The next morning,
In Alan's room
The morning light streamed through the curtains, and Nikki squinted against the brightness. As she tried to sit up, an excruciating pain shot through her head. "Ugh," she groaned, collapsing back onto the pillow.
Gradually, the memories from the day before began to surface, and her heart raced. She remembered the scene at school, the teasing, and then the moment she realized she had taken way too much ice cream. A flash of Alan who had helped her home—his warm smile and steady hands—made her bury her face in the blanket in embarrassment. "What did I do?" she muttered to herself, mortified.
After a few minutes of lying there, she realized the room was quiet. Gathering her courage, she pulled the blanket off and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, she slipped on her white sneakers and tiptoed toward the door, determined to escape the morning's humiliation.
She silently opened the door, channelling her inner ninja. Just as she was about to take her first step into the hallway, a voice broke the silence.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Nikki froze, her heart dropping as she turned around to see Alan leaning against the doorframe, a teasing grin on his face.
"I—I was just…" she stammered, feeling her cheeks flush.
He chuckled, crossing his arms. "Sneaking away after all the trouble you caused me? How sweet."
Nikki bit her lip, her embarrassment deepening. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to be such a mess."
"Do you even remember what you did?" he teased, taking a step closer.
Her cheeks burned a brighter crimson. "Um, bits and pieces," she admitted, avoiding his gaze.
He laughed, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, I promise I'll get you back for it. Just wait."
Nikki felt a mix of dread and excitement at his words, but before she could respond, he added, "And don't worry, I won't let you forget how you tried to dance on the table."
"Stop!" she exclaimed, turning an even deeper shade of red. "I'll die of embarrassment!"
"Good luck with that," he said, smirking as he stepped back and turned to leave. "Catch you later, Nikki."
As the door clicked shut behind him, Nikki let out a frustrated groan. "Ugh, why did I let him see me like that?" She buried her face in her hands, cursing him under her breath, her cheeks still burning from the memory of the night before. "I can't believe this."
She rushes back into the room and heads into the bathroom to take a shower. When she came out, she met a new pair of school uniform on the bed and a pair of socks and sneakers beside it.
After dressing up, she heads downstairs. She walks to the living room and sees Alan seated on the arm chair waiting for her.
"Are you done yet? If we don't leave soon, we'll be late for school".
"I'm ready to leave", she smiled. "By the way where is your mom?"
He teased, "Oh you mean your mother in law. She got called to work early today so she left at dawn. The uniform is a gift from her". He gets up from the chair and walks towards her.
"I like it. It's really comfortable", she smiled.
"It really looks good on you", he smiled before walking out of the room.
"Hey wait up". She runs after him.
After getting to school, Alan and Nikki stay back in the car to eat the breakfast Isabella ordered for them.
Once Nikki finishes with her food, she gets out from the car and heads to her classroom leaving Alan and the driver who engage in a conversation.
Greenwood Academy
Third floor, Class A
In the bright morning light filtering through the window, Nikki sat at her table, drinking the remnants of the juice Isabella got for her. Amber stormed in, arms crossed and brow furrowed.
"Nikki, what were you thinking?" Amber exclaimed, her voice sharp. "You disappeared yesterday without saying a word. You still went out when you knew you ate too much ice cream. Do you know bow worried I was? This isn't okay!"
Nikki rolled her eyes, trying to brush off Amber's nagging. "I had a little fun. It's not the end of the world."
"Not the end of the world? You worried me sick! You can't just vanish and indulge like that. What about your health? And what if something happened?"
"I'm fine, Amber! Can you just relax for one second?" Nikki snapped, her patience thinning.
Amber leaned in closer, her voice low but intense. "This is exactly why I worry about you. You need to take better care of yourself!"
Nikki felt the pressure building, frustration boiling inside her. "If you don't stop right now, I swear I'll end our friendship!"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, to Nikki's surprise, Amber's expression softened, a grin breaking across her face. "Okay, okay! I was just worried about you."
Nikki couldn't help but smile back, the tension dissipating. "I know you care, but I need a break from the nagging."
Amber laughed lightly, leaning back in her chair. "Deal. But only if you promise to let me know next time you go on an ice cream spree". She sighed, "I really can't believe I missed an opportunity to add pictures to the cute Nikki album. Gosh you look so cute when you're high on ice cream".
Nikki frowned, "I can't believe you actually keep an album of me".
She pinched Nikki's cheeks and stretches it. "You're just so cute that I can't help but take pictures".
"You're hopeless", Nikki smiled at Amber who had a wide grin in her face.
Later in Class A
During Algebra class
As the teacher droned on about algebra, Nikki's attention drifted, her mind wandering to what happened the previous day. Suddenly, the school's loudspeaker crackled to life, cutting through the monotony.
