Mr. Cumberbatch

Chapter 28- His Last Day

"Okay, now explain to me one more time what happened."

Nicole smears her mascara with the back of her hand as she wipes away the tears from her swollen red eyes. She had been sobbing on the floor of the school's bathroom while classes continued on. Even the grogginess of the dirty tiles where people have walked didn't bother her nearly as much compared to the hurt she was feeling in this very moment. She leans her head up against the wall behind her and looks up somberly at Amanda. "He doesn't want to go through with it anymore. He's too afraid," she mumbles softly.

Amanda sympathetically sits down on the bathroom floor beside her and hugs her tightly without wasting any time. "Don't let him hurt you like this. He's stupid to let go of the best thing that ever happened to him."

Nicole lays her head on her best friend's shoulder and let's her tears start to pour out. It feels good for her to cry and let it all out at once.

"I didn't think age would be a problem for us." She squints her eyes trying to fight the pain that she feels inside. "I thought he cared enough for me to not let what others think about us matter."

Amanda gently pulls her away and holds her out in front while staring at her with a hopeful smile. She uses her black long sleeved shirt to fix up the mascara mess under her eyes. "Here," she says opening Nicole's purse and pulling out some of her makeup products. "Let's get you cleaned up and ready to head back to class, okay? I'd hate for you to spend the rest of the day in this disgusting smelly bathroom."

Nicole attempts a smile and nods her head. She lets Amanda refine her hair and makeup to be able to look presentable for the rest of the student body. It doesn't take her long to do so because of the skilled talent she already has for this kind of stuff. This was Amanda's subject of expertise.

In only a matter of minutes, Amanda throws all the products back into her purse and motions for Nicole to stand up. She spins her around and points her at her own reflection in the mirror on the wall. Nicole puts her hand up to her face and gasps. Her jaw drops as soon as she recognizes a newly refreshed version of herself looking back at her.

"Woah..." she pauses observing her every feature up and down. "You made me look amazing! But how?"

Amanda rests her arm on her friend's shoulder and grins. "Honey, you already looked amazing before... the makeup just accentuated your features and made them pop." She smiled satisfactorily.

Amanda really was right though she thought. The makeup did make her features pop. She had never noticed the brighter green flecks of color in her hazel eyes before, or even the angled curvature of her natural brow shape. The new look seemed to bring her some confidence, and that is something she could most certainly use to get through the rest of the day.

Nicole immediately turns around and throws herself on Amanda, embracing her warmly. Her tears have cleared completely thanks to all of her help, and all saddened thoughts of Benedict have disappeared for now at least. "Thank you," she says with her chin leaning against her shoulder. Not only was she thanking her for fixing her up and making her feel better, but she was also subtly appreciating everything supportive Amanda has done for her the entire school year. She couldn't have asked for a better supporter, or more importantly, a better friend.

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By the time the end of last period rolls around, Coach Hiddleston had just finished making the team finish up practice with a couple of cool down laps and was now sending them back to the locker rooms to change. It wasn't until everyone left the pool area except for Nicole, that Coach Hiddleston pulls her off to the side to talk. Although she is a little thrown off by this request, she decides to cooperate and listen to him anyways even though she really isn't in the mood to talk to anyone.