The Promise

The Promise Chapter 24

The Promise

Chapter 24 (Ending/Epilogue)

Nikki’s POV

March, March fifteenth was the day that changed my life. The story I wrote with Blaine was on bookshelves in every Barnes & Nobles, Borders, and any other book store you can think of. I did book signings in the west coast book stores, and did interviews on all these amazing talk shows. It was a dream come true, but there was one thing that bothered me. I didn’t want people to treat me differently, or use my words against me. I didn’t want that, but I knew it’d happen and I would have to ignore it.

After the first week of the books release, it hit number #1 on the New York’s Bestseller list. I then skyrocketed up the charts for blogging. I was known as the “Ask Nikki” column, and “Nikki Dean the Writer.” I was asked by numerous publishers to write fictional stories, since my writing was so transfixing. I started getting a big head, I’ll admit it. I thought I was great, the best of the best. It took for my parents to sit me down and tell me I need to get off my comfy throne and realize that I’m still Nikki Dean, a normal girl with talent.

Another thing that brought me back to reality was when grandma died. It took me years to get over it, and reading the letter grandma left for me made me break down even harder. I have the letter tucked into a safe place in my heart. I memorized every word she poured onto that piece of paper, every single word. The only person who took it harder than me, well two people actually, was Mom and Jake.

Jake flew home for the funeral, and he stayed for two weeks after that. There was so much tension, so many tears, that I don’t think I have anymore to give.

I was selfish, I didn’t show anybody the letter. It was addressed to me, not for anybody else. Everyone shared their letters, but I kept mine to myself, a secret I shared with grandma. When I thought nothing could get me out of this depression, something did.

Blaine Roy. She returned back into my life two years after grandma died. We were both walking down the streets of California at the same time. When we saw each other, so many emotions ran through us. I felt her pain and she felt mine. I could hear my grandmother’s voice telling me not to worry about her anymore, to live life. She told me I’ve grieved enough, and now it’s time for me to start my life again.

Blaine and I are sixteen now, and we’ve both grown up. We’ve been through friends like pieces of paper. I remained friends with Melissa, but everybody else left and moved on to better things. I kept grandmas shop going, but it wasn’t the same. I tried to make it feel like she never left, but it couldn’t be done.

Blaine changed a lot too. She won awards for her movies, and she became known for being one of the best actresses known to man. I wrote two stories, one about a girl losing herself in the fame, and another one about three girls finding out they were actually sisters. Both books were published when I turned seventeen.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves now. We’re still at the moment where Blaine and I just met again after nearly three years. She dropped her bag, her mouth wide open. She didn’t know what to do, or say. I just stared at her, my eyes widening.

“Hi,” Blaine said weakly, her eyes traveling to the ground embarrassed. She still felt guilty for what she did, for the things she said to me.