Smiling through the pain

Chapter Nine

*Nike's POV*

"Any luck?" Trisha asks as I anxiously wait for Mindy to pick up. "It's still ringing" I mutter and slide down the wall and sit with my feet pulled up to my chest. The dial tone continues while I chew my nails. "Hey calm down she'll pick up" Trisha says and swats my hand away from my mouth. 

Please, please, please pick up. 

"If she doesn't pick up you can always talk to her at sch-"

"Hello?" a low voice comes from the other side. I clamp Trisha's mouth shut and make a face at her. "Mindy?" I ask. "Hey. Umm where are you? I wanted to talk. Face to face. Can I come over to your house?" 

Still no reply. "Mindy?" I ask. No sounds come from the other side. Panic makes my stomach twist. What did she say? Trisha signs in ASL. Nothing  I sign back. "Mindy are you still there?" I ask in a panicked tone. "Look I really need to talk, can you give me a chance?" I ask again. "Please?"

 I hear a whimper from the other side. Then a sniffle. And then a quiet "Oh shit" after the sounds of a phone being dropped. "Hey are you okay?" I ask in a calmer tone. "No" Mindy's voice croaks from the other side. Not like you would  be after I said all of that. 

Ask her if you can come over and help Trisha signs. "Me too.......... so, can I come over? We can eat pizza and watch movies till we feel better...." I trail off. "I'm not home" Mindy answers quickly. "I can come over to wherever you are. If that's fine. Not that we need to do any of this since you might not want to be friends after all that I said" 

Ooops.

There's a long pause as Mindy considers her next words. "Tavern on the Green. I'm in the washroom" she says and cuts the line. I'll be right there. 

I quickly stand up and make my way into the employee lounge at Taco Bell. "So?" Trisha's voice asks hopefully. "I'm going" I say while pulling my apron over my head. Trisha squeals and does her happy dance. I laugh at her while zipping up my anorak. I grab my bag and make my way to the back door. I pull the door open and turn to wave at Trisha when-

"Bardot where do you think you're going? Shift ends in two hours" Mitch's voice booms. Fuck. I stand there, petrified while he stares at me, calmly sipping a coffee. "Umm...." I start. "You see my friend's dog isn't well and I had to take him to the vet...." 

Mitch raises an eyebrow at me. "To get his dose of antibiotics..." Trisha adds nervously. "Go on then. Trisha can cover for you" he says in a sympathetic voice. Phew. I sign a quick thank you  to Trisha who winks back at me with a thumbs up. 

I'm coming Mindy. 

************************************

"No invite. No going in. " the buff Russian bouncer snarls as I try to fight against his iron grip on my arm. "I told you it's an emergency. Isn't that enough to let me in?" I hiss at him. "Emergency? What emergency?" he asks. "It's the time of the month for my friend. Now let me in?" I plead. "No" he replies. 

I yell out in frustration, earning a few glances from people walking by. "I know someone in there. Isn't that enough to.... I dunno.....invite myself in?" I mumble. I make puppy dog eyes at him only to receive a monotonous, "No"

Son of a- 

"Silas. Buddy. I think we can let her in. I invited her" a familiar voice says behind the buff Russian dude. Both of us spin around and find Kade standing there with his hands in his pockets and a pointed glare on his face. Silas scoffs but his grip on my arm immediately loosens. I step away from him while muttering curses under my breath. Stupid Russian bouncer dude. 

As soon as we enter Kade pulls away towards a less crowded area. "What are you doing here?" he whispers. "Geez don't whisper dude. I'm here for Mindy" I say while folding my arms and scowling at him. His eyebrows shoot up at the mention of Mindy. I slap myself mentally for almost smirking and belting out the 'sitting on a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g' song. What has gotten into me. 

"She's here?" he asks, looking around. "Yes. And thanks. That Russian dude was annoying" 

"Neighbors help neighbors" he answers with a shrug. I crack a grin. "Washrooms?" I ask. "In the building there. I can take you there if you want" he offers. I'm about to nod when his phone starts ringing. He pulls it out and grimaces at whoever's name is displayed. 

"It's fine I'll go" I say with a small smile. "Sorry" he mumbles while continuing to stare at his phone with a blank expression. "See you around"

I push my way through the crowd of elegantly dressed people and their kids who either run around or are on their phones. A few girls notice me, point at my anorak and giggle. Eh. The fast circus music playing in the background fills me with adrenaline as I sidestep, dodge and duck my way through the crowd. 

I finally burst into the washroom and lean against the door with a huge sigh. The washroom feels like it's tilting when I open my eyes. I blink a couple of times and it stops. "What am I here for?" I whisper to myself. Right Mindy. Stupid iron deficiency. 

"Mindy?" I call out as I knock on the nearest stall. It opens on it's own. I push it open further and peek in. 

Oh. My. God.

"Mindy?!" 

Her red puffy eyes look up at me as she nervously fidgets a braided gold ring on her thumb. She's dressed in a plain white shirt, checkered green skirt and tan heeled boots; the skirt is slightly crumpled. Her curly hair is in tangles like she's run through it with her fingers a million times. She looks like a mess. 

"Come here you" I pull her off the floor and wrap her up in a hug. A silent sob breaks loose from her as she holds onto me tightly. A lump forms in my throat as she quietly shivers.

"I'm so so so sorry for lashing out like that at you. I didn't mean to. It's my fault for being such a pushy friend. I'm sorry for making you cry and hurting you. I just let my anger get in the wa-"

"It's fine" she croaks, mid sob. "I kinda forgave  you right after I climbed into the subway"

I pull back and smile at her with tears blurring my vision. Mindy flashes a watery grin. 

"Friends?" I ask softly while holding my pinky up. 

"Friends" she replies while intertwining our pinkies. 

The two of us just stand there looking at out intertwined pinkies. Let's just hope this one doesn't go downhill. Again. 

"Pizza and movies?" Mindy asks. 

"My place. Make it a girls night" I say while dragging her out out of the washroom.

"Sheesh it's still Monday" Mindy chuckles, silently being dragged out.

But I'm happy that it's with you. 

*************************************************

What better way to rejoice the end of exams and projects :D

I know I haven't updated and left ya'll hanging with a "The story is gaining momentum" for two weeks. Well fuck exams they're over. For now :')

I'm happy that Nike and Mindy made up :D

I hate Silas though XD

WE CROSSED 50 READS!!!

Shout out to those still reading <333

Mindy <3