Page 12 of A Little Naughty

Still, she trusts me so much, it’s terrifying. I don’t know if it’s because I do my best to project an air of confidence. She has no idea how much I’m playing “fake it til you make it” all the time.

From the start of our journey together, she’s been so brave. Even when she’s calm, she’s not much of a talker. At first, I thought it was because she didn’t speak English very well.Wrong—she’s fluent.

Then I worried it was because she was traumatized—until I found her helping Monay style her wig, and they were talking all about Monay’s career as a drag queen and how she got started.

Monay loves to tell her backstory about growing up poor in New Orleans to anyone who’ll listen. Nikki was wide-eyed and curious and asking questions like she wanted to know more.

Now I think she’s either the strongest kid I’ve ever met, or she’s better than I’ve ever been at white-knuckling it. Either way, I try to include her in all our decisions.

She didnotwant to go back to Bill’s place, and I don’t blame her for that. Shedidwant to come with me to meet my sister, and she seems excited about starting school, or at least willing to give it a try.

Once she finishes her bagel, she looks at me expectantly.

I down my last sip of coffee and put the mug in the sink. “Brush your teeth, and we can head to school if you’re ready.”

Without a word, she climbs the stairs to her small bathroom, and my stomach is in knots. I never went to a real school. All I know is what I’ve seen in movies, and I’m praying Eureka isnotlike the movies.

I pick up one of her shiny silver jacks from the table, turning it in my fingers. It broke my heart when I had to leave her with Monay the first time. She hugged me for a long time, and all I could think of was her mom leaving her the same way.

Then when Monay and I went back to get her, she ran to me and hugged me so hard, I almost burst into tears. I never want to leave her again.

She walks back down and puts her hand on my arm. I drop the jack and stand, picking up my purse.

“Ready?” I smile, hoping to put her at ease. “Want some lip gloss? It always makes me feel more confident to have a little lip gloss. Not that you need it.”

I pull a clear tube from my bag and hand it to her. She takes it, turning it in her fingers before putting it into her backpack. “I don’t think I can wear makeup.”

“How old are you supposed to be?”

“Thirteen?”

“Holy shit, I’m the worst!” My nose wrinkles.

“I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t cuss either.”

My eyes widen, and I try to remember what I said.Shit. I said shit. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Maybe we should start a swear jar.”

She exhales a little laugh. “Because you might do it again?”

“I might.” I wince. “I’m pretty good at remembering things, but sometimes I forget.”

We walk to the kitchen, and I hesitate at the door. “Do you need a lunch?” I try to remember what Piper said, then I think of the movies. “Is eating the school lunch gross? I should call Piper and see what Ryan does.”

“Stop!” Nikki grips my hand. “You’re making me nervous.”

“Sorry. I’m sorry.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I just want you to have a great first day. I don’t want to mess anything up for you. I want you to love it here as much as I do?—”

“You said this was a nice town with nice people, right?”

“Yes.” I nod emphatically. “And very safe.”

“Okay, then.” She pulls my wrist. “Let’s go.”

Smoothing my hands down the front of my flowered dress, I grab the tan felt hat off the table and pop it on my head.

The school is close enough to walk, being down the block from the newspaper office. I show Nikki where I’ll be and make sure she has my number in the iPhone Cass helped us get.

My sister added both of us to her family plan.

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