The 29 Days (Kendall Schmidt AU)

Chapter Five - Day 4

Nicole

I was very unsure about coming through the front door because there was a slight chance Rain's stepfather would be the one to greet me. Instead of pressing the buzzer right beside the white door of Ms. McKenzie's home, I knock loud enough for Rain to hear. Hopefully, she's still awake.

The court gave Rain's mom the glorious mansion that stood two blocks away from my house. I was very relieved because that meant Rain didn't have to move. Rain and her mom get to stay in Cottondale with me and my family. That's the best news I heard last week.

"It took you long enough," Rain says, leaning against the doorway.

Giving her a fake smile, I reply, "I had to put Nadine to sleep."

She takes it as a good enough excuse and lets me in. I take a look around and I notice a few changes in the picture frames. The spacious and modern-looking home didn't really change appearance-wise. The house just felt very empty, like something was missing. Someone was missing.

I don't mention anything as we proceed to her room on the second floor. We tiptoed past her mom's room because we didn't want to wake her. Last time I checked, it was 10:45 PM. I have a feeling I'll be staying the night. I better call Mom and tell her I won't be on Baby Watch tonight.

The moment we entered Rain's room, I went straight to the yellow bean bag situated in front of her bed. It may be a Friday night, but Rain and I don't do parties. Ever since we became best friends during our freshmen year, we agreed to skip out on all open parties held by people from our school.

Friday night for most people from EllisRidge High would consist of grinding on each other on the dance floor, intoxicating one's self with local beer, and making out with anyone in a vacant bedroom.

Friday night for me and Rain consists of indie film discussions, arguments about Shakespeare's works and the like, and Rain's fantastic brownies.

I'm one hundred percent sure Kendall Schmidt spends his Friday nights with the typical EllisRidge High students.

"Where are the brownies?" I ask, noticing that there weren't any brownies on top of her bed.

Rain turns her head to face me and she frowns. "I didn't get to make them."

"But whyyyy?" I whine, "That's the best part of our Friday—"

"We haven't gone to the grocery in two weeks," she interrupts.

That shuts me up and I look away. A few moments of awkward silence later, I grab a DVD from the carpet and wave it in the air for her to see. "Gossip Girl?"

Rain only giggles and runs towards me. She sits on the pink beanbag right beside me and we look at the back of the DVD. "I haven't caught up in forever!" She exclaims.

"It doesn't matter," I reply. "I only watch for the Ed Westwick!"

"Exactly!" she beams back.

We laugh hysterically, until someone barges in the room. Rain quickly stands up, and I shuffle in my seat to stand up. "Derrick!" Rain stammered.

"Why are you still up?" her stepfather asks sternly. "It's eleven o'clock."

"Nicole comes over every Friday night," she explains. "I swear, mom knows."

Derrick averts his attention to me and furrows his eyebrows. Everything that's happening right now is screaming awkward. I stand up slowly and slightly wave at him.  "Hello sir," I mumbled.

"Go home," he demanded.

Rain's stepfather gives her another harsh look and slams the door shut.