Atlas High

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Chapter 9 - Nicolas Pavlov

Ellie's Point Of View...

    "I woke up around 6 in the morning since my teammates and I had to help out our coaches with tryouts for the upcoming season. I did the usual thing like take a shower, brush my teeth and put my hair in a messy bun. Followed by my skincare routine and then going to my walk-in-closet for my outfit. The first thing I could find was my brother, Angel school jersey and I paired it with some denim shorts that showed my tone tan legs. My all red Nikes since it went well with our school colors of red and white." I take a moment to myself preparing myself and going over what I want to say. 

    "Once I finish getting dressed I put on some mascara, lip gloss, a little bit of concealer, and I did my eyebrows. I went downstairs to the kitchen and made an omelet and smoothe for my brothers and I like usual. By this time my parents would never be at home since they were always working. Both of my parents lacked the interest and the motivation to care for any of my brothers and I. So our bond as siblings grew into the one you see today. Anyway, soon my brothers came downstairs and we talked about what our plans were for the day. I told them that some of my teammates and I have to help our coaches since we already secured our spot. I kept going until I heard a honk and that was when I left. Once we got to the school we headed to the field where we are helping out our coaches."

    "Both the boy's and girl's tryouts where being held for the upcoming season at the same time and at the same field since it was big enough for both varsity team tryouts. People who wanted to try out were working on their ball control, sprints, teamwork, trick shots, and other stuff. We helped out by motivating them, demonstrations, and told our coaches our opinion on who should move forward. Halfway through the day, the boy's varsity coach needed help and so my friend and I volunteered. 

    "He asked us to help set up a drill and we did that. When I look up after a few minutes of me setting up the drill I notice Niko who was warming up. I stood there just staring at this guy who I'd never seen before and that would have gone on longer if Becca didn't nudge me. But it was too late since Niko and I locked eyes and you could see the blush that made itself known on my face. From that moment on I tried to ignore him as best as I could. That was easier said than done." I chuckle as I remember how embarrassed I was. 

    "Once Becca and I finished setting up the drill we headed back to our coach. The rest of the day went by fast until the very end when Niko corned me after my teammates left to go home. He introduced himself and my embarrassment came back when he said I looked cute even if I stare at him. Soon enough we were laughing and flirting. I asked him if he was new and he said yes. I complimented him about his soccer skills as I snuck in a look here or there when he was practicing. He said the same thing to me about my demonstrations and how I'm a natural leader. Somehow we ended up talking about if were single or in a relationship. And that led us to exchange numbers with one another." I look at Aria and Steph for comfort and they give me a reassuring smile giving me the boost I need to continue. 

    "We both had to go since our rides have been waiting for an hour or more for us to end our conversation. But before I left he said he'd call me later and he did that very night. For the first week, we would talk to each other for hours at a time about everything and anything. The more we talked the more we learned about each other interests, family, dislikes, talents, personality, dreams, and goals we have."

    "In one of our late-night calls, I told him about this party at Geneva which was a couple of towns over. The host of the party was the legendary party host and more importantly my childhood best friend Leah. I asked him if he would want to be my date for the party and he immediately said yes. I gave him the details and we planned to meet up at the party at 9:00 p.m. I made sure that I had my friends backing me up if any or all of my brothers call them asking them if I'm with them or not. Believe it or not, they do this to me all the time. They say it's because they love me and that they want to know where I am at all times to ensure I haven't been kidnap by someone. I honestly think they would place a tracker inside my body if they could. They only protect me because we are all to each other."

    "Plus I also did not want my brothers to interrogate or intimidate or threatened Niko as they are known to become very protective of me. What can I say I am their favorite sibling. If, not them they use their football and wrestling teammates who see me as their little sister to threaten or intimidate the guy I like as well. They have successfully scared away any guys from asking me out much to my displeasure since I knew I liked a guy. But, I wanted Niko to be different and for that reason, I lied to them and said I was going on a girl's night with my teammates." 

    "When I arrived at the party I went looking for Leah and she introduced some of her friends to me. We were all getting along with each other and having a lot of fun playing games and stuff. Until I felt arms wrap around my waist making me lean into their body. When I looked up it was Niko who was holding me for dear life. He moved his head to lay in the crook of my neck and stayed there for a while. From the moment I locked eyes with his stormy grey ones, I was hooked. When we broke apart he complimented me on my outfit."

    "I was wearing my black converse, light wash boyfriend jeans, a leader jacket, and a lace shirt. I did my makeup to look natural and light. He was a black shirt and jeans with a golden brown suede jacket and matching boot shoes. He honestly looks so hot in this outfit and I was not the only one that noticed the sexiness that oozed out of Niko. The way he walked, talked and acted screamed confidence." 

