"God, Nick, what is your problem?" I yelled, catching up to him in Gabbie's backyard.
"My problem? What's your problem??" he whirled around to face me, anger in his eyes.
"Oh, sure, now it's all my fault," I began, glaring at him, "What'd I ever do to you?"
"You know full well what you did," Nick replied, a hurt expression on his face.
"Oh yeah? Well what's that?" I shot back defensively, hands on my hips.
"Ok, first of all you refuse to dance with me. That was no big deal, and things would've been fine except you insisted on hanging off practically every single guy at this stupid party. Then, you just had to chew me out in the kitchen, completely humiliating me in front of the guys. The face that you seemed to win the argument didn't help much either. For christ's sake, Maddison, I've barely seen you tonight and you came to this party with me!" he angrily kicked a rock along the ground, all the while screaming at me.
He rarely called me Maddison, it was usually Maddie, Shorty, or Shortstuff. I knew he was mad. "Geez, who died and made you king?" as usual instead or trying to calmly work things out, I just had to go and open my big mouth. I regretted the comment as soon as I made it, seeing Nick wince as though I had hit him, and back away from me.
"You know what? Forget it. If you want to be selfish, be my guest," he spat.
"Nicky...I didn't mean it, I'm sorry," I reached out to touch his arm. He drew back, avoiding my gaze, "Whatever."
I took in a deep breath, "Oh, god..Well, I guess you deserve an explanation, I've been kinda bitchy to you lately," I admitted.
"Just kinda," he rolled his eyes.
"Ok, Nick, here goes. Lately I've just been feeling like- I dunno...I don't know what I want...." my voice dropped at the last part, and that was as far as we got before we were interrupted by the second thing to ruin the evening.
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"There you are! Maddie. We've been looking all over for you!" Gabbie and several others broke through our conversation, looking questionably at Nick and I. "What?" I was somewhat annoyed, yet somewhat relieved at the interruption. "Why's everyone looking for ME?"
"Umm..." the group exchanged looks, then Gabbie spoke. "Nichole wants you."
"She's in Gabs' bathroom," Kristin added.
"Oook..." I replied rather confused, heading for the house, Nick trailing after me.
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"Nichole?" I knocked gently on the bathroom door. "Maddison?" a tearful sounding voice resonated from within.
"That would be me," I replied, curious as to what her problem was, "Can I come in?"
The knob turned as the door creaked partially open in response. Nick hung back, waiting for me to be done with Nichole, so we could finish what had been started outside.
"Hey, Nic, what's wrong?" my expression turned to one of sympathy, as I saw Nichole curled up on the tiled floor, her face tearstained and eyes rimmed with red.
"Oh, god, Maddie, Brad....Amber....in-in the living room," her face crumpled as she attempted to get the right words through her sobs.
"What were they doing?" I coaxed her, rubbing her back, and thinking how incredibly ironic things were, here I was playing big sister to my older sister. "M-making out," Nichole gulped, her voice wavering. "Geez! That jerk! Of all the low things..And at your party, too!" I fumed, barely getting started, "And Amber! Of all people! Does the girl lack the common sense telling her that making out with your best friend's boyfriend is WRONG? They better have been drunk, cuz if they were sober, then both of them lacks a heart!!"
"Completely sober," Nichole wailed, "What am I gonna do?"
"Oh, Nikki..." I tried to console her, "Think of it this way. Now you can start fresh in Boston without having to worry about a boyfriend back here. I'm sure the guys will come running!"
"But I don't want other guys, I want Brad!" Nichole cried harder.
"I know....." I struggled to find the right words that might comfort her.
"Besides," she sniffled, "That's exactly what him and Amber said...That they didn't need me anymore, that I was leaving and it was a chance for everyone to start fresh. I guess I thought we'd always be together."
"Want me to kick his ass for you?" Nick spoke up. "NICKOLAS!" I glared at him as if to say, "Bad choice of words!" However, Nichole looked almost amused, and I could sense she was on the verge of smiling.
"Hey, remember back in third grade when you got that puppy, Brewster, and Maddie fed him chocolate and he died?" Nick asked.
Certainly not one of MY fondest memories, but, if it would make Nikki happy, then whatever. "You cried for days when he died. You were mad at him for dying, and Maddie for giving him the chocolate, and swore you'd never want another dog. But, as I recall, a couple months later, you were very happy with Brewster Clement the II. All I'm trying to say is, these things take time. Trust me, it really is for the best. A long-distance relationship wouldn't have lasted. If he has the indecency to do something like this right in front of your face, just think what he'd do if you were miles away. Now, let's take you home." When Nick had finished, Nichole's crying had ceased and she sat with an amazed look on her face.
"You know something? It all makes perfect sense now!"
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