monkey brain

ch. 2

i hope y'all know i did not proofread this ❤️😔 i hope anyone who reads will enjoy it i rlly like writing this!!
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Honestly, Nikki really didn't think things could possibly get worse. She just has to deal with the knowledge that-wow-she had a totally debilitating infatuation with the girl who had tormented her for years. It was kind of mind boggling, the way she had just accepted this as her fate. Nikki had thought she had more fight in her than that, but years of evidence had already beaten any argument she could've had with herself. It still didn't make sense though, not at all, Nikki didn't even like girls! She liked boys, cute boys with brown hair and a gentle smile, guys like Brandon.

Shit, she thought, Brandon.

Surely there had to be something real in her attraction to him.  He was the perfect guy, nice, pretty, kinda smart and the type of guy her parents would love to see her with.  She had every reason to like Brandon, hell, even love him. She should like him, did like him..does like him? God all this thinking was giving Nikki a headache. Maybe she should just-

"NIKKI MAXWELL" Her crotchety old algebra teacher yelled, and Nikki swore she could feel her soul leave her body as she finally came back to reality. Reality, where everyone was staring at her and some had already began giggling behind their hands. She could already feel sweat building on her forehead as she picked up her pencil in a last ditch attempt to seem like she was paying attention.  "Number 4?" Mrs. Holston asked, in a tone that made it clear she didn't expect Nikki to know the answer.

Which, in all honesty, she didn't. Nikki began to scribble on her blank sheet of paper and let out a few 'hmmms', which was a classic move in her opinion. It was the ultimate stalling technique, and she even threw in a head scratch and squinted at the board in faux concentration. This went on for almost two minutes, and Nikki was seriously considering faking sick when an eerily familiar voice rose from what felt like the depths of hell.

"The answer is 2y-4x=7y+9x," Nikki couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, even though she was kind of (DEFINITELY) annoyed that her rival (crush) had shown her up in front of the whole class. "a simple answer for a simple question." Mckenzie finished and smiled at the teacher, one of her patented ass-kissing ones. Mentally, Nikki was already imagining every way she could murder the other girl, and then got so distracted by her vengeful thoughts that she almost didn't hear the teacher saying her name, again.

"Nichole, see me after class," Mrs. Holston stared at her with dead, cold eyes, then turned to Mckenzie with a smile bright enough to burn someone, "You as well dear." And that was that, whatever that woman's plan was involved them both, and dear god couldn't Nikki ever catch a break? She wondered what crime she'd committed in her past life in order to be subjected to the hell she was being put through. Looking down at her scribble-covered paper, she sighed and began doodling in the margins, resigning herself to whatever torture the universe had in store for her.

Twenty-three minutes later, the bell rang and Nikki startled from where she'd been absentmindedly doodling in her notebook. Looking down, she felt her face flare up as she took in the multiple sketches of a certain blondes smug face scrawled all over her paper.  God, this was really becoming an issue, she thought as she packed up her stuff. She slowly trudged over to the teacher's desk where Mckenzie was already waiting, looking as prim and proper as ever, if not a bit annoyed.

"Nichole," Mrs. Holston began, and Nikki cringed, her full name sounded SO wrong coming from the old bat's mouth, "I truly did not think you're grades could get worse, but it seems they have. I've done everything I can to help you, and at this point extra...help, is a necessity in order for you to pass this class."

Oh hell, did she really have to bring this up in front of Mckenzie? Nikki was well aware she wasn't the best student, but she did try (sometimes). She really didn't think it had gotten this bad. Her stomach rolled and she tried to give off her best impression of being unaffected and emotionless, but she wasn't sure her flushed cheeks and stinging eyes were getting the job done. Jeez it was so embarassing to be lectured by a teacher, especially in front of the one person she was always trying to show up.

"Ok," She sniffed, "I still don't get what this has to do with her." Nikki chanced a glance at Mckenzie and was startled to see her pointedly looking away, a dusting of pink spread prettily against her high cheekbones. Wow, Nikki thought, she has really good bone structure...

Mrs.Holston smiled, something like pride washing over her face, "Mckenzie here is enrolled in a tutoring program with our school, and has generously offered to tutor you after school."

Nikki could literally feel her stomach turn to stone and drop to her feet. How...why was this happening now? Of all times? Did God hate her that much? She almost laughed at the situation she'd found herself in but instead found herself choking on her own saliva. There could only be one reason that witch offered to help her, and that was to show her up. "I-I..Is there any way I could just...not do this?" She asked, already knowing the answer as her teachers face hardened.

"Absolutely not Nikki, especially not after Mckenzie was so eager to he-" Suddenly the aforementioned girl began coughing, very loudly and pointendly glared at the teacher in front of them, "Are you ok dear?" Mrs.Holston asked kindly, blatantly ignoring the death glare being sent her way. Mckenzie pursed her lips and nodded, glare lessening slightly.

"Anyway, as I was saying, I'm afraid you have no choice in this matter, I've already contacted your parents and they agree this is necessary if you plan on passing this year," Mrs. Holston looked between Nikki and Mckenzie, both of whom were turned away from each other and glaring at the wall, "I expect the two to get along, this is a very important learning moment for both of you." And with that, they were dismissed.

Nikki was having trouble processing the mess her life had become and wondering if it was too late in the year to move when Mckenzie brushed by her, bumping into her shoulder and shoving a piece of paper into Nikki's chest. Nikki was dazed as she got a whiff of..what was that? Honey? Whatever it was it smelled heavenly. "My adress," Mckenzie said and tilted her head up, pointy nose sticking up in the air, "I'll meet you outside the gym after school. Don't be late" Nikki could only stare dumbly as the blonde sashayed out of the room, hips swaying side to side, effectively cutting off any train of thought Nikki could've managed.

Oh hell, Nikki thought, I'm so fucked