Second Chances || n.h au

3. Jealousy

~ Chapter 3 ~

It had been over a week since that night at Niall's house. He had asked me if I was willing to be his friend again and to be completely honest I didn't know what I wanted. I was in the middle of an ongoing vent session with my best friend Maeve. I told her every detail of my recent encounters with Niall.

"Graceeeee!" She whined. "It's been a week and you haven't told me any of this. This is huge!"

I playfully slapped her shoulder. "This is not huge Maeve, but I'm sorry I should have told you sooner. I just didn't want to talk about it."

I really didn't want to but I felt obligated to tell my best friend what was going on in my life, especially if it involved Niall. After he well, betrayed me, Maeve became the closest thing I had to a friend.

***FLASHBACK***

"Grace? Grace is that you?" A familiar voice called to me.

It had been my first time seeing Niall in school since he told me I couldn't be his friend anymore. His friends began to chant "worthless" at me in the hallways. They knew that's what I was without Niall. And the worst part? Niall stood there and let them do it to me.

I ran into the nearest bathroom I could find and immediately broke down on the toilet seat. I think the voice of the girl who had called my name was Maeve Daniels but I wasn't positive.

"Grace." She knocked on the stall door. "It's uh me, Maeve, umm, Maeve Daniels. I know we don't talk much but I saw what they did to you and I saw you run in here. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Maeve and I had English class together. We've talked only a couple times but I appreciate that she wants to check up on me. I really just wanted to be alone but I had a feeling she wasn't going to go away until I came out.

I slowly opened the door and Maeve was waiting at the sink with her makeup bag out and tissues in her hand. "I figured you might need these." She smiled softly and handed me the Kleenex.

I grabbed the tissues from her hand and began to gently wipe my eyes.

"I know you probably don't want to tell me but what's going on with you and Niall? Aren't you guys like best friends?"

"No." I spat angrily.

Maeve put her hands up in defense like she didn't mean it. "Sorry just asking."

A wave a guilt spread through me like a wildfire. I didn't mean to upset her when she was only trying to help me.

"I'm sorry." I half-whispered. "I didn't mean to be abrupt that way." I paused to wipe the tears running down my cheeks. "Niall and I were best friends." I admitted with emphasis on the were. I shook my head. "But not anymore."

Saying it only made it hurt more. I suddenly became Niagara Falls and began to cry hysterically. Maeve pulled me into a tight embrace and even though I didn't know her well, I hugged her like we had been best friends for centuries.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked sweetly.

"No." I immediately responded.

She gave me a look that made me feel like I chose wrong. I didn't know this girl that well, we had only talked a few times, I wasn't sure if I should dump all my problems on her. But without Niall, I was friendless. I had him in my life and I never needed anyone else. Until now.

I slowly shook my head yes and we sat down in the small bathroom corner. We skipped the rest of lunch so I could tell her what had gone down between Niall and I. When I was done venting for what felt like hours, Maeve reapplied my makeup and braided my hair in a style I was unfamiliar with. I guess you could call it the start of a beautiful friendship.