SHE DESPERATELY WANTED TO FORGET ABOUT IT, yet when she saw Dina's lips colliding with Ellie's, her heart ached and a wave of shock flooded right through her body. The winter dance was supposed to be fun, she was supposed to have a good beverage and hang out with the rest of the residents, especially the ones her age. But Nicole's eyes hadn't left Ellie's since she joined the dance floor with Dina and for whatever reason, it was making her jealous.

     The blonde's heart was filled with a sudden longing to be remembered, no matter how hard she forced herself into thinking it was for the better to forget it even happened. The Fraser girl had been hung up on the idea of their friendship for so long, yet at the same time, it wasn't worth waiting for someone so damaged like Ellie, which was why she'd occasionally feel a sense of peace wash over her at the thought. 

     Nicole knew she'd been lying to herself and her eyes betrayed her. They were searching in the crowd for a reprieve, but all her hopes seemed futile. As she leaned against the bar, her lips delicately brushed the rim of her beer before the cool liquid quenched her thirst. Hoping to conceal any traces of her emotions, Nicole examined her surroundings and saw that Joel had been watching the duo, which made her wonder once again — was Nicole allowed to be jealous? Did that really account for her angst? Was it just because she was missing her best friend, or was there something more?

          "Hey! This is a family event!" A voice echoed from the dance ring. 

     Not being able to pinpoint the origin of the words, Nicole stepped closer to Joel. In a soft voice, she meekly queried him, "Who said that?" The young man merely shrugged and braced his arms across his chest. 

          "No clue," he grumbled, "but it's really ticking me off."

     Everyone stepped away as Nicole and Joel witnessed the discontent in the Tipsy Bison's owner. Others had kissed that night, yet Seth seemed to be disturbed only by their exchange. His loud, warning voice made them even angrier, "Remember next time there's kids around," Seth pointed out loudly.

          "Yeah, like you're setting such a great example," Dina rebutted sarcastically, her grip on Ellie's hand tightening as she headed toward the exit. Nicole and Joel both intently watched as the man in the middle of the dance floor refused to leave after displaying unpleasant conduct toward Dina and Ellie. His actions had come to a standstill, frustratingly thwarting everyone's attempt to keep the dance going.

     Joel inhaled deeply, trying to quell his vocal strain. Tension permeated the atmosphere; his fists were closed tight as if he were preparing to throw a punch at Seth. Despite Dina and Ellie's ability to take charge, the older man was sure that the barkeep was not willing to back down.

          "Oh, just what this town needs," Seth's voice rang out in the air as he took a few steps towards them, proclaiming, "Another loud-mouthed dyke!" Nicole watched as Ellie suddenly halted in her stride, her eyes widening in shock as she struggled to digest the harshness of Seth's words, wiping away her previously warm smile.

          "The fuck did you just say?"

     As Dina grasped Ellie's arms, desperately trying to control her, she uttered, "Ellie! Ellie, don't!" The dark-haired woman's voice held an almost pleading quality. Upon seeing this, Joel set down his whiskey glass, gave Nicole a brief murmur, and stepped in front of the old man to separate him from the redhead.

          "Get the hell outta here," Joel demanded in a low tone, his eyes dark. 

          "Get your hands off me!" Seth replied frustratedly.

     Nicole gulped and unconsciously stepped closer. Her heart was now beating a million miles an hour as the girls stood just inches away. Dina slowly turned her head, their gazes connecting for the first time. Nicole could tell from Dina's expression that something was wrong and guilt filled her. The blonde furtively glanced around the group, her gaze falling upon her mother and Tommy, before returning to her friend's.

          "C'mon, you. Let's go for a walk," Maria grabbed the barkeeper's arms, and with Tommy's assistance, the pair successfully shepherded him outdoors. Joel cast his gaze upon Ellie, yet the girl quickly swiveled away. During this short window of time, she and Nicole locked eyes for only a brief moment — scarcely even "a few" seconds — and an indescribable sensation overwhelmed them. Even though Ellie had forbidden any friendship between them, neither could not deny the momentary comfort and tranquillity between them as their emerald and umber irises were in harmony. As Nicole desired their moment to persist, their reverie was disrupted when Joel's inquiry jolted them back to reality.

          "You alright, kiddo—?"

          "What's wrong with you?" Ellie's icy glare was fixed on Joel as if expecting him to provide her with the exact answer she sought. Yet, Nicole knew that no response could bring Ellie any measure of comfort. 

     Joel stepped closer cautiously, seeking to embrace the girl in a gesture of solace, his voice steady and gentle, "He had no right...," His attempt to comfort her, however, only caused her to respond with more distress.

          "And you do?"

     From the moment the redhead had realized her immunity was not what she thought, Ellie had done her best to separate herself from Nicole and Joel. The pair had kept attempting to draw her out of her shell but to no avail. Nicole wondered whether the two-year-long gap between them would be enough, or too much for her to heal, but eventually, it was clear that the only option was to let Ellie be, maybe until she felt she could forgive them.

