Things have been a bit awkward ever since Alaina and Nico almost kissed. They're still close and friendly, but there's an underlying tension between them that wasn't there before. They're both avoiding talking about what happened, but they know it's inevitable. They can't ignore the elephant in the room forever. But when one day Alaina accidentally hurt her ankle and is at the hospital longer than planned, they end up having a heart to heart, finally putting all the cards on the table. And maybe, just maybe, getting the happy ending they deserve.

****

(alaina's outfit for this chapter is above) 

Alaina did something so stupid today. She got hurt. She was running late to meet him. She was trying to hurry. She tripped and twisted her ankle. She cursed as she fell. She was limping, trying to get to the hospital. She was almost there when Charles stopped her. He had been walking near the lobby when he noticed Alaina limping towards the door so he went outside to check on her.

"Alaina?" He asks, making her look at him. "Girl, are you okay?" Charles asked in concern, his eyes wide as he walked over to her.

"Charles," Alaina gasps in relief, relieved her friend was nearby. "I twisted my ankle... I was trying to rush...I'm late to meet Nico." She explained between gritted teeth, her face contorted with pain.

Charles frowns, his concern deepening as he saw her discomfort. "Hold on, let me help you," He said, stepping closer to support her. "You shouldn't be trying to walk on that. Let's get you inside and get some help." Alaina nodded gratefully, leaning on Charles for support as they made their way back towards the entrance of the hospital. She winced with every step, but having Charles by her side eased some of the pain and anxiety.

"Alaina!" Noelani smiles when she noticed Alaina with Charles, but then her smile fell at seeing Alaina was hurt. "Oh, no, what happened?" She questioned, walking around the counter to meet them.

"I was running late to meet Nico, my clumsy self tripped and fell." Alaina grumbled. She felt embarrassed by her own clumsiness.

"You literally fell for him." Charles realizes and he laughs at his joke, but grew quiet after seeing the look on the girl's faces. "Right, sorry. Too soon." Alaina rolled her eyes, though she did have a small smile on her face. She did ignore how her face had turned red at Charles' comment. Despite the pain, his presence and attempt at lightening the mood with a joke helped distract her momentarily from her embarrassment and discomfort.

"Let's get you checked out, Lainey." Noelani suggested. Alaina nodded in agreement and she followed Charles and Noelani to a room, still leaning on Charles for support.

"How's the pain, on a scale of 1 to 10?" Charles asked Alaina as they settled into the room, concern evident in his voice.

Alaina winces slightly as she tried to find a comfortable position on the bed. "Probably a solid 7." She admitted, feeling the throbbing ache in her ankle intensify with the movement.

Noelani nods, jotting down notes on a clipboard. "We'll get you some pain medication and ice for that ankle. It looks swollen, we might need to get an X-ray to see if there's any serious damage."

Alaina sighs, feeling a mixture of frustration and relief. Frustration at herself for being so clumsy and causing this inconvenience, and relief that she was finally getting the care she needed. She glances over at Charles, offering him a weak smile. "Thanks for being here, Charles. I don't know what I would've done without you."

Charles smiles warmly at her. "Hey, that's what friends are for, right? Just glad I was nearby to help out. And hey, it'll make for a good story later on, once you're all healed up."

Alaina chuckles softly, grateful for his attempt to lighten the mood once again. "We'll have Lahela come look at it." Charles offered.

"Speaking of the devil." Noelani teased when she noticed the teen doctor walk in.

Lahela chuckles and rolls her eyes. "Are you just saying that because of tonight?"

"What's tonight?" Alaina curiously asked, glancing over at Lahela with a raised eyebrow.

"This girl is the captain of her first night shift." Charles replied with a smile and nudged Lahela.

Alaina's eyes widen and she smiles widely at Lahela. "Lahela, that's great! I'm so happy for you. I know how much you've been wanting that. I'm sure you're gonna be awesome at it." She was proud of Lahela. She knew Lahela had been wanting to captain her first shift for so long now. She was sure Lahela was going to be great at it.

