Falling In Fall (Major Editing)

Groggy Nikki

C h a p t e r 1 2

I quickly bolted out of the guys locker room, earning questioning looks from the group of students who were just passing by there that moment. My eyebrows knitted up in embarassment, as I sheepishly pulled out a fake smile, before striding my way to the bathroom.

Reaching the elongated mirror, I looked at the reflection of a turkey getting ready for the Thanksgiving. I groaned, brushing my hair with my fingers, and tracing the dark circles under my eyes.

"Oh, hey Nikki." Torry emerged from one of the stalls.

"Hey Torry." I greeted back, smiling through the mirror.

"By the way, do you have anything I can use to cover my face up throughout the day? Like maybe a carton of milk?" I asked, thinking of how much I just want to get rid of my face right now. How I look, and from everything that happened earlier.

Torry lightly laughed, gently putting her bag down. "Exactly why? You don't even look bad, you know?"

"Thanks, I guess. But... Do you know that feeling that makes you want to hide your face from some certain people?"

"Yes, of course. What's up anyways?" She probed.

I shut my mouth, debating whether it was worth speaking everything to her or not. I mean, it surely was a long story to tell.

"Ceiling." I spontaneously spoke, which made me shook my head. "I'm sorry, nothing much just.. something uhh..-- Nevermind."

I smiled, then asked for a change of subject, "Anyways, where is Sandra?"

Torry shrugs, "I don't really know, I haven't seen her yet."

"Oh." Was all I responded with a blink.

Torry took a purse in her bag and grabbed a mascara, reapplying it to her lashes.

"By the way, if you don't mind me asking.." She trailed off, finishing her look with a glimmering dust on her eyelids.

"Have you been at Chase's house?" She shifted herself a little to face me which led me frozen in my spot.

"Wha.. What? I..--" I stammered. I really don't know why she asked that, which got me pondering.

"Well, I just overheard it from someone at the Golden Bears team. I'm just not sure if it was you they meant.. or Rickie."

"Well, I guess it's Rickie! Yeah, I mean I haven't been at Chase's house." And I never want to ever be there, again.

She chuckled, "Yeah, I guess you're right. Anyways, I have to go. I'll be meeting my group mates for our project in literature."

"Okay, see you!" I waved.

"Bye!" Torry sang, as she rambles off to the hallway.

I faced myself in the mirror and heaved a sigh, opening the faucet. Why would Chase speak my name to his team? Wait, did he also tell them what stupidity he did last night? Lasty, who the hell is Rickie?

The thought didn't leave me for a moment, not until someone tapped me on my back. "Conserve water. Haven't your mother told you that?"

That was when I realized I left the water running from the faucet with my hands soaked.