Nico Vaughan, the junior class "Nice Girl" wants to be free from her abusive and obsessive ex-boyfriend.
Valen Henford, the school's resident "Rich Guy meets Bad Boy" wants to spend his senior year with the girl he's been in love with for years.
W...
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"And so they asked me, 'does this song remind you of him?' I laughed because, well, everything does." (Unknown).
|◁ II ▷|
Rikkard drags me away from Nico, and part of me dislikes him for it. I barely get a chance to turn around and see her walk into the kitchen before Rikkard starts up.
"Man, why? West? What do I do?"
"I thought you were getting over her?" I ask genuinely.
He looks away, shaking his head. "I was gonna try. I... You're finally with Nico, even if it's a fake-relationship thing. You've got the girl after years. I could wait for Amber."
This is hard to advise. "Um, well, Rike," I try. "Try to be friends with her first. If she doesn't make an effort to be friends, move on. If she does, there's a chance you'll get the girl, too."
I feel like a hypocrite. "Uh, sometimes, man, it doesn't work out. Nico and I might not work out. I know I waited, but I, um, I advise you to try to move on." I cringe at my words.
He gives me a confused and slightly miffed look. "Valen..."
"I know, I know," I stress, running my fingers over my bracelet. "It's—Man. Uh, well, okay. I waited to talk to Nico because I'm an idiot. When I finally did, Nico made an effort to be my friend. I put in a lot of effort, more, probably, but still. She's made an effort."
Rikkard stares at me, then slowly nods his head, his voice low, "I've tried to talk to her. She just laughs awkwardly and looks away. And she's in love with West."
I nod slowly, trying to be gentle. "Rike, you're an amazing guy. You'll find an amazing girl who sees you as the amazing guy you are, but it might not be in high school. We've still got a year, though. Branch out a minute."
His eyes set in determination, glancing across the room as West and Amber. Amber is staring at West as he talks about something, his body facing slightly away from her. "Yeah. Branch out a minute."
He thanks me and pats my shoulder, walking the opposite direction of Amber and West. I move towards the kitchen, but when I get a few feet from the door, some girls I recognize stop me.
Te Ata stands in the front, her tanned skin and dark outfit illuminated by the vibrant yellow in her hair, on her dress, and on her arms. Tania and Atricia stand beside her, gazing up at me with that look in their eyes.
I've had problems with these girls for a few years. Once they found out my parents had money, they decided they'd leave their popular crowd and venture into my scene: outcasts, rebels, and people who hate being around people. They're annoying.
"So, Valen," Te Ata begins, running her hands through her long hair. "I heard you and Nico were talking. We used to be friends with her, did you know that?"