Lahela looks relieved that Alaina thought that. She gestures to her, glancing at Charles and Noelani as if proving a point. "See? At least somebody thinks I'll be good at it." Charles and Noelani just chuckle and roll their eyes. Lahela grins at Alaina. "Thank you, Alaina. Everyone else thinks I'm a black cloud."

"You're not a black cloud." Alaina reassured her.

"We'll see about that." Charles muttered to Noelani, who chuckled and rolled her eyes.

Lahela, who overheard them, rolls her eyes and walks over to Alaina with a smile. "Okay, so what happened, Lainey?"

"I was running late to meet Nico here. Tripped and fell on the way in." Alaina explains, her tone sheepish. "Clumsy me." She grumbled.

Lahela nods understandingly, sending her a small smile. "Alright, let's take a look at that ankle and get you sorted out." She gently examined Alaina's ankle, eliciting a hiss of pain from her friend.

"Sorry." Alaina mumbled, feeling bad for reacting so strongly and her face turned red out of embarassment.

"Don't worry about it," Lahela reassures her. "It's definitely swollen, so we'll get that ice on it right away. I'll also order an X-ray just to be safe." She smiles reassuringly at Alaina before turning to Charles and Noelani. "Could one of you grab some ice packs from the nurse's station? And let's get that X-ray scheduled as soon as possible."

Charles nods, already moving towards the door. "On it."

Noelani places a comforting hand on Alaina's shoulder. "Hang in there, Lainey. You'll be back on your feet in no time."

Alaina offers a small smile in return, grateful for her friends' support. "Thanks, Noelani."

As Lahela and Noelani continue to attend to Alaina, Charles returns with the ice packs, and they begin the process of icing her ankle and preparing for the X-ray.

"So, why were you in such a rush to see Nico, huh?" Charles asked Alaina with a smirk.

As Alaina winced slightly from the pain of her ankle being treated, she glances sheepishly at Charles, feeling a bit embarrassed about the situation. "Well, we had planned to hang out." she began, trying to find the right words to explain. "I just...Wanted to make sure I didn't keep him waiting." She stammered.

Charles chuckles softly, and nods understandingly. "Ah, I see. Well, knowing Nico, I'm sure he'll understand. Besides, your health comes first, Lainey. Don't worry about keeping him waiting. He'll be just fine."

As Alaina nodded in agreement, she appreciated Charles' reassurance. She knew he was right, but still, the thought of keeping Nico waiting made her feel guilty. However, she also realized that her health should indeed be the priority at the moment.

"Thanks, Charles," She said softly, offering him a grateful smile. "You always know how to make me feel better, even in a situation like this."

Charles grins back at her, his eyes warm with genuine affection. "Anytime, Lainey. That's what friends are for, right?"

Alaina nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude for having such supportive friends by her side. Despite the pain and embarrassment of the situation, she knew she was fortunate to have people like Charles and Noelani there to help her through it. As they continued with the treatment for her ankle, Alaina couldn't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that she wasn't facing this ordeal alone. With her friends' support, she knew she would get through it and be back on her feet in no time.

Soon she got an X-Ray to find out how bad it was and it showed a minor sprain, and Lahela advised Alaina to rest her ankle and avoid putting weight on it for a few days. She even added that she should use crutches for the next few days. Alaina sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and relief. Frustration because she hates being sidelined by an injury, and relief knowing that it's not more serious. After Lahela left the room once she gave Alaina her crutches, she decided to take a nap. She suddenly felt exhausted and drowsy, most likely from the pain medication and exhaustion from the ordeal. Charles and Noelani stayed with her until she fell asleep, making sure she was comfortable before quietly leaving the room.

****

An hour later Alaina woke up. She realized she must've fallen asleep. She didn't remember falling asleep. But her growling stomach made her realize she forgot to eat breakfast that morning. She had forgotten to turn on her alarm clock that morning and was a bit late to her shift at the animal shelter. She She was hungry so she decided to go to the cafeteria. Alaina sighed and grabbed her purse before getting out of bed carefully. She grabbed the crutches and left the room, planning to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat since she was hungry. On her way there though she bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry," She apologizes, her voice slightly strained with discomfort from the unexpected collision. "Tonight is not my night." She grumbles softly to herself, feeling a bit frustrated by the additional obstacle in her path. "I wasn't watching where I was going, sorry I bumped into you."

