Cotard Curse (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 6

Nichole's phone vibrated against the bedside table and she was jolted awake as she pressed the answer button. "Hello?"

"Nichole! Why didn't you answer me last night?" Michelle's voice sobbed into the phone.

Nichole sat up. She had completely forgot to call her back. "Michelle, I'm sorry. I got caught up talking to a new friend at the ward..." She stopped. "But that doesn't matter whatsoever right now. What's wrong?"

"I got into a fight with my brother last night and he kicked me out of the house.  God dammit Nikki, I had nowhere to go!"

Nichole was wide awake, horrified. "Michelle! Oh my god, where are you? I'm coming right now to get you, you can come stay-"

"Don't bother." The words spat through the phone like poison. "I'm at Sarah's house for the night. When I saw that you wouldn't be answering anytime soon I asked around and she offered me a bed."

Nichole felt like crying. The guilt was swallowing her and she didn't know what to say. I'm the worst friend ever.

Nichole was scared Michelle would hang up, but she sighed and started talking. "Nichole, you know I really love you but you should've been there for me. I'm taking the bus back to my house now; meet me there and you can try and we can try and talk to my brother."

It was a relief to hear. "Michelle, I will make it up to you and that's a promise. Thank you for forgiving me, I don't deserve a friend like-"

"Hey, I haven't forgiven you yet. Now stop blabbering on with your sappy shit and meet me on my lawn," Michelle interrupted, although Nichole heard the humorous tone in her voice.

Nichole smiled faintly into the phone. "I'm sorry, I'll see you soon." She hung up the phone and ran outside to her car. She didn't care about her hair or her clothes; she was determined to help.

***

Morning dew dampened the grass as Nichole walked across Michelle's front lawn and she could just see the sun rising behind the trees. Michelle wasn't home yet, but Nichole was hoping that was the case. Stomping up the pathway, her knuckle banged loudly as it pounded on the wooden door.

It opened after Nichole's third knock and the air filled with the smell of bourbon. Michelle's brother had his eyes half closed as he held his head.

"If you're here for Michelle, text her. She's not here," He mumbled, trying to open his eyes past the sun.

"She's not here because you kicked her out, Chris. You can remember that, right? The bourbon hasn't blurred your memory too much has it?" Nichole snapped, feeling genuinely pissed off. "You kicked her out of her own home. A home that you're not even in control of! If your parents knew you were stealing their alcohol and kicking out your own sister they would never take another business trip again. You're such a-"

A hand touched Nichole's shoulder lightly and she spun around to see Michelle. Her cheeks were stained with tears, her eyes bloodshot. "Nichole! It's okay."

Chris scratched the back of his head. "Shell, I don't remember kicking you out. Sorry, just please don't tell mum and dad."

Michelle rolled her eyes, grabbing Nichole's arm as they made their way inside. "Whatever Chris, you're in so much trouble." Nichole looked stunned. It was just over like that? It was a normal thing for Michelle to just let things go, but she was so upset before.

They made their way to Michelle's room up a small hallway; although Nichole could've made it there blind she was so comfortable in the home. The house was small and cosy; she loved it more than her own.