Unofficial First Girlfriend

CHAPTER 6

"When two people like each other but they're taken, then there's no chance for them to be together. It's impossible. Even if just one of them is taken."

"If they don't have a chance now, they will never have a chance in the future. That's what you think?"

Sabrina nodded. "Most likely, yeah. Because maybe, they had a chance in the past, but they blew it."

"You and Bryce. The perfect example."

She shook her head and smiled, then began finger-combing her bangs which now reached a little past her eyebrows.

"Where's Naiah?" she asked, changing the subject.

"She's asleep."

"Oh, too bad. I wanted to see if she could pronounce my name right."

I chuckled. I was about to say something when the glass door suddenly opened, and Nick walked right in. He was wearing an all-black outfit from his shirt, jeans, down to his sneakers. He was holding a paper bag in one hand and his phone in the other.

"Hey, I didn't know you'd be here, Sab. I only brought my gifts for Macey."

He hugged her by her shoulders before sitting on the high stool next to her. He handed me the brown paper bag. It was sealed with scotch tape so I couldn't see what was inside. I placed the bag on the floor, under the cash register.

"I got what you asked and I also have a few kinds of stuff for Naiah."

I smiled. "Aw, thanks. You want anything?"

"Oh no. I'm in a bit of a hurry because I'm meeting Shine. I haven't visited her yet since I got back here."

I gave a sideways glance at Sabrina, and she looked at me with her eyes wide open.

"I think someone's going to get some tonight," I whispered and gave Nick a mischievous smile.

Sabrina laughed and Nick only grinned.

"Maybe that someone will get lucky tonight," he responded.

Sabrina propped her elbows on the counter and covered her ears with her hands. "I'm not partaking in this conversation."

Nick pulled Sabrina's right arm. "Hey, let's hang out soon. Bryce said he's free next week."

"Alright, just tell me when. My schedule is pretty hectic," Sabrina replied.

Nick's phone rang, and a photo of Sunshine wearing one of his shirts showed up on the screen. She was sitting cross-legged on a bed and a few top buttons were undone. I flickered my gaze towards Sabrina who was now covering her eyes.

"Okay, I better go now. I will eat here some other time, I promise," he mumbled, then turned to Sabrina and said, "I'll bring you my gift next time."

Sabrina put her hands down and nodded at him. He stood up from the chair and headed to the door.

"Dude, you should consider the technique," I yelled.

He laughed, the corners of his eyes forming lines. He tapped his temples with his index finger and responded, "I'll keep that in mind." After one last wave, he was out of the door.

A few customers left the booths, and I walked towards the nearest one, with a tray in my hand, to clear the table. Sabrina jumped up from her seat to help me. She stacked the plates on the tray as I sprayed some disinfectant on the table and wiped it.

"So, Shine and Nick, still together?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Going strong?"

"Looks like it."

She carried the tray and we moved on to the next table. "I thought they broke up for good?"

"Well, they made up."

"Is she pregnant now?"

I laughed. "You know I asked him that last night. But we heard him, this is the first time he'll be seeing her after two years."

"And he'll be here for two months."

"We'll see what happens in two months."

"Oh, and maybe you'll get another threat from her," she joked.

Esther, my other kitchen helper, came out of the kitchen and took the disinfectant spray and tray from us. Sabrina and I went back to the counter.

"Keep 'em coming," I joked. I was used to receiving death glares and hate messages from most of Nick's girls through the years.

"I can still remember the first time I saw her. She didn't even say a word to me. She did acknowledge my presence by looking at me from head to toe and I was like 'Girl, I'm not going to steal Nick from you.' I couldn't ask him, but what did he even see in her?"

"Maybe because she's adventurous."

Sabrina sighed and propped her elbows on the counter. She rested her chin on the heel of her palm and said, "Okay, but there were better ones."

We stared at each other, and I was sure we were both thinking of all of Nick's exes and all the girls he was linked to. We shook our heads at the same time.

"Maybe there was a better one," she corrected herself. "And the only ex I was actually friends with."

I nodded.

"I like Ciara and Nick together," she continued.

They were good together, and Nick was in his best self when he was in a relationship with Ciara. He never cheated on her and never seen someone else while they dated. But the thing was, Ciara took him for granted.

"Ciara was better than all his exes."

"Yeah," I agreed. Partly because Ciara was Nick's only girl who never had an issue with me. But deep inside, I was thinking of something else.

There was another one—a better one to who he never committed to.

***

10 years ago

Dear diary,

Nick and I had a movie marathon today, as usual. He went to our house after school and watched movies in my room. Today, we chose a comedy film. Honestly, we barely saw it because we talked about Christian.

I know Christian and I have broken up almost a year ago. But it was just annoying to see him having fun with other girls. I wanted to work things out with him a few months ago, but it seems like he doesn't want to. He'd rather want to talk to other girls than sort things out with me. Now, I heard he is dating someone. But Nick said they're still not official. Whoever that girl is.

But it's not Christian who I wanted to write about tonight. It's about Nick. When he was about to leave, I walked him out up to the curb by the street. I gave him a hug and he kissed me softly on the lips before he left. It was just a quick peck. I was used to it so it wasn't a big deal for me.

But when I got inside the house, Mama straightforwardly asked me why Nick kissed me. I didn't expect her to see that. I also couldn't answer her because what was I supposed to tell her? That I'm fooling around with Nick? Then she asked me if he was my boyfriend.

I said 'no'. She told me that I should be more careful with my actions, especially if a guy isn't my boyfriend.

With all the things we have done, and are still doing, I can easily pass as his girlfriend. But he's currently dating Kelsey, so I'm certainly not his girlfriend.

By the way, that girlhates me, I am sure of it.