Lessons learned

Chapter 25

There was a soft knock on our dorm door, Indiana went to answer it glancing down at her watch. She flung the door open before looking at me and motioned for me to come towards her.

'Is Nic here?' The voice asks quietly.

'Yeah that's me.' I moved into the doorway letting Indiana sit back down on her bed.

'Kathy?'

She looked at me up and down before asking for entrance, I allowed it. She silently moved to sit on my bed, staring up at me.

'I'm sorry to intrude but Peter told me your dorm was here and I couldn't stand to spend anymore time with Megan. I'm sorry that I ever got you two confused.' Her eyes widened in distress and she ran her hands through her hair.

'No it's fine, welcome to my wonderful dorm.' I said in a monotone voice causing her head to tilt.

'You alright love?' She placed a hand on my shoulder trying to comfort me. 'Yeah.' I lie, I've gotten into the habit of lying these days and I'm not sure if I like it.

'So you hung out with Megan today then?' I asked not really caring for the answer, I just want to go to bed and forget this day ever happened.

'Yeah, what's her deal? She's just so...' She struggled to find the words. 

'Boring?' She clicked her fingers in delight and nodded.

'Yes boring, but hey I've got to be nice to her.'

'Why?'

'Well because she's my brother's girlfriend and he seems to be fond of her, so I need to make an effort.' She laughs lightly but my face falls in horror.

'What?' I mutter.

'Yeah she's my brother's girlfriend I came all the way from New York to come and meet her.'

I look at Indiana and Calli for help but they just look as shocked as I feel. 

'Girlfriend.' I repeat to myself completely defeated.

'Are...are they both still at his dorm?' I asked quietly refusing to look at her as the pain began to take over crushing my heart.

'I think so yeah.'

I nodded and stood to my feet, I need to talk to Peter. 'I'll be back soon, okay?' I looked towards Indiana, she rose and walked towards me. 'Shall I come with you?' I shook my head.

'Please, let me just punch the bitch.' I shook my head again and she sighed backing down. I left my dorm and made my way towards Peter's room.

As I got close to his door it opened and I watched the two of them step into the dimly lit hallway, he was smiling down at her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him, he bent down and playfully kissed her nose making her blush. I stood 5 feet away from them completely un noticed.

As he said his final goodbye to her he turned to look at me, surprise clear on his features. Megan then noticed and for a second she looked shocked but once she recovered an evil smile crossed her face. She bit her lip to suppress her laughter at my expense and walked past me leaving me and Peter alone in the hallway.

'Nic...I...'

I waited for him to continue but it didn't look like he was going to. I wanted to yell at him, I wanted to cry but instead I just stood there looking at him.

'I was going to tell you.' He said sadly.

I nodded letting a tear slip from my eye without my permission- he's seen me cry in front of him lots of time before but this time it's different- it hurts more.

'Yeah but you didn't.' I choke out and back away from him slowly.

'Nic, please.' He offers but I shake my head and cover my mouth with my hand as more tears slipped out and I ran away from him.

I jumped into my car and just cried in the driver's seat. I let everything go and my throat began to hurt as all my feelings left me.

I felt numb.

He lied to me, she lied to me, to my face.

The tears fell harder and I had no control as the pain literally made my heart throb. I tried to breath but I couldn't. 

I've lost him, my best friend. I never thought he'd leave my side but he's gone just like that.

I'm so embarrassed by the whole thing, I used to be this strong woman but now I'm just some weak girl who sits in her car and cries alone.

What have I become?

Why?

I pull my phone out and ring the only person that I feel like I can really talk to.

'Abby?'

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Lesson learned; sometimes it's okay to cry.