(15): Growing On Me

After we got to Cottage Hill last night, Nick followed Winnie into her apartment and I followed Kyle into his. I think we were just way too tired to have any type of conversation and headed straight into our rooms.

I couldn't sleep as soon as I would've liked to because I kept replaying all the things that took place.

Noah treating me like a piece of shit.

Dee cheating on Winnie, and Kyle and I lying about it. For what? Are we trying to protect Dee? Maybe deep down we just know it's not our place to tell her.

But what if it is? What if we're robbing Winnie and Nicholas of their happiness. She deserves someone who won't cheat on her the minute they feel insecure. What if Nick is that person? What if she could be happier with him?

It's none of my business really.

And then there's Betty's little evil schemes. Does that girl ever stop? Seriously? Exposing people's secrets like that? She's crazy. What if my name had been selected. What would she have said about me?

I'm so glad I wasn't inside during that time. I can only imagine how horrible it must've been for the victims, my best friend included.

Sigh.

I finally decide to get up from my very comfortable bed and take a quick shower. Speaking of... I'm pretty sure Kyle's bedroom is an en-suite because I've never seen him use the bathroom I use. Not that I want to.

I get dressed in my cotton shorts, a black tee shirt and flip-flops, also tying my hair into a messy bun on top of my head. My stomach starts to growl and I make my way to the kitchen to prepare some food.

Cereal won't suffice so I decide on eggs and bacon. I make some for Kyle too, because why not? When I'm done, I put his in the microwave since he's not up yet or so I think, and I happily munch on mine.

He's probably at the gym.

I start to clean up the place. It wasn't really messy or anything since Kyle is surprisingly a neat freak, and so am I. Kind of. I sweep, dust and wash the dishes. He has a dishwasher but I feel bad using it and wasting water just for a few dishes that I can finish up myself.

A few minutes after I'm done, Kyle shows up from his bedroom with damp hair and I'm guessing he just took a shower. We're coincidentally both wearing black shirts and shorts... although his are much longer than mine. And he looks better in them. Weird comparison, but it's true.

"Morning" I chirp sitting on the couch and watching some reruns of 'Jessie'

He yawns "Hi"

"No gym today?" Normally he starts his day off there. I actually thought that's where he was. It's sad that I never know if he's home or not.

He shakes his head and then I think he notices that we're kind of matching cause his eyes linger on me for a while before ruffling his blonde locks "I was worn out"

Same.

"I was making some breakfast and then I made some for you too. I mean, you don't have to eat it if you don't want to or anything. I was just being nice. I'm sure it's nowhere as good as Angeline's" I start to ramble uncontrollably.

What? He makes me nervous when he's not being rude to me.

"Jeez, I'll eat it" He answers amused.

"Okay" I squeak as I watch him take it out and doing just that before focusing my attention back on the TV.

It's that episode where Jessie and Luke linked up to make music and dance at the park. Jessie is currently playing 'Texas Boys' and Luke is dancing along. I love this episode.

"I hope I don't get a stomach ache from this food" He says. His back to me so I can't tell if he's joking or serious.

"Why? Does it taste bad?"

"Relax, I'm kidding"

Kidding? With me?

"You are?" I ask confused and slightly shocked.

He turns his back to look at me and rolls his eyes "You don't have to make a big deal out of everything. I kid around sometimes"

"Not with me" I murmur.

"I'll admit, Chelsea-Anne, you're kind of growing on me" He says biting into his toast nonchalantly.

Ahhh!!!

My eyes widen in excitement "I am?!"

I hate that I'm such a people-pleaser, but I can't help it. The minute I find out that someone doesn't like me, I go out of my way to convince them that I'm not that bad. I always do that.

I even did it with Betty until I found out that she was just a nut job and it was nothing personal that she didn't like me.

Looks like I'm getting there with Kyle though.

"Jesus, okay I take that back"

I'm still grinning like an idiot "I'm allowed to be excited. I thought you'd find me annoying until the end of time"

"Oh I still do" He snorts and I frown "I'm just immune to it now. Hence I say 'you're growing on me' and not 'I like you, we should be friends'"

Fair enough.

"I'll take what I can get" I shrug, the smile back on.

He gets up from his seat and rinses his plate before placing it in the cupboard "Whatever. I have to go now"

"Where?"

He shoots me a look that says 'I just told you that we're not friends so the fact that you're asking me that is blowing my mind'. "None of your biz"

Before I can protest, he's already out of the house with car keys in his hands.

Again: It was good while it lasted.

***

After being home alone and bored out of my mind, I finally decide to gain some courage and go to Winnie's room.

I know she's probably still mad at me but I'm hoping Nick is still there and will hopefully ease the tension. He has that effect on people. I just hope I won't crack and tell them both what really happened last night.

Fingers crossed.

"Oh, Chelsea" She opens the door surprised when she sees me.

I wave shyly "Hey. Can I come in?"

She moves to the side opening some space for me to enter "Sure."

I've only ever been inside her apartment once so I'm still not fully used to it. It mostly has red furniture; red couch, red kitchen equipments such as the toaster and the kettle. Red curtains, and a few paintings of red-ish shades.

