Chapter 7

KT: Nina, calm down.

Nina: My song book doubles as my diary! Whoever did it purposely tore out the most recent page in my diary!

KT: Do you remember what you wrote?

Nina: Of course not! That's exactly why I wrote it, so I wouldn't have to remember.

KT: Did you write anything revealing or embarrassing?

Nina: Well, no, but- shit.

KT: What?

Nina: I did write something. This morning, I had a nightmare.

KT: I couldn't have been real-

Nina: Well, it wasn't exactly a nightmare.

KT: Then, what was it?

Nina: A terrible memory. It was the night my mom and I left my dad.

KT: Oh, I'm sorry, Nina.

Nina: Ya, well, I wrote about it in my diary, on the back side of the page where the rest of my song was.

KT: Oh no.

Nina: Yes. Oh god, I'm such a frickin idiot!

There was a knock on the door and Mara popped her head through the door.

Mara: Hey, I got your text. What's this sisterhood meeting about?

KT: Someone stole a page of Nina's diary.

Mara: Oh god. Nina, please tell me what you wrote about.

Nina: The night my mom and I left my dad.

Mara: Shit. Nina, I think I know who stole the page.

Nina: Who?

KT: Was it a bitch that brings anything but JOY?

Mara: Yup, and a little copy cat follower.

Nina: Joy and Patricia, I should have known!

KT: What can they do with that kind of information?

Mara: Knowing them, a lot.

I stared out the little window I have in my room and saw it was raining. Growing up, mom had told me rain was just a way clouds cried to get out any stress they have. I used to say that I can understand why they cry, being so far away from their friends and always crashing in to their enemies. I must be a cloud, crying because I feel my friends spacing away and I can't stop crashing in to my enemies.

Nina: This can't be happening.

Mara: I'm sorry, Nina. I really am.

Nina: It's ok. Can I be alone for a bit?

KT: Of course.

Mara and KT got up and made their way out, but as Mara closed the door she got in to a conversation with someone.

Mara: What are you doing here?

?: Look, I need to apologize to Nina.

Mara: She needs some time alone. Can't you come back later?

?: Look, I really need to talk to her. It's important.

I heard Mara sigh and the door opened again.

Mara: Nina, you have a visitor.

She turned around and hissed at the person.

Mara: Don't stay too long. I'll be counting the hours.

She left for the house and the last person I wanted to see now stepped in to my room. He came in with his hands behind his back, hiding something. Not that I really cared at this point

Fabian: Hey, Nina.

Nina: Hey.

Fabian: Look, I-

Nina: No. Please, stop. I don't want you to apologize.

Fabian: But, I feel bad. Please, let me make it up to you.

Nina: How? You're gonna let me pour tea down your shirt?

Fabian: Not what I was looking for, but sure. I had something else in mind, but that works too.

Nina: Would ice cold water work?

Fabian: Whatever you want.

I started to laugh.

Nina: Wow, you must be serious.

Fabian: Ya, I'm sorry.

Nina: No, about getting even.

Fabian: Ya, well, it seems right.

Nina: Screw justice for now. Come on in.

He closed the door and sat next to me on my bed.

Fabian: Did you hear about the party tomorrow night?

Nina: Party?

Fabian: Ya, it's at your own house.

Nina: Well, good to know. It's not the only thing people don't tell me about.

Fabian: Sorry, I guess I just assumed you knew-

Nina: Don't worry about it. If I didn't get an invite, I'm not going.

Fabian: What if somebody you knew was going and they invited you?

Nina: Well, who would be stupid enough to do that? I'm not the social party girl, but it would depend on who asked me. Would it be a cute idiot?

Fabian: Well, I- um- I- was gonna- ask you-

Nina: What-

Fabian: But I would totally understand if you didn't want to go-

Nina: No, no-

Fabian: No?

Nina: No! I mean-

Fabian: I don't-

Nina: No, I don't not want to go with you!

Fabian: Um, was that a yes or-

Nina: Yes, I'll go with you. We're going- just as friends, right?

Fabian: Y- ya! It's not like I was asking you out on a date or anything! That's all we are: friends…

Why did I have to ask? I got my hopes up and- and then they died with the friend-zone. Stupid!

Nina: Um, is that all you came here for?

Fabian: Oh, I- I'm sorry. You want to be left alone? Because, I'll- I'll go if-

Nina: No! No, I was just curious.

Fabian: Well, um, I guess. Unless-

Nina: Unless what?

Fabian: Ok, this is gonna sound seriously stupid, but if you're willing to give me some more- horse-back riding lessons-

Nina: You want to give it a go?

Fabian: Ya, I mean, only if you're alright with it.

Nina: Of course I am. Horse-back riding's my life. Come on. Hope you like mud and rain, though.

I grabbed him by the hand and led him to the stables, never letting go.