♦️ Chapter 41 || Ready ♦️

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Chapter 41 || Ready
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* * Nicole's POV * *

I sat in Ms. Cast's English class taking notes. Jake was sitting next to me now and staring at me instead of the whiteboard. He could care less about grades, but who am I to tell him what to do. It's his choice.

Trying to ignore Jake's taunting gaze, I focus on copying down the notes down Ms. Cast was writing on the board about...

Wait what were we learning again?

I was so focused on being focused I actually had no clue what was going on.

I look up at the whiteboard with a confused look as I chewed on the end of my pen.

I know... Gross but it's a stress habit.

I hear Jake chuckle from beside me and I resisted the urge to look at him, cause I know if I look at him I'll never look away... I mean not because staring at him is hypnotizing but because he won't let me. He will keep talking and talking to me and I'll get roped into some weird conversation.

I take a deep breath... focus. You can't fail this class.

"You have an A in the class why are you trying so hard?" Jake whispers to me.

I huff, "I am trying to focus!" I say softly but sternly while avoiding looking at him.

"Princess, You are literally an expert at all this English stuff."

I was about to open my mouth and turn to him when Ms. Cast chimes in.

"Mr. Vance do you have something you would like to say to the class?" She asks Jake with a pointed face.

Jake shrugs still looking at me and nonchalantly says, "Nope."

"Then I suggest you pay attention to what I'm writing on the board. It will be in the midterm." She says.

My eyes widen.

This was going to be on the midterm - must write down everything!

I was about to start writing my notes again when Jake cheekily chimes in, "And I care?"

I turn and glare at Jake, "Jake!" I hiss silently.

He looks at me innocently with that stupid sly grin of his, "What?"

"Jake I suggest you take a nice short walk to the principles office. Maybe that will clear your head." Ms. Cast says as she crosses her arms. Her glasses were sliding down her nose as she looked at Jake with her stern teacher face.

Jake smiles, "Suggestion taken."

He quickly gets up from his desk and swings his empty backpack over his shoulder, "See you later Princess," he says with a wink before strutting out of the room.

What goes on in that man's head I'll never know.

"What are the chances Jake will actually go to the principles office?" Ms. Cast asks me with an unamused chuckle as Jake slams the door.

"Do you want me to be honest?" I answer.

She shakes her head as she walks over to the school phone and calls the principle's office.

Oh Jake, I shake my head with a laugh knowing he probably didn't go to Principle Hillwater's office.

After Ms. Cast finishes her phone she walks over to her desk, picks up her workbook and begins teaching us the lesson again.

As Ms. Cast begins to write on the whiteboard again I subtlety glance over my should see Ashley, thinking she might try to pull something.

However, to my surprise, she wasn't even paying attention to me at all. She had her notebook open and was actively writing down what seemed to be... notes... could be love notes for all I know.

Lately, Ashley has been ignoring me. Don't get me wrong I'm totally fine with it, it doesn't bother me but I just don't know if that means has something big in store for me or really has stopped altogether.

I haven't seen her around Bridget, Liam, or her minions lately. As a matter of fact, I haven't really seen her at all besides in English.

I shrug and look back to the board.

Whatever happens, happens. Right?

I continue taking notes until the bell finally rings signally the end of class, and in this, it was also the end of school. Thank goodness, my hand was hurting for righting notes.

I shove all my things into my bag and stand up to put on my hoodie.

After putting on my hoodie, I swing my backpack over my shoulder and leave.

I sigh in relief as Ashley doesn't follow me, instead, she walks up to Ms. Cast's desk and asks for extra credit.

Ashley asking extra credit? Weird... but at least she isn't bothering me.

I walk to my locker to find Jake casually resting against it wearing his black leather jacket and a pair of sunglasses... even though it's inside.

The second he sees me, a smile appears on his face. I smile back.

"You look like a stereotypical bad boy from the movies or a Wattpad story right now," I say bluntly.

He raises an eyebrow and questions, "A what?"

I shake my head and laugh while saying, "Nothing."

He wouldn't understand anyway.

I open my locker and shove all the books that I don't need to bring home inside.

