The Rejects.

Chapter 16 - "Wise Words, Watson."

Chapter 16 - "Wise Words, Watson." 

The white smoke of the cigerette stick mixed in with the air. Alex tried to make smoke rings as she sat alone on the skating rally, well it was only 9am and they were going back to school as seniors the next day.

Nikki skated towards Alex, she had called her house earlier but she only got told by April that she wasn't in her room. She slowed down when she realized Alex was in a whole other world as she stared into thin air sitting on the cold concrete ground. 

"You okay?" Nikki asked sitting down next to her and nudging her slightly. Alex nodded as a reply. 

"I heard about Luke and Aria." Nikki mumbled, "Ashley told me you're okay with it." 

Alex nodded once again. Nikki's heart ached for her, she couldn't even imagine how she must be feeling about all this. After all, Luke was the only guy Alex liked and opened up to since.. well, ever. 

"Get up, we're gonna go do something fun." Nikki announced, pulling Alex up by the arm. 

Alex let out a groan and Nikki rolled her eyes at her as she tugged on Alex's arm. 

They entered a nearby thrift store and explored. Nikki left Alex's side, going on her own treasure hunt. Alex followed her and came across Nikki looking at the small statues of weird objects. 

Nikki gave Alex a sly wink as she picked up a neanderthal statue and slid it up her shirt. Shoplifting was another thing they did for kicks. Anything that gives them the adrenaline is something they'd like to do. Also, who doesn't like free stuff? 

Alex rolled her eyes playfully as she tried to choose what she wanted to steal. She saw a braclet which looked pretty cool to her, she looked around her for people watching when she decided the coast was clear, she slid it on to her wrist. 

After an hour of looking around and picking stuff, they walked out. The beepers not making a sound as they passed, they have been doing this for a while. 

To be honest, Alex was feeling a little better. She knew in the back of her head, hanging out with her friend and doing their daily troublesome habits would get her mind off things.

Looking at the time, Nikki suggested to go get ice cream which Alex agreed to. They bought some ice cream for themselves and skated to the park. They talked about random things as they skated around eating their ice creams. 

They sat down under one of the trees and watched the little kids play like their lives depended on it. At one point for the girls, it did. 

"How's it going with Ron?" Alex enquired, giving Nikki a teasing smile. 

Nikki nodded casually before saying, "It's going good. He's so honest to me. And I think he likes me too." 

"Really?" Alex asked in surprise, she was a little upset and jealous that Nikki gets the guy she likes but Alex doesn't. 

"That's good." Alex muttered, looking down at her empty -once filled with ice cream- cup. 

She stood up and Nikki looked at her confused as she stuffed her face with her ice cream. 

"I need a drink." Alex announced, Nikki swallowed looking at her weirdly before she was pulled by the arm by Alex. 

Alex picked up her skateboard and walked forward and Nikki quickly put big spoons of her ice cream to get it over with while trying to catch up with Alex. Nikki finished her ice cream and cringed at the cold in her teeth.

 "Holy shit. Brain freeze." 

••••• 

Aria knocked on the front door of the Hemmings' home and after a few seconds later, Luke opened the door. Aria noticed the pinkish-red bruise under his eye, "Ashley came around, didn't she?"