Chapter 10

A secret

Nikki's pov

I can't believe someone locked us here! I think I know who… Mackenzie could be the one, but she isn't blonde. She doesn't like to wear her hair in a ponytail as well. Stephanie always wears her hair like that and she hates me because I know her secret: she is a maid in a fancy restaurant. I thought until then that she was rich and she had tons of money from her parents, but I guess I was wrong. She was just pretending to be wealthy. Martha was really scared and she thought someone wanted to kill us. I am sure Stephanie is just messing with me. She isn't an actual danger. I told her I won't tell anyone, but I think she didn't believe me. I will talk to her again later today and I hope I will change her mind. Stephanie isn't my number 1 problem right now. I have to make things right with Brandon and Mackenzie. They still think I am in a relationship with Andre. That isn't true! The teacher picked the lock and we got out of the class. I ran back home because I was really late, but someone stopped me.

''I can do much more than that, Nikki.''

It was Stephanie…

''Why do you want to ruin my life?!'' I asked in despair.

''Correction. You want to ruin mine because you want to tell everyone my secret!''

''I do not! I told you yesterday I won't tell everyone if you don't reveal my secret.''

''Fine. I will keep an eye on you, don't worry…''

She pushed me away and left. I hate her but I have to bear with her until the end of the year. Stephanie made me come home later. I entered and peeked through the door to see if someone was home. Mom and Dad were giving some calls. I entered and greeted them, but when they saw me, they hugged me like I was gone for ten years.

''Where were you?! We were so worried about you!" said mom.

''Yes! Why didn't you give us a call?!"

Then, the yelling started.

''We told you to come home at 6 pm! It's half past 7!''

''I am sorry! We got locked in-''

''I do not care. You are grounded. If something really happened you would give a call.'' Said mom.

She couldn't care less about what I wanted to say. I stormed off and shut the door. I took a pillow and screamed in it. I don't know why, but it makes me feel better every time. I heard a knock on the door while I was throwing my tantrum, but I opened. What does Brianna want from me?

''Yes?'' I answered, not interested at all.

''Someone called on the phone and said they want to talk to you.''

''What phone? I don't have a phone anymore, and guess whose fault is that.'' I said, ironically.

''Yeah, yeah! Anyway, they called on the house phone.''

I forgot to mention, we have a house phone where the people who know us call. I don't know why it still exists, but I mainly use it because my phone fell in the toilet. I got up and dialled the number again.

''Hello? It's Nikki.''

''Hi…''

It was a very familiar voice, and I recognised who it was instantly.

''Brandon?! How do you have this number?! And why did you call…?''

''Zoey gave it to me. I called to ask you something…''

''What?'' I said, excited.

''Do you have a cup of sugar? You were the last one I wanted to call, but you are the only one I know from this neighbourhood.''

''Uh…''

I thought he called to talk about our relationship, but he called for a cup of sugar?!

''Yes, I do… Come get it. I will get it ready for you.''

''Ok…''

He hung up without saying goodbye or thank you.

Brandon's pov

Please, don't judge me. I called her because I wanted to hear her voice. Usually we talked every night, but now the night feels empty. I didn't lie about the cup of sugar though, I actually need it, but I could have easily gone to the store to buy more sugar. I ran to her house and rang the bell.

''Here.''

We looked in each other's eyes for a second, but Nikki closed the door in my face before I got to say anything else. I guess she is mad at me too… but why?! She cheated on me! I still like her… I don't know… what if she is telling the truth?

The next day

I woke up sick, but I had to go to school. I wanted to skip it, but we had an important quiz. I got up and walked to school. I am not excited for school at all. I don't want to see Nikki, but at the same time I do. I have mixed feelings about the proof Mackenzie showed me. What if she is lying? What if she got the proof from a non-reliable source? I have to ask her where she got the proof from. I walked up to her at the same time with Nikki.

''What are you doing here?'' asked Mackenzie, looking at Nikki.

''I wanted to ask you something.''

''Me too.'' I said, unsure.

''You both want to ask me questions? Brandon first.''

''Where did you get the proof from?'' I asked.

''That is what I wanted to ask as well!'' yelled Nikki.

''Well, from my best friend Stephanie, who is more trustworthy than you and Andre.'' said Mackenzie.

''Stephanie?! That snake?! I thought you weren't friends anymore!''

I was shocked.

''We are getting along now. I can't believe I stepped this low to be friends with you.''

Her words hurt me, but I knew she only said that because she was furious with me. I guess our friendship was just a temporary thing.

''She literally tried to steal your boyfriend and you forgave her?!"

''I would have done that too. André is just too handsome to resist.''

''You are giving me a headache. I am leaving.''

''You better.''

I was speechless. Stephanie isn't a person I would trust over Nikki. There is no way both Nikki and André are lying. I don't trust a word Stephanie says. Nikki is right. She tried to steal Mackenzie's boyfriend and dressed up as Nikki to ruin her life. She did too much. I caught up with Nikki and said:

''Wait! I am sorry for believing Mackenzie over you. I know Mackenzie changed, but I still don't trust her completely. I was a fool.''

I have faith she will accept my apology.

''Uh… I don't know. I think I need a break from our relationship for a while.''

''…''

A break?! Does that mean she wants to break up with me?! Maybe I am just overthinking…

''It's nothing personal. I have to focus on myself and my grades. We can still be friends.''

I left without answering what she said. Everyone knows that when a couple breaks up they remain friends for a short period of time, then they lose contact. I hope it is not going to be the same for Nikki and I…