Strings and Keys (Band Series #1)

Chapter 6: Game Plan

Chapter 6: Game Plan

Nicole's life would disturb with just one simple move if one intended to barge into her decisions, but it was uncertain whether it would change for the better or worse. On her part, she dislikes putting too much importance on someone who forms a special connection with her. Most likely, she will get frustrated on what needs to be saved and sacrificed once any issue arises.

One of the people she had hurt in the past thought that she was being selfish when really, all she did was consider the counterparts, possibilities, and their future that were clearly going to fall from their indecisive circumstances. Before the worst parts are incontrovertibly going to knock in their living domains, she'll try her best to provide a plan to lessen their pain on what lies ahead for the next months, even if it meant that it would break her apart throughout her years.

She finds comfort in silence, arts, and writing while trying to bolt from the inflicting marks of her past. It was already evident just by how she enjoyed eating cookies and cream flavored ice cream while looking at the paintings from the art gallery that they passed by. Unconsciously, she already spaced out after loving the details on it.

Cedric called her five times, and later figured that Nicole was not paying attention to her surroundings.

"I hope you're still with us." Cedric said as he snapped right in Nics' face.

Nicole shook her head, "Sorry, sorry. Where were we? Has Cherry finished checking in NBS?"

"I am, Nics." said Cherry, "It took you three minutes to notice us. Is there something bothering you?"

The bills, Nicole thought as she remembered her mother's debt on her credit card. She tried to calculate how much she could help her mom with it while she formulated a proposition to do art commissions and freelancing.

This was way harder than I thought, Nics additionally thought.

"Hello!" Cherry waved her hands in front of Nicole, worried that she's taking her a while to respond.

Nicole smiled, "It's nothing, I was making sure if I missed something before we'd leave."

"Alright! C' mon, I'm sure you guys are also starving."

These three members decided to have dinner in McDonalds. While eating, Cedric couldn't take any longer about his grave sentiments towards Migi. It grasped him like an unfathomable way of seeing him as someone annoying and precious at the same time.

"I'd like to ruin Miguel's first day as a member," Cedric said.

Cherry smiled as she placed both palms on her cheeks, "Finally! Something that I could enjoy."

Nicole laughed before slapping Cherry's shoulder, "You have to trust me that you have better ways to reach out to Mark, and it's actually a good thing to make it look natural. Don't be that cruel towards our new member."

Cherry sighed, "Ugh, fine, then. But I'm still hoping—"

"I'm serious, no jokes." Cedric cut her off.

"For fun, huh?" Nicole confirmed.

"Yup, I hope you don't mind, though."

"As long as it's not exploitative, are there any means to stop you, though?"

Cherry had her jaw dropped from what she heard before giving her a questionable look saying: That's kind of unfair that I looked bad for hating Migi yet you're exempted for tolerating Ced's intentions!

Nicole rolled her eyes, "I was just playing along, silly. But then, no jokes aside, I think it might help if one of us can give him a challenge. And I guess, it starts with Ced since I'm betting he has a better idea in mind."

"This is why I can trust you with my spicy ploys," Ced cackled.

Nicole smirked before shrugging. It only means she was also excited to mess with someone's day.