I'm Yours Only, Sophie J Brain [i am malala young readers edition txt] 📗

front door and got out his keys “No” he grunted “I stayed here on my own.”

“Oh, gave you the boot in the end did she?” Tom's smirk got even wider “poor Christopher losing at the last hurdle.”

Chris allowed himself a small smile as he opened the front door and walked into the house. “If you must know, I was the one that told her to leave.”

Tom shrugged “Ah well, maybe you’re better off without her anyway.” Tom sat down and watched as Chris unpacked his shopping. “She was a beauty though, why did I let you have her anyway? I should have just left you to your broken heart.”

If only he knew Chris thought with a smile. “Don't tell me the great Thomas Robson went home alone yesterday?”

Tom smiled wickedly and shrugged again. “I don't kiss and tell you know that.”

Chris chuckled; it was quite odd that he and Tom would be such good friends as they absolutely nothing in common. Tom had always been the play boy who wanted to go out and find a different girl each night while Chris had been more occupied with looking for someone long term who he could have quiet nights with. The way one met people, however, was by going out, which did mean that more often than not he would find himself being dragged along with Tom to the nightclubs and pubs.

“Anyway” Tom murmured “you seem to be in a good mood. This time yesterday you were like a wet weekend and now you sound like you just won the lottery, care to explain?”

Chris stopped slightly, not sure if he wanted to share his news with his friend. “She didn't get married” he said finally.

After all, Tom was his closest friend and he knew when he had to be serious, despite his constant act as clown. Tom chose to be the joker usually to put any situation at ease, it made himself feel more comfortable as well. Chris knew this better than anyone and he also knew that in most situations Tom was being more serious than he liked to let people believe. Tom raised his eyebrows and replied “Oh you have been a busy boy, did you go round her house first thing?”

Chris smiled tightly and sat down “No I saw her while I was out.”

“And she told you?” Tom asked with a smile that Chris could not read.

Chris shrugged “I asked why she wasn't on her honeymoon, she wasn't going to lie. She said she was feeling more herself now.”

Tom must have read something in Chris' face because his smile faded and his eyes went to stone. “Please don't tell me you are going to chase this one again?”

Chris frowned “I don't see why I shouldn't.”

“Just don't do anything too rash Chris, please” Tom had a look on his face, one that was not usual for him. It wasn't quite pleading but there was some sort of question in there. It was enough to make him worry, maybe Tom was right and he shouldn't rush into anything. After all, Nicky will need some time to clear her head and he wouldn't mind a bit of space to work out how to go about things. They had a lot of history; it wasn't going to be as simple as going up and asking her on a date “Ok, I won't rush into anything.”

Tom nodded but his eyes still held this look, then in a blink off an eye it was good and he was back to being the joker “The last thing I want is for you to go all sad on me again.”

Despite the tone of voice, which had been as light and fluffy as a tone can be, Chris understood the message behind it. Tom did not want to see him hurt again; Tom did not want him as sad as he had been the previous day. The urgent plea to take time was because Tom didn't want him to rush into anything and end up broken hearted. It showed Chris that his friend really did know him, and knew the extent of his feelings for Nicky. When he had gone to Tom and told him he couldn’t marry Maisy, Tom had not asked him if he was sure and Tom hadn't got upset (like most of Chris’ family did), instead Tom had looked at him and said “I know you can't, your heart isn't in it”

Chris nodded again, because if Tom was telling him not be rash then he knew he shouldn't, which meant that he had to get away. If Nicky was just around the corner then he wouldn't be able to stop himself from going to her. It was half term week so he could sneak off for a few days, but where to? Perhaps his sister's house, she was expecting a baby, it was probably due around now.

Chris knew he had been told the date at some point; it hadn't stuck in his mind but he knew it was sometime soon “I'm going to see Michelle for a few days.”

Tom raised his eyebrows and nodded “She is about to drop soon is she not?”

“Yeah” Chris replied “it would be a good to see her for a bit, it has been a while.”

Tom smiled knowingly, “Last Christmas?”

“Something like that” Chris murmured, his family had not been happy when he had decided to break up with Maisy. They did not disown him or openly express their disappointment but he had seen it in their eyes. His parents were especially upset as they had known Maisy's parents for such a long time. They had hoped for the marriage more that Maisy did. This made it somewhat awkward when he went to see them and as Michelle lived so close to them, he just usually avoided everyone, this would have to stop. He supposed he would have to go to his parents as well. If he planned to make a go of things with Nicky he would have to make sure they weren't going to treat her, even subconsciously, as a replacement to Maisy. He would not have her treated that way.

