Books, Boys, and BFF's: Sophomore Year

GONE GIRL

For days Nicole's confession is all I can think about. All signs point to Drew being right about her, but I don't want to believe it. I've spent months growing to like Nicole and including her in everything I do.

Did she just use me to get Drew...?

Even though every part of me is inclined to believe Nicole is a wolf in sheep's clothing, I'm having a hard time with it. She was here for me when Drew wasn't, and she's helped me through my drama with him.

Lost in thought, I'm startled when someone grabs me by the arm and pulls me into an empty classroom.

Quincy...

"We were broken up for less than an hour before you were already back with Drew."

"You broke up with me, Quincy. You don't get to interrogate me."

"I broke up with you because I was hoping you'd come to your senses, not go back to the guy who has you all screwed up in the first place."

"Screw you." I go around him to leave.

"I love you," he sighs. "I've been patient with you, and I planned to wait you out, but damnit, Sid. Why did you go back to him?"

"Because I love him."

"Not everything you love is good for you."

"Then let me ride this out. If it blows up in my face, at least I won't be wondering what if. Drew and I going exclusive is what's best for everyone, you included. We'll either work or we won't, but at least I'll know we gave it our all."

I venture back out into the hallway to find Patrice and end up running into Nicole. She smiles apologetically and asks me if I'm mad at her.

"How can I not be? You know how I feel about him, and you purposely sought him out so you could sleep with him. Were you trying to hurt me? Is that what that was?"

"No," she sighs. "Look, the first time it happened I'd been drinking. The other two times I just wanted you to see how much of a jerk he is. You deserve better Sid."

"I thought we were friends."

"We are."

"Then what would possess you to sleep with him?"

Nicole shoots me an incredulous look and shakes her head. "Where was all this sisterhood crap when you stole him from me?" She asks.

"Is that why you slept with him? To get back at me?"

"I'm not doing this holier than thou crap with you," she rolls her eyes. "You didn't care about my feelings when you took him from me, so why should I care about yours?"

Nicole storms off on me like I'm the one in the wrong here. Maybe Drew's right about her and I'm just in denial.

"How'd that conversation go?" Patrice walks up beside me.

"She told me I deserved it for taking him from her."

"Oh, no she didn't!" Patrice rolls her neck. "Do you want me to go handle that?"

"No, just leave her alone."

We enter the cafeteria and my eyes immediately fall on Kim and Drew. They're arguing while his friends watch, snickering from their seats. Kim looks upset and I wonder if that's how Nicole felt when Drew dropped her for me. It would explain why she would need to get back at me.

"Okay, what's going on in that head of yours? What are you thinking about?" Patrice asks.

"I'm just wondering if that," I point to Kim and Drew arguing, "Is the reason Nicole slept with Drew. I mean I've never stopped to think about the girls he dropped for me and how it may have affected them."