What was it about Maddie that brought out the worst in her? Nick didn’t particularly like the person she seemed to become whenever going head to head with the other girl. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to not rise the challenege so to speak. “They haven’t kicked out the people who were associated with the bitch who blew up the wall, so maybe their standards for letting people stay isn’t all that high.” Nick pointed out matter of factly. “I’ve got family here!” Nick snapped. “And friends. Also, at least my brother is still talking to me, unlike your brother.”
Any hope that she and Maddie might be able to find common ground was quickly dissipating as this argument went on. The other girl would never like her, and frankly Nick was beginning to wonder why she ever wanted to be friends with Maddie in the first place. It was clear Maddie would only ever pitch in if it benefited her, and frankly Nick had no desire to be close with someone so inwardly and self-focused.
She was ignoring the little voice that kept trying to remind her that Maddie probably had a reason behind her behavior. Just like she herself did.
“I’m not alone, either!” Nick couldn’t help the way her voice rose and the slightly hurt tone it took on. “And I’m not sucking up to get people to like me.” But would people like her at all if she didn’t help out?
Her expression flickered and for a moment the stony expression was gone. Why would Maddie think she was jealous of her? Was she jealous? “Why would I be jealous of you?” Nick asked sharply. No, she was bothered by the fact that because Maddie disliked her, it was a rarity that she ever got to spend time with ‘teen squad’ – effectively making her feel just a tad alienated from her own peer group.
“Right okay, whatever you say.”
Nick knew what Maddie was trying to do, intimidating her by coming out into the hall and lording the two inches height difference over her. But Maddie failed to remember that Nick had three older brothers and most of her friends had always been male, so intimidation and threatening gestures didn’t have much of an effect on her.
“No, actually this isn’t about me at all. I could care less if you liked me or not,” Which was only partly true, Nick kind of did want Maddie to at least not hate her. “Actually I was just trying to find common ground for Caitie’s sake, because as much as you hate it she’s my friend too, and I’m sure being put in the middle of the two of us and our fighting sucks.” Nick crossed her arms across her chest and glared. “But I keep forgetting you’re only concerned with your own feelings, so you wouldn’t understand my reasoning at all.”