Chapter 1: Phone Calls
Normal POV
Everyone sat at their usual spot at the table in front of the overly huge-sized lemon. But there was one empty seat. Who was missing?? Jude was the first to notice.
"Where's Nikki?" Jude questioned, in his usual laidback voice. He pulled his beanie up, revealing his shining blue eyes.
"She texted me at like 6 in the morning telling me she got grounded half an hour before that." Jen said, answering Jude's question.
"What the heck was she doing up at five-thirty in the morning to get her grounded?" Wyatt asked. This question was probably running through everybody else's mind too.
"She said that she was on the phone till five fifteen in the morning and then her parents caught her and said she was grounded for two weeks for running up her phone bill for the third time this week. She has to go straight to work when she gets into the mall, and-."
"Whoa, wait a minute. Did you say she was on the phone till five fifteen AM?! Who the hell was she talking to?!" Jonesy over curiously asked. Jonesy had dumped Nikki about a week ago, and for no good reason.
"Someone sounds jealous... Aren't you the one who broke up with her??" Caitlin pushed.
"I still have the right to know…" Jonesy muttered.
"Anyways. Nikki's parents said she has to work during our break until she earned the money to pay back her parents, since they had to pay for the phone bill." Jen finished.
"Dude, that's harsh, man." Jude said. Even though it was his fault she was grounded. Yep, that's right, Jude was the one keeping Nikki up late at night, but she was the one calling him. Jude was one of the greatest listeners. Nikki still had left over feelings for Jonesy, but those three nights washed almost all of them all away. She would have called anyone else in the group (except for Jonesy) if all they would give her wasn't a pat on the back or an "I'm so sorry." Jude was different. He would make her laugh instead of pitying her. Jude always got her mind off of Jonesy in the weirdest ways. He'd always come up with random things to talk about and they always ended up with extreme laughter between the two.
"But still, who was she talking to? I'm pretty sure it's not just me wondering." Jonesy pushed. It was what everyone was thinking. Jude felt an unexpected smile from ear to ear on his face...and a blush came with it. "What are you so happy about? It wasn't you she was talking to was it?" Jude quickly hid his smile, but the blush remained.
"And if it was Jude, what are you so worried about anyways? You dumped her, didn't you?" Jen joined in.
"Yea but I had a good reason." Jonesy defended. Everyone turned their eyes to him. Nobody actually knew the reason he'd dumped her, not even Nikki herself. Jonesy sighed, he knew it wasn't a good reason but he couldn't lie with all the stares boring onto him. "Ok well, there was this hot chick at the food shop I worked at yesterday and she was flirting with me and, well…I couldn't just ignore her, she had her eyes on my for like two weeks!"
"Are you even still going out with her?" Jen pushed.
"As a matter of fact I am still going out with Charlotte. She's coming to meet you guys during break, and you better be nice." Jonesy threatened
"Dude, you seriously broke up with her because of that?" Jude said. Even though he was happy Nikki was single now.
"Jude's right." Caitlin and Wyatt joined in.
"Well it's not my fault I'm irresistible! I had to give one of them up! If you were a guy and had to choose between a chick with a thousand piercings on her face and purple hair and a beautiful long-haired blond girl with only ear piercings and an hourglass figure, who would you choose?" Nobody responded. "Well??" He asked. Then he saw the source of everyone's silence. He looked up and saw Nikki standing behind him with her head towering over him. She was wearing black Tripp jeans (not as big as the one's she wore when she was 16) and had on a black tank-top with 'Anberlin' in Old English font on it. Her hair had also grown a little longer, it was no longer perfectly cut straight. The back was longer than both of the sides and the sides were about shoulder length.
"I thought you liked my piercings." Nikki said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She pouted out her lip and made puppy dog eyes. She was surprised she was able to talk to him. Huh, she thought, I guess those conversations with Jude really helped. Her face turned a light crimson as she thought about the late-night conversations.