          "I don't need your fucking help, Joel."

     The weight of Ellie's words was like a stab to Joel's stomach and, after a nod of acknowledgment, he briskly left the bar. Standing nearby, Dina's arm brushed lightly against Nicole's. At times, the girl suspected that Dina wanted to hold her and find some comfort in the mess, as the kiss she had previously shared with Ellie was making her feel guilty — though there was no reason to. 

     Nicole stood her ground, hesitant as to what she was expected to do. Although she couldn't see Ellie in the eye, she could sense her deep confusion and pain. Yet, the Williams girl was too proud to let her emotions rule her, though Nicole liked to see it as an opportunity to give Joel a chance. To give her a chance.

     After merely sixty seconds had elapsed, Ellie picked up her belongings and departed. Dina felt exceedingly queasy and appeared as though she urgently required to return home. Nonetheless, even though it had nothing to do with her, Nicole was fretful and irritated. Granted, Ellie had the entitlement to be mad or irate at Nicole and Joel, but to lash out like that and abandon Dina there without a second thought, pretending that nothing had happened, wasn't equitable. Nicole had made countless justifications for Ellie but she wasn't going to do the same. Not now.

          "That's fucked up, you know?" Nicole trailed the girl and shut the door behind her. In an abrupt about-face, Ellie then swiftly pivoted and pinned her with an intense gaze, "He was only trying to help you. Dina was not even a part of it, she doesn't deserve this," the young woman proclaimed firmly, though tension was welling up in her gut. Ellie might have been daunting, but Joel's attempt to shield her should not have been related to his lie.

     Ellie fiercely gestured as she clutched her jacket and vehemently exclaimed, "You don't get to decide what's best for me or Dina, alright? This has nothing to do with you, so for the love of God, mind your fucking business for once!" Nicole studied how her hands trembled aggressively. She was wrong, Ellie wasn't so rational and proud. She was actually sure now that Ellie's judgment was not impartial; her emotions had been in charge of her behavior all this time.

     Nicole scoffed, attempting to conceal her shivering as she crossed her arms. "That's right. I don't get to choose what's best for either of you or Dina. But Joel was literally trying to help you and so I have since you turned away from us. I don't know how long I'll be able to stand by while you finally make up your damn mind—," the blonde's words dwindled as Ellie carelessly dropped her things on the ground and drew closer to her.

     Nicole could make no sense of Ellie's movements, who had forcefully taken her by the shoulders and flung her against the bar's wall. It caused a thunderous sound, the reverberations of her strength filling the nocturnal stillness. In a fit of rage, Ellie hissed, "I never asked you to wait, Nicole. I certainly don't recall saying that I'd ever forgive you. Or Joel."

     Ellie appeared to be in a state of uncontrolled fury, but there was something that revealed an underlying tenderness, an internal struggle. No one could ever detect the inner conflict within her, but Nicole understood — somehow. Her words shifted from commanding to fragile and uncertain like she was attempting to contain her tears, "I told you both to stay away from me. And if that means we don't talk or look or breathe next to each other, then you better respect that. I don't need any of your goddamn help, Nick," the girl pleaded.

     Upon grasping the magnitude of the entire situation, from Ellie's posture to her words, her appearance to her little expressions, Nicole felt an unfamiliar touch, a stark contrast to the Ellie she used to know. She thought of little Ellie and she was completely taken aback by this other side of her, a side she never got to meet.

     Nicole's hot breath blew on Ellie's speckled face, warming her skin. She restrained herself from shaking and stood there with her arms still, speaking firmly. "Fine. Have it your way, Ellie. I don't care what Joel wants, I won't bother you, I won't stay near you or breathe next to you. But that doesn't mean I won't call you out when you act like a jerk." Ellie's gaze at last diverted to the ground, unwilling to face Nicole any longer.

      The Fraser girl wished she could tell Ellie how much she missed her, yet that feeling was only reminiscent of what had been and not what was to come. She had to come to terms with the fact that they weren't best friends anymore and that it would never go back to the way it was.

          "Now let me go," Ellie's grip suddenly slackened, as she finally let out a deep sigh, Nicole murmuring her parting words. In an instant, the Fraser girl felt the warmth of her presence retreat as she began to collect her scattered belongings from the ground. Though, this time felt peculiarly different. For she no longer felt as though she had been left behind; instead, Nicole felt relieved.

TESSA'S THOUGHTS . . . 

hi !! i'm back with the first chapter of this story ! as promised, i managed to post it on sunday. since the hour may differ to everyone, i thought i could take a little more time to write. since life is being a bitch to me rn, it was a big challenge to try and focus on writing this chapter instead of spending my time in front of the tv. but anyways, i am pretty proud of it and how it turned out. as i said, i have great things planned for this story so please don't hesitate to show your support by voting, commenting, adding my story to one of your reading lists, etc. whatever is comfortable for you, it makes me happy <3 see you next week !