"Did you end up going to the principles?" I ask out of curiosity.

"Yup," He says.

"Really?" I say.

He laughs, "Don't sound so surprised. Principle HillWater is chill."

He playfully nudges me in the arm before saying "I'm gonna go get my bike and pick you up right at the front. Sound good?"

I nod my head, 'Yup."

He snakes his arm around my waist and pulls me into a kiss before he leaves, "See you out front Princess."

I wave as he struts away with a wink.

As I shut my locker door I hear a snicker from the other direction. I turn my head to find Bridget.

She stares at me judgingly as she purses her lips together before she struts away.

I swing my bag over my shoulder and stare at her as she walks away.

How dare she sit there judging me? How dare she turn her back on me after years and years of friendship?

I quickly follow her with determination... Jake will have to wait a little longer.

I narrow my eyes as I near her.

I quickly spot an empty classroom and once I get right as I get right behind her I quickly push her into the room and shut the door.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Bridget shouts as she gets shoved.

"I should say the same to you," I say back with sass.

She licks her tongue over her teeth as she eyes me, "Well, look who got her big girl pants on today."

"Why do you hate me?" I ask harshly.

She laughs, "Hate is an understatement."

I glare at her, "We were best friends and then all of a sudden you turned into this," I say gesturing to her new self, "What happened?"

She shakes her head, "I have nothing to say to you."

She tries to push by me but I firmly push her back, "Oh yes you do. One minute you were nice and then one second you turned into Regina Gorge! What happened to you?" I shout demanding answers.

"To me? What happened to me?" She hisses, "You pushed me here."

"I what?" I question completely dumbfounded.

"Yeah, you." She says harshly as she points at me, "You wanna know what. You think you're so innocent and perfect. I hated hanging out with you. I thought maybe as we grew up it would get better, but no. You never grew up, you stayed the same. I could never do anything because you didn't want to go to a party or drink. I was so sick of you. You never cared about what I want. Only what you wanted."

I blink blankly at her as she speaks.

"I'm Nicole, I'm afraid of my own shadow so I hide in my room and force everyone to hide with me," She says mockingly, "I never wanted to do any of that. I knew what I was capable of and I wanted to experiment and try things. You never let me."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask.

She grunts, "Because you hated all that stuff. I would feel like a bad person for making you do things you didn't want to do but I just got sick of it. I started making some new friends on the basketball team and the popular girls, and guess what they hated you as much as I did. I hate you because you're so selfish. You never did anything I wanted to do, I was always forced to not do anything because you didn't want to and you know what I was done, and now you can pay for everything I missed out on."

I stay silent as I soak in all her words.

She crosses her arms as she takes a deep breath finally as she finally lets out all her anger towards me.

"I hate you because you think you're so innocent and naive and that everything must revolve around you. You make people do things for you because you are so hopeless."

"I do not," I say back.

"Oh yeah?" She laughs, "When was the last time you did something Jake wanted to do."

I stay silent thinking.

She grins, "My point. I bet he does anything and everything for you, it's only a matter of time before he gets sick of you like me. Your such a fake"

"Fake?" I question angrily, "I'm fake? I wasn't the one who pretended to be my friend for years! I wasn't the one who pretended to care and then started bullying people out of the blue. Maybe I am scared about trying new things, but would you throw someone in the water if they can't swim? No! I can't wash away my fears overnight, but I could have tried to overcome everything if you only told."

She scuffs, "That would have taken years."

I throw my hands up, "Maybe. Maybe not, but I would have tried for you."

"I don't care what you would have done for me. You didn't. You can't change that."

"Bridget I am so sorry."

"I don't care if you're sorry or not. It changes nothing. I still hate you."

"But-"

"If you don't want the truth, don't ask for it," She grins, "Your nothing but a selfish prick who uses her PTSD to control everyone around her."

And then she pushes me out of the way and struts out of the room.

I clutched my hands into fists. I was hurt and mad at the same time.

Was I really that selfish?

I push a piece of hair behind my ear and walk out of the room.

I pull my hoodie over my head and make my way to the front of the school where Jake said he would pick me up.

