Shit. Why had she gone and given Maddie that idea. The other girl clearly hadn’t even been thinking about blackmailing her into a dare or something, but now she was, and it was all thanks to her. “What can I say, you’re predictable.” She tried to come off as if whatever the other girl might have in store for her wasn’t intimidating; when in reality it kind of terrified her. Partly because she wasn’t entirely positive that Maddie would avoid something that might involve bodily harm of some sort.
Letting out a small sigh, she was extremely grateful when Maddie didn’t ask her why having family around mattered. She wasn’t entirely sure she would be able to lie her way out of that one, but there wasn’t a chance in hell she would tell the truth. Having Maddie know she was afraid of being alone was just something Nick didn’t want – it would wind up ammo for her blackmailing or something.
“No, I think some people actually do things to be helpful,” she pointed out. “But I guess you wouldn’t understand that.” It was a low blow, but the continued use of that nickname was getting under her skin enough that she just didn’t care.
That look was not one she wanted to see. Clearly Maddie’s cogs were going and she was figuring out something to torment her with. Was she brave enough to go out into the town alone? No. But Nick would die before she admitted that to the older girl. Instead she squared her shoulders and hoped that none of her fears shown through as she replied. “I’m not a chicken,” she remarked. “So of course I’m brave enough.” Or she hoped she could be, because backing down from this wasn’t an option.
A lava lamp? Was she serious? “And particular color?” Nick asked, trying to play it all off like she didn’t think this was a suicide dare or completely insane. Scowling slightly, she met Maddie’s gaze. “I’m not backing out of this,” she didn’t acknowledge the part about wanting to be liked. “So I’ll get you your lava lamp.” And hopefully the other girl wasn’t lying about the whole ‘nod of respect’ thing.