The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 43: Nichole's Way

Maksean

After securing our dresses and suits, our week went as the new usual. Sunday, the four of us went over to Dani's for a movie night, but had to be home by eleven for school the next day. Monday I woke up and rode to school with Asher. Parked next to Luka then walked in the school with Dani and our boys trailing us. After school we held practice in the band hall, and I waited by Asher's truck afterwards. Luka stayed and chatted with me while waiting. We all went home and studied at Asher's before separating for dinner.

Tuesday I left school with Dani and Luka to head to Candy's. I worked with Nichole while Luka helped Dani on her math, though she already had an A. Nichole and I worked on how to win Samuel for her. And I tried to convince her to stay strong and wait it out. An hour after my friends left, Asher came to pick me up. My shift ended soon after, and Nichole closed the diner for me. Wednesday saw the same thing, only I closed by myself since Nichole had something.

Thursday was when everything seemed to change.

The Lunchroom was just in sight of when my new blonde co-worker came into view with a very uncharacteristically genuine smile. Nichole had on a white sweater paired with blak slacks. Her light purple backpack hung off her right shoulder and her blonde ponytail swung as she walked briskly towards us.

"Oh Maksean and Daniela! How wonderful it is to see you ladies!" She cheered, her arms wide.

"If we run now, we might be able to make it out of the school before she can turn into her true form." Dani whispers from my side, grabbing my arm to drag me away.

I roll my eyes at her childish antics before smiling back at the blonde. "Nichole, what's up? Where's your posse?" I ask, referring to the group of girls always around her.

"Oh, the girls left for lunch already, but I had to tell you the good news." She smiled brightly, her perfectly white teeth shining. Looking at her, I can see why her and Asher were viewed as the perfect couple.

"What news?" Dani asks, letting go of my arm.

"Well there's two parts. The good and the great." Nichole shocked me when she placed herself to my free side and linked her arm with mine. "The good news is that I am no longer working for Asher's dad and spying on you two for him. And the great news is that Drake forgave me." She started moving her legs towards the cafeteria, bringing us along with her when she blew my mind.

I heard what she said, but nothing actually seemed to process. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Who the hell is Drake?" Dani questioned.

I whipped my head towards my best friend so quickly she had to catch my glasses from flying off. "Who is Drake? Why is that your only question. Forget about Drake." I turned back to Nichole once my glasses rested properly on my nose. "What do you mean "you no longer work for Asher's dad" and you were spying on us?"

We were right in front of the doors to the lunch room when she smiled up at me. "Let's grab lunch, I'll explain it all!"

I was very skeptical of the way she smiled and acted so nice, but I played along, and we lined up to get whatever food they decided to serve today. I could tell Luka and Asher were confused when they saw us heading towards our table. No one spoke after we sat down, but no one started eating either. There was no moment until Nichole pulled out an older model flip phone.

"This is the phone I was given not long after me and Asher became friends." She placed it down in the center of the table. "His dad gave it to me along with a hundred dollar bill before asking me random questions about Asher. This was back in eighth grade, so I didn't think there was any problem for a father to be asking questions like that, I didn't know the full situation either. But that was a lot of money to me at the time, and so I guess you can say that's when I was hired." The blonde started, her eyes on Asher but shifting to me every so often. "I got more money the closer I got to him. And even once we broke up, since he couldn't convince red here to work for him, he asked me to keep tabs and follow you around. I was surprised when finding out you two lived next door, but I guess that explains how quickly you grew closer to each other."

I looked around to see Asher's stone reaction. I could hardly tell what he was thinking, but if I had to guess, he might be a bit hurt that she was only ever interested in the money she got from being his girlfriend. Luka was quietly stuffing his face full, taking advantage of Dani's focus not being on stealing his fries for once. Dani had her eyes wide and her murder face ready.

"Why now?" I asked.

"Mr. Smith came by Candy's after you left Tuesday night to ask me for an update and I finally had enough. After everything I did, and everything you know about me, you still want to help me with my Sammy. And working with you, and seeing how much Asher's eyes shine when he's with you, is more than what that asshole can give me. Believe it or not, I did have feelings for Asher at one point. I just was too blind to think he wouldn't see past charades and find someone better." Her voice was soft, and I knew she had to be telling the truth. Her eyes were downcasted to focus on the tray of uneaten food in front of her.

I looked at Asher, and I could tell he didn't have anything to say on the matter, so it was best to wrap it up. "Who's Drake?"

She glanced up in confusion before seeing Asher's face. With a smile climbing on her lips she explained. "Samuel's older brother. I went to his place last night to talk to him, and he said he forgave me and even asked me to prom."

I paused for a moment, unable to respond, but Dani spoke for me. "Wait, girl I thought you were after his younger brother? Why are you going to prom with Drake if you wanted to go with your Sammy?" Daniela asked, adding quotes of your Sammy.

The blonde tilted her head. "Well, yeah, that was the plan, but Drake is just as hot. So if I can't go with my Sammy, I'll go with my Drake." She perked up. "Besides, Samuel obviously doesn't want much to do with me."

I caught the sad tone under her voice, but she stood up with her tray before I could pry further into it.

"It's junior prom. I'm going to do it the Nichole way so don't try to understand when you can barely understand the way to put on a nice outfit." She smiled down at us, and I knew she was back to her usual self. It was nice to see her like an actual human and not just as some villain in the story of Asher and I. She left just like that. And the week fell back into its normal flow. I had work this afternoon and Asher was going to pick me up after practice.