The Beginning of Something More (SECOND BOOK)

A New Life

Nikki's Point of View

The shopping day went by far too quickly. We spent hours trying on clothes, looking at accessories, and being awed by brand-new jewelry. It was fun, but I wish it hadn't gone by so fast. Chloe and Zoey seemed to be watching me very closely, and it kind of freaked me out. It made me wonder if they were planning something, but I decided to dismiss the feeling and continue browsing the large amount of selections amongst the mall.

I found a very cute chain that goes with my favorite shirt. It was 20 bucks, but it was so good that I thought some of my savings was worth it.

My birthday is coming up, but I'm not sure what I should do. My mom will probably do something ridiculous....I laugh at the thought.

I walk around my room, trying to figure out what to do. Maybe I'll text Brandon.

I grab my phone and open my messages. Oh, someone texted me.

Chloe: "You should come over Sunday, we will have some fun! Movie night sleepover!

I smile. I loved it last time we did this!

Nikki: "Let's not repeat New Years, though, okay? Maybe we should do it next Saturday instead. We'll have more time.

I laugh at the memory of our New Years party. We sure started it off with a bang!

I am still super confused as to why she thought Brandon would toilet paper her house, though.

But whatevs!

I got a new message a minute or two later:

Chloe: "Aww. Okay, next Saturday. See you at school!"

Nikki: "K, bye!"

I sighed happily and texted Brandon:

Nikki: "Hope you had a good day. How r u doing?"

After I texted him, I put my phone down and walked to the living room to see if I left my denim jacket there. I need to wash it, (I spilled orange soda on it.) and I couldn't find it earlier.

I see Brianna in the living room watching TV, and she saw me coming in. She smiled. I sighed. She had this face that obviously said: 'Resistance is futile.'

I agreed.

I sat down on the couch next to her.

Nikki: "Whatcha watching?"

Brianna: "Just a movie. It's fifteen minutes in. Wanna watch it with me?"

I opened my mouth to reject her offer, but when I looked at her face, it scared me into forgetting it. What's the point?

Resistance, is indeed, unfortunately futile.

I sit down on the couch.

After awhile, I get bored because all they're really doing is trying to solve how Barbie is going to make it to the castle in time to get saved by her Prince Charming for the millionth time.

I look down on the couch, and see a bit of fabric poking out of beneath where Brianna is sitting.

Is she sitting on a blanket?

Hmmmm....

Nikki: "Hey Brianna, could you move over to the side a bit?"

Brianna: "Huh?"

Nikki: "Please move a tad."

Brianna: "K."

She moved over a bit, and suddenly I remembered the whole reason I had come here in the first place.

To find my jacket.

Which Brianna had unfortunately been sitting on.

The orange juice was probably even more soaked in, and I secretly hoped Brianna's behind and the couch wasn't sticky, to save me from Brianna telling Mom about this while situation.

Since I figured Brianna was distracted, I slowly grabbed the jacket, and looked at her for a second.

She seemed pretty zoned out.

Or in.

Or whatever the heck you say when someone's watching a movie and they're really in it.

Into it?

Ahh, forget it...

I silently shifted towards the opposite end of the couch she was sitting on, and I slowly and quietly got up. I tip-toed, and I was half way out until...

Brianna: "Why does it smell orangey?"

She sniffed at the air a couple times, but didn't look away from the TV.

Thank The Lord.

I was so close to the safe haven, I only had a few steps to go.

I heard Brianna saying something again.

Brianna: "Ew. Why is this spot on the couch sticky?"

I winced.

She looked away from the TV and looked at me. Her eyes widened.

Over this past year-Brianna's become a bit smarter. Darn.

She pointed a finger at my jacket.

Brianna: "Don't tell me I was sitting on that."

I turned to look more behind me and turned my entire body around.

Nikki: "Um...you weren't?"

I try to sound confident in my answer, but she already knows, so not much effort went into that.

She slowly reaches to touch her blue jean capris. Her face says it all: she's horrified to feel sticky on her bum.

This isn't going to end well.