"It's okay. I wasn't paying attention either." The familiar voice said. She looked up, surprised to see Nico standing in front of her.

"Nico!" Alaina exclaims softly, a mixture of surprise and happiness flooding her as she looked at him. Despite the pain in her ankle, seeing him brought a sense of comfort and warmth. "What are you doing here?"

Nico returns her smile, though it faltered slightly as he noticed her using crutches and the discomfort on her face. "I was told by Lahela I needed to take ten laps. Something about getting ready for tomorrow." Nico replies. Alaina nods in realization. He had a bone marrow transplant tomorrow. He notices her injury, causing him to frown with concern. "Alaina, what happened?"

"I had an accident," Alaina replies, wincing slightly as she shifted her weight on the crutches. "I was running late and tried to rush, and then I tripped and fell. I'm sorry I was late to meet you."

"Hey, don't apologize," Nico said gently, his expression softening with concern as he took in her injured state. "Your health comes first. You should have called me. I would have understood. How are you feeling?"

"Better now that you're here," Alaina replies, her eyes shining with genuine affection as she meets his gaze. "I'm feeling okay. Just a minor sprain. I just have to stay off of it for a few days." She glances at the crutches with annoyance. "And I have to use these until I heal." She grumbles, though her gaze softened when she saw his worried expression. "Really, Nico. I'm okay. But I could definitely use some company for lunch, if you're up for it." She offered, hoping he would agree. She didn't want to be alone at the moment. She was already feeling miserable and the thought of sitting by herself in the hospital cafeteria wasn't appealing.

Nico nods eagerly, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Of course, I'd love to join you. Let's go get something to eat." He offered his arm for her to lean on if she needed it, ready to support her however she needed. Alaina returned his smile gratefully, accepting his offer and leaning on him for support as they made their way down to the cafeteria.

He held one of her crutches as she leaned on him for support, carefully making their way towards the cafeteria together. As they walked, they engaged in light conversation, catching up on each other's day and sharing anecdotes to lighten the mood. Despite the discomfort from her ankle, Alaina couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness and contentment being with Nico. His presence was soothing, and she found herself forgetting about the pain for a moment as they laughed and talked. She was happy things were back to normal with them. It had been a rough couple of weeks, but now they were able to enjoy each other's company again without things being awkward.

Once they reached the cafeteria, Nico got their food and drinks and then helped Alaina outside where they decided to sit on a bench near the hospital. As they sat on the bench, enjoying the fresh air and each other's company, Alaina couldn't help but feel grateful for Nico's presence. Despite the unexpected turn of events with her injury, she found solace in his company.

"Okay, we've got french fries and nachos." He announced, setting their trays down.

"Smells delicious. But remind me why are we sitting nearby a statue that looks like a butt?" Alaina questioned, glancing over at the statue in front of them.

Nico chuckles at Alaina's observation, glancing at the statue with a grin. "I think it's supposed to be abstract art or something," He replies with a shrug. "I usually come here a lot to think and relax. Plus, it's a great spot for people-watching." He chuckles softly, taking a sip of his drink.

Alaina laughs, shaking her head in amusement. "Well, I have to admit, it's definitely a unique spot for lunch." She takes a fry from the tray and pops it into her mouth, savoring the salty flavor. "But I can see the appeal. It's nice to be outside for a change, especially after being cooped up in that hospital room."

Nico nods in agreement, taking a bite of his nachos. "Yeah, fresh air does wonders for the soul." He glances at Alaina with a warm smile. "I'm just glad I could be here with you. Even if it's not under the best circumstances."

Alaina returns his smile, feeling a surge of warmth in her chest at his words. "Me too, Nico. Your company means a lot to me, especially today." She reaches over and gently squeezes his hand, her eyes meeting his with gratitude. "Thank you for being here for me."