"Heh, heh, well guys gotta run. I'm meeting Char- uh, yeah I'm meeting Charlotte, the manager of a restaurant in the mall, you know, so I can get a job….Heh, heh." Jonesy said as he made his escape. Obviously he didn't want Nikki to know that he immediately got a new girlfriend after their break-up.
"O….Kay…" Nikki said "anyone know what's up with him?" Everyone ignored her question, and tried to avoid Nikki's eyes. Wyatt looked up at the ceiling and whistled, Jen pulled the straps of her hoodie, sealing in her face; Caitlin ducked and closed the top of the Big Squeeze, all while Jude never moved his eyes from Nikki's face. Her heart seemed to beat a thousand times faster. This made her face turn a deep red and somehow she couldn't mover her eyes from his face either. His beautiful blue eyes were her weakness as were her chocolate brown eyes to him. It was what made him love her. Yep, that's right, I love her, Jude thought. And he was willing to wait for eternity for her to come to her senses, well maybe he wouldn't wait. He might even tell her before she realized it. But just late-night conversations were enough for him. He was glad she found a place to confide in with him. "Okay, spill!" Nikki said, breaking the silence, and, sadly, their eye contact.
"We might as well…" Wyatt said, starting to give in.
"OK, OK!" Caitlin couldn't keep a secret for more than an hour. "Charlotte's his new gf! And he wants us to meet her during lunch break!" She blabbed as soon as she abruptly lifted up the ginormous lemon.
Nikki's mouth dropped open and closed immediately. She didn't want Jude to think that all of his "therapy" didn't work. And she had to prove that she was completely over Jonesy (even though parts of him still remained in her heart). Wait? Why was she worrying over what Jude thought? And why did her heart start racing earlier? And what was with the blushing? Come on get yourself together, Nikki thought, this is Jude we're talking about! She shrugged the thoughts away along with what Caitlin had just said.
"Shouldn't you be angry or something?" Jen said, opening her hoodie.
"Yea, it took me a while to get over Serena, and you and Jonesy were going steady for way longer than me and her." Wyatt said, bringing his eye contact back to Nikki. Nikki rolled her eyes. Why was everyone worrying about her?
"Well, The Clones'll probably be wondering where I am, they think I'm helping someone in a changing room so they'll probably find out I'm not working. See you guys during break, and don't worry I'm totally over Jonesy." She confidently walked away.
"Hope she's alright." Jen said, knowing Nikki wasn't completely over Jonesy. Caitlin started to serve a few customers as the rest of the group headed off to work.
About three hours later everyone took their places at the table except for Nikki, who was still working (and trying to find a way to escape). Jonesy wouldn't sit still. He was too eager to show off his new girlfriend.
"Jonesy! Would you stop with all the fidgeting!" Jen practically shouted. Jonesy stopped the fidgeting but his fingers were still keeping themselves busy.
"Yeesh, Jen. Relax." Jonesy defended.
Nikki walked up to the table and sat at her usual spot. She explained to the group that she'd made a deal with The Clones that she would work overtime the next day if she could spend this one break with her friends.
Nikki's POV
A few minutes after I sat down this blonde walks up to Jonesy and kisses him on the cheek, making him nearly fall backwards in his chair. She had a sky blue baby tee on (and was wearing no bra) with a denim mini-skirt shorter than Caitlin's. Now that's short. She also had an hourglass figure. My eyes started to water up. Damn! I thought I was over him! Looks like I need a little more "Jude Therapy." Wait? Why am I thinking about Jude again? Stop it! OK, get a hold of yourself Nikki! The girl looked about seventeen, the same age as we were, if not eighteen. Turns out she was sixteen, and going to be seventeen next month! She was also currently dating Jonesy.
"So how long have you been going out with Jonesy, Charlotte?" Wyatt asked. Jen elbowed him in the rib and whispered something like "Wrong question, Wyatt!" He gave her an apologetic look and shrugged.
