Winter Wayhaught

Chapter 13

Waverly fought back the tears. A hopeless task. Nicole watched as they trickled down her face. "It was meant to make you happy."

"I am happy. I've never been happier in my life."

"Shouldn't you be smiling not crying?"

"Have you ever felt so happy you cried?"

"I guess. Actually, no. Don't think I've ever been that happy."

Waverly broke into sobs. "You keep doing this to me. Breaking my heart open a little more. God, I love you."

"I really am sorry. Can I get you a tissue, or...?"

"If you mention cake."

"Please, what can I do?"

"Hug me, now."

Nicole moved in, holding Waverly, feeling her sobs through her body. All she wanted to do was make her feel loved. Let her know there were more kind people in this world, than the H's who would use her. Use her name, her status, her generosity. She really didn't need anything from her. She had everything within her arms.

Nicole had learnt not to expect much from others. Robin was right, her early family life was truly sad. Too sad even for her to remember. The few years spent with her birth family deleted from her memory. Her adoptive family were kind, if a little odd. Eccentric, but caring. Made sure she was well-fed, had lovely outfits, taken to all the places young kids wanted to go. Zoo. Circus. Museum. Exotic holidays. And yet, her favourite place in the world was her aunt's bookstore. An Aladdin's cave for her mind. Given free rein to explore all the imaginary worlds available through words.

She begged each summer to be allowed to visit, to help her aunt. Her mother enjoyed Nicole's company to the same degree she enjoyed martinis on a warm balcony overlooking the Mediterranean. A pleasant distraction in her life. When Aunt Gus offered to look after Nicole during the summer holidays while her mother went on vacation it was gratefully accepted.

Nicole hardly missed her mother. She spent most of the year in boarding school anyway, the occasional visit by her family causing ripples of excitement throughout the school as they drove up the driveway in her father's DB9. Nicole always felt awkward as her mother emerged from the car. Hollywood looks, combined with enough facial work to keep her permanently young looking. Nicole's classmates would watch, a little awestruck, a little jealous, wishing they had such an attractive mother.

"She's not my mother."

"Very attractive. Why don't you take after her?"

Nicole rolled her eyes. "Because..."

"No, I mean, why don't you dress like her?"

"I like baggy clothes."

The group of girls giggled. "You look like a tall sack tied in the middle. With red straw for hair."

Nicole gave them a blank look. She was used to their taunts. Would never change for them. She walked away, finding the large oak tree in the grounds where she usually sat when feeling sad.

Her best friend came over. "Who's upset you?"

"No one. I'm not upset."

"You are. I can see. They really are jealous of you. You're far more attractive than they'll ever be. You have everything they want."

"I don't have their friendship."

"You have mine. One decent friend is worth more than twenty of those idiots. Come, let's go to our secret place, I fancy a cuddle."