Chapter 56: Chapter 56

"Your emotions will first break you and then make you. Let the process take its course." [Jacqueline]

……………..

[Jacqueline]

For the next five minutes, I was going crazy waiting for his response. Perhaps I shouldn't have said that. I was wrong, I shouldn't have judged him. He must have his reasons for whatever he said. He didn't reply though.

"Would you like some tea? Jacky?" I looked up from my phone, almost lifting my hand to shield my eyes from her notice. Thankfully, she was busy dragging the table from the door near my bed to place the tray on the table. Her shoulders slouched as she tried to balance the tray in her other hand. Her hair was tied in a bun, with few falling over her face. She was wearing a black night suit.

Hurriedly I rubbed my eyes with the t-shirt I was wearing and smiled.

"Yeah. I badly need it."

She chuckled suddenly, Placing the tray on the table and seating herself on the nearby chair. I waited until she settled one teacup in front of me while taking the other one in her hands. Running her long fingers over the printed photo of us on the teacup. I remember I gifted her this on her fourteen birthday. Even though she didn't like giving gifts. I did.

"Did I say something funny?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If I didn't know better about your headache, I would have thought you were sad," Nikki said with an innocent expression, reaching out and tucking a strand of her silky brown hair behind her ear.

"Why would I be sad?" I scowled, holding the mug in my hands to not be obvious.

I watched as she took a sip then let out a pleasant sigh, her eyes turning serious instantly. "Okay cut to the chase Jacky, I believe there is something that is burdening you and I know it is not about our messy family issues."

To think I could probably hide my sadness from her was stupid. It made me even madder than Remo not responding to me. 'Why was I so easy to read by her'

"Tell me what's going on?"

Whilst I loved her enough to let her know about my life. I also knew her harsh and threatening responses during fights. Nicole was a person who would do everything for you until she loses her temper. If I did tell her about things I was concerned about I was afraid she could use it against me publicly. Just one fight between us was all she needed to spill all my secrets in front of my parents. Not even taking into account what it might cost me. That's the sole reason I tended to keep a few things to myself. And If it involved boys, it would do me more damage than I can imagine. Telling her about Remo or Rohan for that matter was a big no.

"Hey, what are you thinking? I am waiting here, Jacky." She continued to watch me casually sipping on her tea.

I studied her for a moment. Did she check my phone? How did she comprehend I had something bothering me? I did nothing that might raise her suspicion. Aside from my red eyes at this moment. If she did check my phone, she wouldn't behave normally. So it might be my red eyes. I sighed, taking a sip of the liquid to calm my throat.

"I made a friend in school." I paused, letting her digest my words.

"Wow. But why do you seem sad?"

I wanted to snort but stopped myself just in time.

I licked my chapped lips to suppress my smile.

"Her name is Nina."

"For God's Sake, Jacky. Come to the point."

She made an angry expression, but the flicker in her eyes showed she was delighted with me opening up to her about it.

"Okay. Okay, Nikki calm down. The thing is. I am sad because our friendship has started from a lie and I am afraid I might lose her soon."

She placed the teacup on the table with slow unhurried movements. Her lips twitched upward. Her fingers tap on the table. My eyes remained on her to observe. She looked like she didn't believe what I said which meant I needed to make the story more convincing.

"What's the lie that makes you scared so much Jacky?" This time she looked at me with a frown.

"She is a friend of the person who bullies me. And by bullying, I don't mean that person wants to kill me, it's just that the person tries to make my life harder. So don't worry about the bully. I can handle." I paused to gauge her reactions. If there was anything she hated, it was me getting bullied or anyone for that matter. And letting her handle them means more problems for me.

"Are. You. Fucking. serious." She yelled through gritted teeth. Her smile was wiped away from her face and I was afraid she might jump on me the very next second.

"Calm down. I don't think that person will ever bully me again"

Confusion crossed her features but she loosened her knuckles and released a deep breath.

"What do you mean? She will never bully you again?"

"Nina is the best friend of the person who loves to torment me and She is also the one who lied so that we can be friends."

Now she looked even more confused. Like she was unable to make sense of what I meant. Nonetheless, her reaction showed she was believing whatever I was telling her.

"Nina is the new admission, and she is the childhood friend of my bully. For some reason, she liked me and wanted to be my friend. So the bully asked me well. Let's just say, I didn't agree to it, but the bully lied to her and I was unable to say no to her. So now. We. Are. Friends."

She met my gaze not even blinking her mouth hung down while I nervously glanced at her.

"Ugh. You mean your bully's best friend is now your friend." She asked not completely sure as she waved her hands in the air to signify the friendship.

"Yeah. And, after knowing Nina, I got to know I am her first actual friend she made in school."

"I feel like I am betraying her by not telling her I didn't want to be her friend and her best friend just lied to her."

Silence. Complete silence.

"What's wrong Nikki?"

She looked at me blankly for a minute. Then burst out laughing.

"Hahaha. Hahaha."

"You mean your bully had to request you to befriend her childhood friend because she liked you. Hahaha. Oh. My. God. If this is not retribution. Then I don't know what could be."

She was much more on the healthier side than me, but thanks to her sharp features that made her look feminine and adorable even with the way she was laughing like a crazy man.

I honestly didn't know why she considered the bully to be a girl. But I would keep it that way. We were not allowed to stay anywhere near a guy.

"Haha hahaha." Tears dripped from her eyes as she clutched her stomach to stop herself from rolling on the ground.

"It's not funny. I am stressed Here. I don't want to betray her or lie to her in any way, Nikki." I scowled at her.

"Give me a minute. Hahaha."

She dug her nails in the palm of her hands to stop herself from laughing more.

"Okay. I get it. If I am not wrong, she is going to be your first real friend? Right? Of course, if she doesn't come out to be a lying bitch."

"Don't say anything bad about her. She isn't like that."

She nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders.

"Well. You never know."

"Please don't say that Nikki."

"Okay fine. I won't Jacky. I just want the best for you."

I smiled. "I know but she has not given me any reason yet to believe she is something other than the real person she is."

"Okay. I guess I will believe your judgment of the person this time. Since you are the one who knows her. And about the thing you are worried about, I think you should tell her how that bully lied to her. And that would be the best way to come clean out of this and still be her friend. Also, you would get your revenge on her too."

I facepalmed myself for her ridiculous idea.

"I. I don't know. That would be cruel of me to create a rift between her and her childhood friend Nikki. I don't want to become the reason that she is left with nothing."

"I don't know what she would appreciate more. I think it's better if you understand her for a few days. Everything depends on a person. If she wants honesty above everything then you should tell her about it and vice versa."

I smiled at her feedback. She was right, I should probably let her decide unconsciously and see what's best for us.

I sipped the tea and looked at her gratefully. She smiled at me in return.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. This is what sisters are for!"

"Now give me a bright smile. I hate to see you sad."

Taking a sip I look at her mischievously.

"Ah. You suck at making tea, Nikki. This tastes awful."

"You."

I grin at her as she throws a pillow at my face and I laugh. The phone under my thigh vibrates making me tingle in hope.

********

Dear Readers,

Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for your comments. Thank you for patiently waiting for the chapters. Thank you for adding HFF to your library. For the past few months, I have been busy battling with some health issues, Shitty life problems as well as exams. Hope you can forgive me.

God bless you all,

Lots of love,

Ifveen❤