Nikki walked out of the bathroom as she fought not to cry. She came to the dance floor and everything blurred. The music and laughter echoed and mixed. Everything blurred and she couldn't hold back anymore, tears began to stream down her cheeks. Before she could crash to the ground a pair of arms wrapped around her. She couldn't tell who it was, but she guessed it was Archie.
Every time she breathed it caught in the back of her throat making gasp for air. Before she knew what was happening she was being lead outside. She heard Kevin and Archie talking but couldn't make out what was being said. By the time that she calmed down Kevin had gone inside and Archie was doing what he always did. He was just there, there when she was ready to talk, there when she needed someone to lean on, and just to comfort her.
Nikki didn't speak at all she did was lay her head on his shoulder, " thank you," she spoke softly, voice cracking, " thank you for getting me out of there.''
" Nik, I told you, you don't have to thank me,'' He replied wrapping an arm around her, " I know if you wanted to tell me you would. But you have never cried to point were I had to stop you from crashing.''
She nodded and pulled away from him. Nikki looked down at the ground her expression somewhat softened as he spoke to her. She realized that, that's how it has always been. Archie was always there, he was a consent in her life. His words calmed her.
"Plus your always there for me when I need you so think of it as me returning the favor," replied Archie getting a small smile from Nikki. She his shoulder lightly moving him a little.
She sighed and looked around. When she saw no one else was there she answered, " When you asked if I was okay before, I got a text from one of my friends on the South Side. It told me to call her, so I went to the bathroom,'' Her voice cracked again at the thought of telling Archie, " She told me that my Dad was in the hospital. That he got into an accident.''
Archie didn't say anything, he didn't what to say to make this better. So he sat there with his arm still wrapped around her. She sighed and looked up at him wanting for him to tell her everything was going to be fine. Nikki knew couldn't, though, she knew that nothing could make this better, but being with Archie could make it bearable.
The silence was broke by Nikki's phone going off, " Um.. so my Dad's friend is coming to get me,'' she said after looking at her phone. Nikki stood up and fixed her dress.
" Do you want me to come with you?'' he asked wanting to make sure she was okay. Archie stood up beside and she gave him a hug.
" I think you've done enough for one night,'' Nikki said pulling away again, " Go to Cheryl's after party and we can talk later.''
He nodded and looked at her for a moment. The wheels in his mind turning, wondering what he should do before she left. Without a worry he leaned in a placed a small kiss on Nikki's lips. Archie didn't want to push to far that night, but Nikki wanted more. She pulled him closer and deepened the kiss.
After a few minutes they pulled apart with the honk of a horn, " I should go,'' Nikki said out of breath. Archie nodded and let go of her. She walked away but looked back every now and then with a smile.
Archie started walking inside right as she got in the truck. Chuckling as he did so.
Nikki's POV:
I got in the truck after kissing Archie. I had a smile on my face which was very rare. FP sighed before starting the car again.
" What did we tell you about the North Side, Goldie,'' FP said as he drove down the rode.
I sighed before looking at him, " It's Archie, he was friends with Jug and he's my best-friend.''
" You really trust him?'' He asked anger dripping from his words. I nodded and he ran a hand over his face, " Okay, don't come crying to me when he breaks your heart.''
I looked at him shocked, " Why do I get the feeling there is something your not telling me?''
He shrugged his shoulders and continued to drive. I knew tonight was going to be a long night.
Archie's POV:
I walked back into the school after I finally kissed Nikki. I was happy, excited, and worried about happened. But I continued to walk until I found Veronica, Betty, and Kevin.
" Arch, where's Nikki?'' Betty asked me worriedly.
" She left. Her Dad got into an accident,'' I explained getting a sad expression from my friends. Veronica's expression changed from sad to confused in a matter of seconds though.
" Archie, why is there red lipstick on you?'' She asked me. I panicked, not knowing how to reply, " Oh my gosh! Did you have a make out session before she left?''
I didn't reply again looking guilty. I rubbed the back of my neck avoiding the question.
" Thank God!'' Kevin exclaimed, " do you know how tiresome it is listening to both of your pining.''
Betty nodded, " So, are we going to Cheryl's for the party?'' she asked us.
" I told Nik, I'd tell her how it was,'' I said getting 'fines' from the group. I knew Cheryl would try something to make Nikki mad, but I didn't know what.
A few minutes later
Veronica and I sat in the closet talking to one another.
"Okay. so how old were you and Nikki when you met?'' She asked me.
I thought back to me first officially meeting her, " We were four.''
" Wow! That's a long time. And speaking of long time how much longer do we have?'' I shrugged not knowing. She groaned and then thought, " Well, if we're gonna pull this off, we need to look the part.''
I nodded as she came closer and started messing with my hair. I knew something was going to happen when she began to walk closer. She moved from my hair to my shirt and started to undo the buttons. Before I knew she placed her lips on mine.
The closet opened and we both pulled back. I heard Reggie and Chuck cheering, I looked over and saw the shocked looks that were plastered on Betty and Kevin's faces. I knew I was screwed, I knew that Nikki was going to be pissed, and I knew that I had to be the one who told her.
