#Chapter 85: On the Mend

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. Remembering our confrontation in the library, Nicole had seemed upset with herself for being so rude to me. She’d wanted to forget the whole thing. Though she had been distant since then. “I was at war wi