Nikki's POV:

"Oli?" I ask in bewilderment, "what are you doing here?"

He shrugged from his position in the driver's seat, "what is it illegal or something for me to offer a ride to the Princess?"

I mentally rolled my eyes. Always the persistent asshole.

Despite the charming nature of his offer, I can't help but scowl. Oliver will never be a good person, to me at least, and will always be a goddamned dick who's snide remarks could compare to that of a preteen. Asshole.

Noticing my silence, and the fact that I'm beginning to turn away, he quickly adds, "wait! Look, I know I'm such an asshole to you, but I honestly just want to give you a ride right now. I'm trying to be nice since you and Andy are dating now." He cringed making me roll my eyes. "So want the ride or not?"

I really didn't want to get in the car with him, I mean he was a douche and treated me like dirt, but I couldn't stand another second of this freezing weather. I guess I only had one option left, one I didn't approve of. I also realized if Andy ever found out I got into the same car with Oliver Sykes willingly, he'd be so pissed off. I'm not even sure if it would be at Oli or me.

"Thanks," i mumble as I climb into his black car, clutching my purse to my chest.

Oli says nothing and simply restarts the car, driving briskly along the road. "Where to?" He asks quietly after a few silent, awkward moments.

I say nothing for a couple seconds, staring blankly out the tinted wondows, watching the world blur by. "69 Glenwood Ave," I barely mutter.

He raises an eyebrow in surprise, "that's in the complete opposite direction! You had no idea where you were going, did you?"

I remain silent and stare intently at my folded hands in my lap.

More awkward, yet silent moments pass until Oli speaks again, a grin on his face. "Wait... Did you say 69?" He asks incredulously, barely containing his laughter.

I groan and lean my head against the cool window. "I knew you were going to say something... Immature much? Not even the grade 9's laugh at that anymore!"

He chuckles, "it's just... A funny number that's all." He states, clearly amused.

"Mhmm, and you're the most immature senior I've ever met!" I fire back, fighting my smile.

Im enjoying this small banter between us, it's nice. Instead of throwing insults and screaming, we're talking civilized... Mostly. I wonder why I've never seen this side of Oli before?

---

I can taste the blood in my mouth.

After Oli dropped me home, I dreaded entering my home. We shared a brief nice moment, and then I got out, preparing myself for my parents anger. And angry they were. The surprise was that they were entirely sober. At least, that's what I think.

They hit me harder than before. My mom tugging on my hair and shoving me mercilessly around like a rag doll. My father hit and kicked me when I curled into a ball, swearing when I cried out. Eventually, they grew tired and left, leaving me to pick up the broken pieces.

I crawled into my room, barely conscious, too consumed by pain. Then I snuggled under the covers, and slid into dreamland as best as I could.

Of course, that didn't happen, as an interruption awoke me from my nightmares.

Notes

Hmm... So Oli isn't the asshole we all thought he was?? Or is he just playing her?
Her parents are quite something, aren't they? Personally, I've never experienced any form of physical abuse, for which I'm thankful for. I'm pretty sure this isn't accurate, but then again, the human brain can be corrupted to be quite evil and inhumane.

I wonder where Andy is? Like, he and Nikki still need to patch things up.

hope you enjoyed the shortish update! I'm trying to update this story especially daily!

Happy Wednesdy!