She was a sucker for chocolate. Anything that had cocoa in it, was something of an instant liking for her. Nothing could come in the way of her and the melting sensation of creamy white chocolate in her mouth. The very thought made her drool as she grabbed all the white chocolate in site. Guess the deal was worth it, she thought.

After her little chocolate binge, she decided to go ride her bike outside, to work off her sugar high, and the enormous amount of calories she had consumed. She rode down the hilly roads serving as a perfect representation cross country paths. She felt the cool winter breeze hit her, providing a sense of freedom, and the desire to go faster. She raced down the third hill,, surpassing any previous speed records she had set for herself. For the first time in along time she was doing something she wanted to. She then spotted a figure a few feet in front of her. Great, she thought, this is going to be eventful.

"Hi Nikki "

"What are you doing here? Following me?"

"Huh?! I was just biking down the hill"

"Oh yeah, I forgot, you don’t have a life. Cycling is your favorite past time"

"Nikki, why are you being so rude?"

"Well let me see... all you did was tell me that I was dumb and that I can’t think straight, really nothing at all. In fact you’re too polite Julie."

"Sarcasm, always your best trait Nikki. Don’t you think you’re just a tad bit overreacting"

"Well it’s not like you are really interested in being friends Julie"

"What gave you that idea?"

"I know a lot about you that you haven’t told me. I thought you could trust me Julie, but apparently you can’t. I’m too dumb for you"

"What the hell? I don’t have any secrets and if I did you’d be the first one to know, even before my parents or Nick or anyone"

"Yeah I guess you’re right--- getting your first kiss from an eleven year old wasn’t much of a secret huh?"

Julie was stunned. She thought she was hearing things. Nikki knew about Zac. A million thoughts raced through her head, none making sense and others too confusing to comprehend. Nikki stood, waiting expectantly.

"That’s none of your business" was all Julie could manage to squeak out

"I really like the helium voice Julie. Of course it’s none of my business, just thought I’d let you know"

Julie felt dizzy, disoriented and nauseous all at the same time. She wanted to cry, and die all at once. She wanted to scream, she wanted to kick. How could Nikki have spied on her?

"He’s a friend"

"He? He seems more like a she if you ask me. And what was a friend doing kissing you on your leg? And all the while you looked redder than cherry."

"Nikki I have to go"

"You’ve always been like that Julie- never able to face what comes at you, always running away with little excuses. One day you’re going to find out that you have no friends and you’re life’s just gonna be a crappy excuse."

The words tore through Julie, like scissors piercing and ripping through paper. She had run out of words. There was nothing more to say.

Julie rode away, trying to leave the situation as soon as possible.

There was no need to wonder how Nikki had found out. It had been done. She had been exposed. Her life seemed to amount to nothing. Reality had kicked in. Cruel harsh fate and reality. Working in unison to destroy her.