Chapter Five: Congratulations Are in Order

CHAPTER FIVE:

"So, how did it go? Did you tell him?" Grace hops on my bed, which makes me want to punch her in the face. I have the worst headache I've ever had, and still feel sick to my stomach.

Emma is quieter than usual, which I find suspect. There must be something bothering her, or she feels the same way I do.

"I didn't tell him anything. He just admitted that he sees me as a little sister and how much he loves Nikki," I whisper, glaring at the light Grace turned on.

"F*ck," Emma shakes her head and throws her arms in the air. "Is he this dumb, or only pretending? How can he not see it?"

"I know right," I sigh. "He will never see me more than a little sister. I honestly feel that he wouldn't even comprehend my feelings if I told him. It would be like a child confessing to him."

I moan when my head throbs painfully again. "I feel like someone took a baseball bat to my head."

"Same, here, take some Tylenol," Grace digs in her bedroom drawer and pulls out a bottle of Tylenol.

"Anyway, he bought me McDonalds, and then took me home."

"Oh, how romantic," Grace smiles, not showing any signs of sarcasm. She'd label anything to do with the opposite sex as romantic. The girl is as bad as I am.

"Girl, if you think eating at McDonalds is romantic, then you need to take a look at your priorities," Emma's eyes Grace with disappointment. "I worry for you."

"Well, he still left his house at three in the morning for her, and then bought her food. For him, that's a start. I mean, we've seen him around Sash and all he does is ogle is Nikki. The fact that he came and got our little angel here...I'd say he definitely cares for her, and these feelings can blossom into something more," Grace crawls over to me and wraps her arms around my stomach. "My squishy friend. Skinny, yet squishy."

"You're so weird, but I love you for it," I pat her head and look over at Emma. "He practically said he thinks I'm weak and can't protect myself. He doesn't see me as his equal."

"No, you probably heard wrong," Grace tries to reassure me, but I know better. I was drunk last night, but could still have a conversation. I heard him loud and clear. He does not see me in a romantic light, and never will. I haven't been friend zoned. I've been sister zoned. That's even worse. Once a guy or girl sees you as sibling material, it's game over.

Literally, game over. I have no game with them. I'm now family.

"No, he really said it. He said he doesn't have to worry about Nikki because she's strong, and that she's his equal. He totally did say that I was weak."

"Well, I guess that's a start, like Grace said."

"I'm always right. This will work out in the end, I just know it," Grace sighs cheerfully and hugs me tighter.

"How is this a start?" I ask them, but they just smile secretively at each other.

I shake my head. "You guys are faking this conversation, aren't you. You guys have no idea," I laugh, and both girls follow suit.

"Correct," Grace mumbles into my shirt.

"Do you think I should move out?" I say, catching their attention.

"You think you're ready for that?" Emma asks me, and I know she means well. She's the most rational among our trio.

"I'd need a job first, but...we're eighteen and we graduate in a month. We should move out together. If Dean sees me as a child, shouldn't I start acting more mature?"

"Actually, that's awesome! We should. We could totally be the best roomies!" Grace squeals, shoving me away from her. She stands on her bed and starts jumping on it, and even though we feel like crap, Emma and I join in.

Five months later...

"Congrats on getting the job, Nikki, my love," Mom cheers while holding up a glass of champagne. I use this time to stare at Dean as everyone has their eyes on Mom.

"I always thought..." She carries on, but my focus is on Dean. As usual. As if sensing my stare, Dean chooses this moment to catch eyes with me. Our eyes lock, and I quickly give him an embarrassed smile. He raises an eyebrow and sends me a mischievous smirk in response.

"I wish you all the best, and that you end up getting the position you want within this company. We all know how hard you've worked to get this job," Mom finishes her speech, and then pats down her dress as she takes her seat. A chorus of claps erupts over the room, and Nikki is all smiles. She stands and raises her own glass of champagne, and then blows a kiss towards Mom. My dear mother pretends to catch the kiss and then places her hand over her chest.

"I love you to the moon and back, sweetie!"

I can't help but notice that Jenna and John did not clap. They appear rather dissociated from the environment around them, as if they would rather be anywhere but here. And frankly, I feel the same way. According to what I'd heard, Dean's parents stopped coming over as often. Apparently, they got into a fight over Nikki and Mom told them off. They said she was awful to Dean, and that it was too disturbing for them to keep quiet while their son is abused. Yeah, my mom didn't take their comments too well. And neither did Nikki. She completely ignored them. I'm surprised they were invited, or that they even showed.

"Say your congratulations to your sister, Sasha," Mom gives me a look that says "do it or die."

"Congrats, Nikki, I'm proud of you," I say without effort and then give her a fake smile for extra affect.

"Thank you, maybe one day you'll become as successful as I am at my age," Nikki smiles, although it looks more like a sneer from where I sit.

"Oh, I could only hope, eh?!" I make an overly enthusiastic gesture, making Dean chuckle. He shakes his head and gives me a wolfish grin.

"She'll be fine, Nik. She's a smart girl," Dean says genuinely, as if he truly believes his words. Him saying this fills me with pride. Moving out is the best thing I've ever done. Not only am I free from Mom's hold, but I've also gained Dean's respect. It's possible my plan has worked, or is in the process of working. I almost start imitating Grace and throw back my chair to jump up and down.

Nikki rolls her eyes and gulps down the rest of her champagne. She nonchalantly throws the empty glass onto the table, and it cracks down the side, but does not break. Dean slams his hand down onto the table and follows as Nikki leaves the room in anger.

Everyone looks around the table in shock, but Mom's expression is the worst of them all. Even the disgusted looks of Dean's parents are no match to the fiery flame in Mom's eyes. She's extremely embarrassed. I don't blame her. She complains about me to her friends, or whoever will listen. And yet, I'm not the one throwing my champagne glass onto the table in anger. I'm not the one storming from the room. I'm not the one abusing the one she loves.

I'm not Nikki.

We soon hear their voices bickering back and forth. But I'm sure most here are used to their arguing. It's part of the second act—Nikki's famous display of attention seeking.

"Why are you so nice to her? You always treat me like you don't care about what I do? I just want you to comfort or motivate me to do well, but you only do those things for her!"

"Nik, quit the dramatics. I treat you the same way, but better."

"Then where is my congratulations from you? I want to feel like a gold trophy in your eyes, but I'm in second place while she's at the top of the pedestal! My little sister!"

"C'mon, she's like my little sister, quit being so God damn melodramatic! F*ck, woman! I've given you everything I have. What more do you want?!"

I feel eyes on me, but everyone turns their attention back to the couple in the other room when they hear something rather interesting.

A slap.

We all flinch at the sound, and Mom starts to defend what has happened; but Jenna beats her to it. Dean's mother slams her champagne glass down on the table, making it shatter into broken chunks of crystals. Some pieces fly across the table and roll onto the floor. But we aren't looking at the mess on the table now.

It's Jenna storming out into the other room. "I'm sick and tired of her abusing our son! Let's go, John!" Soon their voices join Nikki's and Dean's. Minutes tick by, and then Jenna's voice is heard loud and clear, her voice booming throughout the house.

"Let me tell you one thing: I will never give my blessing! I won't go either! You see this, this will go to the woman that treats him right; which means you will never get it!"

"Mom, please, just stop!" Dean groans, pleading for the fighting to end.

Nikki then strides into the room while roughly pulling Dean by the hand. He looks reluctant and disgusted with himself, and everything he's gone through tonight.

"Everyone, we're engaged!" Nikki shouts and holds up her left hand, showcasing a gorgeous silver ring with a giant diamond in the middle.