Chapter Fourteen

Nigel's POV

I leant over the sink in the boy's bathroom, breathing heavily. The pain from my cheek was fading away slowly, but the pain in my chest remained. I looked up at the mirror hanging above the sink before me and stared at my reflection. My cheek was puffy and red. I sighed and splashed some water on my face and that's when Wally came in.

"Thought I'd find you in here mate," He said. He looked at me and his eyes widened. "Whoa, what happened?"

"Nothing." I said holding my cheek with my hand. "You needn't concern yourself."

"Lizzie wasn't it?"

I looked away. "Yeah I saw it mate." He said. "Dunno what you ever saw in her, no offence."

I walked out of the bathroom with Wally walking beside me. We walked past the outdoor tables and on one sat Lizzie and Kuki. Lizzie seemed to be yelling and Kuki was trying to calm her down. Most probably about me. I heard Wally sigh. "Wish me luck." He muttered to me and made his way towards Kuki. She eyed him suspiciously.

"She doesn't want to talk to you shorty." Lizzie snapped.

"Look… I need to talk to you Kooks."

Kuki sighed. "This better be quick."

"Can we talk somewhere private?"

Kuki shrugged and followed Wally underneath a tree. I followed too, but without them knowing. "Look I just want to know why you're so upset with me today?" Wally asked. "Oh why won't the two of you just admit it?" She huffed.

"Admit what?"

"Okay, tell me." She placed her hands on her hips and leant forward. "Why, when you dance with me you're crap but you dance with Abby and you're perfect? Even when dancing isn't 'your thing'."

"Look I dunno." Wally ruffled his hair. "I enjoy dancing with yer, but… I guess…"

"Well from what I've seen Monday, you didn't seem to be enjoying it."

"Look I guess, I was nervous when I was dancing with ya and… when I danced with Abs it was… I dunno. I felt that I didn't have to try and be perfect and it came naturally."

"Er… what?"

Just tell her Wally. Seriously, he just needs to tell her. Get it over and done with. "I guess… I was trying to impress you and tried a little too hard I ended up making mistakes… if that makes any sense." Wally muttered, stuffing his hands in his pockets and kicking a blade of grass. Kuki stood there silently. "Besides… we have to go to the dance together. You can't be angry with me forever."

Kuki stood silently staring at her shoes. They both stood in silence until Kuki broke it. "Even though half of it didn't make sense, the other half was sweet."

"So… Friends again?"

Kuki giggled and gave Wally a big bear hug. I slapped my forehead. I can't believe he didn't tell her, again. Wally looked over to me and I just pretended to be casually standing around, caught Wally's eye and lifted a hand high. He and Kuki ran straight towards me. "It's okay boss." Wally said. "I knew you were spying on us."

Wally still might not be the sharpest tool in the box but he has grown a bit smarter over the years. "Spying? I wasn't spying." I said innocently, while trying to sound professional. "So you two work things out?"

They both nodded. "But er…" Kuki started to say. "Do you know where Abby is? I have to apologize to her too…"

I shook my head. "But I'll help you find her."

"Great! But we better hurry. Lunch is nearly over."

"Oh well they're over there."

Wally pointed straight ahead and there underneath a tree sat Fanny, Rachel, Virginia and Fanny. "Oh back off fancy pants." I heard Fanny bellow and then I realized another figure. Albert. Once called Numbuh 19th Century, he was decommissioned from the Kids Next Door and haven't heard from him since. Rumors fly around that he's working with The Delightful's but there has been no proof of it. I even tried finding some myself but to no prevail.

"What's going on?" Asked Kuki, as we got closer to the group.

"But Fanny-kins, doesn't thou wish to be near thee?"

Fanny scoffed. "Thee reckons thou should consult a fashion expert." Whispered Kuki with a slight giggle.

"Oh just disappear." Fanny growled.

"But my dear Fanny-kins." Albert cupped her chin and turned her head to face him. "Does thou not remember what happened in thy closet?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Now get off me."

Everyone flinched as Hoagie approached Albert's back. Albert having no idea he was behind him, Hoagie tapped him on the shoulder. Albert quickly turned around. "Whatcha doin' with my girlfriend Al?" Hoagie said menacingly.

"Oh. You're girlfriend?" Albert replied. "Oh but why nothing."

"Good. Now go."

Albert scurried away and Fanny sighed relief. Hoagie may not come across as menacing but when he's pissed… watch out, that's all I'm going to say. "You okay?" He asked Fanny, as he sat down next to her. She nodded in reply. Wally and I sat down with the group but Kuki just stood there, fiddling with her purple skirt. She hesitantly walked over to Abby. "Hey, um… can I talk to you?" She mumbled.

Abby got up and followed her to about 10 meters away from the group. I watched their inaudible conversation and my heart started beating faster. I was nervous about what the outcome could be. The group watched with me and I could tell they were as anticipated as I was. We all sighed of relief as they hugged and came back to sit down with us.