Maybe what she said was true, but that doesn't give her the right to treat me how she does.

I groan as I think back. I guess I really was selfish, not wanting to do some of the things she wanted to do. If I didn't go to a party she didn't go even though she wanted to.

I shove my hands in my pocket, she still could have gone without me. I didn't force her not to go.

UGHHH I'm so confused right now.

As I walk out of the school I notice Jake leaning against his motorcycle and I instantly perk up.

I run down the stairs and make my way over to his as quickly as I can.

Jake spots me and smiles with a laugh, "What took you so long?"

I give him a hug as I say, "I ran into Bridget."

Jake tenses and his eyes grow dark, "Where is that son of a-"

"No! I just uh-" I try to find words, "Had a little chat with her."

Jake relaxes with confusion, "You had a little chat with a psychotic demon?"

I laugh as I playfully punch him, "No- I just wanted answers."

He furrows his eyebrows in confusion, "And how did you get her to talk?"

I laugh, "I may have shoved her into an empty classroom and forced her to speak."

He laughs as he ruffles my hair, "That's my girl."

I laugh as he hands me a helmet.

"What did she have to say?" He asks curiously as we get on the bike.

"She said she hates me."

"Welp we already knew that." Jake starts his bike and I wrap my arms around his body.

"You sure do like this don't you?" He chuckles referring to me wrapping his arms around him.

"If anything you like me holding you," I sass back.

He nods in defeat, "Touche."

And with that, we were off.

I close my eyes and let my hair blow in the wind. It was exhilarating yet somewhat calming riding with Jake on his motorcycle. Yes... I know those terms don't really go together but that's exactly how I feel.

When we arrive back at the house I quickly hop off his bike and hand him the helmet, "Thanks."

"Anytime," He says as he takes the helmet and puts them away.

I grip on to the straps of my backpack and say softly, "I have to go finish up some homework, but when I'm done... we can do something together. If you want."

He opens his mouth to speak but I cut him off with a rant.

"Once I finish you we can totally do something. You can even pick out what we do. I mean you totally don't have. We can do whatever you want or do not. I just gotta finish some homework first then we can do what you want." I say in one quick breath.

Did that even make sense?

Jake looks at me blankly.

"We totally don't have to do anything either so I-"

He places his hand on my mouth and says, "Anything I want?" He grins mischievously.

My cheeks turn red as he rests his forehead against mine.

"I can finish my homework later too if you want," I say quickly with his hand still over my mouth so it comes out really muffled, "I'm fine with anything."

He laughs seeming to know what I said, "Go finish your homework."

"Okie." I squeak as I rush into the house.

I dump all the contents of my backpack onto my bed and begin fishing for my agenda and notebooks.

I make a short pile of all my assignments and begin with the hardest, Chemistry.

Stupid chem.

I work my way through all my assignments and before I knew it I was done.

"Done!" I chirp.

I look out the window to see the sun already setting.

What time is it?

I pick up my phone to see the time is 5:38 pm.

I flail myself out of the chair and run out of my room.

I hope Jake doesn't think I was selfishly avoiding him.

"Just finished. Sorry, I took so long," I say as I run into the living room.

I reach the couch and notice everyone was over. Alice, Dan, Asher, and Dylan.

"Hey, guys! I didn't know you were here." I say as I sit down next to Jake.

Alice crosses her arms, "Jake wouldn't let us say hi. He said you were doing homework and not to be disturbed."

"How long have you guys been here for?" I question.

"Bout an hour," Dan shrugs.

"I'm sorry! You could have said hi. I wouldn't have minded at all." I reassure.

"Jake wouldn't let us past the hallway," Alice adds.

"Why not?" I ask Jake.

"Would you have finished your homework if you knew they were here?" Jake laughs.

"I guess you're right."

"Anyways... what did you guys want to do on this lovely Friday night?" Alice asks us.

Jake grins as he wraps his arm around me, "Actually Nicole said I could pick what we do."

The boys all stare at me, "Why would you let him do that" they all ask simultaneously.

"Man that's stupid," Dan laughs.

"OO let's go to a party!" Dylan cheers, "My cousin is hosting a sick raver tonight!"

