Chapter 41
Nika
Monday
Dear Diary,
I know the “dear diary” sounds very formal (and silly?
Wait, are you judging me, diary?), but this is a big deal.
Today I’m going to tell you something I haven’t told you before.
I’m in love. OK, not in love. I do know the difference between love and crush.
I have read many, many books, as you know.
So here goes, I’m in crush with Ariana. Not Grande (though, yes, wow, love her obvs) but Ariana Webb from school.
I know. Insane. And probably just a phase.
But I can’t stop thinking about her. I don’t know what it is.
But when I’m near her, I feel tingly. Self-conscious.
Trying to impress her. As if she’d even notice I’m there.
But actually she did. And that’s when it started.
It was in French class. She sat next to me and asked if she could copy my homework, and then she said she liked my ring.
The one with the skull. And that’s when the tingling started, and now it’s every time I see her.
And then I had a dream that she kissed me.
I know. I’m so embarrassed writing that, but, hey, you won’t tell anyone.
Nika sets the diary aside and picks up her phone.
The new Snapchat account she set up last night has only six connections so far, but that’s going to blow up soon.
AWGoss is the username and there’s nothing at all to link it to her.
Meanwhile, there are dozens and dozens of new messages in the xNGx group.
Hurtful, hateful comments, daring her to reply.
Daring her to show her face. And still nothing from Ariana.
Nika angles her camera directly above the diary entry, making sure the shot is perfectly framed to capture every single word. Ariana will go nuts. Maeve will die of embarrassment. And Nika will finally be left alone.