Tara stayed there, too stunned to speak or move. The boy she likes is in love with her best friend, and she also knows about it but doesn't tell her.
"Tara! When have you been…? I thought you were…", Nancy stuttered while moving closer to her friend who was still surprised, her brows pulled closer which made it look like she was frowning at Nancy.
Her gaze immediately shifted to Jay who was also approaching them.
"Why? Why didn't you tell me he liked you, why did you allow me to ask about how much I like him and all those things said to you because you are my friend, and all this while you knew he never liked me and he wanted you instead?", Tara said.
Nancy shook her head and took a step forward, "No you have it all wrong Tara, I… I wanted to tell you but that would make you feel bad! I… I didn't want you to feel sad about it that is why…"
"Why do you keep it secret? You are my FRIEND! if you had told me I would not have kept hoping and daydreaming of a guy that doesn't want me", Tara said almost yelling, her eyes filled up with tears, not knowing if she should be angry at Nancy or at Jay.
She scoffed gently and stared at Nancy's worried expression.
"I have been acting like a fool all weeks and you kept quiet… friends don't act that way", Tara said and as she was about to turn away, Jay sharply interrupted which made her stop walking.
"Nancy didn't tell you because she did not want you to get hurt knowing how much you like me, if there is anyone to resent it should be me Tara… not her, she is your friend".
Tara turned her head to Jay.
"You are even on her side..", she whispered and shook her head slightly before walking away.
Nancy stood there, watching her friend leave and ignoring Jay's presence next to her. Her mind clouded up with how Tara had just reacted to keeping a secret from her, what would happen if she knew about the big secret she was keeping from her, what would happen to their friendship.
Is the love she has for Nolan worth her friendship with Tara? Or is her friendship with Tara worth the way she feels towards Nolan?
None was worth losing for the other, Tara has been a good friend from day one, she never switched up on her for once and has always been there for her which none of her old friends has done, she sure doesn't deserve this much of a betrayal from her.
And Nolan on the other side, is like a rainbow that appears after a hard storm, he is like that one music that makes you happy no matter how many times you play it, you never get tired of it, the song that erases your dark memories and brings peace and comfort.
"Nancy… hey, are you okay?", Jay worriedly asked.
Nancy returned to reality, she turned to him and shook her head slowly.
"We should go back to the movies and you two can talk about it after, and I will also text her to explain things better… I…".
Jay paused on seeing Tara approaching them again but this time with her bags on her shoulders.
Jada and Nolan also followed.
"Tara…", Nancy said, her eyes following Tara who walked passed them with a straight face.
Nancy immediately followed her.
"What is wrong? Why is Tara leaving? She just came in and picked up her bag and no matter how we asked she would not answer", Jada curiously asked Jay.
Jay inhaled deeply.
"She found out I like Nancy, and now she is mad with both of us, also with Nancy for not telling her about it all this while", Jay said, he exhaled sharply.
Nolan looked at Jay, and he also looked up at him.
"He has the gut to confess to Nancy! This bastard!", Nolan whispered in annoyance while glaring at Jay.
Jada hurried away from Jay to look for her girls.
Nolan masked his anger and the urge to give Jay a punch at that moment, he had not only ruined his date and time with Nancy, he had also confessed to her.
He put his hand in his pocket and walked past Jay.
"I like Nancy…".
Nolan stopped walking, he turned and Jay could see his scowling face.
"Why are you telling me that? Didn't you tell her already?", Nolan answered, then instantly read the boy's expression, he scoffed lightly and added. "Oh I see! Did she turn you down? Is that why you are telling me this right now?".
"I know you two like each other and probably Tara doesn't know about it, I am only holding on to that secret because I don't like to see Nancy hurt..", Jay said. He took a step closer to Nolan.
"But I am not going to give up liking her, you are no fit for her… I am, so watch how I would change her mind and…"
Nolan scoffs mockingly, he shakes his head and looks away.
"This is no competition, save yourself the stress, she is mine already…", Nolan said without looking at Jay, he predicted the disappointment that would be all over his face right now.
Jay stood there and watched Nolan walk off after saying the most heartbreaking words to him.
"They are dating?", he whispered while clenching his fist firmly.
Jada got out and saw Tara getting in her car while Nancy standing a few feet from her.
"Don't misunderstand me Tara… please". Nancy begged but the girl ignored her friend and started the car.
"I don't wanna talk right now… you know how much I like Jay… I like him more than all the boys I have been with or done stuff with, I told you all this…", Tara tilted her head and saw Jada watching from a short distance.
"I told you two all this… I like him so much that I was desperate", Tara sniffled trying to stop her eyes from getting teary, "I feel like a fool", she added before driving off.
Nancy watched her friend drive off, she hated herself for not telling Tara right away.
"I should have told her… I should not have kept no secret from her, I… she is hurt because of me", Nancy said.
Jada who was now standing next to her answered.
"You didn't want her to get hurt, we all know that and Tara herself knows that… just give her time I know she would understand why you didn't tell her about Jay… don't fault yourself, we are all friends and that would not break our friendship", Jada reassured.
Nancy looked at Jada, "What about the Nolan secret, she would kill me if she knew about that… and the worst part is I can't stop it. I can't help myself from being with Nolan, I feel like he completes me and…, judging from how Tara took this up, our friendship would be ruined if she knew about me and Nolan".
Nolan stood from a few feet listening to Nancy, hearing how she felt about him felt good and at the same was scary since she could make a decision anytime just to save her friendship with Tara.
He walked towards them.
"Come on, I would drop you two at home…", Nolan offered.
His eyes were fixed on Nancy, but hers were fixed on the ground ignoring his.
"Come on…", he repeated.
"No", Nancy answered.
He stopped walking to his car and turned to her, surprised by her answer and how intense she looked at him.
Nolan's heart raced in fear.
They both stared at each other for a second before she shifted her gaze to Jada.
"We would take the bus… I just don't want to follow you right now, sorry", she added and turned to walk away.
Nolan blinked repeatedly, stunned by his girlfriend's rejection and how that had hurt his chest so badly, he took a step forward and watched Nancy walk away slowly.
Jada looked at Nolan and sighed, "See you Nolan, get home safely", she said and waved him bye before hurrying to meet Nancy.
Nolan's eyes didn't leave Nancy as she kept walking away without looking back, he knew why she must have refused to get in the car with him, he understood but wished things were different.
He wished Tara didn't care much about them being together or Nancy cared about how Tara felt so much that she hurt her own feelings because of friendship.
Nolan got in his car and drove off.
He got home after a few minutes drive, he spotted Tara still sulking in her car and not going inside.
"Tara, what is wrong with you? Why are you so mad at Nancy? It is not her fault that Jay likes her, she kept it from you so you would not feel bad and you and I know this! Stop putting all of this on her so you can feel better, you tend to do this a lot! It sucks".
Tara stared at her brother in disbelief, she scoffed and came out of the car, folded her arms, and scowled.
"Why are you yelling at me? First, you came to my friend's hangout which was none of your business, now you are being so annoying over my friend's matter… what is your deal!!!", Tara yelled back at Nolan.
Nolan knew if he mentioned anything about dating Nancy, maybe he would put an end to future drama, he doesn't see himself leaving Nancy and Tara would eventually know about them so it would be better to tell her about Nancy and how he is not planning to leave her no matter how much she tries to break them.
"I am in…." He paused and stared at his sister as he opened his mouth to reveal the hidden words.