Chapter 24: Chicken And Cow Poop

Thoughts about Nolan and I being a couple dominated my mind.

Although I had dropped Paris's scheme after the accident, I still felt like I was cheating Nolan in a way by agreeing to becoming his girlfriend. We needed more time. Our relationship needed development. I wasn't ready.

And I don't think he is either.

The first thing I did the following school day was meeting the new school psychologist, Ms. Blum. Ms. Bozzo obviously got fired after the Vince incident. I quietly entered the room after knocking. A chubby woman with shoulder length blonde hair sat behind the desk, working on her computer.

"Good morning," she said, seeing me.

"Good morning," I replied. "Sorry I didn't take an appointment, but I really need to talk to you regarding a friend's situation." She gestured me to sit down which I quickly obliged.

"What's going on?" she asked, giving me her full attention.

"Can we keep this strictly between the both of us?"

"Of course."

I still didn't trust her. "My friend went through a lot of breakups last year, which ended up with him having heart problems. The breakups also changed his . . . I dunno the exact term, but his thoughts aren't completely calm and normal when it comes to those who broke his heart. He wants revenge. He wants to hurt the girls who hurt him. It satisfies him, I think. But then he shows remorse and guilt too." Like he did with Janine.

"Has he shown withdrawal from activities he normally enjoyed?"

He was into baseball, right?

Not anymore.

"Kind of," I shrugged.

She sighed and tapped her fingers against her desk. "I can't say anything until I actually meet the patient. He could be facing side effects of his heart problems. He could be suffering from a mental disorder. I strongly recommend that you bring him to me or at least give me his name."

It was a difficult choice for me to make.

Nolan didn't want therapy and I knew that.

But he needed it.

As a friend, as a girlfriend, as a well-wisher--helping him was my duty.

"Um . . . I--er--"

Seeing my hesitation, the psychologist gave me a paper and pen and looked away. "No one told me anything. I randomly found a piece of paper with the boy's name." She was smiling.

I took her hint and grabbed the paper.

Nolan Milesblue.

I hoped Nolan would understand my intentions.

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As I slammed my locker shut, two arms wrapped around my waist.

I was ready to scream until I saw Nolan's chin rest on my shoulder.

"You almost gave me a heart attack," I said, twisting around in his grasp. He rolled his eyes and leaned on his arm propped on the locker next to mine. His other arm still rested around my waist. Students were clearing out of the hallway, giving us some stares.

Roles switched.

"Not my fault you don't pay attention," Nolan said.

"Trust me, I pay more attention than you give me credit for."

He cocked an eyebrow. "After avoiding me all day, you expect me to believe that?" I bit my lip, not meeting his eyes. He was right about me not communicating with him at all. After meeting the psychologist, I was worried he'd get called to her office. Then, if he found out I was reason behind it, he'd hate me. "Are you okay?" He loosened his grip.

"Perfectly fine," I lied. "Just worried about that wedding."

"All we have to do is make the groom believe Ruth is not fit for him."

"How so?"

"You know, maybe if the groom sees the bride kissing," he leaned forward as he spoke, "her ex on the wedding day, he might have second thoughts." I was having second thoughts about standing so close to him after he said that.

"So, you're thinking about kissing your ex?"

"More or less."

I poked his stomach, making his retreat.

"What the hell?" he said, his eyebrows furrowed yet amusement lighting his eyes. "What's wrong with me with me kissing Ruth?" I used the thick Biology textbook in my hand to hit him. "Ow."

"You show more interest in kissing your exes than me."

I continued hitting me as he began backing away in laughter. We ran down the hallway with me trying to beat the hell out of my boyfriend with Biology.

"Who said books don't hurt people?" he said, half panting as we ran down the stairs to the cafeteria exit. He was moving much faster than me.

"People hurt people, Milesblue," I said.

Instead of progressing, he stopped. I lost my momentum and crashed into him, sending us both toppling down the last three stairs. I landed right on top of Nolan, my eyes wide as saucers. Both of us were breathless as we stared into each other's eyes. The textbook lying between our chests restricted us a lot. Nolan tilted his face up, pressing his lips gently against mine. My eyes fluttered shut.

"Helen? Nolan?"

Oh shoot!

The vice principal stood with a condemning expression. I quickly got off Nolan with my face turning warm. Nolan stood up, trying to make some excuse.

"We fell," he said.

"Five minutes to get out of the building," the administrator stated and left us, mumbling something about insolent seniors. I exhaled in relief. Nolan looked at me and cracked a grin.

Idiot.

He dropped me off home and told me to get ready for the wedding on Sunday morning. Amish weddings were early in the morning. I still had to ask my parents about it. I highly doubt they wouldn't let me. During dinner, I brought the topic.