She sure loves red, huh?

"Chels" Nick grins when he sees me. For some reason he is shirtless showcasing his slightly smaller than Kyle's abs and biceps "What up?"

"Why are you shirtless?" I ask confused.

He shrugs "My shirt reeked of alcohol. Winnie said I should take it off. Right, Winona?"

Interesting.

She rolls her eyes looking annoyed "Whatever. I'm gonna go take a shower"

Avoiding me, much?

"You already took one" Nick shouts but she's has already disappeared into what I think is her bedroom.

Yep, she's definitely still mad at me.

"Do you know what's wrong with her?"

I shake my head "Nope, no idea"

"She was fine before you got here" He murmurs thoughtfully "Whatever, I'm probably seeing things. Anyways, you good?"

"I guess" I answer "And you? How was the sleepover?"

"Fine. She was a bit agitated after the party but I managed to cheer her up. I wonder what happened. I noticed Dee left early too. Do you know anything?"

"Nope" I lie yet again.

"Ohh" He murmurs before his eyes light up "Did you see me last night? I was a star! I did nothing with any of those girls"

I clap my hands happily for him as I follow him to take a seat on Winnie's red couch "Yep. I'll admit, I'm quite proud"

"It was easier than I thought it was going to be" He hums.

"Hey, so did your name get rolled on Betty's so called wheel of confessions?"

He shakes his head "Luckily not. But I was never worried. She has no dirt on me at all. As a matter of fact, I have all the dirt on her"

"Like what?"

"Get this. So you know the old writing teacher right? You know how when he's absent, his son fills in?"

Mr Price. I don't like were this is going.

He continues "I found out that she's been hooking up with him. I stumbled across the surveillance footage the other day of them doing the deed. It was disgusting"

Oh my goodness.

"Is this like a thing he does?" I blurt in shock and disgust.

"What do you mean?"

"You can't tell anyone but he also hooked up with Kathrine. She didn't have sex with him though" I blurt yet again.

I am on a roll, aren't I? It's like I've lost all control of my mouth. Plus Nick has this thing of making me open up to him and tell him things I normally wouldn't tell anyone else easily. I don't know how he does it really but it's refreshing, I guess.

His eyes widen and so does his mouth "Are you joking? We have to report him. This is all kinds of wrong"

"We can't. Kat will go down too" I immediately object "You have to promise not to tell anyone, Nicholas"

"I won't, I promise." He makes a cross with his fingers "Can I ask Kathrine about it though?"

I shake my head "I wasn't even supposed to tell anyone. She can't know that you know unless she tells you herself"

He nods understandingly "I know I don't have the cleanest record when it come to girl but this is all kinds of wrong. The man is years older than them."

"I know. I also wasn't too happy when I found out about it first" I tell him "We should confront Betty though. You know, just so she knows we have the upper hand and not to mess with us any further"

"Sorry but I'm not getting involved with girl drama. You can confront her by yourself" He excuses.

"Nick. We have to" I whine.

He shakes his head "You can do it with Kat. I don't mind if you tell her about my findings"

"I can't tell her. She actually liked the guy and almost did it with him. How will she feel when she finds out that she was just another number on his list?" I rant agitated "She already feels stupid enough that people know about her and Mick"

"All I'm saying is that I'm not getting involved"

I roll my eyes "Fine then I'll do it by myself"

Winnie then emerges from her bedroom in a different and more formal outfit cause she was just wearing sweatpants and a shirt "I'll be back. I'm going to see Dee"

"You are?" I ask before I can stop myself.

Maybe Dee will tell her the truth. I wonder if she's ready... if they both are.

"Someone has to tell me what happened last night" She retorts "When Nick leaves, please lock up and take my keys. I'll go get them from yours"

I nod "Okay, good luck"

Why would I say that?

"With what?" Nick and her ask at the same time.

I clear my throat "Uhm nothing."

"Bye" Nick waves as she exits the door. He narrows his eyes at me skeptically "I thought you said nothing happened last night"

"Dee wasn't feeling well and I went to go comfort her. Winnie thinks I'm lying about why she was crying" I excuse lamely.

You are lying.

"Are you?"

I shake my head "No"

"Don't mind her, she's like that. The minute she feels skeptical about something, she gets all crazy" He tells me.

Except she's right to be skeptical.

Nico's phone then beeps with a message and he reads it with an unreadable expression before humming thoughtfully.

"Who is it?"

"Kyle. He said to meet up with him"

My eyes perk "Can I come with?"

"He gave very clear instructions to come alone so absolutely not" He tells me "He'll kill me if I come with you"

"But why?" I whine childishly.

"It's probably something very important. He doesn't send that type of text unless it is" He says getting up "Sorry Chels"

I'm still sulking when he comes back after retrieving his T-shirt and putting it on and then his shoes.

"I'll tell him you said hi" He offers a small teasing smile "Don't forget to lock up or Winnie will kill me"

I roll my eyes "Whatever"

I wonder what they're up to that's so private and important.