SAM POV
Standing outside Nicole's door, I felt overwhelmed by what happened last night. I couldn't find the right words. Xander's betrayal kept replaying in my mind, making it hard to think clearly about what happened. All I remember for sure is drinking too much at the bar, trying to forget the hurt he caused me.
Nicole and I had been best friends since we were kids, sharing everything and trusting each other completely. We treated each other like sister, finding comfort and help in our friendship. When I needed someone the most, I knew I could rely on her to be there for me, to listen and understand even when everything seemed chaotic.
I felt unsure as I stood outside her door, not knowing how to express the mess inside me. How could I explain it to her when I didn't even understand it myself? But I couldn't go home without a good reason, and Nicole was the only one I could talk to about it.
I took a deep breath and knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. I waited anxiously for Nicole to answer, my heart beating fast. When she opened the door and I saw her face, I felt a wave of relief and nervousness.
"Hey Sam, where were you? I noticed you weren't at the bar when I got back. Who was with you when you left?" Agnes asked, sounding curious and worried, as she opened the door and invited me in.
I couldn't find the right words to explain how I felt, the mix of emotions that were confusing me. "I don't know what to say," I admitted quietly. "All I can think about is... Xander... and what happened at the bar."
I ended up here, feeling safe amidst my troubles. I stayed out all night, lost in my thoughts, not knowing how to tell my parents why I didn't come home. When morning came, I found myself at the door of the only person I thought could help me deal with what I was going through.
Sitting on their couch, I felt overwhelmed by sadness, unable to stop crying. I wanted to hurt myself for being so foolish, to punish myself for what happened.
Covering my face with my hands, I cried uncontrollably, each tear showing how much I was hurting inside. How could I have been so foolish to trust Xander and believe his empty promises of love and loyalty? The pain of betrayal tasted bitter in my mouth, mixing with the saltiness of tears as I tried to understand what was happening.
I felt really mad, wanting to blame someone for what happened. Xander's name kept coming up in my mind, reminding me of how he hurt me. I wanted to yell at him and blame him for everything, but I knew deep down that it was my own fault.
I was deceived because I ignored the warnings, caught up in affection and desire. Realizing this hurt, revealing the truth about myself.
"Samantha!" Nicole's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I blinked away tears and looked at her, feeling her concern.
Her words hit me hard, each question cutting through my emotional defenses. "What's wrong?" she asked, sounding worried and frustrated. "Are you just going to stand there in silence?"
I tried to speak, but my words got stuck, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions swirling inside me. How could I even start to describe the pain and confusion I was feeling?
"Don't cry," Nicole said gently, wiping away my tears. "Tell me, who were you with at the bar, and why do you look like that? What happened last night?"
Trying to hold back my tears, I summoned the courage to look at Nicole. Doubt and fear clouded my confidence, unsure of how she'd react. Would she still see me the same way if I told her the truth? Could she accept who I've become, or would she judge me?
"If I tell you..." My voice wavered, overwhelmed by emotions. "Will you still support me? Will you... criticize me for what happened?"
Nicole's expression softened with empathy as she reached out to gently cup my tear-streaked cheek. "Sam," she whispered, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "Whatever you have to say, whatever you're going through, I'm here for you. You don't have to face this alone."
"I slept with another guy," I confessed, the weight of my words heavy upon me. I felt like a convict facing judgment, awaiting my fate. I saw the pain in her eyes, the shock and guilt evident somehow.
"Who?" she finally asked, her voice a blend of curiosity and worry. Her eyes locked onto mine, searching for answers, trying to understand the situation.
I paused, not sure how to reply, not sure if I could muster the courage to tell the truth. "I... I'm not sure," I confessed hesitantly, feeling the burden of my indecision weighing me down.
"What?!" Nicole blurted out, her voice dripping with disbelief as she quickly rose from her seat. "You two did that, but you don't even know the person you slept with?!"
I blushed with embarrassment as her words lingered. The truth hit me hard, and I searched for the right words to justify myself. How did I get into this mess? How did I become so careless?
"Nicole, please," I begged, my voice filled with remorse. "We were both drunk, alright? I didn't intend for this to happen. I only remember his face, but I don't know his name."
Nicole sighed in frustration, running a hand through her hair. "You need to be more cautious, Sam," she cautioned, her tone tinged with concern. "You can't just randomly sleep with strangers, especially when you're not thinking straight."
His words hit me like a slap in the face, a harsh reminder of the consequences of my actions. I knew she was right. I let my guard down, allowing myself to be swayed by the allure of a beautiful face and the numbing effects of alcohol. It was a mistake I had to accept, a lesson learned the hard way.
"I understand, Nicole," I responded, filled with regret. "I made a mistake, and I'm truly sorry. I should have been more careful, more conscious of my decisions. I can't undo what happened, but I swear, I'll grow from this."
"So, what's the plan now?" Nicole's voice broke the silence, a blend of care and practicality. I sensed her gaze on me, seeking a way forward amidst my emotional turmoil."
"I haven't told Mom," I admitted softly, my voice barely audible as I tried to express the extent of my sadness. "I can't handle seeing the disappointment in her eyes if she learns her only child is messed up."
Nicole looked concerned, her eyes locked on mine as she pondered the seriousness of the situation. "But what if... you know," she paused, her words fading as she approached the topic we both feared.
"What if I become pregnant?" I concluded, the gravity of the situation sinking in like a heavy burden in my stomach. "I can't even imagine it."
Nicole nodded solemnly, sharing my fears. "We need to get you birth control," she stated firmly, determination in her voice. "You won't face this alone. We'll work through it together."
Her words brought me relief, a lifeline through the storm of uncertainty that threatened to overwhelm me. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice filled with emotion. “I don't know what I would do without you. I really need your support. I don't want to become pregnant, and I don't want to disappoint my parents."
Nicole's expression changed, her worry turning into determination. "Okay," she said, sounding responsible. "I'll get some for you. You're lucky to have a friend like me. Now, go to my room and change. You smell like... you know."
I blushed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and thankfulness. "Nicole!" I scolded her, my voice filled with both amusement and frustration.
She burst into laughter, her infectious giggle filling the room. "Okay, okay, fine," she managed to say between fits of laughter. "Just go change, and I'll take care of everything."
As I headed to Nicole's room, a feeling of relief enveloped me. Despite my errors, I was thankful to have a friend like her with me.