chapter 14

Nic's POV

"Guess what I just figured out." I said, ready to unravel my thrilling discovery while I entered the kitchen. I stopped walking and stood beside Rita who was dipping her teabag in a water filled cup. She was wearing a white v neck shirt and a charcoal sweatpants. I leaned against the counter, anticipating for her response.

"That you were a man this whole time." Rita said blankly, without looking up from her cup. She glanced at me for a second and then chuckled when she saw my face expression; pure horror.

"What?!.....NO!! Lauren was wearing my flannel the whole night yesterday, and I haven't noticed until now." I answered, confused as how she came with a guessing like that, and perplexed of I haven't noticed.

"Why does she have your flannel?" Rita asked, looking up at me with narrowed eyes, but before I could clarify the reason why Lauren has it, she interrupted me. "You slept with her, didn't you? the day at the party?" she said, with a judgmental frown like it's obvious I did hook up with Lauren, but before I could deny, she spoke angrily this time. "Why didn't you tell me? Huh? You HAVE to tell me or else, who would give you an advice to make your first time special and also, so I can place the camera equipments in your room; We need to film it to see if you did it right." Rita ranted, furious, with her hands on her hips.

My mouth hung open in disgust and huge disturbance. I screamed, a high pitched scream. "What is wrong with you? That's my privacy and NO, I didn't have sex with Lauren. I just forgot my flannel back at our old high school and I think she took it with her and forgot to give it back. Now, I understand you work as a photographer but that's porn." I shouted, upset and clearly mad. I know Rita is crazy but I didn't think it was to this level.

She gasped and placed her hand dramatically on her chest, where her heart is. "What?! noooo honey, who told you that? I would never do this to you." she lied while touching my cheeks with her small hands. She changed her voice to a softer tone as if she was talking to a baby.

"Who said that? I would never say that. I want to know when you're doing the do, so you could fuck like a man." she continued talking in a higher tone and I scoffed.

"I'm not a man." I shouted and removed her hands from my cheeks, roughly may I add and stepped back, away from this psychotic human.

"Oh honey, you're in denial. It's okay. We'll give you a penis. I will give you my best dild-" I cut her off with a monster-like growl.

"What is wrong with you?!" I pushed her away from me, extremely irritated and she started laughing.

"It's great messing with you; you get pissed off so easily. Back in High School, no matter what I said, you would just look at me like I got two heads. Now though, you shout like stereotypical gay man." She laughed even more and I flipped her off. I ignored her annoying voice and opened the top shelf, scanning the cereals we have. My eyes caught on one and I pulled it out. It's been awhile since I ate lucky charms.

Rita was still laughing so I decided to give her a piece of her medicine; I grabbed her cup of tea and spat inside of it. I ran away from Rita's fuming shouts and chuckled lightly.

-----------------------------------------

Few minutes to crunching my cereal with Rita beside me, sitting on the couch together, Rita said "How did you know you were gay?"

I gave her a look like she's going to mess with me once again but this time, she looked serious.

"Why? And didn't I tell you this before?" I asked, remembering a question like this popping up from Rita years ago. I felt suspicious of something I'm not sure yet.

"I asked first and I can't remember your answer." Rita said with a look of panicking and eagerness.

I got even more confused but to relieve her from her stress I said "umm, well, I think I was always gay. Like since I was a kid. My first crush ever was a girl and I hate wearing dresses. I never felt attracted to a guy ever. Yes, I found some were attractive but I would never date them. I couldn't see myself with them. If I ever thought to be with a guy, I would see a girl and be like 'nope you're totally gay' And to be honest, between you and me, the guy's down parts scares me." I answered and shuddered after thinking about it.

"What was your parents reaction?" Rita asked with her eyes so big like kid waiting for the next scene in their bedtime story.

"Uhhh, they were like 'we know'. My mom said she thought she saw the signs and she was right because few years later, I sat them on the couch and told them how I felt. At that time when I told them, I felt paranoid, felt like passing out and even closed my eyes scared of their reaction but then I felt 4 arms around me. They said they accepted me and I even started crying afterwards." I said, feeling a deep whole in my chest but I just took a deep breath and let it out.

I turned to Rita to ask her the following question. "Why are you asking?" She stayed silent, fidgeting on the couch. My eyes grew wide, for the first time in history, Rita looks so nervous and that shocked me.

"I- I d-don't know h-how to to umm, say th-this....., but umm but but I-I thi...... I think I'm g-gay." She released a big breather and stared at me, looking extremely nervous.

I was not expecting that. I thought she was attracted to boys. She alway- "like I don't if I'm gay or bisexual but yeah." Rita said, cutting me out of my thoughts.

