Invisible

Chapter 45: Nick's excuses

Blair's POV

"Ok," Mom looked from me to Nick. "What do you have to say?"  

Nick looked from my mom to me. "I'm sorry, Blair." Here it comes. "I never knew you felt like that. I never knew you thought I was the one who did all those terrible things to you. You know you can always come to me, and talk about it. Me and my group, we can watch out for you."

Mom nodded and looked at me. "Well?"

I looked from Nick to her. "He's lying, he doesn't care about me. We went to the dance together because I gave him a chance. And he made me feel even worse." I sniffled. "I don't know why he hates me so much."

"It seems to me he really wants to help you, Blair." Mom chose Nick's side even though I was here, crying. "Why aren't you letting him?"

"I think she's shy," Nick started, making us all look at him. "Luke told me she never really had friends, and maybe she has a hard time figuring out how friendship works exactly."

"True," Mom nodded. She then looked at dad. "She never really had friends."

Dad shook his head. "But she's friends with Rachel too now, and there are no problems there." He then looked at Nick. "Why is that, young man?" I love dad, he was still trying to figure out why I felt so bad. Unlike mom.

Nick shrugged. "I guess because they're both girls. It's easier to connect with someone your own gender." He looked at my mom now. "I'll do whatever it takes to help Blair."

Mom looked at dad, who then looked at me. "What do you say, sweetie?" dad asked, he showed me a small smile.

I looked down. "I don't want him near me, he's mean to me."

"He's Luke's friend, Blair. He's always going to be near you." Mom made me look up at her. "Why are you blaming Nick? Are you 100% sure he did that to you?"

I blinked, she was right on that one, I didn't know for sure. In fact, I didn't have proof, for most of the stunts, that he did it. "I know for sure he recorded the paint incident because he was supposed to be my date."

Mom looked from me to Nick. "What happened there?"

"Blair and me went to the dance together because we wanted to be friends," He started which immediately made mom and dad smile. "During the dance, I asked her to come with me for a walk. And suddenly, out of nowhere these two guys came to us and threw paint all over her."

"You set it up! You said you wanted to go for a walk and suddenly I got paint thrown over me."

"I didn't know they were going to be there with paint, Blair." If I hadn't been there, I'd almost believe him. He was a really good liar. 

"They were your friends!"

"True," He sighed. "So after that I deleted them from my life. Bullies are not welcome in my group."

Mom nodded. "So two of your ex-friends did that to Blair?"

Nick nodded. "And I'm almost sure they did all the rest as well." He looked at me now. "They're gone, Blair. They can't harm you anymore, it's over."

I shook my head, I fought hard to keep the tears in me. "You would," I looked at him, right in the eyes. "You would hurt me."

"No Blair," Nick shook his head. "I won't, and no one will anymore."

I huffed. "Says who?"

He sighed. "You are stronger than you think you are," He looked right at me, it was as if he wanted me to really listen to him. "I will make sure you won't get hurt by anyone again. But ultimately it's all up to you. You are in control of who hurts you."

I blinked, I was surprised to hear him say that. You are in control of who hurts you. What is that supposed to mean? Why is he saying that? And why does it sound so familiar?

Mom nodded and then looked at me. "Well? Aren't you relieved?"

I looked from her to Nick, I wasn't going to give up yet. "You recorded the paint incident."

"Yes, of course." At this mom and dad looked at him.

I smiled, I knew I had him. There was no way he could make this appear good.

"I used that as proof that they indeed did that. I showed their parents and now those two are grounded and being taken care off. Without that video, they wouldn't have believed me."

"Of course." Mom nodded.

"Then why is it on the internet?" I asked and saw dad nod. I still felt like he was more on my side.

Nick sighed. "That's honestly my mistake. I left my phone unsupervised and someone must've seen the video and put it online. I'm deeply sorry for that, Blair."

"I think we heard enough." Mom said. She looked at Nick. "Thank you for the explanation, Nick. It really helped to set everything straight."

"Of course, I don't want drama here." He then looked at me. "I'd love for Blair to be closer to me." He was thinking about something.

"Well we trust you with her and Luke."

I looked at Mom. "Mom, I don't - "

"We know making friends isn't easy, Blair. But Nick will be patient with you and he'll help you." She looked at Nick again. "Right?"

"Of course." Nick smiled. "We can do so many things together."

I looked from Nick to mom. "He wants to do something to - "

"Yes, as friends. You go out together or play games together. It'll be fun, as long as you try."

"Me?" I have to try?

Mom looked at Nick. "You can go back to school. Thanks for this, Nick."

He nodded. "You're welcome." He got up. "I'll see you all later." He then walked to me. "Bye Blair." He leaned down to kiss my cheek. "I'm looking forward to see you again." He then got up and waved at us, and left.

Mom smiled and looked at me. "Isn't this good?"

I looked from her to dad, then down. I never felt so bad. Why do they refuse to listen to me? Why is it always me that is the problem? Am I really a problem?

"Blair, you don't have to be shy anymore."

I looked at her. I couldn't believe this, I couldn't believe that she'd actually believe what Nick said... I got up. "I'm going for a walk."

"Not without us." Mom already got up.

"I just want to be alone, for once."

Mom shook her head. "You know the rules."

I groaned and went to sit in the couch. I laid down, closing my eyes. I was so tired, mentally. I just wanted peace. But I can't even go for a walk, alone.

An idea came to mind, I sat up. "Can I go get Luke and Rachel at school?"

"Blair, it'd be a bad idea for you to go near your school now." Mom continued cleaning the table. "Go for a walk later on, with Rachel or Luke or both."

I sighed deeply and laid back down, I guess I have no other choice...