"About a week." She answered in her soft voice. A week!?!? Jonesy dumped me a week ago! And he bounced back that fast?! I saw Jonesy and her exchange a countless number of unnecessary butterfly kisses up and down each other's necks, faces, lips… That was the last straw, I couldn't hold the tears in.
"Oh, I just remembered, I gotta meet someone at the Fountain." I said between short breaths, "Nice meeting you Charlotte, bye guys." As I ended my statement I felt a hot tear run down my cheek, hoping no one saw it. I knew Jen did when she called my name as a fast-walked to the fountain. Well, it was only half of a lie, I was going to the Fountain, just not meeting anyone, but I wish I was. The tears wouldn't stop falling as I started to run to the fountain. Why the hell did I run?! God, I'm not supposed to be Nikki, the girl who runs away when her ex-boyfriend gets a rebound girl!
"Nikki, dude, you okay bra?" I heard a familiar voice say. Great, Jude. He was the last person I wanted to see.
"Uh, yeah Jude." I said, failing to convince him. "What's up?"
"Just seeing if my best friend is okay." He said, his gorgeous blue eyes piercing right through me. I knew he could tell I was lying. "and I can tell she's not." He frowned. Jude had a special way of getting to people. He was the greatest listener.
"I'm just a little pissed about getting grounded, you know, not being able to see my friends." I hoplessly fibbed.
"Yeah, sure Nikki." His blue eyes locked on mine, not allowing mine to leave his. "Well, I'll just wait for you to tell me when you're ready. But you won't get much of a chance considering you don't get a break." He hesitated, seductively leaning towards me, "And we can't make any late night phone calls." My face practically blew up! There wasn't a speck of my face that wasn't bright red. I giggled. Dammit Jude, did you have to say that!? I playfully elbowed him to get off of the topic.
"Ouch, dudette!" He yelled. I stuck my tongue out at him. Then he started to tickle my stomach and I tickled his sides. We laughed like crazy! I never thought I could have so much fun after crying. While I was caught off guard thinking of that stupid blond bimbo, Jude pushed me into the fountain.
"Jude, I'm gonna kill you!" I pulled him in with me. We started splashing each other until Ron the Rent-a-Cop came in and ruined all our fun.
"Alright, you two the party's over!" He said, trying to sound as "authoritive" as possible (which totally wasn't working). "I'm taking you guys to the mall jail!" Jude and I couldn't help but laugh. And as soon as we started, we couldn't stop. "Be quiet or I'll call your parents!" Oh crap, my parents! They find out and I'm getting put on freakin' lockdown! I stopped laughing, and I guess Jude got the signal. Ron took us to a one-cell room. "You guys are stayin' here for thirty minutes!" Man, Ron must be pissed today, not chasing us around like he usually does.
"Damn, my parents are gonna freaking kill me!" I said as soon as Ron left. "The Clones too! How much longer till break is over, Jude?" Jude looked up at me with terrified eyes. "Jude, you okay?" Oh crap, I forgot, he's claustrophobic! (One of the many secrets he'd told me two nights ago on the phone.) I felt a blush creeping up to my face as I reflected on that night. Then it quickly died down as I started to remember Jude. I started to realize how small this cell was, you couldn't blame him for getting claustrophobic here. Jude surprisingly grabbed my hand and started whimpering like a little kid. How the hell was I supposed to fix this?! Without thinking, I protectively hugged him. The lights suddenley flickered off. A blackout!?! I remembered that night we'd shared secrets and right after he'd told me he was claustrophobic, I'd told him that I was afraid of the dark. Yea, I know what you're thinking. The sarcastic, bitter Nikki Wong afraid of the dark!?!? Well, I have a good reason behind it. But I haven't even told Jude about that. I tightened my embrace on Jude. What the hell am I doing? Jude's grip seemed to tighten too. I didn't realize how close my face was to his until the lights flickered back on. Jude face started to inch closer. I backed up, knowing what he was trying to do. Even though I wanted so badly to have his soft lips touch mine, I couldn't do it. I do want to be with Jude, but not while I still have lingering thoughts of Jonesy. Ugh!