He looked at Tom “Things aren't always the best there.”

Tom nodded “You will remember that I was there to witness the aftermath of your break up.”

“That is what I will do” Chris murmured “and while I'm away I will try and work out what to say to Nicky.”

Tom stood and walked towards towards the door “You truly love her don't you?”

“I do” Chris answered.

“And she loves you?”

“Yes I believe she does.”

Tom's eyes became serious once again “Just be careful, Chris. If you get hurt again I might have to seek her out and give her a peace of my mind.”

It was, Chris thought as Tom let himself out, possibly the only way Tom would express how much he cared for him. With breakfast out of his mind Chris ran upstairs to pack a bag.

 

After speaking with her mum, Nicky began to feel better. Her worries had truly been lifted and deep down she knew her father would come around eventually, he would know she was telling the truth. So after a small crying session, which was really to be expected after the last few days, Nicky decided it was time she found Eloise and told her the truth, about everything.

Of course, she knew why she was electing to tell Eloise now; she was putting off having to tell Greg about Kevin. Gosh telling her father had been bad enough, goodness knows what will happen when she finally tells Greg, and she would have to tell him, too many people knew now that she could not keep it a secret, and besides that she didn’t want to keep it a secret. If this was first step to happiness she would just have to put her head down and push through.

As she arrived at Eloise's parent's house , where she was staying for the duration of the wedding -the wedding that never happened- Nicky slowed down a bit suddenly unsure of how Eloise would take the news. Eloise had been intimate with Greg for a while before they had finished school, what if Kevin had mentioned something to her. An icy chill ran down Nicky's spine, what if Kevin had done something to her. Nicky felt her heart speed up, if something had happened to Eloise she was not sure if she could forgive herself for not mentioning anything earlier.

Nicky sighed impatiently at herself, as she realised her mind was getting ahead of herself again. She didn’t know that something had even happened yet and even if it had, it wouldn’t have been her fault. Yes she should have told someone before but she didn't and there was nothing she could do about it now. Besides Kevin was the villain in the piece not her.

Nicky rang the doorbell, she hoped Eloise would understand and listen to her; perhaps she might even have some advice on how to tell Greg.

“Nicola Bennett, I could just kill you.”

Nicky turned to Eloise with a dry look “Not what I expected from my best friend.”

“I'll give you 'best friend'” Eloise snapped grabbing her by the collar and pulling her into the house. “I should clout you one after your disappearing act yesterday.”

Nicky could see that Eloise was trying to be stern but there was something lacking in her voice “What are you talking about?”

Before answering Eloise pulled her into the kitchen and pushed her into a chair, Greg was sat on the other side of the table. Drat she wasn’t ready to tell him yet; she wanted to tell El first. She was at least owed that much.

“What were you doing yesterday?” El demanded.

Nicky smiled softly “I was choosing not to ruin my life and end up in a loveless marriage.”

“Do you think you could have come up with decision before walking down the aisle?”

“No I don't think I could have” Nicky replied quite honestly “besides, it could have been worse. At least I left before saying my vows.”

Greg let out a snort of laughter causing El to glare at him; he shrugged. “You cannot force her to marry someone she does not love.”

El seemed not to like this answer but could not really say much in the way of an argument so instead mumbled something under her breath and sat down next to Greg. Nicky watched the whole thing with interest, comical interest of course but interest nonetheless, it had been a long time since the three of them had been together and she hardly ever got to see any sort of friendly interaction. This would have to change, she decided.

“Nicky!”

She became aware of El's voice in her ear “I'm sorry did you say something?”

Eloise rolled her eyes “I was merely asking if you were ok?”

“Oh yeah I am fine” Nicky answered “truly I am more happy than I have been in years however-” she paused, how could she ask Greg to leave without sounding rude. More to point, how could she ask him to leave without him getting insanely curious and demanding that he should stay, since friends – especially ones that have been friends since the cradle- don’t have secrets.

“However” she continued deciding she might as well risk it “I was hoping to have a word with you on your own El.”

Eloise looked from Nicky to Greg and then back again. Nicky looked at Greg with a pleading look in her eye, Greg must have seen it because he stood up and said “El, did you say you needed things from the shop.”

El jumped up “Yes I did” as she got the money out and wrote a quick list. Nicky looked at Greg- she looked at him closely-she looked at his demeanour, which seemed a little less sure than usual, she listened to the tone of his voice, which seemed to have an extra warmth that she could not recognise but most of all she looked at his face, which held