            "The whole night we flirted with each other, dance to the beat of the music, and ignored everyone but each other. What made the night even better was that he gave me a kiss before leaving. I hate how I feel for him so hard. Ugh, I was so so so stupid for falling for him the way that I did. But the way he treated me made me feel so special? It's funny how time can give you clarity after the moment and not at the moment when you really need it. I guess that is why you need support from friends and family..those are the ones who give you clarity at the moment."

            "Anyway, after that party, we hung out a lot and after a few more dates he asked me to be his girlfriend...I said yes to him. But we promised each other that we would hide our relationship because I was scared what my brothers would do if they found out I had a boyfriend and especially if they found out we've been alone. For the first months keeping our relationship, a secret was going well. He would buy me a bouquet of dahlias, jewelry, bring me my favorite candy which are Lemonheads or flaming hot Cheetos. Occasionally bring me gifts but all of this was to make up for the fact that he.."

    "um, th-there was a rumor going around that Niko and this girl named Molly Ross were hooking up in the west wing since he got here. And at that time it was 5 months into our relationship but he had been here for 7 months. It honestly broke my stupid heart because I actually thought he loved me. But at this point, Niko had been acting weird and distant for the past 3 months or so. From the beginning, he was secretive but I thought that would change. I didn't think he would turn into another person. Things were adding up in my brain. But I kept telling myself that I should trust him so I confronted him about what I heard and what I know."

    "I called him that night telling him that I would be coming over because we needed to talk. I lied to my brothers as to where I was going since they still didn't know about Niko and I's relationship. I got my friends to cover my back and to tell them I was with them for the night. When I got there everything was fine he was acting sweet to me which reminded me of the old Niko. The Niko I hadn't seen in so long, but that changed when he asked me why we needed to talk. So I told him that I know he is hooking up with Mallory. He got so mad at me that one thing led to another and he...he slapped me." I immediately felt Aria stiffen and Steph gasp at what I just said. But I quickly moved forward with the story. I didn't want them to ask me questions right now.

     "After the shock left me I looked at him to see his face the same. He still looked pissed off and the tears that fell on my face made it worse. He didn't even apologize to me about slapping me but said that I deserved it for not trusting him. He even accused me of cheating on him with my lab partner, Andrew. He could never get over the fact that Andrew had a crush on me but that I saw him as a close friend. But, me being a complete i***t and thinking this was okay and that it won't happen again I stayed with him. Each time he slapped me or leave a bruise or hurt me someway I covered it up. I was in constant fear that I would do something to trigger him."

    "In public, we still acted like strangers and would not care if girls were going up to him and touching him even when he saw me in the halls he gave them even more attention. Afterward, Niko would pretend it never happens. But if I even talked to a guy or looked at one or one looked at me he would go off. I kept thinking this would get better and the Niko I once knew would come back to me and this would be in the past but that never happened. For months I kept thinking this until one night I was at his house waiting for him to show up and I got a face time call from my lab partner Andrew. 

    "We talked about our project and what is next in our experiment that leads to him making some jokes about our teacher and his stupid rubric. He made me laugh so much that I didn't notice when Niko came into the room but out of nowhere I saw his hand grad my phone and end my call. When he looked at me all I saw was someone else..it was not Niko. He started yelling at me which lead to him hurting me even more. From how close we were I could smell the odor of vodka. I-I-I don't remember how I ended up below him on the bed but I couldn't escape his hold. He tried to..he tried t-to rape me that night.

    "I don't know where I found the strength but I kneed him in his balls. I went to my house luckily my brothers were out and I didn't have to see them. I locked myself in my room for the next few days, staying home instead of going to school until I got a message from Niko." I can feel the tears streaming down my face but I was determined to keep going. "It said that he was s-sorry..for once he said sorry but it was too late for that. He went on to say he regrets what he's done and that he needed to go back to Russia because of a family emergency. I didn't even bother to talk to him. He hasn't called me since until now." 

    "I pretended to be fine in front of everyone and no one questioned it. I had kept it going. He sent me that message three days before my parents died. What he tried to do to me and my parent's death I felt incredibly broken and I still am. I not fully healed form what happened during my relationship with Niko and what he tried to do. I even go to a therapist to process what he did and the death of my parents. So did my brothers for a little but they don't know I still go or went. I need to book my appointment with my new one soon." By the end of it, I let my tear-stained and ruined my face makeup. I look at them both. They share a look of astonishing. 

            "Oh, Ellie I don't know what to say besides I'm here for you," Aria says as she hugs me with tears in her eyes.

            "Ellie we've got your back and we won't let anything happened to you," Stephanie says but it feels like she is holding something back. "Do you think you'll ever tell your brothers? Or a hunter?" She asks me

            "I'm not sure I don't even want to relive it. I need to move on from the past. I need time before I even mention this to my brothers and Hunter and the guys." They nod understanding and for a moment we just stayed in the silence until...