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Chapter 4

Nicole's dorm- the next day

"So what are you going to do?" Jeremy asked as Nicole was busy moving around her room. "You can't avoid her forever, you know? Purgatory is a pretty small town."

"I don't need forever, Jeremy. Just a weekend. That's it. I just need to avoid her for the weekend and then she'll go back to LA. To her life there. To her friends. And to her...Champ." That last part came out with more bite than she intended, but she couldn't help it. That phone call ripped open wounds that were too freshly healed.

Jeremy intercepted Nicole and her attempts to stay busy to avoid thinking about what happened, grabbing her by her arms and walking her backwards until she reached the edge of the bed. Her mattress caught the back of her knees, causing her legs to buckle and fall onto the bed. Jeremy slid her desk chair over to the bed, trapping Nicole between them and forcing her to look at him. He could see the fresh hurt in her eyes and he felt for Nicole. If anyone understood what that phone call meant for Nicole, it was him. After all, he was the one who picked up the pieces when Waverly left town to become a big star.

"Hey," he said as he prompted Nicole to look at him.

When she finally faced him, she had fresh tears in her eyes. "I can't do it, Jer. I just can't. I don't think my heart would survive another goodbye." Nicole barely choked out before she broke down.

Jeremy embraced his friend, feeling guilty for making her listen to that voicemail in the first place rather than just deleting it. He wiped her tears and placed their foreheads together as he calmly reassured her. "You don't have to see her, Nic. You don't. Just go home. Enjoy your break with Aunt Gus, eat lots of food, save some turkey for me, and recharge. Do what's right for you."

"Yeah," Nicole acknowledged as she wiped her eyes. "Well, I better get out of here before Rosita and Kate get back and start grilling me about my red, swollen eyes. Or even worse, about...her." Nicole couldn't even say her name because she knew if she did, fresh tears would start falling.

"Come on, Haught, I'll even be a gentleman and carry your bag to the car." Nicole laughed as Jeremy slung her duffle over his shoulder and nearly fell over in the process.

"Jesus, Nic! What did you put in here? You're just going home for a few days, you know."

Still chuckling, Nicole grabbed the bag from his hands and carried it with ease. "Easy, killer, wouldn't want you to throw your back out. I don't feel like waiting on you hand and foot...again.

"Shut up," Jeremy laughed as he playfully shoved Nicole.

As they reached the car, Jeremy got serious again. "Have fun, Nic. And I meant what I said. Do what's right for you...whatever that is."

Nicole smiled sadly and placed her bag in the back seat. "Thanks, Jeremy. You are the best kind of friend, you know that?"

"Yeah, I know. But it's still nice to hear. Now get out of here. And give Aunt Gus a big hug for me."

As Nicole started to drive away Jeremy shook his head, knowing without a doubt he was going to have to pick up the pieces of Nicole's heart yet again because, despite what she is saying now, there is no way she has the will power to resist Waverly Earp.