I was surprised to find Nicole waiting outside my dorm room, so late at night. Her dark eye makeup was slightly smudged, like this was the end of a long night for her.
I wondered where she’d been tonight.
“Can we talk?” she asked me as Asher and I walked closer.
Asher met my gaze. “I can stay if you need.”
I smiled at him, appreciative, but, “Nicole’s my friend.”
“I’m a lousy friend,” Nicole muttered.
After a quick goodbye to Asher, I invited Nicole into my dorm room. Head down, she worried her fingers together. I asked her to sit, but she chose to stand.
Waiting for her to start, I propped myself on the end of my bed.
“I need to apologize to you,” Nicole said. “For believing Elena and her rumors.”
I wasn’t sure Nicole ever fully believed the rumors, despite this apology. Rememb
