The Big Five

26. Chances

So sorry for the superlate update. I'll give you a double update to apologize. 😅 The next update should be on Friday or Saturday.
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I put the covers over my head and ignored the knocking. It was Saturday afternoon and Alex had come to pick me up since I never showed up at his house.

"Nicole!" Alex shouted from the other side of the door.

I didn't answer and plugged my ears. I could still hear him.

"Nicole! What's the matter with you? You've been ignoring me all week and you're refusing to come see Amelia!"

You aren't the only one, I thought bitterly. All week I had been trying to stay as far from the Big Five as possible. I didn't need to know that they were only being nice because they wanted to earn me like I was some kind of carnival prize.

Jerks. That's what they were. Jerks. Big fat annoying jerks who could charm their way into anything. Not through me, though. Not if it was to make me fall in love and break my heart like Paul did.

The pounding continued.

"Nicole! Come on! You promised!"

I sighed. "Go away, Alex!" My voice was muffled from the blanket, but he heard it.

"I knew you were in there! Get out here and quit hiding!"

After a long while, the pounding finally stopped.

"Fine. Then I'll see you Monday."

Relieved, I threw the blanket off me and rolled over to my back. There was a soft knock on the door. Great.

"Honey, are you alright?" Mom asked.

"I'm fine, Mom," I replied.

"I'm coming in."

"It's locked."

I heard a key turn and my bedroom door opened. My mom came in, smiling and holding up a key.

"Trey had an extra key in his box."

I groaned. That must have been how he always managed to steal some of my things or ruined my room. He kept all of his possessions in a box which was kept in the empty room he would get once he moved back in.

I sat up and moved over so Mom could sit next to me.

"What is it, sweetie?" She said. I could see worry in her eyes and I immediately regretted acting up. Wrinkles covered her tired face and she looked much older than she really was. Working to support her children alone had taken its toll on her.

"Mom, it's nothing you need to worry about," I assured.

"Honey, if you don't want me to worry, tell me what's bothering you."

I sighed and relented. I knew my mom could be more stubborn than I, so I told her the whole story. She already knew about Paul, so I was glad I didn't have to tell her that bit.

"Maybe Joey was just trying to help," she suggested when I finished.

"I don't see how he could possibly help by being like Paul."

"You know Joey isn't like that. Give him a chance."

I sulked stubbornly. I knew she would give me another cheesy quote. She knew how much I loved them. I had a notebook filled with them.

"Don't dwell on the past," she said. Here we go. "Just because one person made a mistake doesn't mean that everyone is like that. Give them a chance and take risks. If you never take risks, you will never be successful. Remember, every failure is one step closer to success. Paul was just one of your many mistakes, but you learned from the failed relationship. You can better your new one if you give Joey a chance."