"Umm hi everyone, can you hear me Nikki?"
Confused murmurs rippled through the classroom. Before she could process what was happening, she could hear the stringing of a guitar.
"Actually, I'm here for Nikki Sawyer from Class A" he said, his voice steady but showing a hint of nervousness.
The room fell silent, all eyes on Nikki. Her heart raced as she slowly raised her hand, unsure of what to expect.
His confidence seemingly growing as he strummed a few chords. "Hey, everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to share something with Nikki," he announced.
A few whispers of "What's going on?" flitted around the classroom.
Before Nikki could fully comprehend, the voice began to sing:
*"Nikki, you're the light in my day,
With every smile, you take my breath away…
You threw my head and heart off balance
I lose my mind when it comes to you
And I don't want a smile if it's not from you
I'm spellbound" *
Nikki felt her face heat up, and she instinctively hid her face in her palms, the sound of giggles and whispers surrounding her like a whirlwind.
"Ugh, can you believe this?" one girl whispered, her tone laced with jealousy. "What a total cliché."
"Yeah, but it takes guts to do this in front of everyone," another girl countered, clearly impressed. "I kind of respect him for it."
As he continued to sing, Nikki peeked out through her fingers, seeing mixed expressions on her classmates' faces—some rolling their eyes, while others smiled, even cheering him on.
"Look at her! She's turning red!" someone exclaimed, and laughter erupted around her.
"Nikki, you're so lucky!" another girl chimed in, her voice teasing but kind. "He's actually really brave for this!"
Nikki's heart raced faster with each note. As he finished the song with a flourish, the classroom erupted into applause and cheers.
With her heart pounding and a shy smile breaking through, Nikki finally lowered her hands.
"Okay, wow," she said, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with warmth. "That was… amazing."
The room buzzed with conversation about the unexpected moment.
'Alan Mendes if I find you, I'm so going to kill you'. She clenched her fists and gives everyone in the room a fake smile.
Lunch time
In the cafeteria
Nikki and Amber sat at the cafeteria table with Nikki picking at her lunch.
"Hey Nikki why didn't you tell me you have a secret admirer?"
"How am I supposed to know I have a secret admirer?"
"He's pretty impressive making a public declaration of his feelings". "But she clicked her tongue, "He's got nothing on Charles. I commend his bravery but it's such a shame you're already taken by someone he can never compete with. He already lost before he even started".
"Just eat your food Amber". She forces a spoon of chilli into Amber's mouth.
Amber pouted her lips and folded her arms, "You're so mean Nikki".
Suddenly a group of cheerleaders, all smiles and energy, rushed towards them.
"Uh, what's happening?" Amber asked, her eyes wide.
Before Nikki could answer, the cheerleaders formed a line in front of her, breaking into an energetic dance routine. Laughter and chatter filled the cafeteria as students turned to watch the spectacle. With synchronized movements, they danced for a few moments before each cheerleader revealed a card they were holding.
Nikki's heart raced as she read the letters: "I LOVE YOU NIKKI." The cheerleaders struck a final pose, then stepped forward, presenting her with a huge bouquet of red roses.
The cafeteria erupted into a buzz of excitement and chatter. Some students applauded, while others whispered and sneered.
"Another grand gesture? She must be an attention seeker," one girl scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Must be nice to have someone who goes all out like that," another student murmured enviously.
Nikki felt her cheeks flush as she accepted the bouquet, overwhelmed by the attention. "Who would do this?" she whispered to Amber, who was equally astonished.
"Maybe it's your secret admirer?" Amber replied, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
As the cheerleaders walked away, the note tucked among the roses slipped out, fluttering to the ground. Nikki quickly picked it up, her heart pounding as she unfolded it.
"Dear Nikki," it began, "I still haven't forgotten yesterday. I hope you are loving the gifts cos they are just the first of many. I hope this bouquet helps you to always remember yesterday like your face does for me. Looking forward to your reaction to your next gift. Please do continue loving me if you can. — Always yours, A."
Nikki felt heat rush to her cheeks, embarrassment flooding her as she read the note. "Alan Mendes". She crumpled the note in her hands.
"Nikki?" Amber called.
Nikki smiled cheerfully, "Oh my gosh, this is so sweet!" she exclaimed, glancing around as whispers intensified.
"Who is 'A'?" Amber asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I have no idea," Nikki said, biting her lip and trying to hide her anger. She could feel the heat in her cheeks as she glanced at the crowd, some still admiring the display, others rolling their eyes.
"Looks like you're quite the popular girl today," Amber teased, nudging her playfully.
Nikki shook her head, still red from anger and embarrassment. "I just want to eat my lunch in peace!"
'Gosh what the hell is he going to do next?' Nikki couldn't help but wonder as she eats her lunch.