• CHAPTER 6

    School went by in a breeze. In what seemed like minutes, I was outside, sitting next to the school’s flag pole, waiting for Ben’s Montero. Instead, I saw Nick making a stop in his Lancer and lowering his passenger window. He leaned over and looked at me. “Get in.” He said. I raised a brow.
    “Can’t. Doctor’s appointment.”
    “Goldberg?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Cool. Headed there.” I noticed the small bandage strip over a healing cut below his eye and felt eerily guilty.
    “Okay.” I smiled and got in.

    “So let me get this straight…” I began sometime during our wait in the waiting room. “Ben couldn’t make it because he had a 'thing' he forgot to do and asked you to take me instead, right?” Nick laughed quietly and raised his hands up as if he meant no harm.
    “Okay, you got me.” He looked at me and then back out the window. “I insisted that he let me take you.”
    “Oh.” I put on as much of a skeptical face as I could but I was just too surprised. “Why?”
    “I had to talk to you about something, Jay.” He glanced at me again but with a serious face.
    “What?”
    “I was thinking that maybe we should…” He trailed off, searching for the right words. “we should... do something about James.” I turned to look at him. He looked back but not for long.
    “Something like what? Press charges?” He went quiet. “I don’t have time for this.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “And besides, I--”
    “Jade Holloway!” The receptionist called. I looked at her. “You’re up.” I stood up but he grabbed my arms. “Not now, Nick.” He sighed and released me.

    * * *

    “Well, Ms. Holloway, looks like your progress is just fine. That brother of yours sure does care. Wonder why he isn’t here.” Goldberg said. I thought of Nick and frowned.
    “Yeah, me too.”
    “And your sister too. She’s just the sweetest.” Did he mean Kim? “It’s good to have a family like that.” You have no idea.
    “So doc, can I drink coffee now?” He glanced at me and mulled it over.
    “Ah heck, sure, why not? Your progress is perfect.” I smiled. “I mean, with such a family, who wouldn’t? You can’t find siblings like that anymore, ya know.” God, is he going to keep on with my family? I rolled me eyes. “Well, looks like we’re done. Continue your prescription as normal. You won’t need any repetition so… just finish the bottle.”
    “My next appointment…?”
    “Uh none for now. You might experience some seizures so I recommend no driving. If anything occurs, come see me pronto.” I smiled.
    “Thanks, doc.”
    “Jade, please be careful. It’s sad what you’ve been through.” I nodded.
    “Me too, doc. Me too.” I said goodbye again and left. When I got to the waiting room, I signaled Nick it was time to go.

    “Hungry?” He asked on the elevator.
    “Kinda. Why?”
    “Would you accept an apology meal?” I sighed.
    “I’m sorry, okay. I overreacted. I’m not mad at you. I just… I just don’t want to deal with him now.” I fought back some threatening tears. Nick sighed and wrapped his arms around me. I sobbed and tears flowed.

    I’m such a crybaby.

    “I can’t believe him.” Nick shifted and pressed the Close Door button on the elevator panel. “I didn’t know he was that jealous. I didn’t know.” I shook my head and sniffed.
    “It’s alright now.” He said in a comforting tone. “It’s alright.”
    “Nick…” Who I really wanted to see was Matt. He tilted my chin up so I’d look at him.
    “I love you. I always have.” Before my brain registered what was happening, Nick pressed his lips against mine. I didn’t move. Didn’t respond. Didn’t even close my eyes. He released the Close Door button and the elevator continued its slow course. With his hand now free, he roamed my shoulder and neck, then settles on my jaw. I tightened my eyes shut, willing the moment to pass. This isn’t how it was supposed to go.

    He pulled away and looked at me with the same look Matt did when we were in the hospital all those days ago. “Please…” He whispered. “Jade…” Sounded so much like Matt. He kissed me again but this time I… I didn’t see him in that moment, in the elevator with me. I saw Matt. My lips opened, welcoming him. He kissed me again.
    But there was no spark. No invitation. No Matt.

    The doors slid open and I stepped out. Nick looked after me. “I uh… I think I’ll take the stairs.” I said and sooner than the words were out of my mouth, I was speed walking to the stairs. I’m glad I do some track and field. Otherwise, ten floors down would’ve been suicide. I grabbed my phone and dialed Matt’s number.
    “Jade.” He said my name with his deep, husky voice. I don’t know what went faster, the steps or my heart. “Something wrong?”
    “Why most something be wrong for me to call you?” My voice trembled because of the steps.
    “You okay?”
    “Yeah, I’m running down some stairs actually.” 7th floor.
    “Be careful.”
    “Where are you?”
    “Outside school. Why?”
    “You’re leaving school now?”
    “Friday detention.” It almost killed me not to roll my eyes. “Why?”
    “Wait for me there.”
    “Um sure. Okay. I missed you, Jade.” I hesitated and stopped. Matt hung up. The tone rang in my ear but it was a distant sound. Somewhere in the background. Everything became muted as those words reverberated in my head. "I missed you". Even after all we’ve been through, he still says those words as if just yesterday we were mere strangers once again.

    Distant.

    I shuddered. The lone word scared me. The thought of going back to that phase of confusion and loneliness sent a shiver up my spine. The thought of going back to not knowing what I did…

    I still don’t know what I did. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know why all of a sudden Matt began… approaching me the way he did. I don’t know why I consented without answers. I don’t know anything.

    It just happened.