Branded

Chapter 11

Michael and I see each other every day. He comes to the diner and we talk more and more. Sometimes, he walks me home, other times, we go back to his place and I sleep there. But, he never wants to come and stay with me. Whenever I ask, he shifts nervously for a minute before declining my offer and kissing me goodnight. I don't push him, but I want him to come up one of these times.

Lee spends her last week of school practicing for dance. Ryland is able to come and teach her on school grounds in the gym. She doesn't speak of Calum anymore, but I can hear her cry over him every so often. She won't tell me what happened that night after they left. I don't think they made love, even though they both probably wanted to. Perhaps that would have only made things worse.

While Lee is dancing, I roam the campus grounds and sit at the edge of the soccer field. There are no more classes, so we're only required to show up for attendance. Teachers are everywhere, though, to ensure that no mischief can be made. I usually spend this time to call my dad. Sometimes he answers, but when he does, he sounds so weak. Often he doesn't even pick up. He can't last much longer. I need to go back to America to take care of him. Maybe after Leanne's recital I'll fly back for a while.

I often think back to the night at the bar and the man who had grabbed me from behind. I don't remember what Michael had called him, but I remember how tense Michael became when the other man touched me. Perhaps he was just an old rival and Michael didn't want to have competition? No, no, no. Michael doesn't have to worry about that. He's not even that into me.

Graduation day arrives and I'm still sleeping. I was going to wake up early so I could do Lee's hair and slept through my alarm. She's shaking me at 5:45 and whisper yelling, "NIKKI! GET UP! IT'S ALMOST SIX!"

I grumble and roll over to see my clock, "Impos- Shit!" I jump out of bed and run to the shower. I can hear her laugh as I strip and jump into the freezing water. I ignore it and shower as fast as i can. I throw my wet hair up in a towel, pull my robe on, and plug in out curling iron and flat iron.
Once they're heated, I straighten Lee's hair and then curl it like a princess'. I put it in a partial updo for her and let her run to get ready.

She puts on a deep red mini dress under her graduation robes. While she is getting ready, I straighten my hair and put on a black dress before pulling the robes on. We stand in front of each other for a minute just smiling.

"We made it" Lee says smiling.

I nod, "Yes we did. And you're going to make it as a ballerina and will be famous."

"And you'll fulfill all your wild dreams. I know you will" she says hugging me, "I can start working for my uncle more and we can move into a bigger apartment downtown and have wild parties."

"I'll try to get a new job, too. Maybe something extra during the day and the diner at night. We'll have to wait and see. But for now, let's go."

A faculty member picks us up from our apartment and drives us to the school. Graduation is held outside on the lawn. Chairs are set up and people are beginning to arrive. Lee stands on her toes and looks around the crowd. I know she is looking for her parents, but we both know they won't be here. They don't care enough to take time off to see their only daughter. I look around in hopes of seeing red hair, but I don't see him. I figured he wouldn't come, but I had hopes.

We're seated with the other students and listen as the principal gives his lecture. I zone out and think of Michael. I nearly miss as they announce my name so I could receive my diploma. Leanne is called a few minutes after me, and soon after, the ceremony is over. I'm walking among the crowd of people when I see his face. He's standing under a tree smirking at me before he gestures his head towards his left. I turn and see Michael searching through a crowd. I hesitate before walking up to him.

'What's his name? What's his name?'

"Nichole, isn't it?" He says.

"Perhaps. Maybe its just none of your business what my name is." I retort.

He snorts, "You're definitely the girl for Michael. I assume you don't remember my name?"

I bite the inside of my lip before spitting out the only name I can think of, "Jack?"

"Nick-" Michael calls before stopping himself. He puts his hand on my back and I know he's tense from Jack.

"Hey Crimson. Come to take my company away again?"

"What are you doing here, Jack?" Michael spits out of his mouth. He puts his arm around me possessively.

"I've come to congratulate your girl and her friend. Not all of us can make if through years of hell school. We sure didn't" Jack laughs as if that was supposed to be funny.

"Thank you," I start, "But I would prefer it if you stayed away from my friend and I."

Jack steps forward and grabs my jaw, "I bet you would. Watch yourself, girlie. You don't know what you've gotten yourself into."

Jack walks past me and stops near Lee. He smiles at her and starts a brief conversation. I see him caress her cheek, but she punches him for it and walks away. When I look away from Jack to follow Lee, I see Calum standing far off. He watches Lee before leaving.

~Lee's POV ~

I'm looking for those faces: the hardened, angry expression and the stuck-up snob. Nick starts to move through the crowd in search of Michael. She stops after a while, but I keep looking for my parents. I don't want to admit it, but I'm looking for Calum as well.

When I look over at Nick again, Michael has his arm around her, but they seem to be arguing with someone else. He grabs Nikki's face before walking over towards me.

"Hello, gorgeous" He says standing in front of you.

"Who are you?" I ask

"Don't worry, baby" he says as he caresses my cheek, "You will soon enough."

I punch him in the face before saying, "Umm no. Go take a long walk off a short pier into shark infested waters."

I storm away towards Michael and Nikki. I look into the distance for some reason and think I see Calum. I shake the thought from my head. 'He wouldn't come for this. He doesn't care.'