(Nicky's POV)
"Nick!"
God, what now?
I was on my way to the Hall of Miniatures when I heard my name called out. I turned around to see Ahkmenrah coming towards me. For a moment I tensed up, but relaxed upon seeing him smiling. Ahkmenrah was like my brother. He was always there to look out for me.
"Hey Ahk," I said, somewhat shy. I didn't feel like being interrogated about the argument anymore. He wasn't an idiot, though. Ahkmenrah could read me like a record.
"Are you alright, Nicky?" He asked, concern floating in his optics. "You look upset."
I sat on a bench nearby, and Ahkmenrah joined me. "Everyone keeps asking me that. I'm fine, Ahk." I tugged my jacket sleeves in anxiety.
He turned to confront me. "I don't only mean about what occurred. You've been different lately."
I faced away from Ahk. So people were noticing. Perhaps even my Dad. I wasn't exactly a good liar. I tried to bottle things up, but it always got out in some manner. The abuse from school was one of the few things I actually managed to obscure.
"Nicky, we're all worried." Ahkmenrah placed a hand on my shoulder in an attempt to console me. It didn't work, and I shrugged it away.
"Nicky, please talk to me." Ahk tried again, but to no purpose. I was completely closed off. The wall was up yet again, and I remained mum.
"We're here for you, Nicky." He stated, standing up.
I didn't respond, but the final thing he said stayed with me.
"We're your family."