unexpected decision. ||Josh Richards||

Chapter 31: for you

When I woke up in the morning my eyes were still puffy from crying. I was still really upset about everything that happened but I'm trying to stay strong. I didn't feel like dressing nice either although we had to because of our game today. Honestly, that's not my biggest concern. I missed Bryce a lot and I know what your thinking, but he's not dead, well yes I know. I don't know if he is ok though which is scary.

I got out of bed and went to bryces room. I went over by his closet and took one of his hoodies. I went back into my room and changed into the rest of my clothes for today.

I had on bryces hoodie with some leggings and put my hair in a French braid. Once I finished getting ready I went downstairs and saw tayler waiting. I could tell he was doing his best to stay strong for me but on the inside he was scared as shit. We both got in the car without saying a word.

When we got to school I had the my hood up and I went to my locker. Charli cane over to me and said "morning Nik! Wait what's wrong..?" Before I answered Charli brought me into the bathroom and called Dixie because she knew something was up. Dixie came in and said "what happened?" I said "b-Bryce.. my dad cane back and hurt h-him.. he's in the h-hospital.." by now I was crying. Charli and Dixie Hugged me and made me feel a little better. I cleaned up my face and it was still a little red but nothing too noticeable unless you get a good look at it. Charli and Dixie left to go to class while I went to find josh. I saw him and the team near his locker so I went over. Josh said "you ok? Hear anything?" I shook my head no.

The others noticed something was wrong but josh gave them a look signaling not to ask. They nodded and we all just walked to class with our obvious "favorite" teacher Ms Fisher. I was not in the mood to deal with her at all. I might fall apart and cry or I might snap back at her today. Depends what she says. When we got to class I sat in my seat away from everyone like ms fisher put me and took out my work.

Me Fisher came into class and laughed when she saw me. I had my hood up hoping to avoid that. "Miss hall what's wrong? Your face is a little red there. Looks like someone's been crying, your too scared for the game? Too scared Bryce isn't gonna be there?" I'm not taking her bull shit today. I'm done. "Is there a problem? Am I not allowed to have emotions?! And don't talk about my family life, it's rude! And you dare bring up Bryce and what happened." Ms Fisher laughed and said "why not? He can't come here and defend you.." Charli knew this wasn't ending well. She whispered to josh "take your phone out, your about to get your first look into badass Nicole. She is about to go off." Josh took his phone out and recorded.

I said "I told you not to bring him up. I already have a horrible life as it is! I don't have loving parents anymore, I don't want any either! Jesus, I don't even know if my brother is ok And for you to talk to me like it's nothing, that's childish. How old are you, like 45 right? Well your acting like a 10 year old. No don't talk bad about my family alright." Me fisher just stood there in shock. She sat down at her desk and ignored the whole thing. I put the hood back up on my hoodie and put my head down for the rest of class, I don't even care anymore. I would run out and try to hurt my self right about now but I can't do that to tayler.. he's already got enough to worry about.

The bell for class to end rang and I just left the room and went to my locker. I stood there for a second until I noticed josh behind me. I quickly turned around and hugged him. He hugged me back and said "it's ok.. that was pretty cool actually. I've never seen the badass Nikki." I smiled a little and said "I've had enough of her. Charli thought I would've snapped earlier this year but I never did." Josh smiled and said "wel cmon, let's get to class." I nodded and went with him.

—————————(after school)—————————

Once school ended I got out of class and went to the locker room. I was still upset but tried stay strong like I've done most of the day. A bunch of people knew something happened with Bryce but not what happened from when I yelled at Ms Fisher but I said what I had to. I got changed for the game and put my gear on and ran to the field. When I got there I stood with the team and waited for Coach. Jaden came next to me and whispered "you ok?" I nodded "yeah.. my dad attacked Bryce last night so he's in the hospital and they're trying to figure out what's wrong.." jaden gave a slight nod and hugged me. I knew josh wouldn't mind because one, I had a bad day, and two, jaden would never try to date me since I was like a sister to him.. and he was like my brother.

When Coach came he said "ok for starters, this game is not about the win today.. we are playing for Bryce alright. And when we win this game, because I know we will, we are gonna be moving up to the playoffs. Everyone on the field!" I smiled because it meant a lot that coach cared. I mean, Bryce was one of his players till he got hurt and he loved Bryce. We got onto the field and started the game.

I got the ball and ran to the end zone a player was about to tackle me so I passed the ball to my closest teammate and they got the touchdown. I got up from the tackle and went back to position. This time, Josh passed me the ball and I ran all the way down the field towards the end zone and got the touchdown. I smiled super big, which I haven't done all day, and went back to position. This went on for a while and we ended up winning the game. Before I went into the locker room to change josh tapped my shoulder so I turned around and saw him standing there with a poster that said "I'd love to go the extra yard and tackle homecoming with you." I smiled and said yes and jumped into his arms. Of course Charli recorded the whole thing because she was in on this.

Josh smiled at me and said "ok ok enough of this, go see Bryce. If he's up tell him I said hey." I smiled and kissed josh and said "ok love you." He smiled and said "love you too." I ran to the locker room quick and got changed into my clothes from earlier and found tayler. He said "so your going to homecoming with josh?" I laughed and said "yeah how'd you know?" "Charlis snapchat." I laughed and we continued to go to the hospital.

When we got there I jumped out of the car and ran to the room Bryce was in. When I walked in Bryce was sitting up awake. We both smiled at each other and I ran and hugged him. He laughed and said "hey Nik." I smiled and said "Bryce oh my gosh your ok." He laughed and said "is that my hoodie?" "That doesn't matter. How do you feel?" He smiled and said "I'm ok. I saw the game on my phone, you did good. I also saw charlis story." I laughed and said "thanks Bryce." Tayler walked in and sighed in relief. "Bryce what the hell, you had us worried sick. Why didn't you text us?" Bryce laughed and said "I wanted to surprise you.. and you were at the game and I didn't want you to leave." We all laughed and Bryce said "soo, full ride scholarship huh!" I bet your wondering why I'm gonna be in the same grade as Bryce graduating if he's older. Basically me and Charli are supposed to be juniors but we were pushed up a grade because we are smart. Tayler recently dropped out to focus on working more and trying to help us, which he shouldn't have to. Also, tayler has a different last name from me and Bryce because he was born before our parents got married so they gave him my moms last name.. if you were wondering.

A doctor cane into the room and said "ok you three, your free to go home. And miss hall, great game today." I smiled and said "thank you." The doctor nodded and we all left the hospital. I sat in the back with Bryce and I was supposed to make sure he was ok but instead ended up falling asleep. My brothers just laughed. Once we got home Tayler carried me up to my room and tucked me in.