"Nikki-!"
He knelt down and stared at you in concern, which only made you cry harder.
"I-I... Nikki..." He tried to close the distance between you and him with his arms, but you collapsed on the bed in a fetal position, still sobbing.
You could barely make out his expression, but you didn't want to see it. It would only add to your already unbearable pain.
After what felt like an eternity of tears, you finally mustered up the courage to look at him. You immediately wished you hadn't.
His face was the epitome of rejection. His eyebrows were furrowed in anxiety, a few drops leaking from his eyes that looked straight into your own.
"Nikki... Did you see?"
He didn't need to explain what he meant. You nodded slightly, not getting up, scared of what could happen. Would he hate you if he found out what you did? That thought constricted your throat even more, and you kept sobbing.
"...so...sorry...please...don't..."
You couldn't bear it anymore. You ran out of his room, wiping your tears off your cheeks. You went to the bathroom and splashed your face with ice-cold water. You didn't bother with your usual morning routine, instead gathering your things from the living room and dashing into the kitchen, almost running into Betty.
"Good morning, Nikki!" She sounded so pleasant and friendly that you almost forgot of your own sadness. But it latched onto your mind like a leech.
"Would you like-"
"I'm fine." No, that wasn't a good way of saying it. "I-I mean, I'm okay. I'm not hungry. It's just... I need to go home. May... May I please call my parents?"
Betty contemplated this for a few moments, face showing slight confusion. But it reverted back into her usual gentle smile. "No worries, Nikki. Would you at least like to take home some breakfast?"
"Ah, I-I'm fine," you reassured, faking a smile. "Phil and Brandon," You tried not to sob at his name, "-would probably need it more. I don't want to offend you, Betty... I'm just not feeling hungry."
Betty patted your head. "That's fine, Nikki. Thank you so much for coming. Phil, Brandon and I have enjoyed your company."
"Ah, you're welcome. Thank you so much for letting me stay over and letting me help with Fuzzy Friends."
"Anytime, Nikki."
So you sat in the living room and called your parents. They were surprised to hear of your decision, but they still arrived at the house to pick you up.
As you bid goodbye to your hosts, you tried not to let your thoughts wander to Brandon.
As the car moved farther and farther away from the lot of the Smith's, you caught a brief sight inside the house.
A figure stood there, face unrecognisable.
Something shone in their hand.