Neil pov
I scrunch my nose up as I felt something wet drip on to my it. I ignored it and continued to keep my eyes closed shut. But the drops continued, followed by whispers and giggles. I slowly open my eyes. Squinting because of the bright light.
"How was your sleep?" Asked someone.
My eyes met with Nikk's. She had the biggest smile on her face. Why is she looking at me like- When I looked down I saw that I was in the bathtub?! I must've fallen asleep while writing.
"Geez Neil. Glad that I was the first one had to pee and this just so happened to be the bathroom I found. Cause if anyone else saw this?" She had my diary in her hands, flipping through it, and continued. "Would've been a done deal. There's more than Max in here." She smirked. I stood up from the bathtub, and then stretched my arms out far.
"What are you reading?" I asked Nikki. She was reading a page in my diary but I wanted to know which one.
"I love to be up to date on Neil's life (not really) plus you wrote something so it has to be good!"
I shrugged. There was nothing to hide anymore. Her and Max probably already knew everything. I stepped out of the tub. Noticing Nikki's smile turning into confusion. I peeked over her shoulder to see the page she was on. It was just basically explaining how Max reacted to my Claims.
"NonoNono." Nikki mumbled.
I still have no idea about what's happening.
"That's weird of him." Nikki said.
"Yes, I'm aware." I told her.
"Why do you think he'd react like that all of a sudden?" She asked me.
"Wait, you don't know?" I thought Max told Nikki everything, and I told her things as well. So I would expect her to know. She knows everything behind the scenes! The same girl who couldn't keep a secret for 5 minutes. What an improvement.
Nikki shook her head. "Not a thing." She shrugged.
"So you don't know how she feels about me?"
"No.."
We both looked at each other. Max would tell Nikki if he didn't like me, right? What if- No, No. I'll overthinking this.
"Maybe I can ask him in private?" Nikki suggested.
"I feel like I'm rushing him for an answer.." he already told me he needed time. It's only been what? A day?
"I gotchu Neil!" Nikki opened the door then backed out of the bathroom. I stood there for a bit but then Nikki popped back in. "Oh, right. I have to use the bathroom. Get out."
I stepped out of the bathroom as the door closed behind me.
When I appeared back in the room mostly everyone was awake. My eyes looked over at Max.
"Sorry for taking over your bed Ered." Max apologized.
"Eh, it's cool." Ered shrugged.
Space kid began to bounce on his air mattress that he use to share with Dolf but I don't think Space kid is a good person to sleep next to because Dolf is now asleep on the floor.
"Hey. Hey! Space kid how many times do I have to tell you that the air mattress is not a bounce house." Ered told him.
I sat down on the floor, keeping my distance from Max who was on the bed still. Nikki came into the room and practically pulled Max off the bed then outside of the room.
Max Pov.
"We got places to be, things to do!" Nikki told me as she pulled me into the hallway. Gosh she's strong.
"What do you want?" I asked, running my hand through my messed up hair.
"We have to talk about Neil." She said.
"Uggh, he told you, didn't he? That little prick can't keep nothing away from you."
"But you can."
"What?" I said confused.
"Nothing."
"What do you want to talk about, Nik." I leaned onto the wall.
"Weell, nobody really knows how you feel about Neil. Usually when people admit their feelings it's like 'hey I like you too!' Or 'Sorry I don't feel the same way'. And they say this right after. You're taking days! Is it really that hard of a decision? You either like him or not."
I don't know why but Nikki's words automatically annoyed me. I still didn't know how to respond to that though. She's right. I either like him or not.
"Well?" Nikki asked.
"No, I can't." I admitted.
"Why not?" Nikki crossed her arms.
"I can't tell you anything Everything just bounces off of everyone!"
"What do you mean?" She tilted her head to the side a bit.
"Want an example? Say that I told something about Neil, right? You would just tell Neil! Or if I did something to Neil YOU would know. I'm tired of it." I know it's a thing that "friends" do I guess but there's some things I just want to get out sometimes to YOU
and only YOU but that can't happen. They always crack and tell the other friend. So why not just keep it to yourself? I know for a fact if I blab to Nikki, Neil would know.
"It's not like it would go outside of the trio." Nikki rolled her eyes.
"This is different. I'll tell him when I'm ready. Mind your business." I said before walking back into the room. I stomped back into the room, catching the eye of a few people. Then I went back onto the bed. I feel like going back to sleep.
Neil pov
Nikki crept back into the room, looking worried. Max seemed angry when he walked back into the room. Did they argue or something. I wanted to know what he said now, but I know it would be weird if we walked out the room to talk after Max and her did. It'd be super obvious that she was telling me. Finally I would know. Tired of waiting.
Some time later..
Still Neil's Pov
"Look, look!" Nikki demanded. She held a pan with a pancake on it. Everyone was attempting to make breakfast. Nikki tossed the pancake into the air,
Causing it to flip in all kinds of ways. The pancake ended up landing on Ered's face. It wasn't fully done so there was mix also in her hair and face.
"Oh my god I'm so sorry!!" Nikki apologized.
"It's fine. You didn't mean to."
Nikki grabbed the roll of paper towels and took like half of it. She then began trying to wipe the mix off the Ered's face. A muffled "Nikki" came from Ered's mouth. Pretty sure she didn't hear it though because she still kept wiping.
I looked over at Max who was sitting at the table by himself, resting his head on his hand. I walked over to him. "Hey Max." I said. He looked at me. "Hey." He finally said back.
"Sorry about last night...or uh, earlier this morning? I didn't mean to offend you or anything. It's just...you know how much you matter to me, right? I just want you to be real with me, you know?" I said as I played with my fingers. Max sighed. "There's nothing to be sorry about. I was just acting like a baby. I'm being honest about not playing with your feelings though."
"Then be real with me."
Max looked down. "I..."
"Max.."
"Neil, I just don't know."
"Don't know what?"
"About us? About my feelings? Man, no one told me this what this complicated."
"So you're considering us?"
Max didn't say anything. So instead I came behind him, and wrapped my arms around his body. He was so warm. Max pushed me away. I felt my head become damp with sweat. "I'm sorry...I just.."
Max stood up and pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back of course. "Shut up, nerd." He told me. He buried his face into my chest. My cheeks flushed red, I was sweating even more but for a good reason. Then I realized that everyone in the kitchen was watching us.
"Max, they're watching.." I whispered to him. "I don't care." He told me.. Nikki squealed of excitement. "Wait.." I heard her say. "Dang this could be just a friendly hug." She pouted. "It doesn't look too friendly." Ered muttered.
"Awww!" Nerris giggled.
Max finally pulled away and made up some lame excuse. "Pft, can't two friends just hug without the idea of shipping?"
"Yeah but didn't you said like love love loves you." Space kid popped into the conversation out of no where. "Shut up." Max glared at him which caused space kid to back out of the kitchen. Clearly Max did care about the fact that they were watching us.
Once Max brought his attention back to me we exchanged a smile.
