The next day, Nick showed up at school but avoided Sarah. He would talk to Charlotte but completely ignore her. Not that she wasn't always left out of their conversations but this was different. She decided to meet Ella at the library, where she knew she would be. She had a free period so she headed there. As she was walking, she accidentally bumped into Amanda.
Just what I needed.
"Well, well, well. Look who I have here." Amanda said in a song-like voice.
"I am really sorry." Sarah apologized.
"Please." Amanda scoffed. "Did you tell your friend about what I said?"
"I don't even know what you are talking about."
Amanda moved closer to Sarah as she shrunk backwards.
"Listen here, loser. Charlotte is going to end up like the other girls Nick has dated."
The other girls?! "What do you mean?" Sarah asked.
Amanda hummed. "Charlotte and… others."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've said too much. You know what, don't tell her anything. I want to see her heart break when he reveals me as his girlfriend to everyone." And Amanda left.
Sarah was stunned. Other girls? Would that also mean Ella? Now, she really wanted to know. She rushed to the library where she sighted Ella sitting next to a window. Her books were heaped up in front of her and covered her view.
"Good morning, Ella." Sarah greeted her.
Ella looked up from her books. Her red hair was tied in a messy bun and her wide green eyes stared at her.
"Yes?"
"I'm Sarah." She introduced herself.
Ella rolled her eyes. "I know who you are, Sarah."
Oh. Sarah took a seat beside Ella and did something she never thought she would with any girl.
Talk about boys.
"Okay. Since you know who I am, I also want you to know that I am one of Nick's friends."
Ella looked at her suspiciously. "Why are you telling me that?"
"Because I wanted to know what you think about him." That did not come out well.
"What?"
"He talks about you a lot."
Sarah could see Ella's cheeks turn bright red with embarrassment. "He talks about me?"
"Yes. Yes, he does."
"And why?" Ella inquired.
Oh snap! She tried to think of something.
"Um, the first time. He met you, um, during class. You were so into your books and he likes how your hair made you look beautiful." Sarah hoped she was right.
Ella looked at her for a while. Then, she smiled. "Well, that is true. He even said my eyes looked pretty."
He did? "He did!" Sarah started to feel more confident.
"But how do you know this?" Ella asked.
"Like I said, I'm his friend. And between us, as girls, he is like every girls' dream."
"Duh. He is handsome and rich." Ella said as she waved her hands around.
"Right. He had asked me if I knew you and I told him that you were in my class."
"And?" Ella wanted to know more.
"And what?"
"So, he didn't tell you."
"Tell me what?" Sarah was confused.
"It's nothing." Ella looked relieved.
"Look," Sarah shifted her seat closer to Ella. "Nick has been stressed out about something lately and I've been seeing him with you. I figured that it had something to do with you. I am his friend and I'm worried."
Sarah was surprised at what she said but hoped it would thaw through. Ella seemed to buy it as she took a deep breath and exhaled. She shifted closer to Sarah. "Look. It's supposed to be a secret."
A secret? "What secret?"
"But promise you won't tell anyone."
"I won't tell anyone." Sarah promised.
Ella looked at her intently. She signalled for Sarah to come closer and whispered. "We are actually dating."
It took a little time for Sarah to process what she had just heard.
"No way!" Sarah shouted.
"Shush!!" The librarian cautioned.
Ella glared at her. Sarah whispered an apology.
"But why is it a secret?" Sarah asked.
" He doesn't want anyone to know. Now, excuse me. I'm really behind on my reading schedule."
"Of course." Sarah left the library.
Nick was dating Ella and Charlotte? And maybe the other girls? She couldn't believe it. The bell rang for lunch break and she headed for the cafeteria. She saw Nick and Charlotte seated together. She got some food and went to sit with them.
"Hey, Charlotte." She waved at her. She turned to Nick. "Here you are, Nick. I haven't seen you all week. How have you been?" She asked in a cheery tone.
They looked at Sarah in surprise.
"I'm fine." Nick answered hesitantly.
"Are you alright, girl? You sound different." Charlotte asked.
"Oh, I'm fine. Say, when are you guys going to show the whole school that you are dating."
Nick's eyes went wide with shock. Charlotte smiled sheepishly.
"Not yet." Charlotte answered. "We are keeping it a secret."
"Really?" Sarah turned to Nick. "Why, Nick? Don't you want the school to know?"
"No." Nick answered bluntly.
"Why?"
"Because that's what he wants." Charlotte butted in. "I don't want anyone in school to know about it either."
Sarah looked at Nick to see if he was going to say anything but he didn't.
"You're right. It's better that they don't know. Especially Amanda."
Nick almost choked on his food. "Amanda?"
"Yeah, Amanda. If she knew, she would make life worse for you guys. Like how she made Skylar pay for dumping her and dating Patricia instead. She ruined their relationship."
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Oh please. I am least worried about her. She can do whatever she wants. And Nick doesn't care. Right, Nicky boo?" Charlotte said as she looked at Nick.
Nick looked back at Charlotte and forced a smile. "Sure. I don't care."
Sarah knew he was lying. She could feel Nick's eyes glaring at her as she continued with her food. But she didn't care.
It has just begun.