Chapter Thirty

Nigel's POV

I looked down at the lifeless Abby in my arms. "Abby? Are you alright?" I whispered. She replied with a faint groan. I sighed in relief that she wasn't dead. I looked up and Albert seemed to have quickly recovered because he's heading straight towards me. I couldn't reach my weapons, so I clutched Abby tightly and readied myself to leap when he came too close. He made an attempt to grab Abby but I was too fast for him. I knocked my feet and the rockets popped out from underneath, allowing me to hover a few feet above Albert. "Try and get her now, fancy pants." I spat.

He smirked and tapped his feet. He had built in rockets like mine. He flew to my level and tried again to grab Abby. I managed to dodge. I looked down at the fight happening below us. Rachel and Patton were helping Maurice fight Cree and the rest were fighting the Delightful's in some robot. Albert tried and tried again, but I kept escaping. I lowered my self to the ground again and he did likewise. We faced each other for a while until Albert started advancing towards me. Then all of a sudden Fanny slid in front of me and blasted Albert back with her Mustard gun. "Get Abby away from here!" She said.

I didn't take a second to question her and took off. "Ya wanna get to Abby, you're gonna have to get past me." I heard her say.

I didn't look back. "Maurice!" I called out. Maurice assured Rachel and Patton. They nodded and advanced on Cree to make sure she doesn't stop him as he ran towards me "Take Abby!" I screamed. "Take her someplace safe."

I handed Abby to him. "Gotcha." He said, carrying Abby in his arms.

I watched him take Abby away and once he was out of sight I turned back to Albert who managed to defeat Fanny. We both knocked our feet and flew to the air. We charged towards each other and wrestled. I tried to force him into the wall but he was surprisingly strong.

"Where's you get this strength from Al?" I asked.

He smirked. "I've had years of training."

He let go of me causing me to lose balance. He charged at me again but I blocked him. He threw punches and kicks but I managed to dodge or block. I threw my own kick and managed to hit him in the chest. He flew backwards but quickly recovered and flew towards me once again. Then from below us a massive explosion caused us to go unbalanced. Once the smoke cleared I saw the Delightful's sitting in a heap of metal and electronic scrap. "Never underestimate the power of a sherbet bomb." Virginia triumphantly grinned.

"Let's go! We got what we came for!" Rachel screamed. I lowered myself to the ground again and with my teammates busted out of there.

Maurice was outside waiting for us still holding an injured Abby. "Is she gonna be okay?" Wally asked.

Maurice nodded. "Sure…" He said. "She just needs some rest."

He handed Abby back to me, saluted and walked out of our sights. Abby opened her eyes and smiled at me. "Heya boss." She whispered. Everyone sighed relief. Virginia, Patton, Bartie and Rachel stepped back into their ship and took off again.

"Should we start heading back?" Hoagie asked. I nodded and we made our way back to the tree house.

Once we neared our destination, Lizzie was on the opposite street, most probably waiting for me. From what I could see through the light of the streetlights her eyes went wide and tears started to form on the corners. I looked down at Abby and she looked back at me. He arms were around my neck to make sure she didn't lose balance. I could see how Lizzie could misinterpret our position. I looked back at her. "Lizzie!" I called out. She shook her head and ran. I looked back down at Abby and she tried to avoid my eye. It looked like she was about to cry also. I handed her to Wally and ran off after Lizzie. "Lizzie!" I called out again.

"Go away Nigel Uno!" She screamed back.

Fortunately I was faster than her and I caught up, grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. "We need to talk." I said. I don't exactly know much about love even though I've had a girlfriend for quite some time but I knew that those four words are words no one in a relationship should hear. Lizzie gulped and nodded. I lead her to a nearby park and we sat on the swings.

"Lizzie, I'm sorry. What you saw with Abby wasn't what you think. I wish I could tell you but… I can't. I don't want to hurt you but… I can't keep lying to myself anymore…"

She looked at me and it made it all so harder to tell her. I took a deep breath and continued. "I-I… I'm sorry but… I don't love you anymore."

I closed my eyes expecting a very Lizzie-esque angry outburst. But there was nothing. I opened my eyes. Lizzie was staring at her shoes. "I was expecting that." She said.

"What?"

"I've noticed your behavior Nigel. It was different. Especially round Abby. I knew something was going on between you two… and I was afraid of losing you so I tried everything to keep you. But I guess it was a waste of time. You can't deny the heart Nigel Uno."

We both looked at each other. "You are in love." She said. "With Abigail Lincoln."

I was taken aback by this. But I guess she was right in a way. I have been experiencing new feelings for Abby, so I guess that's the logical answer. The jealousy, over-protectiveness, it wasn't because she was my best friend, but something more. "It's okay though." Lizzie continued. "Because… even though it hurts… we just weren't going to last Nigel. I was a little girl and very naïve but now I know."

I stood up and she did the same. "We can still be friends right?" I asked anxiously.

Lizzie smiled. "Of course."

We exchanged a massive bear hug and laughed. "Come on, I'll walk you home." I suggested.

"You know who's been eyeing you for quite some time?" I said to Lizzie as we walked towards her house.

"Who?" She asked.

"Herbie."

"Oh that nerd?"

"Easy. You gotta be that harsh?"

"Well he is. But he's a cute nerd."

We chuckled. "Well this is my stop." She said. We stood in front of her house. "Goodbye Nigel. See you tomorrow…"

"See you." I said. I gave her another hug and watched her enter her house. As soon as she was out of sight I headed back to the tree house.