I just stared at her not knowing what to say. Rita started tapping her foot on the hard floor. Her body was slightly shaking and I knew I had to say something. "Rita, you know that I accept you, right? If I didn't, I would be a hypocrite. But I just want to ask, what made you think that you're gay or bisexual? Or for better words, who made you realize that you're not completely straight?" I asked, confused and slightly eager to know who made her think like that.

"Well, I don't know. All my life, I've been attracted to boys and then a girl shows up and I feel so.... into her, you know. Now, I sound like a white girl." She said and laughed, sadly.

I chuckled and shook my head. "Well, who is this girl? I'm living with you for 3 weeks now, yet I haven't seen a girl here." I said and waited for her to elaborate about this mysterious girl.

"You know her." She said frustrated that I didn't figure it out yet. Well, how can I know when she just gave me the first hint? I frowned her way and thought to myself. I only know four girls other than Rita right now; Lauren, Ashley, Danielle who I only met when I took Lauren on a date, and the girl that lives next door, rose.

"Is it Rose?" I said, hoping I got it right because Rose is a very sweet girl and really pretty. I met her a few times since Rita and her are close friends. Not to mention she makes great jokes but she is kinda flirtatious. I don't know if it's only with me though.

"No." Rita said and covered her face with her hands, upset and stressed.

"It's Ashley." I heard her say and my jaw dropped. Holy shit. How didn't I notice? Rita has been texting Ashley none stop since the party. They even went out a few times together to hang out. But here's the thing, ashley's straight; that's what I recall from Lauren and I talking last night.

"But........" I said, about to tell Rita that Ashley is straight but, I couldn't get the words out. It would kill me to hurt my best friend like this.

"I know. I know. She's straight and has a boyfriend she completely loves." I heard Rita whispering, hopelessly and devastated. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. She turned her body so she could wrap her arms around me as well.

We stayed like this for a while until I decided to crack a joke. "White girls." I sighed, dramtically and continued. "They're just so complicated and confusing." I said and I heard Rita chuckling and that made me smile. Mission accomplished.

We pulled away and Rita stood up, getting off the couch. "Now, stop this white bullshit because we're going out." Rita tied her hair in a loose bun and I stopped her before she walks away.

"Where?" I asked, getting off the couch, looking confused since this happened all of a sudden.

"Ashley texted me and told me, her and the girls are going to their friend's house where there is a huge pool in the backyard. She invited us and told me we could bring some people if we want, so I told rose, so she's coming along and I called James, he's coming too." She explained and was about to walk to her bedroom, when I stopped her.

"It's not going to be a party, is it?" I asked, my heart starts racing.

Rita sighed and pinched my cheeks. "No, it's just a group of friends, hanging out." She said, calming my nerves. Call me a partyphobic, I won't deny. She walked to her bedroom saying a quick hurry up.

I breathed out relived and sprinted to my room. I shut the door, locking it. I thought about Lauren and that made me rush to open my closet.

--------------------------------------

Lauren's POV

I sat comfortably with my friends; Ashley, Danielle, Rachel who is one of our college friends, Lucas who is ashley's boyfreind and Matt who's Lucas's best friend.

We were in the backyard of Matt's house beside the pool and the girl's were wearing a bikini while the boys were wearing trunk suits. Every single one of us was engaged in a conversation with the other; Danielle was having a conversation with Matt. I think they were talking about the existing of aliens. A very weird thing to talk about. Ashley was flirting with Lucas. You can clearly see Ashley loves him but Lucas, I'm not so sure but I can't do anything about it, since Ashley is so blindly in love even though I told her that he may not be as into her as she is. She just ignored me, thinking I'm illusioning. I'm not going to lie and say he's not a good guy because he is; he treats her so kindly but there's just something missing in his eyes. I don't know what exactly, is it love? I'm not sure.

I was sitting on the ground with my legs inside the icy cold pool with Rachel sitting next to me, we didn't speak about anything, we just enjoying the peaceful silence that's floating between us.

I thought about Nic and what happened between us last night. I had so much guts for doing something like that but thank God I did, everything about that kiss was amazing and Nicole's hands on my hips felt like heaven. Her lips were soft and luscious. I didn't want to stop kissing her but I had to, or else I would die for not breathing. She literally took my breath away and now, she's coming with Rita and maybe some other people as well. I wish we could repeat that kiss again. I know we're not official but I really hope someday we will be.

I heard the slide door opening and I turned my head to look behind me. I saw Rita with some strange handsome guy and behind them walked in Nicole with a black haired girl. Nic was wearing a white tanktop with red shorts that showed her slender yet muscular legs. I licked my dry lips and looked up to chatch this mysterious girl clinging to Nicole's left arm and whispering in her ear, causing Nic to laugh out loud. I glared at her and immediately stood up to claim what's mine. Yes, what's mine. Don't judge me but I'm a bit possessive. How dare Nicole to let a girl like that cling to her like a monkey when we just kissed last night?

