“No, I don’t,” she grumbled without even making eye contact with him. She pulled her key out of her pocket and began to walk away. “Why? It’s not like you don’t have enough money.”
He groaned. She had been this way for a whole week, not happy with him, and he couldn’t figure out why. For a moment, he was about to let it go and go see if someone else had a nickel, but even though he couldn’t talk to her, he still couldn’t stand the idea of her being mad at him. In a few strides, he caught up to her and spun her around. “Okay, what the hell is going on with you? Why do you hate me all of a sudden?”
God, she hated confrontations like these. She could never be honest with people when it could hurt them, even if it was a sleaze ball like Nick. “Who said I hated you?” she asked, avoiding his eyes.
“You certainly aren’t acting like you like me or anything. It seemed like overnight, you changed.”
That was the last straw. She wasn’t about to let him make her out to be the villain. “You know, it’s funny. I really don’t think you’re one to talk,” she answered.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Could it maybe mean you changed, too? God, nearly the second you started dating that little dancer slut, you haven’t said a single word to me! It’s not right. One week, you’re teaching me how to play video games and tickling me and asking me advice on dating, all that stuff, and the next, you can’t even be alone in the same room with me!”
“First of all, I would appreciate it if you didn’t call my girlfriend a slut. Second, I’m sorry. I’ve been busy, and – “
She laughed bitterly. “Oh, God, Nick, give me a break. That is the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard. I found out what Andrea made you do. I really don’t care. If you’re able to just give up my friendship because of some girl, fine by me. I don’t need friends like that anyway. I just wish you would be man enough to tell me the truth.” She tried to get away, but he firmly grabbed hold of her wrist and began to explain.
“You don’t understand, Liz. This is the first girl I’ve really cared about, and I don’t want to do anything to lose her.”
“I don’t get it. Why are you telling me this? If you’re willing to just stop talking to me, what difference does it make to you over whether or not I forgive you?” she demanded.
“I want you to understand. I don’t want you to hate me. I want you to realize that I didn’t want to hurt you, but I did this so my relationship would be better.”
“If she means that much to you, fine, I understand. Whatever. Just leave me alone. I can’t even stand to be around you right now.” With that, she spun on her heel and went to her room, leaving Nick staring into the empty hallway, open-mouthed.