Chapter six

"I think you need to fix things with her, if not fix things, then clear the air so you don't have to continue sneaking around."

A couple of days had passed by since Tammy and forcefully reminded Nicole of her place on the first day of ballet class and since then, she sort of just found herself hanging out with Tammy more and more. Nicole had come to realize that Tammy was actually a bit of a rebel, always pulling her out of her comfort zone and safe bubble. Nicole didn't mind most of the time, but she now found herself spending more time outside with either Charlotte or Tammy and not enough time inside with her novels or practicing her ballet. Not that her ballet was struggling or anything, but the class wasn't easy as well, the competition was tough and brutal but non the less her other dance teachers had recognized her as one of those students amongst the best which meant she was still safe, for now.

With classes about to start in a week it meant the borne fire party was in a couple days, which Nicole hadn't been sure if she wanted to attend in the first place but with Tammy and Charlotte in her corner now, there was no way she would stay behind and miss it. Since her monthly allowance from the scholarship had reflected, she had decided to tag along with Tammy and get herself a couple of stationary and do her grocery shopping. As much as she had been enjoying not cook and eating take out, today was just one of those days where she craved for a home cooked meal.

"Yeah I will talk to her, it's bad enough that she has been giving me those sad eyes of hers and on some nights, I could see her shadow by my door then after a few seconds it would retreat. Shes making me feel guilty and bad which I hate."

"You should feel guilty, you blew her off when she was just being nice to you and before you argue, yes she was a bit insensitive but when she tried to apologize you blew her off..."

Damn. When Tammy started speaking the truth like this Nicole wanted so desperately to just shut her out and walk away but she knew Tammy spoke nothing but facts, which is one of the qualities she has come to secretly love about her.

"...And besides Ava is a really good friend, you are just too stubborn to realize it."

"Wait hold on, you are friends with her?"

"Duh, why else would I vouch for her like this. You know I despise most of these rug rats at this school."

"This school specifically?"

"Yep, there are other varsities with hunks of attractive and company worthy people, this campus however got all the uglies instead."

Leave it to Tammy to insult the whole varsity without giving a damn about who heard her.

"You never told me though, now I feel deeply betrayed Tam."

"Oh, you'll be fine, besides I don't need to report to you regarding who I am friends with, you're not the boss of me village girl. Now take some snacks that you want and ice cream, I'm paying."

When Tammy had first started buying stuff for Nicole, she used to flat out refuse. She wasn't used to being treated like a charity case and besides her mother always brought her up to be content with what she has and not want more because wanting more when you're not satisfied with what you have could often lead you down a dark and scary path. Tammy on the other hand would never or could never hide what she felt and would just tell her to go suck it or go jerk it off. Nicole instead had to reluctantly give in to Tammy buying stuff for her even though she would pull her face from time to time just to show Tammy her discomfort with their new arrangement, not that Tammy cared how she felt about it anyways.

Once the girls had returned back to their dorm rooms and bid each other goodbye, after packing all her groceries away Nicole decided that instead of hiding away in her room like she always did she would instead relax in their little dining room and wait for Ava to return. Nicole wasn't sure what she got up to most of the time when she was away since classes hadn't started, only the sports activities were open.

She remembered Ava mentioning something about doing cheerleading, but she didn't hear anything about the auditions which meant she was up to something else. After an hour had passed Nicole decided on starting with dinner, macaroni and cheese. She hoped that Ava would be back by then cause once she got something into her stomach sleep would soon take over.

Around two hours later when her dinner was ready Nicole's body stiffened a little as she heard the key being inserted into their dorm door and the handling turning. A few seconds later a flushed Ava dressed in a blue mini jean skirt, a dark purple vest and black air forces crept into their little space, unaware that Nicole was standing in the kitchen looking at her. After skillfully closing the door and locking, she turned around aiming on tiptoeing herself to her room when she spotted Nicole standing behind her looking amused. Freezing in her spot she quickly brought a hand up to her neck, covering it up tucking a few strands of loose hair behind her ear.

"Ava where are you from?"

Ava couldn't maintain eye contact with Nicole as it was very obvious where she was from and the fact that Nicole could see right through her. Damn why wasn't Nicole still mad at her.

"Ava, are you seeing someone?"

Nicole asked again with a teasing look on her face. If it was possible Ava so desperately just wanted to vanish into thin air. When it was clear that Ava wasn't going to respond anytime soon Nicoles whole demeanor changed, and she suddenly took on a very serious faraway look. She tugged at her pijama pants nervously before turning to look face Ava once again. Nicole knew that the sooner they faced and dealt with the elephant in the room the sooner they could both be at ease.

"Look Ava I just want to apologize. I know I have been a little mean to you the past few days and have been giving you the cold shoulder ever since that day when we first met and I'm sorry. I should have just given it to you straight instead of running around and beating around the bush."

After a few seconds of silence Ava regained her composure and for the first time since she came in, looked at Nicole. She had been so hurt by how Nicole had chosen to deal with the situation that she had she had been looking into changing rooms and giving her the space she clearly wanted. But now standing here and listening to her apologize Ava felt all her emotions rolling through her all at once.

"You really hurt me Nicole one, by not letting me apologize for offending you and two for going about your life like I was your enemy. All you had to do was talk about it you know; this could have been solved months ago and wouldn't have escalated to the point in which it has."

" I know, but opening up to those that have wronged me isn't easy you know, I've spent my whole life being silent to the point were talking now seems unnecessary and impossible."

"That's why you were meant to have me as a friend Nicole, I will be your voice from now onwards and teach you how to use yours."

Feeling so overwhelmed with emotions and longing for each other, both girls jumped into each other's arms, more than happy to hug out everything they have been feeling and moving on.

"Great finally, now that you two idiots have made up Ava needs to fill us in on where she got those love bites, I brought alcohol."