"Can I attend a friend's sister's wedding on Sunday?" I asked.

"Who?" Mom asked, eating her pasta.

"Paris. Nolan and I met him at that Amish thing. His sister is getting married and he invited us," I explained. Mom and dad looked at each other and had their own talking.

"Sure," Mom concluded.

"One more thing," I said internally fighting if I should talk to my parents. Mom and dad waited. Setting down my fork, I quietly told them what I told the psychologist. Nolan and how much his breakups affected him. Stress cardiomyopathy and almost manic behavior. I still kept all the breakups we did a secret. "I don't know if I'm doing the right thing by dating him," I confessed.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Dad asked, his face evident with concern.

"Helen, that's not what I expect from you," Mom said, shaking her head. I knew I should've stayed quiet! "What kind of a therapy is it to make Nolan jump into another relationship after knowing how stressed he became after his previous ones?"

I chewed on my lip, understanding what she meant.

"And I told you to stay away from these player boys. You can't trust him," dad said. "I'm sure my daughter can find someone a hundred times better than a psychopath--"

"He's not a psychopath, dad."

"Stay away from him," he said in a finalizing tone.

"Helen, just don't cut yourself picking up the broken pieces of his heart," Mom said softly. "Remember, high school is fun while it lasts but both of you will have to separate for college. I'm not saying I'm anti or pro your relationship because I trust you to make rational decisions. If you break up with Nolan now, things might get worse for you both. If you keep going, maybe both of you will sort it out."

I nodded.

"The boy needs a psychiatrist not my daughter!"

Mom and I chuckled. Dad was overprotective of both Hestia and I.

"Don't worry, I have that settled," I assured.

We continued a normal family talk.

At least, my parents knew some parts of the truth and still let me stay with Nolan.

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"Hey!"

Paris engulfed me into a hug without any warning.

In front of Nolan.

We were in the Amish village and it was seven in the morning, leaving three hours before the actual wedding.

Nolan coughed loudly and Paris retreated. He then moved to give Nolan a hug. "Don't worry bro, you can have a hug too," he said. I laughed at Nolan's uncomfortable expression. He was dressed in black pants, black shirt, and a black coat on top. The black actually looked good on him against the pale skin.

"Where's the bride?" I asked curiously.

"Locked in her room," Paris said. "She kept trying to run away, so my parents locked her in."

"Where is the groom?" Nolan asked.

"At his house," Paris replied in a duh-tone. "We have to think of a way to help Ruth out. Mam has the key in her necklace."

"Who's mam?" Nolan asked.

I wanted to hit his head and knock some brains in there.

"My mom," Paris clarified.

He ushered us into his house which was stocked with people. Paris pointed to his light brown haired mother, wearing the traditional Amish clothes. Around her neck rested a chain with a bunch of keys.

How were we going to take that from her?

Nolan whispered a stupid plan of his which could get us in a hell lot of trouble. Paris gave it a thumbs up, but I backed out.

"Come on, Helen," Paris insisted.

"Please," Nolan said with a hopeful look.

They both pouted at me. Groaning loudly, I stomped towards Mrs. Fisher. I couldn't believe I was doing this. Paris's mom was busy cooking a dessert. I casually grabbed two bottles of water and returned, handing it to the boys. Nolan and Paris ran outside, climbing next to the chimney in the kitchen. Paris brought a tray of chicken and cow poop along with him.

The results were going to be nasty.

I watched guard.

"If you get me wet, I'll murder you," I warned.

They muttered something incoherent and laughed.

From the open window, I could peep inside the kitchen. The boys gave me a thumbs up. I prayed to Jesus before picking up a rock and edging closer to the window. The kitchen had a small fireplace. I took the opportunity when no one was looking to throw the rock there. There was a small clatter noise, but all other sounds blocked it. I shook my head at Nolan and Paris.

It wasn't working.

They told me to do it again. It would've been much easier if they threw the rocks, but they already had too many supplies with them.

I picked up a bigger rock this time and chucked it at the fireplace when no one was looking.

Silence fell in the kitchen.

I bolted from the window.

The boys knew what to do next. I ran back inside as everyone began checking if there was something wrong with the chimney place. A loud shriek told me to start the second part of the plan.

Paris's Mam had peeked inside the fireplace in clean attire.

She returned in a water mixed with goo mess.

Ew.

I ran to her and helped other ladies bring Mrs. Fisher to the bathroom. In her dilemma, the mother took off her apron and the keys immediately. I pretended to put them aside while sneaking the poopy keys in my pocket.

Mission accomplished!

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Please check out my books "The Jerk's Beauty" and/or "Catch Him If You Can."

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