Nick's Heart to Heart with Mia (From the Dice Changers)

While Nick was running for his training around his neighborhood he saw Mia swaying back and forth on a swing set, alone. "That's odd," he said to himself. He didn't think much of it since she rarely was seen alone and thought Arron was nearby. He kept running. His gut though, seemed to know something was wrong. He ignored it and kept going until the pain in his gut was too much to bear and ran back to the swing set. As he got closer he could see Mia was not happy and it was as if her feelings of sadness were beginning to infect him. Walked over to her covered in sweat and breathing short quiet breaths. Then Mia looked up at him. Her eyes were watery, and she seemed to have finished crying moments ago.

"Why were you running this way?" she asked in her meek voice. "It's a familiar route, though may I ask why you're alone. I think this might be the first time I've seen you alone and in a public place no less," said Nick. He felt very uncomfortable and was trying to break the tension. "I just feel like Arron doesn't really love me anymore," said Mia as she looked down at the ground. "What the frick makes you think that?" said Nick. he was both baffled and deeply concerned. "I don't know, he seems to be ignoring me and cares more about his video games and doing training alone," responded Mia. "Have you asked him why?" asked Nick. He was more perplexed that Arron was training alone, a scene Nick never thought was possible. "Yes, multiple times," said Mia angrily. "What did he say?" asked Nick. "Well, it's either "Hey, there's this new update or trick" or "I'm good training alone" I don't get it. I just feel like Arron has stopped loving me," said Mia. Nick had been standing beside her and began to lean on the poles of the swing set. Nick knew Arron enough that he had his reasons, he knew Arron deeply loved Mia. He had seen it too many times. Perhaps Mia was blind to it? It would make some sense. Mia does come from a background full of people "loving " her when in reality they were consumed with lust. Nick then found the words to say and the courage to say them. "You know I don't think you truly understand just how much Arron loves you. Anytime I've seen Arron look at you he gets anime sparkle eyes. Anytime we're training he talks about how he wants to get stronger because he wants to protect you from the sex traffickers, the cultists, or any other villains. He especially hates seeing you fight because he doesn't want to see you get hurt. Another thing is that anytime you're sad he gets depressed. If you're happy he's joyful. If you're fearful he's terrified. Yet you haven't seen any of that because he never wants you to, because he is so in love with you." said Nick. The words struck into Mia's heart. Had she really been blind to Arron's feelings about her? Is that why she's been feeling this way all this time? it makes sense but that doesn't explain why Arron is training alone. "But why does he want to train by himself then?" asked Mia. "Well there are several possible answers: One could be that he feels like he still can't control his powers and fears that he'll accidentally hurt you. Another could be that it's his way of spending time with God and being in prayer. Yet another reason could be that he's around you all the time that he deprives himself just so that he doesn't get bored of you. Again these are just theories but knowing him, it's one of those or a combination of all of them. Just don't overthink it, he'll stop within a week, trust me he never has a fixation or dedication that has lasted longer than that." said Nick.

Mia felt reassured. She had been swaying back and forth and now stopped completely. It made her think back to when she first met Arron's family and how she would distance herself from Arron's family. They respected her and kept their distance until she was more comfortable. Should she do the same for Arron? "Thanks, Nick. I'll try to keep that in mind," said Mia. "No problem. I have to make sure you guys get your happy ending even if I don't get one," said Nick. "What makes you think that?" asked Mia. "I just have a hard time talking with girls who I have a crush on because I fear rejection, and even more afraid of being driven by lust rather than love," answered Nick. "Why?" asked Mia. "Great question, I wish I had an answer, to the first part but the second part is too personal to talk about. Though the angel knows if you really want to know," answered Nick. "Well I hope you find your happy ending as well," said Mia. She got off the swing and started walking back home. Nick went back to running.

When Mia got home Arron was playing a video game. "Hey, Mia. I just got the fire sword I was grinding levels for and my gosh is it broken. It allows me to do really cool combos, while also blocking all incoming attacks." as Arron was describing the sword Mia tried to stare into Arron's eyes. She saw the gleam Nick was talking about. She guessed in his eyes he was living in a dream since he was talking to his girlfriend about one of his favorite things. Rather than fake being interested as she had done before she began to ask more questions about the story, characters, items, mechanics, and many other things. Arron's eyes lit up even more, and his smile grew bigger. Mia for the first time began to figure out the problem. Nick was wrong because he assumed, just like her, that he was the problem, but in reality, Mia was the problem. Mia wasn't interested in Arron's things, but when she began to show genuine interest in Arron's games, he seemed to glow. He seemed happier and so did Mia. Arron talked even through dinnertime until they went to bed. Mia was lying in her bed smiling, the burning love between the two became a forest fire.