3

Nicole had first-period Algebra with Jason, of course. That wasn't her only run-in time with Jason and his little group. She had third period English, World History with Logan later, and her last period of the day, PE, with Parker. She only had two periods of the day where she could avoid Jason and his friends entirely. It was better than nothing, but right now Nicole was wishing she had much more time without them to spare. 

If Seth knew, how long would it be until his friends found out? 

For all she knew, the more she messed with Jason, the more reason Seth had to spill her secret. 

She felt sick to her stomach all morning, after her run-in with Seth. Quieter than normal, enough for people to notice. 

Jason smirked when he stopped in front of Nicole's desk, having come to first period even later than she did. "How's my palm tree standing today? Dandy?" 

Nicole ignored him, keeping her head in her hands. 

"Come on, Nicole. You're being no fun," he feigned a frown. "This sparring doesn't work if it's a one-way street." 

Nicole continued to ignore him.

She never ignored him. 

Frankly, it was far too difficult to not insult him, any given chance. 

Narrowing his eyes, Jason eyed her cautiously. "Why so out of it lately?" Her manner was unusual. Even he could see that. 

"I'm giving you a free opening, Nicole. Insult away." He quirked an eyebrow, waiting for her to throw something—any comment, any insult, any string of curse words. 

But she didn't. 

She lifted her head to look at him, but couldn't even muster a glare. Instead, she looked at him straight-faced, almost as though she were seeing right through him. Her head was elsewhere. 

"Alright," Jason grimaced. "Whatever." He moved past her desk to head to his own seat, but not before turning to look at her once more. Something was off. She was different and Jason couldn't make sense of why. 

She spent all morning stuck in her own head, internally panicking and trying to wrack her mind for an idea of what to do. Seth being who he was, and knowing what he knew, was not something that would end well for Nicole. She was sure of it. 

When she walked into the cafeteria at lunch, instead of heading to her usual seat with Serena, she walked right past. Serena's gaze followed her across the room, her expression confused as she watched Nicole stop at the table where the boys always sat. Jason and his little gang. 

Logan and Parker shared curious yet confused looks while Seth smirked, knowing very well why she was here. Jason, on the other hand, rolled his eyes at the mere sight of her. 

"What do you want, Palm—:" 

"Can I talk to you, Seth?" She asked blankly, ignoring Jason and the others. Her fists clenched at her sides to stop her hands from shaking, she did her best to hide her anxiety. 

Seth quietly stood, all while smirking, as he followed her out of the cafeteria. Not only the boys but Serena as well watched in confusion as the two walked out. What could they possibly need to talk about? Everyone knows where Nicole stands with Jason and his friends. 

"What was that about?" Parker asked, turning to look at Jason. 

"Hell if I know." Jason's eyes remained narrowed as he watched the two disappear out the cafeteria doors. Irritation stirred within him, leaving him anxious for Seth to return so he could explain. 

—

Nicole and Seth found their way to the "abandoned hallway" of the school. Upstairs, in the east wing where old computer labs sat, ones that were no longer in use. The unrenovated side of the school that had never been bothered with—it had been dubbed the abandoned hallway where students would typically come to trash the place, if coming up here at all. Rumoured ghost stories helped keep people away from this end of the school. 

"Why do you need to talk up here?" Seth asked amusedly, glancing around the dim corridor. He leaned against some dented and rusted lockers as he watched her momentarily pace. 

Nicole shrugged, not looking him in the eye. Frankly, it was the only place she could think nobody would overhear them. 

"You said you wanted to talk," he said. "Go on, then." 

Nicole inhaled a deep breath as she turned her body to face him. "You were lying," she said cooly. She didn't know if she was telling herself more than she was telling him, but the chances of him only messing with her were high. 

"Sure about that?" Seth laughed. "You look particularly worried. You wouldn't be—if I were just throwing darts in the air while blindfolded." 