I notice the excitement in the three boy's eyes as Dylan pitches that idea but Jake just glares at them.

"What?" Dylan questions.

"You're joking right?" Jake asks, "Remember the last time few times we went to one of those? "

Dylan's eyes widen, "Sh*t. I'm so sorry Nicole. I didn't mean to-"

I give him a soft smile, "No. It's okay. If everyone wants to go we can go."

Jake slowly turns to look at me as if I have six heads.

His eyes furrow in confusion as me, "Are you feeling alright?" He asks as he feels my forehead.

I laugh as I push his hands away, "I'm fine. Seriously, though if everyone wants to go let's go. It's your choice tonight remember Jake?"

I look around the room and everyone has a serious look plastered on their face.

"Nicole... really it's no big deal. Parties are stupid anyway," Dan chimes in.

I shake my head, "No. I don't want to ruin everyone's night. If you guys want to go let's go. Plus just because I had had some pretty bad experiences in the past with parties doesn't mean they will happen this time, and this time I also have all of you!"

"You sure Nicole?" Jake asks unsure if I want to go or I'm bluffing.

"Yeah! If you want to go let's go!" I say as happy as I can sound.

"I'm game if your game," Dylan says.

Jake huffs, "Okay if we do this we need to set some rules."

Everyone's serious faces come back.

"No one leaves Nicole alone," Jake says seriously.

Asher laughs, "No problem there you're stuck to her like velcro."

I notice Jake blush, "Shut up."

Everyone laughs even me.

Jake puts on another serious face, "Absolutely no drinking tonight. In case something does happen tonight - I'm not saying it will - everyone needs to be sharp. Got it?"

Everyone nods.

"And if you see Liam. Punch the guy to death." Jake says in a deep voice.

Everyone cheers.

"What I would give to punch Liam tonight," Asher claps.

"Chances of Liam or anyone from our school showing up to my cousin's house are slim... he lives a few towns over." Dylan says.

"Pitty," Asher says bluntly.

"Nicole. Come with me," Alice say in a happy yet serious tone.

We both stand up and I follow her into my room.

She shuts the door and I sit on my bed.

"What's up?" She asks seriously as she crosses her arms.

"Nothing," I try to sound as convincing as possible.

"You're lying and don't try to hide it," She points to me as she sits next to me.

"Whattttt?" I say slyly, "Me lie?"

She gives me a stern look.

I groan, "Ugh fine. You got me."

She smiles, "I know you all too well."

"Too well," I add.

She flips her hair, "Now tell me. What's going on?"

I take a deep breath, "I just don't want to be the buzz kill or the party pooper. Jake used to love going out to these parties and then he stopped for me."

"Well ya know you... he did a some good reason not to go anymore," she says bluntly.

I shake my head, "Who's to say what will happen this time? I've grown... I think. And I'll have everyone with me."

"Where is all of this coming from?" She questions.

I sigh, "I had a little chat with Bridget today."

Her eyes widened, "And you didn't tell me? What did she do?"

I laugh, "Actually I pushed her into a room and demanded answers."

"Ooo... so what did she say?"

"She said she hates me obviously... but also she has hated me for years because I never did anything she wanted to do because I was too selfish and scared," I pause, "She said it was only a matter of time before he starts missing his old life and gets sick of me."

She crosses her arms, "You? Selfish?"

I nod.

"But Bridget-"

She shushes me, "Bridget can go f**k herself. You had a legitimate reason not to go. You were scared. She would be selfish for forcing you to go, remember when she did? Did she even care where you were at the party? She sent Liam to find you! Bridget is just trying to get in your head and you're letting her!"

I nod with a pout.

She laughs, "You are the least selfish person I know. You never put yourself first! Remember the time you told me about when you first moved in with Jake and you made him cake! Not one but two!"

I laugh remembering that memory.

"Nicole just because you don't want to do something doesn't make you selfish," I hear Jake say from my doorway.

I shoot my head over to the doorway to find Jake leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, "How long were you standing there?" I ask curiously wondering how much he heard.

He enters the room and sits on the other side of me, "If Bridget calls you selfish or

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