Break-up Games
Story by Daisy
~~*Chapter Nine*~~
The night was a long one. I couldn’t sleep after seeing Darcy and Nick together like that. And it wasn’t until then that I realized just how much Nick meant to me. I remembered how he had kissed me. I hadn’t been kissed like that in so long, not even from Brian. But my best friend had seen the wonderful guy that I had so eagerly ignored and now he’s hers. I cried myself to sleep.
I woke up the next morning with swollen eyes. My hair was still done in the twisting that Darcy had done the night before, yet the rest was a mess. I walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water over my face. I leaned over the sink, lost in thoughts of Darcy and Nick. When I finally looked up to see my reflection, my face was blocked by a bright pink note that had been taped up on the mirror. I dried my face and hands, then grabbed the note.
Ashley,
I just want you to know that nothing is
going on between me and Nick. What you saw was the harmless patching up of
wounds. If you’re not still mad at me, meet me at eleven at the beach
concession stand.
Darcy
It was a simple note, but it meant the world to me. I figured that she had come over and left the note last night. I had given her a spare key a few years ago so she would have been able to get in without knocking. I smiled at the note, realizing just what a great best friend I had, and hopped in the shower.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
I parked the car and jogged out to the beach. I could feel the warm sand come through my sandals and squish between my toes. I walked to the concession stand and prepared the speech that I had planned to say to Darcy. I walked up to the counter and ordered a Dr. Pepper. I took the cup from the person behind the counter and turned around to wait for Darcy.
“Ashley?” I dropped my cup and the drink splashed over my legs and feet.
“Nick.” I didn’t bother to pick up the cup. “Darcy told me to meet her here at eleven.”
“She told me the same thing.” I smiled. Darcy. Always planning…and knowing that her plans would work.
“She set us up.” I told Nick. “Since we’re both here, how about we go for a walk?” He nodded and followed me.
Since it was eleven o’clock in the morning and too bright of a day, not too many people were on the beach except hopeful surfers and fishermen. We walked silently for a few moments.
“Nick, I need to apologize for last night.”
“You came back.” I stopped walking and Nick stopped next to me. “It killed me to see you walk out with Brian. Darcy took me back to the guest room and helped me clean up. That’s all that you saw.”
“I’m so sorry, Nick.” My voice was a whisper and he actually had to lean closer to me to hear me.
“Well, if that’s it, then I’m gonna go home.” He turned to walk away but I reached out and lightly touched his arm.
“I need to say something else.” He turned back to me and sat down on the sand. I dropped down across from him, digging my hands into the sand.
“So…”Nick prompted when I didn’t begin.
“I’m sorry that I made you play games against your best friend. I guess I ruined things between you guys.” I stared down at my hands.
“No. He called me last night and we talked for a little bit.”
“That’s great!” I was so relieved that I hadn’t ruined everything. “While we were playing games, I realized that I wasn’t in love with Brian anymore. I guess I just didn’t want to lose.”
“Well, I’m glad you realized that.” Nick stood up and wiped the sand from his shorts.
“Wait, Nick.” He crossed his arms across his chest and waited for me to finish. “I may not be in love with Brian, but I am in love.” I took a deep breath and forced myself to say the words. “I love you, Nick.” The words were barely audible and I was afraid I would have to say them again, but I could tell when I looked at him that he had heard me. He was looking deep into the ocean, his face still grim. I stood there, playing with my shirttail nervously. Finally he looked back at me, a smile playing over his lips. I smiled back at him. He grabbed me in his arms and held me tight. If his arms hadn’t been supporting me, I would have melted onto the sand.
“You don’t know how much I wanted to hear you say those words.” He whispered in my ear. He moved his mouth to mine and our lips met for the second time. This time, I wasn’t pulled away from him until I was ready. He hugged me again.
“We’re gonna take this real slow.” He whispered. “And no more games. Promise?”
“Promise.” I whispered back, and kissed him again.