Addicted ~ Nate Jacobs

Chapter Ninety-Six

Poor Lexi. All her hard work, for Cassie to try and steal the show once again, but she didn't let it get to her. She brushed past it, and continued on with the play.

And Hallie was on the carousel once again.

And then there was a scene, a memory from after the carnival, of Marta and Grace comforting Claire. The night Nate choked her. She was glad there wasn't any other details included.

Sophie felt Maddy grab her hand, offering her a small smile and she gave one back as Nate glanced at the girls. If all of the play, or most of it, was true, then this happened. Sophie's two best friends comforted her over him, together, for one of the first times but not the last.

Nothing about a police investigation. She was thankful. Halloween was included. Everyone in their costumes, Sophie's equipped of that with a fake baby bump to which she laughed.

"I burnt bridges with Claire on Halloween night. I was fed up with how Jake was exploring their relationship and instead of going after him, I made the mistake of going after her. I said some pretty awful things that I regret each day, and I truly upset her, I know I did. And that was one of two times I did that. You're probably wondering why. I only did it because Claire was my best friend, I was worried about her and I was trying to make her see what she couldn't. But, Claire has always had a mind of her own, and I understand the decisions that she made back then now." Lexi said, making eye contact with Sophie who's bottom lip was quivering.

The play went to a scene of Grace crying in her bedroom, her mom comforting her.

"I think I ruined mine and Claire's friendship."

"You'll never ruin your friendship."

"But I think I did. I said horrible things to her." Grace sniffled.

"But were they true?"

"They were true to me."

Sophie sniffled slightly. She never knew about any of this.

"Oh honey, everything will be okay. You two will work it out."

And Lexi paced around the stage, narrating once again, "We did work it out, only for me to screw it up once again. I wasn't a true friend during that time. I did everything a best friend shouldn't, and for that, I felt horrible. I still do. Although that's something we've moved on from, I can't help but wonder if she still thinks about what I said from time to time. And if Claire does, I hope she knows how truly sorry I am."

And the stage went black.

Nate looked over at Sophie, knowing she was upset. He remembered all the things Lexi said to her during that time that fall. Sophie needed Lexi and she just totally put her down, not supporting her at all, and it was truly because of him. Part of him was furious with Lexi for even bringing that shit up, and the other part of him was glad that she apologized. He just wondered how Sophie felt.

Lexi's play went on to have a brief sequence from the winter formal, and a bit of New Year's, but only that of her interaction with Fezco. And Sophie realized she hadn't seen Fezco here at all. Maybe she just didn't look around properly, or maybe he just never showed up. And if he didn't, she felt really bad for Lexi, she knew his excited she was for him to come. Plus, she knew how much she liked him, or loved him, as she suggested in the play.

She included more of Cassie's downfall after New Year's, not naming the reasons for it, but just showing her ultimate decline to today.

"I now know what true love feels like. Maybe that sounds stupid since I'm still a teenager, but it's the truth. Not only do I share love with another human, at least, I hope it's not just one-sided, but I also have had the chance to love a brand new human. Jake and Claire's baby, Lia, showed me how the smallest person can have the greatest effect and impact on your life."