5SOS - BABYSAT BY IDIOTS

Chapter 170

Throughout the school day, I didn't say a word. Not to Jessica. Not to Emma. Not to Taylor. We barely talked at all. It was almost as if we were in a fight, although we weren't. We avoided each other for the whole day and just as I was waiting for the bus to go home, Eli came up to me and said, "Hey, Nicole. You alright?" I used small talk and replied, "Yeah."

Eli: Are you sure? I mean, that was crazy what happened at lunch.

Nikki: Wait, you heard?

Eli: Umm, I saw. Everybody saw. It was in front of the whole cafeteria.

Nikki: Huh? Oh, yeah.

Eli: You're not fine, are you?

Nikki: I'm fine, Eli.

Eli: How come you've been avoiding Taylor, Emma, and Jessica? Are you guys in a fight?

Nikki: No, we just... no. We're not in a fight.

Eli: Well okay then.

Then Eli walked away. When the bus came and I got home, butterflies swarmed around in my stomach. I have to tell Calum. But before that, I need to make one more difficult decision. Whether I should trust Carson or not. I can't believe he actually apologized for what he's done to me. What he's done to everyone. This isn't something I can forgive right away. He said he wasn't asking for my forgiveness, but for my acknowledgement that he's said sorry. So I don't have to forgive him. But then again, he did save me from that 'Nick' kid at school. Hmmm... "Nicole! You're home!" Called Ashton. He came up to me and hugged me. He said, "How was your day at school?" Then I had made my decision. Not the one to forgive Carson or not. I'm talking about the one where I'm telling the guys about what happened. I responded to Ash, "Um, Ashton? There's something really important I have to tell you." He instantly got worried. I don't blame him. He said, "What is it? Did someone hurt you?" I replied, "No. Well, kind of. I mean, not really. Yes. Wait, no. Ugh, I don't know what it is." He told me to come to the couch and I could talk about it. After talking about it, he had the reaction I had totally expected.

Ash: HE WHAT?! HOW DARE HE?!

Nicole: Ashton, just calm for a second, okay? I mean, he did save me from that other kid.

Ash: But how many times have you had to be saved from Carson? He's a monster, Nicole. Don't you dare think about forgiving him.

Nicole: Where's Calum, Luke, and Michael?

Ash: They went out. I hope you know --

Ash: Yes, I know. Calum's reaction is going to be way worse than yours.

Ash: Well what do you wanna do about it?

Nicole: Well it doesn't really matter what I do. I mean, if I do forgive him, he won't come back. And if I don't forgive him, he still won't come back. I guess he's just --

Ash: Nicole, don't give in that easy. You're smarter than this.

Nicole: Huh?

Ash: If you haven't already noticed, Carson only saved you so that he could have you to himself. He's lying, Nicole.

Nicole: What are you talking about, Ashton?

Ash: He didn't want Nick to touch you because he wanted you to be all in one piece so he could grab you when you least expected it. He's only pretending to apologize so that you won't have anything to worry about and he can just take you without you expecting anything like it.

Nicole: Ashton, he had the chance there and then. He could've gotten me at that moment but he didn't. That's how I know he's not lying.

Ash: He was trying his best to stay away from you. Carson would go through anything to get to you. He's going to strike again, Nicole. You have to be prepared.

Nicole: No, Ash. You're wrong.

Ash: Nicole, even if he isn't going to strike again, he still wants you. 3 years down the road, he's gonna come back.

Nicole: How do you know?

Ash: I just do. How about this? I'll tell Calum and Luke. You relax.

Nicole: Okay.