Senior Year, Biscuits & The Fuentes Family As Told By Nelissa Brown

I honestly have no idea what happened. Mike just ran. I don't know why, I only just know how. He disappeared. Am I really such a bad kisser? Maybe that's why Vic liked me so much. I am so spectacularly bad at kissing it's like kissing an oyster, which is an aphrodisiac. But Mike might have an allergy to sea food. I could have sent his body into shock! That's why he freaked out, he was having an allergic reaction. That's why he's avoiding me now.
Thinking about it that's pretty far fetched. But then again what isn't where I am concerned? I looked up and saw Jaime walking down the steps from school to get to me. He sat down in front of me and smiled.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Nothing much. Just checking how you are, Nel."
"I'm bright and breezy." I smiled.
"What's wrong?" he raised his eyebrows.
"Does Mike have a sea food allergy?" I asked seriously.
"Um no. Not that I know of."
"Does he like oysters?"
"I think so." Jaime frowned.
"Then why doesn't he want me?! I'm one huge oyster on legs, look at me!" I exclaimed.
"Nel, you're not an oyster!" Jaime reassured me. "Stop, waving your arms around!"
"But I want to be an oyster!" I think we've clarified that I have a thing for Mike now.
"Stop being an oyster. I brought delights." he smiled and handed me a pack of biscuits. I opened them up and took one. Heavenly goodness.
"Why did Mike reject me?" I spewed biscuits everywhere.
"Because he likes you!"
"That doesn't make sense!" I sighed. "He doesn't like me."
"Oh my god you stubborn idiot he does!" B exclaimed. I looked up. Everyone else was there, everyone accept Mike. They're all nodding knowledgeably.
"Then why did he run away?" I asked.
"Because of Vic," Jaime said like I was stupid. "Vic loves you, Nel. Mike can't do that to him."
"What?" I gasped.
"He doesn't want to fall in love with you and then have to pick Vic over him." Tony added.
"Wait," Cassie frowned. "Why would she pick Vic? What does Mike's brother have to do with this?"
"Oh, Nel dated him." B said dismissively.
"What?" Cassie muttered.
"Yeah, he loved her. She loved him. He fucked up and then Nel punched him. It's a long story, that was the short version." B rushed.
"Wow." Cassie breathed.
That is the short version. My problem is I can't help helping people. I wanted to help Vic and look where that got me. After the fight with Vic and Mike I wanted to help Mike too. That's a flaw of mine. I wish I was a mean person, but I think the universe would explode if I forgot my manners.
I guess helping people could maybe make me a Gryffindor. But that's probably not my house. I'm quite loyal and patient. I'm clumsy too. I think everyone wants to be a Gryffindor or a Slytherin. I'm not mean enough to be a Slytherin. Or smart enough for Ravenclaw. I'd probably be a Hufflepuff. That might be nice though. No one wants to be one. But they must have fun. I bet after class they all go and sit in their common room with the safety scissors, glue and glitter.
"Hey Nel," Tony said and I looked up. "Everyone is coming to my house. Do you want to?"
"Sure." I smiled.
I dusted myself off and went to walk to Jaime's car with everyone. We all piled inside and I got made to sit on the floor because Jaime's bag needed a seat. He drove to Tony's house and we all followed him inside.
We went up to Tony's room and everyone sat down. I went over to look at his CD's. He had some old cassette tapes too. Odd. I thought I was the only Blink 182 with a soft spot for Madonna. "You've got interesting taste." Mike teased and took it from me. Damn it! Where did he come from?!
"Hmm yeah..." I trailed away.
"So...?"
"So what?" I asked.
"What's up?"
"The sky." I said like he was stupid.
"Good one." he laughed.
"Hmm yeah, I'm a riot." I said easily.
Then I put the tape in the player, cranked up the volume and Vogued right out of the situation. Mike started Voguing with me. "I need the bathroom!" I called and started Voguing away from him. I hope he doesn't follow, I don't know if I can Vogue for much longer.
I went to the bathroom and closed the door. I don't need the bathroom, I just wanted to get away from Mike. I sat on the edge of the bathtub but after a few minutes found myself lying in it.
"Did you fall in?!" I heard B call. She walked in and saw me. "Up!" she ordered.
"But-" I tried.
"No, Nel. Get up, stand tall and go and talk to Mike, you coward!"
"But-"
"Out."
"Fine." I huffed. I got up and slumped out and back to Tony's room. I saw Mike. He looks as though he's been waiting for me. What if he has? I've been in there half an hour. He'll think I have been fouling Tony's bathroom!
"What took you so long?" Mike asked.
"I went for a bath?" I offered.
"Sure you did." Mike smiled. "Can we go outside? I really need to talk to you."
"I guess." I sighed.
I followed him down and out of the house. Mike sat down on a step outside and I sat with him. He shuffled away from me. What am I? Smelly.
"Look Nel, I can't date you!" Mike suddenly exclaimed and got up to pace. I don't know why he's pacing. He'll wear the floor out. Isn't that what people say?
"And why not?" I exclaimed. I started to pace too. I'm not entirely sure why. "What's so wrong with me, huh? I am an oyster! But you know what it doesn't matter, I get it! I understand!" I said desperately.
"I don't think you do," Mike told me. "I want to be with you more than anything."
"But you can't." I muttered. Mike shook his head. I got it now. I really did. I understood why he wasn't doing what he wanted, I couldn't do it either. I couldn't do that to Vic. "I want to be friends." I eventually said.
"I don't know if I can do that." Mike admitted.
"We'll make it happen." I said simply. "Before we're friends I think we should do something."
"Oh, really?" Mike wagged his eyebrows at me. He came closer to me and I got up on my tip toes. I wrapped my arms around his neck and crushed my lips eagerly onto his. Mike kissed me back excitedly and I pulled away.
"Now we're friends." I said.
"On no we're not," Mike grinned. He pulled me to him and kissed me again, even deeper and longer than last time. This was a kiss you remember. It was obvious. Then he pulled away finally, letting me come up for air. "Now we're friends." he finished officially.
"Want to go back, friend?" I asked.
"After you, friend." Mike smiled.
We went back inside and up to Tony's room. B saw me and narrowed her eyes at me. "You kissed Mike!" she whisper shouted.
"Shhhh!" I exclaimed.
"But you did." she accused and I nodded. "I knew it."
"How?" I frowned.
"I'm psychic." B shrugged nonchalantly. I wouldn't put it past her.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? Nel is an oyster! I actually loved writing this one! There's a few retro references in it. I'm trying to keep it as 2001 as I can. Does anyone know how to Vogue? I was concerned when writing that. If not go on YouTube and search it. You gotta love some Madonna. That was my favourite part of the entire chapter. Anyway, what did you think? They're friends. Will it last? What about Vic? I wrote in the Hogwarts houses because I'm going to the studio tour for the second time next month and I've been thinking a lot - I would hope I could be a Gryffindor but honestly I think I'd end up a Slytherin or Hufflepuff. What do you think? What was your favourite line? xo