I wake up to the sound of my alarm, I groan and press snooze, rolling over on my stomach to escape the brightness of the daylight.

I don't want to go to school. I don't want to see Adam. I don't want to see what my nose looks like. And I definitely don't want anyone else to see what my nose looks like.

When my alarm goes off again, I shut it off and begrudgingly get out of the safety of my bed. I find my clothes for the day and walk to the bathroom. I try to refrain myself from looking in the mirror, but even I can't resist.

"Really?" I mumble and examine the blue and purple nose that is on my face. All the way to under my eyes is a nasty shade of bruise and I feel like the ugliest person in the world - worse today than usual.

I don't waste my time in looking at my nose and get in the shower. It's only about ten minutes until I get out of the water, wrapping a towel around my body.

I pick up my pajamas and exit the small bathroom, passing Jackson on the way to my room.

"Whoa," he looks disgusted as he inspects my nose.

"Be quiet," I snarl and close my bedroom door.

"I didn't mean it that way!" I ignore him and pull on a pair of panties and a bra, slipping on leggings and a cute, decorated flowy tank top.

I straighten my hair from having washed it yesterday, do my make up and slip on some sandals before grabbing my bag and phone. I'm mentally preparing myself for what Colten is going to say when he sees me. Probably some dick comment.

I'm proven right when his lip curls in disgust.

"That," he points to my face. "Is making me lose my appetite and I never not want to eat."

I roll my eyes. "You did this to yourself, dick."

"Hey!" Jackson comes up behind me, bypassing my body to get to the food. "Watch the language."

"Like you don't say worse," I cross my arms over my chest. "Besides, what do you expect when I live with a bunch of animals?"

"She's got a point," Colten nods and Jackson glares at him.

"Be quiet and eat my cereal," he says and tosses me an apple. "Take some of your pain killers."

"Okay, father," I mock and bite into my apple before taking my pain killers with a glass of water.

"I might as well be," he mumbles, probably thinking I didn't hear him.

"Can you be my dad too?" Colten smirks, making Jackson throw the plastic cup he was holding at his face. "Ow! I don't think dads do that."

"I'm not your dad, so..." He trails off. "We need to go."

"Thanks captain obvious," I roll my eyes at him. "If you and Colten weren't flirting we could've probably been there already."

"Shut up-"

"Aww," Colten gushes, holding his football to his chest. "You were flirting with me?"

Jackson pushes his shoulder, laughing when Colten runs into the wall. I even let a giggle out at that one.

•••

"So," Brittni nudges my shoulder when I meet her under the tree she's always at. "Did you kill Colten yet?"

I laugh. "No, still planning it."

She nods in understanding. "That's cool, call me when you do, though. I may know a guy to dispose of the body."

Again, I start laughing. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Keep what in mind?" Adam somehow shows up beside me, making me move away.

"Nothing," Brittni snaps the same time Nathan says "What up bro?"

"Nothing much," Adam shrugs, completely ignoring Brittni's hostility. "I just came by to walk Nikki to class. We have first hour together."

I open my mouth to argue back, when Nathan starts speaking. "Really? You guys are on speaking terms?"

"I guess," Adam nods, and turns to me. "Let's go, Nikki."

I'm about to object when he grabs my arm and drags me in the direction of the school. I look back and Brittni has her mouth hanging open in shock.

Once we get into the building I slap his hands off of me, making him look at me shocked while I fume.

"What do you think you're doing?" I scowl, trying to kill him with my glare.

"You said you didn't believe me," he shrugs. "I'm going to make you believe."

I snort. "Right and I'm going to fly."

"At least say you'll give me a chance," he rolls his eyes. "I promise if after today you never want to speak to me again, I completely understand."

My jaw works back and forth, trying to decipher whether he's being sincere or not. I sigh, my shoulders sagging in defeat. What's the worse that can happen?

"Fine." I hate myself. "But I swear to god, if after today I don't believe you, I never want to see your face again."

He smile. "Deal."

I mumble incoherent words under my breath as we walk to class, way to close for my liking, as well.

Chemistry goes by pretty quickly, unfortunately, and soon enough the bell rings dismissing us. I try making it out of the classroom without Adam, but he catches up with me anyway.

"Where to next?" Kill me.

"Algebra," I mumble, walking towards the classroom with him right by my side.

"Who do you have?" He asks, our arms brushing against each other slightly making me jump.

"Um, Mr. Lee," I tell him, searching for any of my brothers friends. If they see me talking to a boy, they'll no doubt tell Jackson and that would only lead to me getting in trouble.

"He the one that looks like a lizard?" He asks and I burst out laugh, making him smile.

"Yep," I giggle. "That's the one."

