I was glad I hadn't seen Nick yet. I let out a sigh of relief as I noticed we were almost done with dinner, and Nick was nowhere in sight. After finishing our meals, TJ and I stood up to head back to our room.
As we walked down the hallway, I suddenly spotted two figures that looked familiar. The closer they got, the clearer it became: it was Eric and Nick. My heart skipped a beat the moment I realized it was him. Panic surged through me, and I quickly glanced left and right, searching for any nearby entrance to slip into, but there was none.
How I wished I could just vanish into thin air at that moment. I considered turning back, but I quickly reasoned against it; getting confronted in front of the whole school wouldn't be a good idea. So, I resolved to keep moving forward, my heart pounding in my chest as we approached them.
As we neared, Nick's piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. His expression was unreadable, but I could feel the tension crackling in the air. Eric, sensing my unease, offered me an encouraging smile, which did little to calm my nerves. I forced myself to maintain composure, reminding myself that I wouldn't back down, no matter how intimidating he seemed.
"Hello, girls! You look lovely," Eric said, smiling at us.
"Thank you!" TJ and I replied in unison, both a bit flustered by the compliment.
Nick, however, was just staring at me, admiring my new outfit. It took him a moment to realize he was caught in my gaze, and when he did, he looked directly into my eyes and said, "You ran off earlier before we were done." His smirk was both infuriating and intriguing.
"Oh, Nick, just be a little gentle on the princess. Plus, I'm starving," Eric interjected, pulling Nick by the arm. "Tomorrow is a new day; you can carry on then. Let's go eat now."
As they turned to head toward the dining hall, I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. Eric was trying to diffuse the tension, but I knew that Nick wouldn't forget my slap so easily. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever the next day would bring.
TJ looked at me and smiled. "It seems Eric still has your back. He really stepped in to help you out with Nick."
"Yeah, I guess so," I replied, still feeling a bit shaken from the encounter. "But I can't shake the feeling that this isn't over. Nick's not the type to let things go easily."
"True, but having Eric in your corner might make things a bit easier," she reassured me. "Just stay confident. You've already made an impression by standing up for yourself. Not many would dare to call out Nick like that."
I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and anxiety. "I just hope I don't end up regretting it."
"You won't," TJ said firmly. "Just be yourself, and remember, you're not alone in this. We've got each other."
As we continued toward our room, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe with friends like TJ and Eric, I could navigate this challenging new world after all.
I slept like a baby; the bed was so comfortable, and the sheets felt incredibly soft against my skin. When TJ woke me up in the morning, I didn't want to get out of bed. But after seeing her enthusiasm, I decided to give in, even though all I wanted was five more minutes of blissful sleep.
"Come on, Justine! We have to get moving!" she chirped, pulling back the curtains to let in the bright morning light.
"Just five more minutes?" I mumbled, burying my face into the pillow.
"Nope! You'll thank me later. Trust me, the sooner we get ready, the better your day will be!"
I sighed, finally pushing myself up into a sitting position. "Fine, fine. You win. I'll get up!"
As I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, the cool air hit me, waking me up a bit more. I could see TJ bouncing around, already excited about the day ahead.
Despite everything that had happened, having a friend like TJ made the morning a little brighter.
We got ready for the day and made our way down to the dining area for breakfast. The delicious aroma of food wafted through the air, instantly reminding me of how hungry I was.
As we entered, the sight of the spread before us made my mouth water. There were fluffy pancakes drizzled with syrup, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and a variety of pastries. The dining hall buzzed with students chatting and laughing, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
TJ and I found a table near the window, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of normalcy wash over me. "This looks amazing!" I exclaimed as I piled my plate high with pancakes and fruit.
As I took my first bite, I couldn't help but smile. The flavors burst in my mouth, and I felt a little of my anxiety from the previous day melt away. "These are incredible!" I said, savoring every morsel.
"So, what's the plan for today?" TJ asked between bites. I hesitated, thinking about Nick and the potential awkwardness that lay ahead. "Well, I just hope to survive the day without any drama," I replied with a laugh, trying to keep the mood light.
"Let's take it one step at a time," she encouraged. "You've got this!"
As I continued to eat, I scanned the room for any sign of Nick. The way he had let me go last night felt too easy, almost like the calm before a storm. My gut told me he was planning something big to get back at me, and I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.
We finished breakfast, and still no sign of him. I felt a whirlwind of mixed emotions—part of me wanted to feel excited about the day ahead, but the other part was gripped by fear. Would he confront me in front of everyone? Would he try to humiliate me?
"Hey, what's up?" TJ asked, noticing my distraction. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"I'm just… thinking about Nick," I admitted, glancing around nervously. "I can't help but feel like he's up to something."
"Don't let him get to you," she replied, giving me a reassuring smile. "He thrives on the reactions he gets from people. If you stay calm and collected, he won't have the satisfaction of seeing you rattled."
I nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I need to stay strong." But even as I said it, I couldn't shake the knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. What would today hold? Would I be able to face whatever Nick had planned?
As we walked out of the dining area, I caught a glimpse of Vanessa talking animatedly with her friends. She glanced my way, her laughter ringing out like a bell, sharp and mocking. My stomach twisted at the sight; I could feel the tension building inside me. I knew she was planning something—and it definitely wasn't good.
"Is everything okay?" TJ asked, noticing my sudden change in demeanor.
"Just look at Vanessa," I whispered, nodding in her direction. "She's up to something. I can feel it."
TJ frowned, her brows knitting together in concern. "Ignore her. She's just trying to get a reaction out of you."
"I know, but it's hard. She just seems so… vindictive." I shook my head, trying to push the worry aside. "I can't let her get to me."
"Just focus on your day. You've got classes to get through, and you can't let her ruin it for you," she urged, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to look away from Vanessa. "You're right. I need to concentrate on what's important."
As we stepped into the bustling hallway, I felt the weight of Vanessa's gaze on me. Whatever she had planned, I knew it wouldn't end well. But I had to be ready. I couldn't let fear dictate my actions. Today was just another day, and I was determined to make it through without letting her—or Nick—get the best of me.
We went to class, but Nick was still nowhere to be seen. I couldn't decide if I should feel relieved or worried. Was he planning some sort of big revenge on me? Was that why he wasn't at breakfast or in class? Eric was missing too, the absence of both felt heavy, like an impending storm. I could almost hear my own heart pounding, drumming a rhythm of anxiety that echoed through the bustling room and I couldn't help but wonder if Eric knew what was going on. Maybe if I could talk to him, I'd get some insight into whatever Nick was scheming.