Dork Diaries:Brandon's POV

October 12 (edited)

I walk into school the next morning heading for Nikki's locker. No one's distracting me or walking in my way, just whispering. I don't blame them. I would whisper too.

The trip to Nikki's locker was surprisingly taking longer than I expected. The hallway was moving in slow motion, and even though she was my first thought this morning, I dreaded facing her. I didn't know why. Maybe it was the pain in her eyes that I hated seeing. Or maybe the relief that would lift the weight off her shoulders because her boyfriend was released from juvenile hall.

And there I was, just a turn around the corner, and our eyes would meet. I didn't step in right away, no, not when Chloe and Zoey were consoling her.

"You can't honestly believe this was your fault, Nikki. Sean came on to you," Zoey said.

"Yeah, Nikki. Brandon was only doing what was right," Chloe agreed.

Nikki was listening, but she sure as hell wasn't taking it to heart.

"You keep telling yourself that, and you'll never stop lying to yourself," Nikki deadpanned. And I made that turn around the corner.

Zoey's eyes widened. Chloe gasped. Nikki turned around and was stunned. The only sound she made was coming from her feet as she was running to me.

"You didn't punch a guy in the face," I laughed. "You think this is your fault."

Nikki swallowed the tears that were on the verge of breaking out. "You're okay," she says. "Oh my God, you're okay."

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay."

Her hands were in my hair, and she tugged tighter. "I thought you were gonna be stuck in there. Brandon, I'm so sorry."

I shook my head. "Don't be. None of this was your fault."

"I think staying together is hurting us more than when we weren't together," she whispered in my ear.

I couldn't object. I was thinking the same thing Nikki was. MacKenzie was kinda crazy, and I'm pretty sure she revelled in our problems. But I wanted the chance to be selfish. Just as selfish as MacKenzie, but I couldn't hurt Nikki like that. So maybe I had to let go and hope for the best.

"Okay," I whispered back to Nikki. She gave me one last kiss. It said goodbye. Goodbye, Nikki Maxwell. But I had a plan.

And MacKenzie better square the hell up.

*~*~*~*

"We need to talk," I demanded.

I dragged MacKenzie by her faux leather jacket and away from her clique.

"I don't know, Brandon, I was kind of busy trying to not be late to my next class."

"MacKenzie, I'm serious."

"Alright, fine. What's the big deal anyway?" she shot.

I whispered low in her ear, "You can stop now."

She smiled wryly and shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Honestly...

"This isn't a joke anymore, MacKenzie. I'm tired of you terrorizing Nikki just because she has feelings. We broke up. What will it take for you to back off?"

"Cut her off completely. I don't even want you two make eye contact anymore." She didn't even ponder anything. She hated Nikki that much.

"I can't do that—"

"Cut her off... Or I will make will make her hurt feelings the least of your worries."

"Great," I said. I pulled out my phone and stopped recording. "That's all I needed to hear." I took it to the office, but before I could make it ten steps down the hallway, Jessica took my phone and broke it. Luckily, I had a backup, but cell phones are expensive. Three cheers for blackmail.

*~*~*~*

"Hello, Brandon, what can I do you for?" Principal Winston asked.

"Hi, Principal Winston. I have a problem with someone. She's bullying other people, and she's not very adamant on stopping," I said all innocent like.

"Oh, really? Who?"

"MacKenzie Hollister." I thought the principal would be little more mature about this. No.

He laughed.

"I'm sorry, Brandon, but how can I take you seriously? MacKenzie Hollister is a sweetheart, and you, my friend, have been to juvie."

"I have proof." I pulled out my backup phone and hit play. A Nicki Minaj song came on.

Starships are meant to fly-y-y-y! Hands up and touch the sky-y-y!

I quickly searched through my recordings. It wasn't there! And Principal Winston was getting impatient. "Brandon, if you're trying to be funny, it isn't working."

"I'm sorry, Principal Winston. Is there any way I can make this up to you?"

"Well, if what you're saying is true, then yes. I'll see to it that MacKenzie is punished. If you get any real proof, record it and get back to me."

"Thank you, Principal Winston."

"Anytime, Brandon."

Oh, I'll have my proof next time. I've got a plan. Not a terrible plan either... But I'll need Nikki.