"Well—" Nicole sighed in defeat because—well, she really had no evidence. It only made sense that he did know, that he wasn't lying, otherwise how could he have brought it up? 

"Would you like me to spread the news? I'm sure you'd get plenty more—" 

"Stop!" Nicole exclaimed, cutting him off. "Just—just—stop!" She exhaled a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. For a moment, Seth almost felt guilty. "It's not what it seems like." She shook her head frantically, unable to look at him. 

"Really? Because I know what I saw—and regardless, people love believing rumours." 

Nicole lifted her head to look at him, her gaze on his venomous. "You wouldn't." 

"What do I have to lose?" 

Nicole opened her mouth, only to close it when she had no retaliation. Nothing. He didn't have anything to lose. Frankly, he could tell everyone her secret out of pure entertainment. Maybe even out of ego, just because he could. It was all a game of power. 

"That's what I thought," Seth spoke smugly when Nicole hadn't said anything. He pushed himself off the lockers. "However, I may be willing to—come to some sort of an agreement." 

Nicole's attention peaked, looking at him again. She narrowed her eyes cautiously. "An agreement?" 

"Call it a truce, Palmer." Seth grinned faintly, peering down at her smaller figure. 

Nicole hesitated. Surely, this was not something she wanted to get herself stuck in. "What is it?" She had to at least know, seeing as it may be her only option. She needed some sort of peace, knowing Seth wouldn't forever hold this over her head. "What would this truce you speak of, entail, exactly?"

Seth paused for a long moment, stirring the suspense. "All you have to do is—whatever I say. So long as you do, I won't say a word to anyone of your little secret." 

Nicole scoffed loudly. "Excuse me?" 

"You heard me." 

"You want me to—what—" Nicole raised her eyebrows, disbelievingly. "Become your little slave? All so you keep your mouth shut about something that has entirely nothing to do with you?" 

Seth shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes bemused. "Word it how you want. The terms are simple. Had I need something, you listen, you do as I say—and in return, your dirty little secret is safe with me." 

Nicole's breath hitched, teeth-gritting, eyes glaring. "You call this a truce?" 

"An agreement to put the swords down? Yes." 

Nicole inhaled deeply. Did she have much of a choice? "If I don't agree? If I don't say yes to this ridiculous notion, then what?" 

Seth shrugged coyly. "Well, then I have absolutely nothing to gain in keeping your little secret—so why would I?" 

"You'll just go tell everyone—just like that?" 

"Why not?" He paused a moment, squinting down at her. "Or I could just blackmail you. I guess that's up to me." 

"This whole truce is blackmail," Nicole muttered bitterly. 

"Not entirely. So long as we both agree, you'll have your peace of mind knowing I will in fact, not speak a word of what you spend your nights doing." Seth quirked an eyebrow. "What do you say, Palmer? Truce?" 

Nicole stayed silent for a long moment, reluctant. She turned over every option in her mind but really, this seemed like the only thing she could do. Peace of mind. "I'm not becoming some little—whore toy whatever—" 

"Good God, her mind is filthy," Seth sucked in a breath mockingly. He then rolled his eyes. "Relax, Palmer. I'm not a monster." 

"Sure you're not," she muttered under her breath. 

"What was that?" 

Nicole sighed heavily before sticking out her hand. "Let's call a truce then, Lee." 

Seth smirked as he took hold of her hand, shaking it slowly. "Good choice." 

Nicole grimaced as she pulled back her hand, scowling at him. "How do I know you're not going to—God, I don't know—make me do some freaky, weird, voodoo crap—" 

"I'll draw up a contract if that eases your concerns, Palmer." Laughing, Seth shook his head as he moved past her and began leaving the abandoned hallway. "Good doing business with you, Nicole." 

What the hell has she gotten herself into? 

"Oh—" Seth turned once more, yelling down the hall. "See you after school." 

"Wha—" 

"A deals a deal. Be there."