Sanity Siphoned

Ch26: Thoughts Figured

Chapter 26

Julienne paced around her living room and looked at the clock every other second. Where was he? School was over and she was waiting for Nick to come by. She needed to talk to her best friend, someone who had been there these last few months and get their perspective. She felt like she was losing her sanity again every time she considered giving Michael a second chance.

Five minutes later Nick was knocking on the door. She ran to answer it. "Finally." She threw her arms around his taller frame and held on tight.

"I missed you too. What's going on?" With her still holding on he maneuvered them inside and shut the door.

Julienne let go and jumped right into it, she didn't want to waste anymore time, if she waited another second her head might explode. "Michael followed me and we talked." She recapped everything that was said. "My head and logical person is telling me to stay far away from him and reminding me of all the reasons seeing him again would be a really bad idea."

Nick held onto her hand. "And your heart is telling you?"

Her shoulders sank and the nagging emotions glossed her eyes. "My heart won't stop remembering how he kissed me goodbye or all the wonderful things he said. He finally stood up for me against Anna. He told me he loved me and he was crying. I want to believe him." her mind went from reminding her all the reasons she should say no to all the reasons she should say yes. The memories of them dancing under the moonlight and how he held her as she slept kept nagging at her.

"If it helps; I believe him." Nick added with a slight cringe, unsure how'd she react.

Julienne's head shot up and she stared, shocked, into his green eyes. "What?" she didn't know what to make of this either.

"Hear me out. I hate him for everything he put you though and I want to slaughter him every time I think about it. But I don't think he was lying to you up there in the lunch room. It was raw honestly Jules. If you give him chance that's up to you but in my opinion I don't think he'd intentionally hurt you again. Your biggest problem together was the sneaking around and the lying, well he took care of that problem when he announced to everyone he knew what he feels about you."

"Wow, I didn't expect you to say any of that." Now she was truly clueless on what was supposed to happen next.

"I want what's best for you and these few weeks home you haven't been right either. Like you said you can't shake the hold he has on you and trying to push it aside is just hurting you further. Maybe you have to see where this goes to finally be free or maybe you'll end up happily ever after." Nick always spoke from the heart and told her the truth. She didn't second guess trusting his words.

Julienne laughed and for the first time in hours felt her body start to relax. "Damaged girls like me don't get happy endings."

"This time will be different." They sat together in a comfortable silence for several moments before he asked the big question. "What are you going to do?"

There were facts and there were hopes but there still wasn't a clear picture on what she should do next; what the best course would be for her already broken heart. No matter what he said or she felt it wouldn't be easy to trust Michael again. "We're gonna go to your place and I'll meet your parents and you can color my hair."

And that's just what they did.

IIII

Shane frowned at his brother's sudden happiness. "What did you do? Are you on something?" he had gotten used to seeing him sulk around over the summer.