#nerissa pine

“I’m coming with you,” Camilla said with no hint of hesitation. “I need to find Dionysus.”

“For what?” Pax asked. “Your family is here with us.”

“Of course my family is here,” Camilla said as if it was obvious. “But, there are things he knows about my people and my family that I need to know about. I have to find him.”

“The plan was to take Nerissa with me,” Alistair said, glancing at Charlotte who nodded in approval.

“You said you wanted to leave, right?” Charlotte asked. “Well, we’re letting you go back to your parents.”

“No!” Nerissa cried. “My friends are here. Let him take Graciela. All she has is stupid Maric anyway. She won’t be missing anything.”

“I have Leon too!” Graciela nearly shouted. “I can’t leave here until he comes back. I promised him I’d hear what he had to say in person.”

“Enough!” Charlotte shouted. “This is not up for debate. Nerissa, we cannot allow you to stay in this house if you continue to act this way towards my daughter. If those girls at your school are more important than your family, then you can go and stay with them. But you’re not terrorizing my daughter more than she already is.”

Graciela shut her eyes tightly but Charlotte could see the tears forming in them. “Fine!” Nerissa shouted. “I’ll go live with them then!”

“Your parents miss you a lot,” Alistair said. “At least come with me for a few weeks to visit them.” Alistair looked to his daughter as if telling her he would handle the feisty girl.

“You can’t leave me grandpa,” Graciela said, a single tear sliding down her cheek. “I know this is what you have to do, but if you leave and Camilla leaves, and Pax leaves…”

“I didn’t say I was leaving,” Pax cut in.

“I know you!” Graciela cried. “If Camilla is leaving, you’re going with her! Mom, stop them…”

“I can’t,” Charlotte said, struggling with the idea. “I want them to stay here with us forever but our family will never have the luxury of safety, peace and calmness. If we don’t go out there and find ourselves, and make strides to change the world, no one will. If Camilla feels so strongly about this I’ll allow her and Pax to go so long as they have a discussion with me and your father first. If you wanted to go, I’d let you go too.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Graciela mumbled under her breath as she saw Nerissa smiling and giggling at the other teens. At least the others were polite, they didn’t shoo her away like Graciela was about to. She marched over to the girl who wore a ball gown, much more extravagant than her own. “What are you doing here?” Graciela demanded. “I don’t want you here. You weren’t invited.”

“It’s my birthday too,” Nerissa said harshly. “What, I don’t get to be celebrated too? Only you do?”

“It’s next month!” Graciela cried. “We only shared our birthdays because we were best friends and we wanted to celebrate together. I don’t want to share this day with you anymore. Because it can never just be about me, it’s got to be about you. Look at what you’re wearing! You had to go all out.” Graciela peered behind the girl. “Where’s the camera crew and the flashing lights for you to show your stupid friends?”

Graciela could feel the tears brimming her eyes. “It’s not fair that I have to sit home all by myself while you’re out here. This should have been my party. MY friends should have been here.”

“I’m right here!” Graciela cried. “Your friend has been here the whole time, and you just didn’t want me! Do yourself a favor and go home. You pushed me away and expected me to just let you stay here? I’m done feeling bad for you.”

“You’ve got a boyfriend and you think you’re so cool now, huh?” Nerissa asked. “Wait until Monday at school.”

“Hey!” Pax exclaimed, rushing into the room. “Is everything alright?” He noticed the tears brimming in his sister’s eyes. “Nerissa…”

“I know you think I’m the bad guy too, but your sister said some rotten things herself. If she ever talks about my parents again…”

“My mom took you in!” Graciela cried. “She gave you a safe place to stay so you wouldn’t have to grow up in that terrible place! All you’ve done is make everything about you! Just let me have one day!”

“Gracie,” Pax said. He held his hand out. “Now is not the time. She won’t listen anyway.”

“Really?” Nerissa asked. “Not even you’re going to give me a chance, Pax? You’re just taking her side.”

“You’ve been horrible to her since we’ve gotten to Fortitude. This isn’t about you tonight. It’s Graciela’s birthday party, thrown by MARIC. If you have a problem with the arrangements, go to him. He sent the invites out. Leave Graciela alone. I don’t care what she said about your parents. I’m sure whatever it was was warranted.”

When Nerissa stormed out of the room, Pax threw his arms around his sister. “Just forget about her. Today is your day. Hey, do I look dumb?” He asked in an attempt to make his sister smile. He pulled away from her. “That vampiric sunscreen Braylen gave me made me get a sun tan.”