Nico squeezes her hand back, his gaze softening as he looks at her. "Always, Alaina. I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

They continued eating when Nico suggested that they should go to his favorite spot that was on the roof. "Nico, I'm in crutches." Alaina reminds him and chuckles. "That will make the secret way there harder for me to get to. Kinda difficult to walk up stairs in crutches."

"It will be fine. Don't worry. I got you." Nico reassures her with a smile, standing up and offering his hand to help her up from the bench. "We'll take it slow, and I'll make sure you're steady every step of the way. Trust me, it'll be worth it once we're up there."

Alaina hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between Nico's outstretched hand and the crutches beside her. Despite her initial apprehension, she found herself nodding, a sense of trust and excitement bubbling within her. "Okay, let's do it." She said with determination, reaching out to take Nico's hand and carefully rising to her feet. He grinned at her and nodded, gently guiding her back inside.

With Nico's steady support, they began their journey towards the rooftop. Alaina leaned on him for support, her crutches tucked under her arms. To get to the roof, they had to go through the kitchen, where they greeted the chef they were friends with since they had been at the hospital long enough to know him. As they were in the kitchen, Nico also grabbed a plate of chocolate chip cookies, a soda and two cups for them. When they got to the door that led to the roof, he grabbed a blanket on a nearby table, placing it over his shoulder. He then put in the code number that opened the door which didn't surprise Alaina. She wasn't surprised that Nico knew the code number considering how long he had been in and out of the hospital.

Then they walk up a flight of stairs. It was harder for Alaina since she had crutches and her ankle, but Nico never complained, always offering his steady arm for support. Each step felt like a small victory for Alaina, knowing she was making progress despite the obstacles. Finally, they reached the rooftop, and Alaina let out a sigh of relief mixed with awe at the sight before her. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city skyline. The air was crisp, and a gentle breeze brushed against their faces. Nico found a comfortable spot for them to sit, spreading out the blanket and setting down the plate of cookies and soda.

He then helped Alaina sit down, setting her crutches to the side and helping her get settled comfortably. As they sat together on the rooftop, enjoying the serene atmosphere and the breathtaking view, Alaina couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. Despite the challenges she had faced earlier in the day, being here with Nico made everything feel right.

Alaina stares out at the city skyline, marveling at the sight before her. It really was a beautiful view. "It's gorgeous," She breathes, her eyes sparkling with wonder. "Thank you for bringing me up here, Nico. I feel like I'm on top of the world."

Nico smiles warmly at her, his eyes reflecting the same sense of wonder and contentment. "I'm glad you like it, Alaina," He says softly, his voice filled with genuine affection. "I wanted to show you this place because it's one of my favorite spots to come and just...Be. Especially when things get tough."

Alaina nods in understanding, feeling a lump form in her throat at his heartfelt words. "Thank you for sharing it with me," She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It means a lot to me, Nico. You mean a lot to me."

Their eyes met, and in that moment, everything seemed to slow down as they shared a silent understanding and connection. Alaina could see the warmth and sincerity in Nico's eyes, and she felt her heart flutter and her face warm up.

Nico reaches out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair away from Alaina's face, his touch tender and comforting. "You mean a lot to me too, Alaina," He said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You always have, and you always will." His gaze lingers on hers for a moment, his expression filled with a mixture of adoration and longing. Then he looks away, clearing his throat and reaching for the plate of cookies. "So, uh, cookies?" He asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Alaina laughs, feeling her face grow even warmer as she nods. "Yes, please." She said, grateful for the distraction as they began munching on the delicious cookies. Her heart was still racing and where he touched her felt like her skin was tingling. She tried to push those thoughts out of her mind as she focused on the food and the beautiful view before them. They were best friends, they had been for years. This was not a good idea. At least, that's what she kept telling herself. But deep down, Alaina knew it was already too late. She was falling for Nico, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She didn't want to stop it either.

