Time Goes By [COMPLETED]

chapter 17

Lauren's POV

I ran quickly and hide behind a tree before anyone noticed. I looked over and saw Nic lurking in her combat suit. She looked my way but I quickly hid my head before she caught me. I reloaded my paint gun silently and took a deep breath. I jumped out from behind the tree, ready to shot but saw no sight of Nic. I looked around, keeping my guard up.

I noticed a paint gun pointed at me from the distance and noticed Ashley's smiling face behind the helmet. She aim it on my chest and fired but I felt someone grabbing me from behind and pulling me back to hide behind a wall.

I checked my chest and didn't notice any paint. I sighed in relief and looked at my saviour. Nicole winked at me and I smiled, bumping my helmet with hers in appreciation before aiming my gun at her chest and fired. She fell and looked at me, betrayed. I ran away, giggling. God, she's amazing but she needs to know that in this field, we're all enemies.

Today, Nic called me and informed me she's going to a paintball war zone with Rita, Rose (Rita's and Nic's neighbour and friend) and some guy named James who I've met before. She told me to join them and bring my friends as well. I didn't want to come at first because of how shitty I felt but Nicole insisted and said it will get my mind of things. I felt so lucky to call her mine because I'm having a blast.

I sat behind a wall and when I looked over I saw James sitting next to me, breathing heavily as well. We noticed each other and started firing on one another, both of us screaming. I jumped back and so did he, running away from that spot in different directions.

Well, wasn't that an encounter. I chuckled at myself and then saw Ashley running and her boyfriend chasing after her, who's being chased by Rita who looks pretty pissed and serious. Rose is running behind her as well, helping Rita catch lucas. If looks could kill, lucas (ashley's boyfriend) would be dead by rita. I raised my eyebrows and looked for a spot for me to hide.

I glanced in front of me and noticed nicole and Danielle standing next to each other, aiming their guns at me. I froze and saw them nodding their heads at each other before firing all their paints at me. I screamed and fell to the ground while they kept firing. I stayed lying on the ground with them shooting at me.

The game ended and I stayed on the floor while Nicole and Danielle took their helmets off, laughing at me. When they finished harassing me, Nic got on one knee and stretched her arms, carefully taking my helmet off before smiling at my nonchalant face.

"Hey sunshine. You feeling okay?" She asked with a loving gaze. I raised my middle finger at her which she laughed at. Nic stood up and Danielle stretched her arm out for me to take. I grabbed on to her for support and she helped me stand up.

Nic gave me my helmet and winked at me. I gave her a blank face, still mad at her for teaming up with Danielle. She kissed my cheek a few times and a smile escaped my lips. "Haha, you smiled. I'm off the hook." She said and I slapped her arm playfully which she chuckled. Danielle patted her back and said "Well, that was fun. Nice teamwork Nic." She complemented Nic but all she received was Nic's fading smile and a small nod before walking off.

Danielle sighed and I gave her a comforting smile. I placed my arm on her shoulders walking along side with her. "It will take time but don't worry, she'll forgive you." I assured her and she sighed.

"How come she forgave you and Ashley but not me?" She asked, frustrated but curious.

"You bullied her more then we did." I stated the harsh fact and she nodded her head, knowing it's the truth.

"I hope she'll forgive me soon." She said before walking off to take her combat suit off. I followed, doing the same.

After a few minutes, we went to our cars; Rita's car and Lucas's car and found the group surrounding the two vehicles, talking about heading off to McDonald's to eat some lunch. I went and stood next to Nicole who wrapped her arms around me, making me feel content and safe. I heard her whisper in my ear. "Look at Rita." I glanced at Rita to see her glaring daggers at Lucas who was having a make out session with Ashley.