When I was a few feet away from Nic, she turned her head from that disturbing monkey and caught my eyes. I wanted to glare at her but how could I? She was smiling so brightly at me and her eyes were shining under the sunlight. She pulled the girl hands away from her arm and walked closer to me. She stood just two feets away and said a small 'hey'. I smiled at how adorable she was being and leaped into her arms. She instantly wrapped her arms around my tiny body and lifted me off the ground, spinning us in circles. I giggled, knowing that I shouldn't be jealous or possessive because she's already mine and I'm definitely hers. Maybe not official but deep down, our souls had connected.

She placed me gently down on my feets and kissed my forehead so gently like I'm a fragile piece of glass. she went to greet everyone else when Ashley nudged me on my right shoulder and said "You guys act like a couple." I smiled at her feeling happy that someone else can see it as well.

"Hey." The so called 'monkey' approached me sticking her hand out for me to shake it. I mentally sighed and decided to be nice to her since she didn't exactly did anything wrong and I was just exaggerating.

"Hi, your name is??" I asked, shaking her hand, politely.

"Rose and you must be Lauren." She said and smiled, genuinely. I smiled back, nodding. Maybe she isn't that bad, seeing as she has a nice smile and a confident, yet soft body language, she seems sweet but you can't judge a book by it's cover. We have to wait and see.

"Okay since everyone is here, let's get this party started." Matt announced and ran, jumping in the pool while screaming 'canyon ball'

We stared at him until he rises up towards the surface and saying "I love Miley Cyrus." We laughed and one by one started jumping on the pool.

--------------------------------------

"Nic, will you please jump in the pool? It's boring here without you." I called Nicole from inside the pool for the tenth time as she was lying on the outdoor chair lounges. She was the only one who hasn't jumped in the pool.

"No." Nic said and sighed in contentment and relaxation. She had a small smile on her face but it's visible from my distance. I sighed because I really wanted to spent my time with her, yet she is so stubborn and it's getting annoying now.

"Please." I begged and made a pout face but I know she couldn't see me since she has Rita's sunglasses on.

"Nope, I'm tanning." She simple said and I scoffed.

"You're under an umbrella." I stated, getting frustrated now.

"I'm night tanning." Nic said in small tired voice as if she is about to fall asleep but she can't fool me. I shook my head and turned around, knowing that it's hopeless to get her in.

I saw Rita and matt swimming my way. "Hey, don't get upset." Matt said and patted my back. I smiled his way, trying to put a masquerade on my face but failed horribly.

"You know, you could get her in, Right?" Rita asked, wiggling her eyebrows as if I should seduce her to get her in.

"No, I'm not seducing her. If she doesn't want to get in, then that's fine." I said, not wanting to do something like that in front of everyone. Privately........maybe.

"No, that's not what I meant. You should make her jealous." Rita said and lowered her voice when we heard Nicole yawning.

"I'm intrigued." I said and raised my left eyebrow, waiting for Rita to elaborate about her mischievous plan.

"You could make her jealous by acting like you and matt, are flirting with each other." She pointed at both Matt and I, shrugging afterwards like it's that simple.

Now, I may sound like a whore for doing something like this, but this Nic needs to let loose and get in the pool. I'm not going to lie but I want to see Nicole jealous; it will give me the satisfaction and the reassurance that Nicole does like me.

"Okay, you're in, Matt?" I asked Matt to make sure he is fully in.

"Duh." he responded and throw his arms around me and pulled me closer. He started tickling me and I laughed. I didn't know we were starting already.

For a whole minute Matt has been whispering in my ears, giving me instructions of what to do exactly; when to smile, when to giggle, when to flirt back and he was tickling me every now and then. I heard Matt whispering in my ears "I think it's working because she hasn't stopped looking at you for the past minute."

I took a quick glance at Nicole and sure it is, her sunglasses (rita's sunglasses) were on top of her head and she was watching me, carefully. Now, that would of looked creepy if I didn't do this to get her attention.

Unfortunately, after a while I looked at Nic to see her lying on her back on the lounge chair, her sunglasses are back on and she looks to be sleeping. I felt this tightness surrounding my heart; knowing she doesn't really give a damn if a guy was basically all over me. It makes me feel unwanted.

I sighed and told Matt that it's not working anymore. I pushed him away, disappointed. She was jealous just a few minutes ago; it was pretty clear but then she masked it and ignored it. I heard my phone ringing, ripping me out of my thoughts. I sighed one more time and swam towards the edge, climbing out of the pool.

I felt this gush of cold wind and the heat present in my body has been absorbed. I shivered, the water dripping from my body to get my phone. I took a dry towel to dry my hands and answered my phone. "Hello."

"Hey, it's Matthew." I heard that small high pitched voice of a small boy and I almost squealed but held it in.