She laughed and wiped a stray tear from her eye. “You look like a human, almost. If your eyes weren’t all glowy.” She pulled at the hem of her dress nervously. “Listen to me. I…I’m so thankful for you guys. You, Camilla, Mom, Waverly, Dad, Harmony, Braylen, Maric…even grandpa and Callen. Oh, and Ethan too. You guys are all I need. I love you so much.”

Graciela bounded down the stairs, a smile on her face. This dress was perfect. She felt so pretty. The dark thoughts that had plagued her mind as of late were pushed away as she thought about her plans for the night. After having picked her up from class one day, Maric had happily explained to Graciela that she needed to keep this day free. He has described his perfect plans for her in detail (knowing a surpise wouldn’t be the best thing for her). Braylen, Wolf, Harmony, Pax, Camilla, Maric and Graciela herself at an exclusive lounge he rented out for the evening. Brightly lit, he assured her, and free of charge as hi smother knew the proprietor of the place. The thought of Maric having done all of that for her made her heart leap out of her chest. He was so considerate. She really cared deeply for him.

She had been on cloud nine and Graciela was sure that nothing could bring her down. Except, she had forgotten about Nerissa. She had hoped that on this day, the girl would drop her rotten attitude in favor of supporting her former best friend. Of course not. It would never be that easy. “You look good,” Nerissa said, an air of fake interest surrounding her. “What time is our party?”

“Our party?” Graciela asked aloud. “It’s Maric’s party.”

“And I’m not invited?” Nerissa asked, titling her head. Graciela swore that in this moment she had looked so innocent. But Graciela knew better that. “Well, I just figured that we always celebrate our birthdays together. I thought tonight would be no different. MAric wouldn’t mind if I came, right?”

When Charlotte left the room, Nerissa glared at Graciela. “Let’s talk in the other room, NOW.” She grabbed Graciela’s arm forcefully. “I can’t believe that just happened.” Graciela dragged her feet along the carpet. Once in the other room, Nerissa exploded. “Tell your mom that you want me there! It was my idea for a sweet sixteen to begin with.” 

Remembering her mother’s words, Graciela struggled to overcome her fears. “Your idea was a big party with the whole school. You know I don’t like big crowds, and late parties. Maric’s party ends before it gets really dark out.”

“Again with the stupid darkness. We all know you’re making that up for attention! You saw how people ran to your side when you cried back in Moonlight Falls about it and that’s why you still do it. That’s how you tricked Maric into liking you. He thinks he can save you or something. He’s such an idiot.”

“Are you serious?” Graciela demanded. “I don’t do anything for attention. I hate attention! And say what you want about me, but Maric isn’t an idiot. You’re just mad because you’re single and no one cares enough about you to to throw you a party of your own. I’m lucky to have Maric. You’re going to be here tonight all alone. Get used to it, because someone as rotten as you will be lonely forever. I mean, not even your parents wanted you, right?”

“Nerissa sweetie,” Charlotte said, coming into the room. “Let’s talk for a minute.” Charlotte took Nerissa aside, but remained close enough for Graciela to overhear their conversation.

“Yes, Mrs. Gray?” Nerissa asked. “Should I get dressed?”

“You were not invited to this party. Maric has gone out of his way to plan it for Graciela. You can’t insert yourself within it.”

“It’s very rude that he didn’t invite me, don’t you think?” Nerissa challenged.

“No, I don’t,” Charlotte answered calmly. “You have done nothing but put his girlfriend down, make fun of her and try to get her to do things for you. Why would he invite you to the party he’s throwing in honor of the same girl you can’t even be bothered to talk to anymore?”

“It’s not like that!” Nerissa cried. “She stopped talking to me.”

I wanted to tell him that he was funny. I wanted him to know that I was enjoying his company. I like to be more proactive like that because more than anyone, I doubt myself and my relationships. I don’t want others to have that fear around me.  Anyway, I wanted to do all of these things but I couldn’t because a shrill voice had stopped me. “What are you doing here?” Nerissa asked.

Three girls stood in front of us now: Nerissa, Shae and Raina. “Cutting class obviously,” Shae sneered.

“You should be in class too,” I replied. “But you aren’t.”

“We’ve got passes,” Raina replied, digging up a piece of paper from her pocket. “Ms. Leango asked for volunteers to work at the library’s book drive today. Obviously, we jumped at the opportunity. Extra credit, and no boring lectures.”

“Where’s your pass Gracie?” Nerissa asked. That hurt. A lot. I might have understood if she didn’t say anything, but no. She was on the full frontal assault. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell Charlotte all about it.”