Blue Fire

17 | The Flower

Nicole

After putting my phone away, I quickly marched to my closet and pulled out a duffel bag. The next thirty minutes were spent with me packing in a frenzy; I threw sweatpants, sports bras, dance shoes, shorts, cosmetics, whatever, into the open bag.

It wasn't as if I was going there to have fun. I was going there to learn, but I added a yellow one-piece swimsuit anyway.

Just in case.

By six the next morning, I was ready and waiting on our front porch for Merlinda to arrive with Jahdiel. I'd told my parents and sister that I was going away with my friends and would return on Sunday, and they'd been cool about it, even though there was still this unresolved tension between us.

Lately, it seemed as if I had a problem with everyone around me. I sighed at the thought. Was this how growing up felt like? I swear I wasn't the same Nicole I was last year.

At least, my dad had been so cool to the extent he gave me some cash that was carefully placed in my purse. I hid the purse carefully in my duffel bag. As long as he was around, he always gave me money whenever I went somewhere with my friends, whether I needed it or not. It was almost like a tradition. He didn't want me feeling left out and broke in the middle of an outing.

After a short while of waiting, Merlinda pulled into our driveway in a silver Camry. I blinked hard. She changed cars like underwear. I really should be used to it, but I wasn't.

Jahdiel was seated in front as the passenger princess. The atmosphere was still awkward between us due to the recent events, but I managed to voice out a greeting in a controlled voice that I hoped didn't give my awkwardness away and slid into the luxurious backseat, placing my bag next to me.

Like I'd suspected, the drive to the Connors was super tense. Merlinda tried to make conversation with Jahdiel and me, and we barely gave any response. Then she alternated between chatting with Jahdiel and chatting with me. Poor girl.

When we arrived, Jahdiel all but ran out of the car with a firm slam of the door, carrying her pink duffel bag.

Merlinda twisted around to face me, worry evident in her caramel eyes. She said quietly, fiddling with the collar of her blouse, "I know you're hurt, and yeah, it's completely valid for you to feel that way, but please take it easy on her, okay? Jahdiel she..." She drew in a breath. "She's dealing with some things at the moment, and it's making her act the way she is."

"What exactly is she dealing with?" I was genuinely concerned. "That's what I want to know, so I can help in any way I can."

She shook her head sadly, and a grim expression settled over her face. "It's not my place to tell you."

I hadn't hated girl code more than I do now. "Is that so?" I shot a hard glance at Merlinda.

Taking my frustration out on her wouldn't be fair, so I gave up and slumped back against the seat and watched as Jahdiel moved to the back of the car.

I knew she was being hit. It was so obvious. And it broke me apart. It hurt me so bad. It scared me. I worried for my friend. But by whom, I didn't know.

She wouldn't tell me anything; she never had, except if it was to lecture me about watching my blunt mouth and the damage it caused to people.

I bet Merlinda knew though.

Her family wasn't warm towards her. Before her sister, Antoinette Galantine the bitch, had graduated Hamilton High, she made Jahdiel's life in school a living hell.

There was this solid beef between Jahdiel and her family, but she refused to talk about it. And for some months now, there's been bruises and marks. She lied about those too.