and grabbed my bulge. She started to gently stroke me through my pants and I let out a groan. As I was about to finally lay her onto the couch she pulled away and looked down.

"Where did you get this?" Nadia held up the polaroid I had stolen from underneath Elijah's pillow.

My lips felt swollen from the kiss and I craved more. I was so hard I could barely register what she was saying, "What?"

"This, Cory," her tone grew cold and it scared me back to reality.

I looked down to the picture in her hand and froze. I had completely forgotten I took that, "I... uh..." I was caught completely off guard. How do I even explain this?