Nicole: Chapter Two

Monday morning, god I don't want to wake up. "It's a beautiful morning!!!"

"Stop that! Geez, I'm so tired of that."

"Awe, did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"Shut up." I groaned as I rolled over.

"Get out of bed idiot, or I'll do it for you."

"Fine!" I said to the idiot as I got out of the bed sluggishly.

I didn't see her in the coffee shop today, I was kind of disappointed but also relieved. I didn't want him to bother me again. I walked to English alone, listening to my music. Someone tapped me on my shoulder and I yipped like a little girl.

"Did I scare you?" Nicole smiled.

"Yeah, a little." I laughed nervously.

"Sorry about that." She said to me trying not to giggle. I smiled softly and as I reached to scratch my neck I accidentally dropped something. “What’s this?” She asked innocently as she picked it up. “Jekyll and Hyde, I’ve already finished it.”

“Really wow!” I exclaimed while she handed the book back to me.

“What part are you at?”

“I actually haven’t started it yet to be honest, and the project is due in two weeks.” I laughed. She looked at me disapprovingly. That was the first time I saw her with a negative expression. I replied almost immediately. “Don’t worry I will get it done before it’s too late.”

She just rolled her eyes and smiled. “You remind me so much of my sister, you know that?”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?” I laughed.

“A little bit of both.” She said winking at me then started walking a little faster. “You coming or what?”

Dang! This girl is sassy. I like her. “Shut up.” I mumbled under my breath as I tried to catch up with her.

I ended up sitting by her today in English. It didn't feel weird or anything though, it just felt like we've always sat by each other. It was strange but it felt natural all the same. She keeps smiling at me, why? Is she just in a good mood? Is she just being polite? Is she just naturally a happy person? Does she like me? I doubt it, she’s probably just in a good mood. Yeah that’s it, but why?

“So Jasper, have any plans tonight?” That’s what the note said. I didn't notice that she slid it to me until she cleared her throat in a very obvious manner. I was zoned out, like always, her sudden action made me jump. I looked over at her and she was just sitting there grinning, obviously trying not to laugh. She nudged me with her elbow and glanced at the note then nudged again. Taking the hint I wrote that I was free and slid it back to her.

Leaning over she whispered, “Meet me outside the coffee shop at seven.” After class she just smiled and winked at me then walked off.

“Hey, idiot what are you thinking? I don’t see the point in you going, you’re just gonna screw this up as well.”

“Shut up! Just leave me alone for tonight please.” I pleaded.

“Whatever, just don’t come crying to me when you mess it all up.”

I got to the coffee shop at 6:50 so I wouldn't be late, but apparently I wasn't the only one thinking that because she was already waiting there. “What took you so long?”

“What? I thought you said- um...you-” I stumbled on my words.

She just stood there and giggled at me. “Chill, I’m just kidding Jasper.” I sighed in relief. “Or am I?” She winked.

I chuckled nervously. “So, what are we gonna do tonight?”

“Promise not to judge.” She stared at me seriously.

“Okay.” I agreed.

She pouted at me, “It’s not a promise unless you say it.”

I've heard that phrase somewhere before. Where did I hear that? I feel like that was from a movie or something. That’s just gonna bug me now, but I just smiled at her and said, “I promise that I won’t judge you.”

She smiled and blushed slightly. “Alright, well I was thinking maybe we could get some pizza and go play laser tag.”

“Did you just say laser tag?” I stared at her in disbelief. She began to frown and nodded slowly. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Her eyes widened and she grabbed my hand a rushed to her car.

We had been driving for about ten minutes through downtown with the radio on quietly before either of us said anything, so I decided to break the silence. “I didn't know there was a laser tag arena in town.”

“Yeah, neither did I.” She smirked to the side. “Well not until a few hours ago.”

The optimism of this girl. She had absolutely no idea as to what we would be doing yet she asked anyways. “So what gave you the idea to look for a laser tag arena?”

“Well, I’m not really sure. It was just the first thing that popped into my head I guess.”

“Nice.” I laughed. “I haven’t played laser tag since my thirteenth birthday.” The look on her face, it was like she just watched the Doctor die.

“Thirteen? You haven’t played laser tag since you were thirteen?” She was really distraught over this fact. “We need to get you there pronto!” She said as she started to drive faster.

“When was the last time you played?”

“Right after graduation.” She stated proudly. “I walked off the stage and drove straight there.”

“Well then, looks like I’m going to-”

“Get your butt handed to you on a silver platter? Yes you will.” Nicole interrupted.

“Not what I was going to say.”

“So? It’s still going to happen.” She smiled. “And loser pays for the pizza.”

And it did happen. We played three rounds, and she murdered me for the first two rounds, but I noticed her game slowed down half way through the third round. I saw her run around a corner so I chased after her hoping she hadn't seen me. Rounding the corner I found her kneeled over coughing her lungs out. I stood there frozen, not having half an idea what to do. She sat there coughing for a few more seconds then tried to catch her breath.

Looking up at me, I expected to see pain in her eyes, but I only saw a bright red flash. “Never let your guard down Jasper.”  Nicole smiled mischievously, then coughed a few more times. Before I could say anything the buzzer rang and the lights turned on. Standing up she slapped me on the back, “So, how about that pizza?”

On our way out to her car, she stopped in the middle of the parking lot and began coughing again. I started rubbing her back gently while she coughed. When she finished I asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She seemed genuine but I felt like there was something else there.

She drove us back to the campus to drop me off in front of my dorm hall. Not much was said except for simple talk about the pizza and music. I looked over to her as she parked the car in front of her apartment. “This isn't my building.”

“Oh crap, sorry force of habit.” She pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the main campus. She pulled over half way there because she started coughing again.

After she stopped coughing and started driving again, I asked her, “Are you getting sick?” With these few words, her face slowly fell.

“No… I already am.” I was confused as to why she was distraught over this statement.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I've been sick since I was born. I have CF.”

“What’s CF?” I asked.

She stayed silent until we got to my building. Turning off the engine she took a deep breath. “Cystic Fibrosis, my lungs produced too much mucus and it makes it harder for me to breath.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

“Everyone I know treats me different once they find out that I’m sick… They either treat me like I’m fragile or like I’m patient zero of the zombie apocalypse. Even my parents treat me differently…”

“I would never treat you differently Nicole.”

She began to tear up. “Really?”

“Really really.” She smiled softly and hugged me.

“Thank you, thank you so much Jasper.” I hugged her back until she let go and when I saw her face, the smile was back. “Goodnight Jasper.”

“Goodnight Nicole, see you tomorrow.” I smiled as she drove off and I walked upstairs to my room.