Can We Fall In Love Now? [Nicole Row]

Chapter 30

Brendon and Nicole wouldn't talk to each other for days, and because of that, I didn't talk to either of them. Mike, Zack, Dan and I became closer, and I schooled them all in the art of Go Fish. Sarah learned from her mistakes and kindly stayed out of the game to let the others learn not to mess with me.

However, we were all tired of the other two and the destructive tension building up. Showtime was fine, but bus time was... great... to say the least.

Zack literally almost got the five of us to pile into another bus, just share bunks and couches. We didn't, which is like, okay I guess.

A few more days passed, and we were all feeling about as fine as a pickle with ketchup tastes.

Peanut butter sandwiches were made for the group, and I grabbed chips for myself. No particular reason other than the fact that I'm a lazy goddamned turtle and didn't want to make another for myself.

Brendon glanced over at me as I leaned against the counter, skillfully avoiding looking at the table from anywhere other than the corner of my eye. "Sure you don't want anything else?"

"Yep." The P was popped and I glanced at him.

"Not even a sandwich for yourself?"

"Nope." Popopopop went the P.

"Get something else just in case." He said it with such genuine concern I felt both spiteful and empathetic - but when don't I feel like that?

"Um, no? I'm not hungry. I ate a lot today."

"You had a pancake this morning and then nothing else, you've gotta be-"

"The pancake was filled with chocolate chips and topped with strawberries, filling enough on its own. And then earlier I grabbed one of my protein bars. I've eaten." Angry, angry angry boyo now. Brendon stood.

"Just- eat something please." He left his sandwich at the table and stepped towards me.

"Don't - dont touch me." I stood my ground, and he neared again.

"Hey, I just care-" he put a hand on my shoulder and I did take a step back this time.

"No! What did I say, don't touch me."

"Adeline you just -"

"Don't TOUCH me, for God's sakes am I that hard to understand! I get that you care, i get that you think I'm a depressed, sorry excuse for a sister, but I am FINE, I am doing better than I have been in MONTHS and I don't need you micromanaging me right now! I know what my goddamn life is like right now."

Christ, I'm going to move busses.

"You need to take care of yourself!"

"And I HAVE been doing that! What can't you understand about me? I'm doing fine, okay! And it doesn't help that you and Nicole have a vendetta against each other, because, sorry guys, but you aren't exactly as in the right as you'd like to think! Because neither of you are. Brendon, I like who I like, and I happen to like Nicole! Our promises can go to hell, I want to date your fucking bandmate. And Nicole, for Gods sakes, you did not have to get as mad at Brendon as you did when he was upset at us hanging out okay? Because he's an overprotective dumbass, and I am a rebellious little dumbass, and you have to live with us fighting and being dumbasses at each other."

"Adeline I-"

"NO! Look at each other." I grabbed both of their arms and forced them to stand near eye level as they were going to get. "And say you forgive each other."

"I forgive you."

"I forgive you too, I guess." I kicked Nicole's shin lightly. "OW! fine, I forgive you too, Brendon."

"Take good care of my sister because if you don't-"

"BRENDON." This time, it was Zack and I who shouted in unison. Good, my plan is working.

"Just drop it, okay! I doubt she's going to break Addy's heart." This time, it was Zack and I who shouted in unison. Good, my plan is working.

"Just drop it, okay! I doubt she's going to break Addy's heart." Zack crossed his arms and I gave him a mildly reproachful way.

"Like Addy has the guts to break up with-"

"I've broken up with plenty of people before, Brendon, it's not up to you to speculate on who breaks up with who." I huffed, and sat down.

"Great, fine. See where this takes you. I'll be finishing my food in the back."

"See where that takes you." I shot back at him, and he rolled his eyes like I was the child he always seemed to wish I was. I watched him leave, saw Nicole sit across from me. Mike sighed and laid down, setting his feet in my lap.

"Is it always like this?"

"No, only when Brendon thinks I'm controlling my own life."

"Oh."

"Yeah, I know. He cares a lot."

"Stifling."

"I know." I sighed after that short little conversation with Mike Naran The Man and scrolled through my phone.

"How're things with Ryan?" Mike asked, and I handed him my phone.

"He got a boyfriend a while back, finally told us his name. Charlie."

"He has purple hair."

He let out a snort and I grinned, "Yeah, they're cute together."

"I think the only reason Ryan told us his name is because it was Charlie's birthday today."

"Or Charlie stole Ryan's phone." Mike started typing on my phone and I snorted this time.

"You're texting him right now, aren't you?"

"Yep! C'mere, take a picture with me." I scooted closer to Mike upon his request, and stuck out my tongue, scrunched up my nose, and gave Mike bunny ears. He made an equally ridiculous face and after a few different takes, I sat back down. Mike sent a picture, and laughed again.

"What?"

"Charlie thought we were dating."

I burst out laughing, "That's a good one, definitely a keeper."

"I know, you're not even my type!"

"Ooooh, you have a type!" I teased him, and poked his leg. "What is is?"

"Not a lesbian, that's my type." I snorted, and Mike grinned up at me.

"Yeah, fair enough. I think it would be just a little bit awkward if you were dating a lesbian."

"When I first met you I didn't even think you were one." He grinned, teasing me like I'd teased him a second ago. He just reminded me of what I needed to tell the others. That I wasn't.

"Well, sucks, because I am...." a little falter, I searched for something to rescue me.

"Sucks because I am a catch." I filled in for myself.

"You would be the best catch." He joked back at me, and I stuck my tongue out at him.

I still felt guilty for the secret. It would be so much easier to tell them if Alissa hadn't said I was gay.

A/N

I changed some stuff around, not sure if I like it or not