"Hey big guy, what's the matter?" I asked, feeling weird talking to Matthew while his long lost sister is right there in front of me.

"Nothing, it's just, mom is having a family dinner tonight and I was thinking, you should come." He said, explaining. I felt eyes on me and when I turned to check, I saw Matt eyeing me up and down. I waved at him to knock it off and he snapped out of it, giving me an innocent smile. I rolled my eyes and went inside the house, away from that perv. I slid the glass door close and heard Matthew continuing his explanation.

"And don't tell mom I called. I know how lonely it gets when it's only me and her, so will you join us? Pleeease." Matthew begged me and my heart melted at the thought of his mom.

"Of course I will come Matthew. You know how much I love you and your mom." I said and heard him jumping around in happiness. I laughed as I imagined him on the couching, going up and down. Can this kid get any more adorable?

"Okay okay okay, calm down, young man. You know how your mom gets if she saw you on her couch." I warned him and heard a loud thump.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." He stated and I chuckled. I forgot how clumsy Matthew is. No wonder he has so many bruises on his knees and arms.

"Okay I will be there at five, sounds good?" I asked and waited for his response.

"Perfect." He said happily.

"Bye, big guy." I smiled, knowing I made him smile.

"Bye laur." He hung up and I turned around to find Nic two feets away from me.

"HOLY SHIT." I shouted and held my chest. I closed my eyes breathing heavily. What kind of a person, stands behind someone this close, without making a freaking noise?

After I calmed down, I opened my eyes to find her staring at me, curiously. I felt sadness swarming my heart and was about to walk away, when she grabbed my arm and stopped me. "Was that.......?" I heard her ask, looking at me confused and waiting for me to elaborate.

I refused to meet her eyes, still upset that she didn't care about that little scene I made in the pool. Why am I making a big deal out of this? Making her jealous? seriously?? But I can't help it. She didn't act upon her feelings towards me and that's what upsets me.

I heard her sighing and lifted my chin up with the tip of her fingers, being extremely gentle. "I heard your plan with Rita and Matt, that's why I didn't do anything."

My eyes grew wide and my mouth hung open. "Yes, I knew. But what I didn't like, was that monster EYE RAPING YOU while you were on the phone." She pointed at the door, angrily and glared at me.

A smile crept on my face as I felt this instant happiness knowing she does care and I threw myself at Nicole. I wrapped my legs around her waist, taking her off guard, and my arms were around her neck. She placed her hands on my thighs to lift me up and to keep me steady on her. I smashed my lips on hers, feeling myself melt against her. The kiss was rough at first but then slowly it turned softer and more sensational.

We were like this for a while until Nic pulled away and opened her eyes to stare at mine. I licked my lips and I couldn't stop smiling.

"You're amazing, you know that?" I heard her whispering in the silence between us and I looked away, blushing instantly. I saw her smiling at me from my peripheral vision. How can I not like this girl??

"Stop it." I told her and she laughed, holding me closer. I tightened my arms around her neck and laid my head on her right shoulder, smelling her scent. How can someone's scent sets you into a peaceful state of mind and the feeling of calmness and serenity?. Only she can do this, no one else. Not even Jonathon.

"So, is that Matthew you were talking to?" I heard her ask and I pulled away to see her eyes shining in nervousness.

"Yeah." I answered, honestly. I could feel her heart pounding on her ribcage and I know she misses her family. It's pretty clear in her eyes but she won't admit it.

"How is he doing?" She asked, gulping loudly. I caressed her face to calm her down; I don't like seeing her like this; sad, lonely and lost. I pecked her lips and told her that he's fine. "He's perfect, but he misses you. Your mom talks about you all the time and she tells Matthew everything about you; from stories to pictures to old videos. Anything and everything she remembers, she tells him."

A wave of silence came afterwards and Nic was staring blankly on the floor. I lifted her chin to meet her eyes and waited for her to say something. A small smile appeared on her face and I smiled back. I can feel her trying to say something by the words wouldn't come out. I shook my head, encouraging her. She opened her mouth, hesitating, and blurted the words out. "Can I go with you? to see my family again?"

I smiled widely, glad to know she wants to see her family again. "Of course. You don't need my permission to see your family again. I'm going to be by your side through it all, I promise." I pecked her lips one more time before she placed me down on my legs.

I shivered, freezing from the lack of heat. Nic noticed and wrapped her arms around. She whispered in my ear "Race you to the pool." But before I could comprehend what she said, she took off and I smiled when I saw her jump inside the pool. Finally. I ran to jump as well.

--------------------------------------

A/N

Hey........*awkward silence*...Yeah, I have nothing to say. Except I have an exam tomorrow, physics, but here I am, writing another chapter and it's 12:30am and I have to wake up at 5:30 am, so............kill me now.