"Ugh, I can't believe camp's over now, what am I supposed to do?"
Nikki thought to herself. She was super upset, not only did she have to say goodbye to all her friends… well, save for Neil, but she had to go home to her Mum and what was it now? Eighth boyfriend? She was losing track at this point. Maybe Neil's Dad would be the last? She would have much rather go home to her Dad's. Purely because at least at her Dad's it was only him and her. No distractions. No one else. He listened to her. He cared for her.
After what she assumed was 30 minutes of driving - and Max's outburst - it was finally her house. There were about 7 kids still on the bus. She grabbed her stuff at her feet, gave Max a sad glance. "Bye Max... " she said softly and gave a weak wave as she walked past him. She heard him mutter something, but she couldn't make out what it was.
As she went towards the steps to hop off the bus she felt a hand grab her forearm. She looked to see who the culprit was. David. She really wasn't in the mood for his jubilant attitude. She really wasn't paying attention to what he was saying. All she caught was 'Everything's gonna be alright.' She knew he was just trying to make her feel better so she just gave him the best smile she could muster, turned around and said goodbye to everyone. Her eyes gazing at Max. Hoping. Praying that he would acknowledge her.
He was still looking out the window. However, she saw something that no one else did. Max was he? No, he couldn't be... Could he? Max, crying? No, Max never cries. Max looked up from the window and for a second the two of their eyes connected. Before it got awkward Nikki quickly raced off the bus.
So far, all of the camper's parents were there waiting for them to give them a big hug, but not Nikki's Mum. Nikki was used to this by now, but nevertheless, it still hurt. It wasn't the first time her Mum had ghosted her. The only thing that was different this time was that her Mum had actually promised to be there when she got off the bus they shook on it and everything. For some reason, part of Nikki actually believed that for once her Mum wasn't lying.
She turned back around and looked at the bus and gave Max and Neil one last wave. After walking for around half an hour she finally reached her front door. She knocked on the door expecting her Mum or one of her many boyfriends. Out of all the people she expected to answer the door. It definitely was not him.
"Dad?"
"Dad!" Nikki exclaimed as she jumped into her Dad's arms.
"Hey Possum!" She loved that nickname, it was what her father had always called her for as far as she could remember. Her Mum came walking up in the background, she did not look happy, oh no. Not good.
"Nicolette, we have to talk to you, c'mon." Her Mum dragged her inside by her arm. Once she got to the lounge room she had figured out why her mum was not so happy. There was another woman on the couch, she had a little girl next to her about 4 maybe 5 years old definitely younger than her. On one couch there was her mother and on the other, her father and these 2 strangers.
"What's going on?" Nikki already thought knew what was up, she just wanted to hear it from them.
"Well Possum, this is Aisha and her daughter Caitlin… they are going to be your new step-mum and step-sister." Her father tried to explain, He smiled awkwardly waiting for her response. But, Nikki's insides were burning, she felt as if her heart was being ripped from her chest. As if the air around her was closing her in and suffocating her. She wanted to kick and scream and bite and punch. She wanted to throw a tantrum. Run back to camp… back to when everything was fine.
"Ok… So why are you telling me this?" She came off calm, she definitely didn't feel like that inside.
"Well, you see Nikki your father doesn't feel like you are being looked after well. That you will be better living with him, and these two." Her mother finished as she rolled her eyes.
"But that means I would have to leave my friends at school. Ashton and Charlie. I'll never see them again? And I won't be able to see Neil until next year!" All of a sudden it was as if the entire world was crumbling and collapsing on top of her. As if she was trapped and she couldn't escape.
"C'mon Possum it won't be like that, wait who's Neil?" Her father asked as he raised his eyebrow.
"He's just a friend dad. They're all my friends, and I don't wanna leave them!" A million thoughts began swirling in her mind making her dizzy.
"Nicolette, stop being so dramatic."
"You'll make new friends at your new school." Her father added
"I don't want new friends! I like the friends I have now." Nikki said.
"Then it's decided. Nicolette will stay here."
"No. It does not."
Nikki's parents began bickering, it was driving her insane. She already had so many things filling her mind. She didn't need to worry about this too.
"Does that mean that I won't ever be able to go back to camp?" Nikki interrupted.
"Maybe. I'm not sure. Where is this camp?" Her father asked. At least he was considering it.
"Sleepy Peak." Nikki answered. Certainty in her voice. She heard the strange woman next to her father take a disapproving breath before speaking up.
"That's a bit far from where we live." She said with, in Nikki's opinion a sickeningly sweet smile on her face.
"I didn't ask you." Nikki spat out. She could a disapproving 'Nikki' from her father while her mother laughed in response.
"We would see what we can do but Aisha's right. It is a bit far."
"Nicolette is more than fine here." Her mother interjected.
"No, she is not. She is coming to live with me and that's final."
"Do I even get a say in this?" Nikki asked being completely ignored by her parents. "Oh, wait… that's right. Nikki never gets a say." That drew her parents attention. Nikki was getting angry, no one was listening to her, that's why she loved her dad, he always listened.
"Now Possum, listen, I feel like you would be better taken care of if you went with me." He tried to reason.
"Dad! You're not listening. I. Don't. Want. To. Leave!"
"Now Possum."
"I want to stay with my friends." She spoke through her teeth
"You have to try to underst-"
"NO, DAD! YOU'RE NOT LISTENING! I DON'T WANT TO!"
Silence.
Nikki's chest rose and fell as she took deep breathes. tears began to fill her eyes. Her brain kept coming back to what she heard David say on the bus. "Everything's gonna be alright."
Well, it sure as hell doesn't feel like it.
No one understands.