Rue and I were laughing at Nicola's red face. She was so upset that Rue had been so affectionate. Rue had to hold onto my arm for support. Logan had muttered something incomprehensible, but Rue and I were more focused on teasing Nic. I stopped laughing when I saw her visibly tense up. What's wrong, my love?

"Long time no see."

Rue and I turned to see the girl that was pictured kissing Nic. I don't remember her name, but I know she's my girlfriend's ex. I gritted my teeth in annoyance that I had to see this girl. Rue saw my body language and placed a comforting hand on my arm. I really wanted to murder the girl.

"Willa." Nic breathed out. "What are you doing here?"

"I go to school here." I rolled my eyes at Willa's sarcasm. "What are you doing here and why didn't you tell me you were back? I thought you wanted to stay friends." I arched a brow at Nic, but she purposely didn't meet my eyes.

"I meant why did you come over." Nic sighed. "And I said that to be polite, Willa. After everything... I kinda need space."

"How much space? You literally go to school in a different state and leave for months at a time! And it takes you days to reply back to me." I didn't know they were still communicating. "You tell me you miss me-"

"As a friend." Nic quickly shot me a glance. "Not miss as in... you know." She absentmindedly waved her hand. "Willa, I'm-"

"Can we go somewhere private?" Willa looked at all of us. Her eyes lingered on me longer than Rue and Logan. "Who are you?" She locked eyes with me.

"Nic's girlfriend." I didn't bother shaking her hand.

"So it's your sister." Her brows scrunched in anger. I didn't know what she was referring to. "You seriously left me for-"

"Watch it, Willa." Nic's voice was stern.

"How can you be with her after everything she's put you through?" My composure fell and I looked at Nic in disbelief. She really told her ex all of our drama? "Yea, I know everything you did." I glared at a smirking Willa. "You don't deserve her."

"Willa-" Nic tried to speak, but she was cut off by Willa.

"Nic." I scoffed at the nickname she used for MY Nic. "Her whole family is a dumpster fire. You don't need all the drama and hate that comes with being with her. I promise that I'll make it up to you." She grabbed Nic's hands. "Nicola, I'm still in love with you." Nic couldn't break eye contact with Willa.

That's it! I rolled my eyes and walked to the car. I refused to subject myself to watch Willa win back Nic. It annoyed me that Willa had a valid point. My family would do nothing but bring scrutiny to Nic. At least Willa could give Nic a normal life. I'm not really sure what I could bring. I would try everyday to give Nic the love and support she needs, but I could never give her a normal life. My life was a dumpster fire.

"Ali!" Nic swung open the driver seat. She then got in the car and looked at me, but I refused to meet her eyes. "Can we please talk?" I kept quiet. "I told you that I wanted us to talk about our feelings." She got a little annoyed.

"Okay, I'll start." I turned to her in annoyance. "You really kept in touch with your ex." I crossed my arms.

"Yes. I can be friends with whoever I want to be." She shot back. "You can't decide who I'm friends with."

"I wasn't- you told her every intimate detail about our relationship." She groaned at me.

"I told her the big picture. I'm sorry if I wanted to rant to someone who I knew would be 100% on my side!"

"Of course, she'd be on your side. She just admitted that she loves you." Was she missing the point or-

"My God, Alicia. You are so insecure." She turned the car on and began backing out the spot. "I'm not interested in her." She huffed.

"Then why couldn't you break eye contact with her." I jolted forward from Nic slamming on the brake.

"Because she caught me off guard, Alicia! If you didn't throw a temper tantrum and run away, then you'd have seen me tell that there will never be anything between us again. I told her I love you and only you, but of course you didn't see that. Even if you witnessed it, you'd still formulate something in your mind that I'm still in love with her." She was getting worked up. She ignored the cars honking and looked at me with furious eyes.

"Yes, I cheated on you." I stiffened at her bluntness. "I was insecure about how you viewed me and your feelings towards me. Willa capitalized on my vulnerability, okay? I was angry that you were secretly engaged and refused to tell me. I thought maybe you were playing around with me. Like I was your toy on the side. I'm sorry you went through that. I'm sorry I cheated on you. I'm so, so sorry that you grew up not being able to trust people. I'm sorry that Skye-"

"Nicola!" I sternly stopped her. "Choose your next words carefully. I don't think you want to say something you'll regret." I warned her.

"I'm sorry Skye threatened to out you." My eyes narrowed at her. "And I'm sorry you were pressured into sleeping with her." My hands turned into fists. I arched a brow when Nic sighed. "I've been hanging out with her because she threatened to expose your sexuality to the media." She averted her eyes.

"What?"

"She threatened to out you if I didn't go out with her." She mumbled.

"Nic-"

"We should get to the airport." She tried to move the car, but I stopped her.

"I appreciate what you did to protect me, but you don't-"

"Of course I do, Ali!" She cut me off. "And I'd put myself through misery over and over again to keep you safe because I love you." I smiled and pulled her into a kiss.

"And I love you too." She smiled back and kissed me.