She didn't know he was falling for her as well, not knowing it would be hard to stop himself. They were best friends, he didn't want to lose her. Like he said, she meant a lot to him. She meant the world to him. He wouldn't know what he would do if he lost her. Not wanting to risk their friendship, both remained silent, enjoying the company and the moment as they watched the sunset. He glanced over at Alaina, noticing she was gazing at the night sky that was filled with stars and the moon with wonder and awe in her eyes. The light from the moon and stars gave her face an ethereal glow, making her look even more beautiful than usual. He couldn't help but smile as he gazed at her, his heart swelling with love and affection.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Alaina's soft voice brought him out of his thoughts. "I've always loved the stars, ever since I was a kid." She turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling with joy and wonder. "There's just something so magical about them, don't you think?"

Nico nods, unable to tear his gaze away from her. "Yeah, I agree." He said softly, his heart skipping a beat as she looked at him. "But I have to say, the most beautiful sight is right here next to me." His words came out in a rush, his face heating up as he realized what he said. Alaina's eyes widened slightly, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red as she looked away shyly. Nico could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his palms growing sweaty as he nervously ran a hand through his hair. The tension between them was palpable, and he wondered if Alaina could feel it too. He hoped he didn't ruin anything by saying that, but he couldn't help but express his feelings. She really was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. He was glad he finally had the courage to tell her that.

Alaina's eyes met his again, and he could see a mix of emotions in them, her expression uncertain but hopeful. Nico held her gaze, his pulse racing as he reached out and gently cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking her soft skin. Alaina's breath hitched slightly, her lips parting as she leaned into his touch, her eyes never leaving his. Nico could feel his resolve wavering, his gaze flickering between her eyes and her lips. He could feel her breath against his skin, the warmth of her body close to his, and the intoxicating scent of her perfume. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her, to taste her, to show her how much she meant to him. But he held back, not wanting to ruin the moment. It was already hard enough to stop himself, and he didn't want to lose control. He had been waiting for this moment for so long, and he wanted to make it perfect. He wanted it to be special, not a quick kiss while she was injured. Alaina was more than that, she was everything to him. And he was determined to show her that.

"Nico," She said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're so sweet, that meant a lot to me...But I'm not sure if this is a good idea. We're best friends." He knew it was hard for her to say that, she wanted this too, he could see it in her eyes. "I-I mean, what if things don't work out if we get together? And then we can't stand to be around each other. I don't want that. I don't want to lose you. You mean too much to me, and I can't risk our friendship. I can't risk losing you, Nico." She said, her voice trembling as tears filled her eyes.

Nico's heart broke at the sight of her tears, and he felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He knew she was only thinking about the worst-case scenario, and he couldn't blame her. They had been through a lot together, and he knew how important their friendship was to her. But he also knew that there was so much more between them, and he was willing to risk it all if it meant a chance at happiness with her. He would do anything for her, and he wanted her to know that. He would fight for her, for their relationship. He wouldn't let anything get in the way, and he would do whatever it took to prove to her that he was worth the risk. That their relationship was worth the risk. Because to him, she was worth everything.

"Alaina, I understand your fears, and I don't blame you for having them. I feel the same too, but we can't live our lives like that, always afraid of what could go wrong." Nico explains, his voice gentle and sincere. "We have to take risks sometimes, and we have to believe that things will work out for the best. Otherwise, we'll never truly be happy. Yes, it's scary, and yes, there's a chance it could end badly. But there's also a chance that it could be the best decision of our lives. Ali, that almost kiss we had a few weeks ago, it made me realize something." Nico pauses, gathering his thoughts. "You're not the only one who's afraid, I'm scared too. Scared of losing you, scared of hurting you, scared of being rejected. But the truth is, I've fallen for you. Hard. I love you, Ali. So, what do you say? Are you willing to take that chance with me, Alaina? Are you willing to give us a chance?" He asked, his heart hammering in his chest as he waited for her answer.

