Bad writer alert. Read old chapters for retcon and format changes. ALSO, short chapter.

~Shawn

DINNER

~Bobby~

At Nicki's house, the atmosphere was, um, tense at dinner. Roy really was a dick. He's the type of guy who calls his women toots and snookums and shit. It was pretty gross.

Miss K kept asking Nicki how his day was and what he did but he gave one word answers. I could tell she was just glad I was there since she seemed unsure if Nicki and I were even still friends.

"Well Bobby maybe your day was more interesting. Even though you and Nicholas were together the whole time." Miss K. said to me.

"Uh we saw Love at a Diner. It was okay. The girls really liked it." I told her.

"Ah, yes. Roy and I wanted to see that. Maybe next time he's off." Miss K. said looking toward Roy, who was engrossed in his meatloaf. "Tell me about the girls."

"I was with Jenna. She's sort of my girlfriend." I looked at Nicki and his face scrunched up a little. "Nicki was with Jenna's cousin. Nicki, tell your mom about Vicki."

Nicki's mom's eyes lit up like diamonds. "Nicki and Vicki. That's so cute. Come on Nicholas what's this Vicki girl like?"

"Well I'm pretty sure her real name is Victoria…" Nicki said before shoving a big piece of the loaf in his mouth.

"Is that all? What does she look like?" Nicki's mom kept prying but he just kept chewing and mumbling with his mouth full.

"So Bobby. Bobby right?" Roy randomly joined the conversation. "How long have you and Nicholas here been friends?"

"Since we were toddlers really. We would play near the yellow road and then school and stuff. So y'know,"

Roy or whatever nodded. "Pretty long time huh?"

"Yeah. I mean I was pretty disappointed when you all moved so it was cool seeing him again in high school. We were even in the same homeroom last year."

"You weren't over much last year huh?"

Nicki's eyes would turn from me to Roy each time one of us talked. He must've hated us speaking together.

"I was busy with sports. And to be honest, this place is pretty out of my way." I laughed.

"That so?" Roy started sawing at the food on his plate. "How you getting home son?"

I paused to think about it. "Oh I don't know. Mind if I spend the night?" I looked at Nicki.

"Its not really my house." Roy looked down at his plate. "At least not yet." He laughed and stuck some more food down his pipe.

Nicki coughed loudly and sipped the apple juice in front of him. "What do you mean not yet? Mom what is he talking about?"

"Well Nicholas, Roy and I have been together for more than two years. I suppose it's about time we told you. We got engaged." Nicki's mom touched Roy's arm and smiled all dreamily at him. They looked at each other, and then at Nicholas.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Nicki stood up, throwing his napkin on the table and stomping out of the dining room.

"Nicholas! Nicholas get back here!" Miss K. didn't leave her seat, and Roy was holding her down.

"It's cool. I'll go talk to him." I stood up and went after him. I think he went out the front. I went out to the porch and saw him trudging up the road.

"Nicki! Nicki!" I called to him but he just kept going, his shoulders were stiff and I could tell he was tearing up just by his posture. We were heading away from the house so I just kept following him, knowing he would stop eventually.

~Nicholas~

I wasn't sure where I was going, but I couldn't be in the house right now. I was actually glad Bobby was there. Just so he could see the bullshit. I heard him calling me but I was so damn mad, you know?

I kept going until I was in the fields. I didn't want to stay on the road. I sort of wanted to seclude myself I think, I knew Bobby wouldn't allow that though.

"You gonna walk all the way to the yellow road?" He asked me, still feet away.

I pursed my lips. "No." I still trudged through the tall grass though.

"Nicki. Stop." Bobby said somberly and I did. My legs were hurting. He stepped toward me and held me from behind where no one could see. It was pretty chilly, but he was really warm.

"Are you okay?" He asked me.

I wasn't too sure what to say though. "Did you see that bullshit? How they just…" Tears were coming out of my eyes. It was really gross.

"They love each other Nicki." Bobby said breathing on my neck. It felt good.

"Fuck him." I said. I could feel the tears stream down my cheeks now. I felt betrayed to be honest. I don't know where I thought their relationship was going…but I didn't expect them to marry I guess.

Bobby just held me. We were under the moon, which was romantic in a way. The itchy grass touching our arms didn't feel too good though.

"Let's get back to your house. You'll catch a cold." Bobby said gently.

"I'm not a baby." I shook my head. I tried not to sound too depressed when I said that so he wouldn't worry.

"I know." I turned around and he wiped the tears from my face with his thumbs. He then smiled at me, his blue eyes sort glowed from the moon's white light. Man he's gorgeous. He took my hand and he lead me out of the field.