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Chapter 2

Nicole stared at her friend's faces while trying to figure out how to avoid listening to Waverly's message. She didn't think she could handle hearing it in private, let alone with her three best friends staring at her and dissecting every word.

She avoided their gaze and stared at the tv...where she caught a glimpse of Waverly again. Nicole's heart physically hurt when she saw Waverly's smile. The smile she gave when she was faking it. Nicole could always tell when she was faking her smiles because those fake smiles never reached her eyes. They didn't create those beautiful crinkles at the corners of those beautiful eyes that Nicole loved so much. 'Damn you, Waverly,' Nicole thought to herself. 'Why are you feeling so sad at such a celebratory event? And why did you call me?'

Nicole returned her gaze to her phone with a mixture of disbelief and dread taking over her body. She was paralyzed with emotions, wondering why Waverly would call her now, in this moment, after all this time. After months of ignored texts and calls sent straight to voicemail. She didn't know what to do. Her internal panic was interrupted when Jeremy cupped his hand around hers and slowly removed the phone from her grip.

"May I?' he asked with tenderness and understanding in his voice.

Nicole swallowed harshly and simply nodded her head yes, curiosity finally getting the better of her.

Jeremy held the phone up to Nicole's face to unlock it before placing it on the coffee table. Everyone kneeled around the table and implored Jeremy to press play on the message. He discreetly squeezed Nicole's hand before giving everyone what they were waiting for

As the message started Nicole couldn't help but to think about how surreal it was to listen to Waverly's voice as she watched her gracefully maneuver through the sea of people thrusting microphones and flashbulbs in her face.

"Hey Nic, it's me...Waverly. I'm sorry to call out of the blue like this. I know it might seem strange after all this time but I, uh, well, I just need...I mean wanted, to hear your voice. You always knew how to calm my nerves and I sure could use a little bit of that magic at the moment. Anyway, I hope you are well. Oh yeah, I'm coming home this weekend to celebrate the holidays. I'll be staying at my parents' house. Maybe I'll get to see if you if you'll be home, too."

There was a long pause and Nicole could've sworn she heard Champ yell for Waverly to join him through all of the background noise. "Hey, sorry...but I've gotta run. I really do hope you'll be home this weekend, too. It's been far too long." And before the line went dead there was a barely audible whisper "I miss you so much."

Everyone's jaws were on the floor. "You heard that, right?' Rosita asked. "Everyone heard that, it wasn't just me. Please say I didn't make that last part up!"

Jeremy nodded in agreement, acknowledging he heard it, too.

"No way," Nicole shook her head. "Whatever you think you heard, you didn't", even though she knew they were right. Waverly just said she missed her. But why? And why now? In this moment? Nicole glanced back at the TV just in time to see Waverly standing with Champ on the red carpet, his arm wrapped protectively around her as he gave her a kiss on her cheek. She couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that pretty little head of Waverly's as she smiled, waved, and put on the fakest smile Nicole had ever seen.