TORN (a Kevin "Ghost" McCullough Fanfic) *short story*

Chapter 10

"You what?" She yelled, jumping up and down. "Yes! I'm not making this up. Please help me, Nic. I don't want this to actually happen."

She sighed, sitting back on her bed. "Trix, I'm so sorry. I don't know what to tell you." I sighed, holding my face in my hands. "But," She began. I looked up at her with hope. "That doesn't mean you shouldn't know the truth."

"Nic, I don't know if I should know the truth anymore." I shook my hand, standing up and crossing my arms in front of the window. "Too late." She said. I turned around and faced her. She had my phone in her hands and a smug grin on her face. "What did you do?!" I screamed, grabbing my phone from her. I looked at what she did. "Seriously, Nic?" I asked.

"You got the truth!"

"How do you know this is the truth?" I looked back at it. "Just trust me. To be honest, I don't know if it's the truth. But, I know how to get the truth out."

"And what's that?" I asked, sitting next to her and locking my phone, putting it in my pocket. "Make him jealous."

"How?" I asked, grabbing a pillow and hugging it. "Flirting with other guys." She said with a smile. "No. I'm not going to do that." I refused. "Why? It'll be perfect!" She squealed. "Because I don't want to hurt anyone else trying to get someone I still don't know about." She groaned and pulled out her phone. "It's going to happen, and I know just the guy." I leaned back and pulled my knees up to my chest. "Look." She said, handing me her phone. It was a picture of a really cute guy. Black hair slicked back, a lip ring, a full sleeve on his right arm and half of his left. "What's he got to do with this?" I asked, handing her phone back.

"His name is Jake and he's your ticket to Kevin. I know this guy pretty well and trust me, he can help."

"Nicki, I don't really-"

"No, stop there. He's actually gay. One way ticket."

"Nicki!"

"Listen for a second. He is the best friend you could have when it comes to jealousy. He would act like he's your boyfriend for as long as you want and once Kevin sees you happy with him, he'll want you and Jake is gone."

"Nicki, listen to me now. I don't want Kevin jealous to get me. If I want him, I'll get him on my own. I don't want any part of this, okay? I still don't know if I want Kevin in the end anyway." She groaned. "Fine. At least think about it, okay?"
"Okay."

I went home after that, getting no luck whatsoever from her. I don't have anyone else to turn to for help and I need to figure this out soon.

I opened the door and saw just Manny sitting in the living room watching TV. "Hey, Trix. Come here a sec." He said as he patted the seat next to him. I sat there and he turned the TV down and faced me. "Do you like Kevin?" He asked quietly. "Don't tell me no." I just nodded a little. A smile crept onto his face. "Good." He whispered. "Why?" I asked.

"While you were gone, he came out here and kept talking about you. I asked if he liked you and he said yes. His exact words were, 'she's just so beautiful. I could hug her and kiss her and cuddle her any day. Oh my, Manny she's perfect.' Then I asked, 'do you like her?' and he was all like 'how can I not?'"

I felt a smile form up on my face and my heart beat get faster. "You like him, don't you?" He asked. "I told you I did."

"Oh yeah. Ha. You should hook up." He gently punched my arm and I giggled. "No, I'm not sure about that."

"Why? You both like each other. I'll help you tomorrow." I shrugged and said ok then went to my room, falling asleep pretty quickly.

Next morning, I wake up from Sprout pouncing on me. I fed him and gave him water then went downstairs to get food. I saw all the guys in the kitchen eating already. "Ah! There's my girl." Manny called. The guys turned and looked at me and I rolled my eyes, flipping my hair back and pulling a 'bitch I'm cool' type face. Manny came up to me and wrapped his arm around me again. "Or should I say, Kevin's girl."

My heart dropped. I didn't think this is what he meant by helping me! "What?" The guys asked, looking at Kevin and I. "What the hell?" I laughed, making it sound like a joke. "I'm being serious, Trix. You told me last night you liked Kevin." I shook my head and looked over at Kevin for a split second. "No way in hell." I answered. "Pssh. You're only saying that cause guys are here."

"No I'm not. I'm saying that cause I don't like him."

"Then why are you blushing right now?" All the guys were looking at me, even Kevin. Now, I could feel my face heating up and I slowly backed away. I looked back at all the guys before walking past Kevin then running up the stairs. I shut and locked my room door, breathing heavily and leaning against it, sinking down to the floor. Tears rushed up to my eyes, threatening to fall but I blinked them away.

I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and to my door, knocking on it a few times. "Trixie?" I heard Kevin's voice ask. "Can I come in?"

I stood up, grabbing my phone and sitting out on the balcony. "Trixie." He said before I shut the door. "Leave me alone." I said, shutting the door this time. I looked out, feeling nothing but embarrassment and horror. I did not want for it to go this way.

"Is it true?"

I turned and saw Kevin closing the door behind him, taking the seat next to mine. "How did you get in?" I asked, looking away from him. "Picked the lock." He answered. "Is it true?" He asked again after taking a ragged breath. I knew in my heart the answer was yes, and from me running away, it should be obvious by now. "Trix.." He trailed off, reaching over and gently holding my hand in his, locking our eyes together. "You should know the truth."