Nine

ADRIENNE'S POV

I got up as early as possible, not wanting to see Kathie before I left. I didnt like the idea of leaving while we were on bad terms, but I didnt know how else to break the ice between us. I headed straight to the bathroom, picked up my toothbrush and started brushing my teeth. 

I took a quick shower then walked out of the bathroom, with my hair wrapped in a towel and so also my body, with little drops of water still finding its way down my neckline, despite the towel I had on my hair. 

I had planned to look simple today, as always anyways. I put on black skinny jeans with a white crop top and wore my large red hoodie on top. I picked up my phone, grabbed my hand bag along with my box and headed downstairs. It was 7:47am already and I could bet Nick was nearby. 

I got outside and placed my box on the porch, deciding to wait there till he comes but then I felt like drinking something cold so I went back to the house. I headed straight to the kitchen and opened the fridge to grab a juice box, just when I heard footsteps enter the kitchen.

I just prayed it wasn't Mrs. Carly, Mr. Carly, Tyler or Katie. But it had to be one of the above dummy. I waited for the person to speak but nothing was heard except the breeze moving in our silence. Finally, I gave up, decided to turn around and face the person who decided not to talk either.

As I turn around, my eyes meet the gaze of Kates blue eyes, which held emotions not different from what I saw yesterday night, just that this time around, she had come to accept the fact that I was leaving. 

"Kathie" was all I could say, not wanting to start any argument with her. 

"Adrienne, Im sorry about last night. I should have been understanding but I guess I couldn't come to terms with the fact that you were leaving. It was all too soon to me and it felt like I was losing you, losing our friendship." she says holding back a lot of tears.

"Me too" was all I could say as I walked up to her, wrapped my hands around her neck and sobbed quietly.

Having cried with each other for some minutes while still hugging, we give ourselves some breathing space.

"So..." she starts looking at me with hopeful eyes as she wipes her face with her right hand.

I just smiled at her.

"Where are you going to be staying?" She asks curiously.

"Uhm..."

I wasnt sure whether to tell her the truth or not, but was definitely going to scream at the thought of me living with the four badass of Greenville. 

So I told a lie that wasnt much different from the truth. The difference being just the neighbors. 

"Adrienne?" She calls out my name bringing me back to reality.

"I'll be staying at a cheap apartment I could afford. It isn't far from school. So.." I trail off hoping she bought it.

"Really! Thats great." she squeals in excitement like it was her that just got the apartment. 

She definitely bought it. I sigh in relief.

"So where is the location?" She asks curiously.

Jackpot. Now what am I supposed to say.

Just then my phone rings. It was Nick. I check the time and see its 8:00am. 

"Got to go Kathie. See you in school later, okay." I say giving her a quick hug.

"Sure" she replies, giving me one of her dazzling smile. I already miss her. 

I turn around and head straight outside.

Nick was already there, sitting inside his red Camry, all relaxed.

As our eyes met, he opened his car door and walked towards my direction, while smirking at me. 

He looked adorable in his black jeans, with a sleeveless top hidden inside a brown leather jacket. This was simple but perfect in my eyes. 

"Berry?" 

Nick calls out but Im still lost staring at him.

All of a sudden, I see his lips moving closer mine and that alone brings me back to reality.

"What the heck are you trying to do Nick?" I ask in a stern way, pretending I wasn't drooling over him.

He lets out a low huff, chuckling at the same time. 

"Berry, you confuse me sometimes. But dont mind me, was just messing around. "

He smiles at me one last time before heading towards his car.

"School or home?"

"School first" I say buckling my seatbelt, giving him one of my fake smiles. Well dont blame the smile, I was still a little tensed at the thought of his lips in my face some minutes ago.

"You ever wonder why I am nice to you?" Nick asks, before starting the car.

I do. Just never asked. I say and that was the truth. We still barely knew each other but he was always nice to me. I was curious but at the same time not sure I wanted to hear his reasons.

You never really know why someone does somethings until you actually see their real side. I wasn't sure I knew the real Nick- you know the real personality behind those smiles he flashes all the time- and therefore couldn't trust whatever his reasons were. 

I stare out of the window throughout the whole ride to school, though I could not ignore the smile that crept up my face frequently due to Nick's funny jokes. He just couldn't do without talking. Could he?

As we approach the familiar building of our high school, I started feeling nervous for two various reasons. One major one minor. Well for the minor, I was going to be getting out of Nick's car which is a new gist for the schools gossip. Then the major one. Seeing those messy brown hair, with green eyes once again. Alec!

"Berry, its time to get off or you might miss first period" Nick says, amusement in his eyes.

My cheeks turned red immediately, out of embarrassment. He must have noticed how lost I was in my thought. I look up to meet his eyes once again, giving him a shy smile before opening the door and heading out.