No Good Nick (Part 3)

Part 4

It was Friday afternoon. Nick had just finished helping the janitors clean. She had had the lovely job of emptying every trash can in the school. While it wasn't difficult, it was definitely disgusting. 

Nick vowed that she would never steal again for two reasons. The first being because she didn't want to hurt anyone. The second being she could not stand collecting trash.

"Ew!" Nick shrieked, tossing a slimy banana peel into her garbage bag. One of the custodians helping her laughed. 

"It's just a banana peel Nick, you'll be fine!" she laughed. The janitor's name was Elvina, a 63-year-old woman who still had perfect white teeth and loved to laugh and smile. Her energy was often contagious, NIck did feel better working with her.

"I-I know it's just disgusting," Nick laughed, trying to wipe the feeling of the banana peel onto her jeans. 

Elvina handed her a pair of rubber gloves. "Put those on. Better you don't get all squeamish on me because of some garbage," she chuckled and went to move onto the next bin.

Nick studied the gloves for a moment, remembering that the last time she had put on rubber gloves had been when she robbed the bank. She half winced at the thought, wanting to block out the painful memories of getting Ed arrested. Although secretly, a part of her did acknowledge that it was pretty cool she robbed a bank. She was 14 after all, and she was able to get past all the security measures.... in fact, maybe she could help Ed tighten security in the bank. She paused, making a mental note of the thought.

That's actually not a terrible idea. She thought to herself.

I guess some good things do come from the bad...

"Hey, Nick! The last one to finish all the cans in hall B has to clean the bathrooms next week!" Elvina cut through Nick's thoughts, and she smiled at Elvina. She pulled the rubber gloves on and hurried down the hall. 

"You're on!"

                                                                                     ***

Once finished, Nick walked out of the school, happy to report that Elvina would have to clean the bathrooms next week. She put in her earbuds and tightened her coat around her, thinking she would walk home on the chilly winter day. She was surprised when she saw Jeremy pull up in his car. She smiled and walked over to his car.

Opening the door she thanked him. "You really didn't need to wait. I thought Molly and the volunteer squad were going to bingo night."

"Oh yeah, I already dropped them off. I figured I'd come back so you don't have to walk back in the cold," Jeremy said, smiling at her.

"Um, thanks. It'll be nice to have some heat on my toes," Nick said, shutting the door and bucking her seatbelt.

Jeremy was quiet for a moment before turning to Nick. Nick felt her heart speed up when she saw his serious expression.

Uh-oh.

"Thank you," he said.

"T-thank you? Um... what?" Nick asked, surprised when she was being thanked rather than accused of something.

Jeremy looked sheepish for a moment before making eye contact and giving her a kind smile. "Thank you for not telling anyone, and letting me come out on my own terms. I-I know I didn't trust you for a while, but I realize that you stayed true to my wishes. You didn't tell anyone until I was ready." He leveled his shoulders. "I really appreciate that Nick. That alone showed me that despite all the mistakes you've made... and all the crap you've been put through, that you still are a good person. You loved all of us, and I know you didn't want to hurt us. I just... I just want you to know that I love you too. I'm so happy that you're like a sister to me," he finished, smiling and with eyes that looked misty. 

Nick didn't realize she was holding her breath until he finished.

"I.... I... I don't know what to say," she spit out, shocked by his words. "I want you to know that I would never have hurt you in that way. Framing you for those ballots hurt enough and I wish that I hadn't... but it never crossed my mind to tell anyone that before you were ready." 

She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts, "I swear to you, that I am incredibly sorry for hurting you. I love you too... and I would never push you down like that. Ever."

Jeremy smiled at her, and Nick noticed how his voice shook a little. "I know Nick. I think that now would be a good time to put all that behind us. Awesome brother-sister duo?" He asked, holding up a fist.

Nick rolled her eyes, but laughed and fist-bumped him. "Awesome brother-sister duo."

"Alright, maybe now we should head home before mom thinks we snuck off to some party or something." Jeremy laughed and started the car.

Nick smiled and felt like this had been the best day she had in a long time. 

Jeremy and I can finally trust each other. Things can be okay.

                                                                         ***

"Okay.... this is super weird," Molly said, glancing at Nick and Jeremy. 

They were playing monopoly at the table, and Molly had walked in to see Nick yelling at Jeremy for taking one of the spots she wanted.

"Oh, hi Molly!" Nick smiled at her best friend. "How was bingo?"

"It was really great! I'm not great at it but it was fun. But umm... what are you guys doing? I know we all love and forgive each other now but I don't think I've ever seen you guys get along so well. Besides Jeremy, I thought you said board games were a waste of time!" Molly said, looked dumbfounded as she stared at the two.

Nick and Jeremy traded secret glances and laughed. "Nevermind what I said it's fun. Besides, Nick and I have some quality bonding time to catch up on since I was kind of a jerk to her. Wanna join us? We didn't start too long ago," Jeremy said, starting to pull out a chair for Molly.

"Uh.. sure," Molly said, suddenly surprised by her brother's kindness towards not only Nick but her as well. She smiled at him.

By the time Liz and Ed got home that night, Jeremy was writing a sworn testimony that he had won, while Molly and Nick were teaming up against Jeremy.

As chaotic as it was, Liz smiled to herself to see all the kids getting along. Her heart melted a little to see Nick smiling so much after everything she had been through. Liz couldn't help but think that without Nick in their lives (even though she had done many crazy things) they wouldn't be as close of a family without her.

Ed wholeheartedly agreed. 

                                                                                    ***

Hope y'all liked it! I think Nick needed some positive bonding time with Jeremey since they were at odds with each other forever. I honestly think that they would have a great sibling relationship, and I'm hoping it grows more :)