Free Nikki's Heart by Nona j. Moss Page B

I am pretty excited about it though! It is a two-door 2005 Dodge Neon. It is red with charcoal interior. I am already in love with it. I cannot wait for next week to come.
     
    March 12
    Things are really starting to feel normal around here. Maybe I am just getting used to it?
    Mandi is a really cool person. The more I get to know her, the more I like her. She has an awesome sense of humor. I love the nineties music she listens to. We read the same kind of books. And she has even shown me the right way to wear makeup. I always wanted my mom to be like that. You know, that whole mother-daughter bonding thing? I think we made cookies together, when I was like six. We’ve been shopping together of course, but it was never just fun.
    I really like having my little brother and sister around all of the time. They act like it is the most wonderful thing in the world every time I walk into the room. They hang on to every word I say, and love it when I read their Dr. Seuss books to them. Every night they wait for me to tuck them into bed.
    At night when Mandi is bathing the twins and getting them ready for bed, I spend time with my dad. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we watch TV or play checkers. It’s comfortable though, you know? It just feels so right.
     
    March 15
    I get my car tomorrow! I was so excited when I heard that I started jumping up and down and screaming. The twins thought that was so funny that they joined in.
    Cody just got here; we are on our way to church. I was just so excited, that I thought I should write it down now! I will continue my story later…

Six
 
    March 25
    It has been ten days since that horrible night. Ten days since my world crumbled, and my heart shattered into a million pieces. It has been ten days since my life ended.
    I have been unfaithful to you, Dear Journal, because I could not bear to think. And I knew if I opened you, it would be to spill the rest of my broken heart.
    It was so awful; I will never forget it as long as I live. It is fresh in my mind every waking hour. The memories invade my dreams, whenever I close my eyes.
    It was Wednesday, March 15, and Cody picked me up for church. I was bursting with excitement that night because I would be getting my car the next day. Cody and I walked to his car holding hands, and he kissed my nose as he held the door for me.
    “You are absolutely beautiful when you are excited, love,” he said as he climbed behind the wheel.
    “You know, Cody, I actually feel kind of beautiful lately,” I said, and I really meant it, too.
    Church ended around seven thirty, and Cody suggested we go out for ice cream. It was just dark outside, and I smiled at my reflection in the window. Cody was holding my hand, rubbing his thumb over my fingers.
    I was thinking about how wonderful everything was going. I was finally completely happy, and I was enjoying the feeling. I was thinking maybe I would stay at my dad’s house until I finished school.
    That was when my phone rang. “Don’t answer it, Nikki,” Cody said suddenly. I didn’t recognize the number; it wasn’t one I had programmed into the phone. I told him that. “Maybe you should let them leave a message?” he asked.
    I pushed the button. “Hello?”
    “Nichole, where in the hell are you?” It was Lisa.
    My blood went cold, and my grip tightened around Cody’s fingers. “Lisa? What’s wrong?”
    “I’m just leaving your mom’s house, behind an ambulance. Your mom is on her way to the hospital. She’s in bad shape, Nichole, I suggest you meet me there.”
    The phone dropped from my hand. “Oh my God.”
    “Nikki, what’s wrong?” he sounded far away.
    “Hospital,” I whispered. “My mom.”
    “Oh no,” he said. “Don’t worry, we’re going.” He sped the car up, causing me to fall back against the seat. I watched him push buttons on my phone. The green light made his face look odd.
    “Mandi? It’s Cody. We’re on our way to the hospital. Something has happened to Nikki’s