Deadlock

XXXIV

Third Person Point-Of-View

Nikki had just finished talking to her mom at the phone so she walked forward to the dining hall. She knew where it was and while she was on her way, she came across Vaughn Harrison. Vaughn smiled at her but Nikki couldn’t forget how he deceived her so she glared at him. She knew she was being impolite but she didn’t really like Vaughn Harrison so she didn’t care what he thought of her. 

Vaughn on the other hand had no idea as to why Nikki Simm glared at him. He had just finished drying himself so he came down to the dining hall to have dinner with everybody. But as he descended the stairs, he saw a young lass walking alone to the direction of the hall. When she looked at him, he tried to be polite and so he smiled at her but all she did was glare at him. He got confused at Nikki’s reaction but he didn’t really seem to care. The type of Nikki’s doesn’t interest him. She annoyed him sometimes though, when he unconsciously looked at her.

Vaughn looked at Nikki walking ahead of him. When he thought he didn’t care, he actually felt pleased knowing that he annoyed her as well. He thought she was annoying even if she didn’t approach him; there were still times when he looked at her unconsciously. They both came into the dining hall; Nikki was ahead of Vaughn. She never looked back at him, never would she do that, she thought.

End of Third Person Point-Of-View

I saw Nikki came inside the hall with the blonde guy behind her. Wow, these two, could there be something between them? But Nikki had that red face on her. Wait, was she blushing? Oh my god, she might already be falling for the blonde guy! I couldn’t believe it. My best friend was falling in love and to the guy… well I didn’t really know much about the guy. But why would she fall to Rob’s friend? If Rob was a jerk, then the blonde guy must be too. What if Vaughn would just make a fool out of her, I couldn’t let it happen. I had to save my best friend.

Nikki came to sit beside me. In the round buffet table, there was me, Nikki on my right and Granny on my left. The other four were also there. We were already eating when I turned to Nikki and asked my questions for I couldn’t wait anymore. I really wanted to confirm it. I wanted to know.

“So Nik, why were your face red when you came in with the blonde person?”

“Was it too obvious?” She asked embarrassed. Confirmed! She likes him and I can’t believe it. 

This can’t be. She can’t fall in love with a jerk. Wait, no he’s not really a jerk; at least I didn’t know that yet. But I have to know. I have to know what he thinks about Nikki. I can’t let him hurt her. I would never let that happen. But would it be a little nosy if I interfere with them? But no, I have to know what Vaughn is thinking. I have to do this. I’m not being nosy… okay maybe a little but a big percentage of it is still me being a good friend.

“Where are you staring at, dumb face?” The jerk asked me disrupting my thoughts. Was I thinking too hard that I was already staring at nowhere? I think I just made them look at me like an idiot. 

“Are you okay Emily?” Granny questioned. I could only nod as an answer. I’ve already done enough. I couldn’t say any more stupid things.

We finished eating our dinner so we moved to the next room. It was still raining outside and grandma seemed to want to talk to us first. She brought us to a room with a fireplace. While on our way there, I kept on staring at Vaughn and I know he noticed it so he came to me. 

“I’m sorry Emily but I don’t hit on my friends’ fiancées.” Vaughn stated. I couldn’t be more surprised.

“Well, that’s good. At least there’s a trait you have that’s good.” I smiled at him. “So ahm you do have a girlfriend right?” I tried to ask casually but I don’t think it got to him that casually.

“Emily I can’t do it with you.” 

“I’m not interested in you Vaughn. But do you have a girlfriend?” He’s starting to annoy me but he only smiled at me. 

“No, I don’t have a girlfriend.” He said as if he’s amusing himself.

“But you got your eyes on someone?”

“Yeah sure, it’s good to have a little fun sometimes.” He said as he walked passed me. He sat along with his friends near the fireplace.

“Yeah sure, it’s good to have a little fun sometimes.” And did he mean Nikki. Oh my, this is something big. I want my best friend to love but not with a jerk who would just probably hurt her. I can’t let that happen.

I came to join the crowd near the fireplace. They were on a circle and I just joined without even bothering to know what has been happening. I sat beside Nikki and there was Nate beside me. Grandma was still nowhere to be seen and we were only waiting for her.

“Hey Emily, since you two already sat on the circle, you guys must join the game now.” Nate said.

“What game?!” Nikki and I asked at the same time.

“We’re going to play Truth or Dare. So Nate… spin the bottle.” Vaughn answered.

Nate did spin the bottle without giving us the chance to complain more. I would’ve complained if it would point to me but the bottle head pointed to Vaughn so I just kept quiet.

“Truth or Dare?” Nate asked.

“Truth.” Vaughn simply answered. Nate, Jake and Rob smirked.

“Were you the one who secretly hid the violin when you were about to perform when we were thirteen?” 

“We already know that.” Rob said.

“But he never admitted it.” Nate stated.

“Yes, I was the one who hid it.” Vaughn admitted.

“And you caused a commotion because you got into a fight with your girlfriend.” Jake said. Rob and Nate nodded. He did that because he was pissed? Vaughn sure is a spoiled brat, just like his friends.

“But that was five years ago. Let’s get back to the game; I’m going to spin now.” Vaughn changed the topic. He spin it and the head this time pointed to no other than me. I didn’t see that one coming. I think this is the right time to complain.

“Emily, Truth or Dare?” Vaughn asked me.

“Ahm, did I say I wanted to join?” I grinned.

“Not fair, you can’t back out now, you’ve already heard Vaughn, now it's your turn. Or it might be because Emily’s a chicken.” Nate challenged.

“I’m not a chicken and if I fall for that then I’m nothing but an idiot.” I bit back.

“Oh come on Emily, it’s just a game. We’re not going to make you do something that you don’t want to or we won’t ask anything that would be improper. Since there are girls here, we ought to be polite.” Vaughn coaxed.

“Fine!” It wouldn’t probably be that bad anyway. “I’m going to choose Truth.”

“Okay, so ahm my question is... who was your first kiss?” Vaughn questioned. 

Darn. What am I going to say? If I lie to them about not having my first kiss yet, then Rob would know that I’m lying. Because two months ago, he forcefully took it. But if I tell them that I already had it, then I have to tell them who it was because that’s basically the question.

“Emily?! Are you okay?” Nikki shook my body. 

“Yeah. Ahm…..” What am I going to say? “I haven’t had my first kiss yet.” I told them as I stared at Rob. Would he consider that as a kiss? That wasn’t a kiss right? That was merely a contact between our lips.

“But didn’t you and Rob already…” Nate asked but I guess he just realized it. Darn you Nate.

“So Rob was your first kiss?” Nikki asked surprised. I swear I could pass out right on the spot. I felt like the sun is shining right into my face, it was really hot.

“Hey, what’re you youngsters playing? Sorry it took minutes for me to find this old camera but it seemed like you’re enjoying here.” Granny said smiling and she was holding an old camera.

Calm down, I have to breathe. I think I’m saved, but I guess I’m only safe for now.