Alaina was quiet for a moment, her eyes searching his, as she thought about what he had said. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty, but also a glimmer of hope, and Nico could feel his own hope rising in his chest. She wanted to be with him more than anything, but she was also afraid. She was so afraid because he made her feel things she never felt before. Things she couldn't explain, but didn't want to live without. He had always been there for her, and she didn't want to lose that. But she also couldn't deny her feelings for him, and she knew that she had to take a leap of faith. If she didn't, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

"I'm scared," Alaina finally says, her voice shaky and uncertain. "But I want this. I want you, Nico. I've always wanted you. I've just been afraid to admit it. I was afraid of losing you, of losing our friendship. But you're right, we can't live our lives like that, constantly holding back. We have to take risks, and I'm willing to take a risk with you, Nico. Because I know you're worth it. You're worth everything to me. I love you too." Her words came out in a rush, her face heating up as she spoke from the heart. Her face was bright red as she leaned into his touch. Nico felt his breath catch in his throat as her eyes met his, his pulse racing as she leaned closer to him. She was so close, he could feel her breath against his skin, and the intoxicating scent of her perfume. His gaze flickered between her eyes and her lips, and he could feel his resolve crumbling. He knew her resolve was crumbling too.

Suddenly, she grips the collar of his shirt, surprising him as she pulls him close. Their lips collide, and it feels like a bolt of lightning is shooting through him. She tastes sweet, like the cookies they just ate, and Nico is swept away in the moment. His hands move to her waist, pulling her close. He wanted to be closer to her, as close as possible. Her skin was soft and warm under his touch, and he felt like he was melting into her. He didn't want this moment to end. He wanted to stay like this forever. Just him and Alaina, wrapped in each other's arms, kissing under the stars. It was perfect.

Alaina couldn't believe it. She wasn't sure where she got this surge of confidence, but she was glad she did. She had always wanted to kiss him, and now that she had, she couldn't believe how amazing it felt. It was better than anything she imagined. Nico's lips were soft and gentle, and the way he held her made her feel safe and cherished. It was like they were the only two people in the world, and nothing else mattered. She didn't want this moment to end, but eventually, they had to come up for air. When they did, they were both flushed and panting, their hearts racing. They gazed into each other's eyes, and Nico smiled, his expression filled with joy and affection. He gently stroked her cheek, his gaze never leaving hers.

"I love you, Alaina," He confesses, his voice filled with sincerity. "I have loved you for a long time, I just didn't have the courage to tell you. I'm sorry for taking so long, and for almost kissing you those weeks ago and then not talking about it." He takes a deep breath and continues, his voice trembling with emotion. "You're the most amazing person I've ever met. You're beautiful, smart, funny, and caring. In a lot of ways, you're too good for me. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be with you, Ali. I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy. I just want to spend the rest of my life with you. If you'll have me." His words were like music to her ears, and she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. She had waited so long to hear those words, and now that she did, it felt surreal. But it was real, and she couldn't be happier.

Alaina's eyes widen in surprise, her face growing even warmer as he spoke from the heart. Her throat felt tight with emotion, and she struggled to find the right words. Nico's confession, his words, his willingness to fight for their relationship, it made her feel a rush of happiness and affection that she couldn't contain. She knew she couldn't contain her feelings for him either. Not anymore."I love you too, Nico," Alaina replies, her heart overflowing with joy. "I love you so much and I always will love you." Her hand let go of his shirt and her hands move to rest on his shoulders as she leaned in to kiss him again.

As their lips met, Nico could feel her smile against his, and he couldn't help but smile too. His heart fluttered in his chest, and he knew in that moment that this was what true happiness felt like. This was what it was like to be loved and love someone in return. Their kiss deepened, igniting a fiery passion between them that seemed to transcend time and space. In that moment, they were no longer just best friends; they were soulmates, two hearts beating as one.

They lost themselves in each other, their love binding them together in a way that was both exhilarating and comforting. As they finally pulled away, breathless and flushed, they gazed at each other with adoration and wonder. They knew that their journey together was just beginning, and they were ready to face whatever challenges came their way, as long as they had each other.

A/N alaina & nico are finally together yay !