"I hear he sounds like a chipmunk too," Adam nods, looking ahead of us. I can't help, but laugh at this also. I compared Mr. Lee to sounding like a little girl, but chipmunk works too. "You know? Like Alvin from Alvin and The Chipmunks?"

The laugh bubbles up from my throat with no warning, settling in the space between us. I'm snorting unattractively and heaving more un-lady like than my brother. Even Adam let's out a chuckle.

"Nice," I finish my laughing fit, just as we get in front of my classroom. "Well, I'm guessing I'll see you after this class?"

"You bet ya," he winks and turns on his heel, walking down the hallway. I watch him move away, a small smile etched on my face.

No! I can't be smiling because of him! He ruined me.

That doesn't stop me, though. It never does.

True to Adams words, he meets me outside my classroom again and like last time we laugh. That happens also on the way to fourth hour. He was telling me a story about how when he was younger, he fell in a puddle at his aunts house and she only had daughters. Said he walked around in a sundress all day.

My laugh probably can be heard from the other hallways. I haven't laughed this much in what seems like ages. The sad part is, I forgot how awesome it is to actually be happy. I also, didn't realize Adam was so funny.

"Not even joking," he holds his hands up in mock surrender.

"I believe you," I giggle and look up only to see Colten with his eyes narrowed - not at me - but Adam. This isn't good. "I-I'll see you later."

"Okay," he smiles and nudges my side before walking away. I look down at the ground, adjusting the strap of my bag before heading in the direction of Colten. He'll tell Jackson no doubt.

"Colten," I drag out, my voice low so no one hears us.

"Nikki," he mocks, clenching his jaw. "What was that with Donaldson?"

"Nothing," I say to quickly making Colten raise an eyebrow. "I mean, we're just friends."

"Really?" He questions, searching my eyes. "I highly doubt that, but I'll find out one way or another."

I gulp down my anxiety when he walks around me, nudging me slightly with his shoulder before walking into the classroom.

Holy. Shit.

"I'll be over at six," I smirk at a girl named Angelique. She's hot, has a nice ass and rack, her face is a bit to caked with make up for my liking, but I can't be picky when I've been going to bed with blue balls for the past two night.

"See ya then," she winks, letting her hand trail down my chest for a second before walking away. I raise an eyebrow as I watch her hips sway from side to side. Damn.

"What's up with that?" Jackson asks, jerking his head in the direction of my plans for tonight.

"Let's just say," I smirk. "I won't be going to bed stiff tonight."

Jackson laughs at this, slapping his hand against mine.

I leave my group of friends a minute later to head to Spanish. I want to get there early to annoy Nikki. I guess you can say I'm back to my old ways. Jackson only said to stop pulling pranks, not teasing her.

I peak inside the classroom only to see Nikki not there, so I decide to lean against the lockers by the door and wait for her.

My ears perk up when I hear her angelic laugh. Angelic?

I look around trying to spot her when I finally zone my eyes in on her and...Donaldson. What the fuck? When were they such good friend? And what the hell is so funny that she's laughing like that?

When she finally spots me, she pales and says something to her friend before walking towards me.

"Colten," she drags out with her soft voice. God do I love when she says my name. I only wish it was for me making her feel like she's never felt before. God dammit! I've gone this long with suppressing my feelings for her, why are they eating at me now?

"Nikki," I mock, clenching my jaw when I think about how she was just laughing with that fucker. "What was that with Donaldson?"

"Nothing," she says quickly making me raise an eyebrows. I've got her now. "I mean, we're just friend."

"Really?" I question, keeping my eyes in hers. She can't though, her brown eyes are every where but me. "I highly doubt that, but I'll find out one way or another."

With that, I walk past her, trying to ignore her amazing scent and walk into the classroom. I need to get a grip. If Jackson ever finds out about my thoughts, I'll be shot on spot.

After school, I'm walking to the field when Brittni stops me, looking angry.

"What the hell was that this morning?" She fumes.

"I don't want to talk about it," I sigh and walk past her. I don't get far when she's in front of me again.

"What do you mean "you don't want to talk about it"? We're going to talk about it whether you want to or not!" She throws her hands in the air.

"Honestly," I raise my eyebrows at her. "I don't know what happened. I don't know what's happening right now. All I do - remotely - have a clue about, is that I'm trying to think about what's best for me."

"And that's Adam - user - Donaldson?" She screeches. When my best friend is mad, it's never pretty. "I can't believe you would do this after what he put you through?"

"I didn't say I forgave him, Brit, I said I'm trying to do what's best for me. And yes, if that means getting back with Adam then that's what I'll do."

I walk away after that, shaking my head in disbelief. You'd think my best friend would support me no matter what.

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