It's Where I Belong

-------- Joffrey's P.O.V. --------

I watched Nicole as she packed her clothes into her bags one by one. Her phone kept on flashing on the hospital bed. Who could be calling her this many times?

I watched her as she walked around the room, picking up her belongings and would smile at me every now and then.

"You sure you don't need help?" I asked.

"I'm sure" she smiled.

"Okay, well I'll be waiting downstairs with the car" I said.

"Joff. It's okay. You don't need to drop me home. Keith is coming to pick me up" she said, picking up her bad and slinging it over her tiny frame.

"Keith? as in Keith Aulie?" I asked, a little confused.

She nodded. "He offered and I accepted"

"But I can just drop you off home now" I countered.

"Joff. Aimee is waiting for you at home. She wants to see you, and she's not pleased that you're not with her. In all honesty, I'm a little surprised that she hasn't dumped you yet"

"Don't worry about her" I mumbled.

"I'm not" she chuckled. "Just telling you what I think"

"Can I sat least walk you down?"

"Sure" she shrugged.

***
It was a quiet wait in the elevator. No sound, except for the 'ding' when we arrived on the main floor.

We walked out into the spring air and I spotted Aulie's car.

"Well I'll see you…" she stuttered "See you around"

"Next week?" I asked, a little hopeful.

"No" she said, rather bluntly, and it stung. "Around as in, most likely never again"

"Nicole!" Keith shouted.

"Hey" she smiled and hugged him.

"Hey Lupes, how's it going" Keith greeted me.

"Not bad" I shrugged. The entire team knew about Nicole. No one was thrilled with my behaviour, but no one really said anything either. They knew why I spent time with Nicole. They knew the type of person Aimee was, and understood why Nicole was someone I liked.

Keith took her bags out of her hands and walked her to the car. "We'll see you later bud" he said to me.

"Yeah, see you at the rink" I waved.

I watched her like I did before. Her tiny frame in a thin leafs t-shirt and the same pair of jean shorts I found her unconscious in.

***
-------- Nicole's P.O.V. -------

I slipped into Keith's car and shut the door. I saw Joffrey standing by the hospital doors. My heart broke, but it was the right thing to do. He was a man in a relationship. He was committed to someone. He was taken.

"You ready?" Keith smiled at me.

"Yeah, let's go home"

I took one last look at Joff. He's gorgeous eyes, and everything that was perfect about him.

***
I jammed my key into my apartment door and Keith dropped my bags in the living room.

"Thanks buddy for dropping me home" I said hugging him.

"Anytime" he chuckled "So I'll see you at the game tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, of course"

"Well then, here are your tickets" he smiled "Bring a friend if you like"

"Thanks Keith"

"Later" and he left.

***
7:00 PM. The game started.

I was no where near the game, or the ACC for that matter.

I was once again, sitting by the beach, by the cold water.

I checked my phone one last time, no messages.

I dropped all my belongings and left my bag at the shore.

I once again, walked into the cold water. Deeper and deeper, until I was deep into the cold, dark ocean water.

I've lost the one man I've ever loved in my life. He was never going to be mine. We were never going to be together. We're two separate worlds.

The oxygen in my lungs was escaping. I could no longer breathe. Everything collapsed. My world collapsed.

But this is for the best. He would happily stay with Aimee, and everyone is where they belong. I am where I belong.

***
-------- Joffrey's P.O.V. --------

"Leafs win! A final score of 4-2"

"Woo! Good job boys, another W!" I shouted.

I slipped out of my gear and answered a couple of questions from the media.

"So where are we celebrating tonight?" Colby asked.

I didn't answer him. I had ten missed calls, all from the same number.

I stepped out of the locker room and called back.

"Hi, This is Joffrey Lupul, returning your call"

"Oh yes. Mr. Lupul. This is the Toronto Police. We called regarding the death of a female. Do you know a Nicole Carter?"

My face drained of colour. "Yes" My voice shook. "She's a friend"

"We found her body washed up along the shores, and her belongings. You were the last call she sent out. There was also a picture of the two of you in her wallet. Do you mind coming down to collect her belongings? She has no other family here"

"Yes. Of course I will" I said and hung up.

I leaned against the wall and slid down. Nicole? My Nicole is dead? This can't be. She was perfectly fine when she left the hospital.

I ran back into the locker room. "Aulie!" I screamed.

"Yeah man"

"Did you give Nicole tickets to tonight's game?" I asked in urgency.

"Yeah, she said she would come" he answered.

"Did she come?"

"I don't know" he shrugged.

I stood there. 'Around as in never again'. Her words repeated in my head.

"She's dead" I whispered.

"What? Who's dead?" Clarke asked.

I picked up my wallet and phone and drove to the station.

***
"Hi" my voice cracked. "Joffrey Lupul. I'm here to collect Nicole Carter's belongings"

"Oh right" the thin lady at the front desk said.

She brought me to a small room and told me to have a seat. She took out two clear plastic bags.

"Here are her things. Take a look" she said apologetically.

"Thank you" I mumbled.

My hands shook as I reached for the clear bags. Her small brown leather bag was slightly opened. The other bag help the belongings inside. Her rose pink lipstick that always looked beautiful on her. Her blackberry, still flashing with messages. Lastly, her white wallet. I took it out and opened it. It was really a picture of the two of us. We were sitting on the bleachers. My arm wrapped tightly around her. Her head resting on my shoulder. And both our smiled so big.

"Mr. Lupul?" The lady asked "Is this all her belongings?"

"Yes. Yes it is" I said and picked up her things. "Thank you"

***
I drove around Toronto. Not wanting to go home. Not wanting to go anywhere.

I stopped at the beach that they found her. It was blocked off with yellow tape.

I stood there as the spring breeze wrapped around me.

"I miss you already Nicole. You took a part of me that I'll never get back." I said into the darkness.

I sighed. "I love you Nicole. I've always have"