Third Generation

Chapter Nine

*Two Weeks Later*

After thinking about what my mom had said, I thought long and hard about ways I could prove to her that I was different. Unfortunately, I had no clue how to do that. I couldn't predict the future and I sure as hell couldn't control guy's hormones. I scrolled on my phone and went to call Nicole, but hesitated. What if she was still mad at me? What if she didn't want to talk to me?

Guess we'd find out.

I hit call and put the phone to my ear. As it rang, I almost hung up. That was until, she picked up on the fourth ring, probably contemplating on whether or not she wanted to answer.

"Hello?" She asked.

"Hey, Nicky, what's up?" I tried to keep it casual.

"Out with Chase. You?" She asked.

"At home. Look, I'm really sorry about everything. I just got off my ground--that's why I haven't called you. And I didn't want things to escalate in school. I'm so sorry, I've been such a terrible friend," I said.

"No, it's fine. I guess I could kind of understand. I've missed talking to you and I don't want our friendship to end over who someone else is," she said.

"Me neither," I chuckled.

"Good, cause I have so much to catch you up on!" She yipped and I knew we were Nicky and Lexi again.

She came over and we talked for hours. She stayed the night and continued to gush about Chase and how "perfect" he was. She also mentioned taking up dancing and/or cosmetology. Also, she met Chase's family.

A lot can happen in two weeks.

"So, what about you? What's new in your world? Other than being grounded," she said.

"Nothing really. Lots of self-reflection. As cheesy as that sounds," I shrugged.

"No, I think that's a good thing. What'd you learn?" She asked.

"That I need to fix myself. I'm gonna start taking more shifts at the bookstore, and try and give more to people instead of worrying about me. I think I was being insanely selfish and not caring about other's feelings."

"I feel like that's only partially true. You care about people's feelings--you do. The selfish thing was only lately. Your life as a whole, you've been such a "life of the party" fun type of person. Never 'bratty' or anything like that. That was until Clex came along, but y'know," she shrugged.

"Thanks, I needed to hear that," I smiled.

"Have you even heard from him lately?" She asked.

"He's tried catching me in school and calling a couple times, but I wanna distance myself for now," I said.

"Sounds good to me," she shrugged.

I laid my back on my mattress and exhaled. It felt good to vent to my best friend again.

"Hey, want some junk food?" She asked.

"Nah, you go ahead. I'm good," I said.

"Okay," she said and went to get food.