Sixteen by Emily Rachelle Read Free Book Online

me Nikki, like I said? I just wish you'd leave me alone."
    I'm louder than I intended. Mom raises her eyebrows and the glow on her face vanishes. Her eyes stare at me, and I feel unnerved. She just doesn't understand. Why won't she stop looking at me like that? I can't tell if she'd angry or not. Maybe the Nikki-thing was too much. I know she’s set on my using her grandmother’s proper name, but it’s so stuffy.
    "Okay." Her voice is quiet and lacks any sign of emotion.
    I try to tone down my voice a little. It's not Mom's fault that she’s so old-fashioned... or that I hurt my hip, which is still throbbing. "It's just that-"
    "No, I understand." Her lips set in a tight line, and her jaw stiffens. I think she's clenching her teeth. "We'll buy the skirt. Get dressed, Nikki ." Without another word, she picks up her purse and slips out the dressing room door.
    I cross my arms and huff my breath. Fine, she can be that way. It’s not like I was trying to make her mad. Mom never listens to me!

 
     
     
    Hot tears streamed down Nikki’s cheeks. Without realizing how, she sat on the floor, wrapped in her father’s arm. Her mother knelt beside them, stroking Nikki’s hair and whispering comforting words into her ear. She grasped the muted blue business shirt her father wore, already crumpled and tear-stained beyond hope. All concept of time was lost, but eventually she quieted and simply lay there, breathing shakily and enjoying the feel of her parents around her. Several minutes passed before Nikki noticed the empty chair at the dining room table where Christy had been sitting. She smiled, grateful for the alone time with her family. How long it had been since she’d truly enjoyed such a thing.
    After a few more minutes, Nikki’s mom wordlessly pulled herself up on the dining chair, then helped her daughter up. Nikki’s father followed suit, and a slight moment of awkwardness ensued -- but only the slightest moment.
    "Oh, darling. You know we love you." Nikki's mother held her arms out, and they shared their first real hug in far too long.
    Nikki pulled her chin up just enough so they could hear her remark, "Me too. Oh, and Mom?" They pushed apart far enough to see each others' faces.
    "Yes?"
    "I got saved today."

 
     
     
    Claire smiled. "Wow."
    Nicole looked out the window and smiled faintly, still caught up in her emotional memories. "Yeah. Wow." It was almost a whisper. Then she turned back to her daughter and the present day. "I had never imagined such a reunion. We'd lived in the same house as practical strangers. It almost seemed too good to be true. But I still had to tell Matt."

 
     
     
    Sometime during the emotional scene in the kitchen, Christy had slipped upstairs. After her parents' congratulations on her spiritual news and a discussion of Nikki attending church with them the next day, she joined her friend in her bedroom. Christy lay on the bed.
    "You okay?"
    Nikki nodded. "Thank you so much. I could never have done that without you."
    Christy smiled. "I know. Now, about Matt."
    Nikki groaned and flopped on the bed. Nikki appreciated Christy’s not mentioning the scene that just played out in the kitchen. However, she wasn't ready to plan another such event just yet. "Can't we do this one day at a time? Don't I get a break? Seriously!"
    After a short argument, Christy and Nikki came to a truce. They painted nails and watched a movie. Nikki wanted to eat popcorn and chocolate, but Christy insisted she shouldn't eat anything until she had checked what was safe. Eleven-thirty rolled around, and the Johnson parents were long since asleep. Christy announced it was time to discuss Matt.
    "The phone's too informal. This is something you have to tell him face-to-face."
    "Then why are we talking about it now? I can't just show up on his doorstep at eleven at night -- especially considering the last time I talked to him." Nikki shuddered at the thought. How much time would have to pass for the memories --