"Okay, time's up, the mall's closing early, due to technical difficulties." Ron grumpily fumbled with his keys and opened the cell.
"Let's get outta here, bra!" Jude said. He jumped on his skateboard and picked me up bridle style. He pulled off his favorite beanie and stuck it on my head. We started riding towards the mall exit when I saw Jonesy and Charlotte walking hand in hand towards the exit. The others were probably closing down their stores. I saw Jonesy's face fill up with confusion. I smiled and waved, then put my fist in the air and shouted. "Wooooo!" Yeah, I know. It's not me, but hey, might as well have some fun! Since the mall wasn't closing at it's regular time, Jude offered to drive me home (We all had our driver's licenses yes, even Jude.) My parents had driven my there so I didn't have a ride there.
"Sure, why not." I answered him. We reminisced over our recent phone calls while he drove.
"Dude, this song is awesome!" Jude cranked up the radio. I immediately recognized the song. "Sugar, We're Goin' Down" by Fall Out Boy, I wasn't a major fan of FOB but their songs were awesome, and this one was my favorite by the band...Jonesy's too... This was the song. I remembered when Jonesy dubbed it our song. Tear drops immediately started silently dripping down my face. I was hoping Jude wouldn't see because he didn't have a full frontal view of my face but i screwed that up when i hiccuped. It was one little hiccup! Why couldn't Jude miss it?! "You okay bra?" He turned down the music. No use in hiding it now. I rolled my eyes. I rested my face in my hands. I didn't want Jude to see me like this. I'd just ruined a perfectly good moment.
"Nothing Jude, keep on listening." I turned it back up. He stopped my hand. "Tell me what's wrong, dudette."
"I said it was nothing Jude." I said, my voice a bit too bitter. I realized we were already stopped in front of my house.
"C'mon Nik, spill it." I gave in. I really had no choice but to. What, with those blue eyes piercing right through me.
I rolled my eyes. "Okay, fine, Jude." I hesitated, "It was me and Jonesy's song, happy now?" I could feel the tears starting to spill over again. Without thinking, I started to cry into his lap. He started to whisper comforting words into my ears, words I needed to hear. He stroked my face with his soft hand. Then he buried his face in my head. "Sorry, for ruining your pants." I said, as I saw his tear-stained black baggy pants.
"It's cool, Nik." He said calmly, "I'm just glad to help. Need me to walk you to the door?"
"Nah, the less time my parents see me spending with my friends, the better."
"Alright catch ya later, bra."
"See ya, Jude." I waved to Jude and knocked on the door. My keys were taken away so I couldn't let anyone in (mainly friends.) "I'm home dad! The mall closed early today!"
"Hey, hon" He answered, "remember, no phone, and we will know when you use it!"
"You won't let me forget will you?" I walked upstairs. Man, why couldn't my dad have a freakin' day job like every other normal parent?
Hours of nothingness passed. It was 10:30 PM and I still hadn't gotten my PJ's on. My parents were sound asleep. I opened the window and looked out.
"What's up Nik." I nearly screamed.
"JUDE, Whatthefuck!" My words were scrunched together. He laughed and I punched him on the arm. "What are you doing here!?!?"
"I just came to say hi, since I knew you couldn't talk on the phone, that's all." I punched him again "Ouch, dude!"
"How the hell did you get up here?"
He smiled seductively. "You should tell your parents not to leave their ladder up." He laughed "Hey, you wanna get outta here?"
"And how do you expect me to do that?"
"Just come with me, I'll have you back before your parents wake up." I smiled. His blue eyes were pretty much impossible to refuse. "Come on, lets go raise some hell." He smiled from ear to ear and laughed his irresistible sinister laugh. He started down the ladder and I went down right behind him. What the hell am I thinking?