Nadine heads into the kitchen.
I followed her trying to appear normal so my mom won't suspect anything. But that deadly look on Nadine's face is enough to make my mom guess something. She leaned against the counter and forced a smile at my mom.

"Mommy, good evening." she said.
For once I felt jealous when she called my mom that way.
"Hey, Nad, I was just making some cookies for you guys. How's school?" my mom grinned at her. Nadine smiled and nodded.
There was silence and Nadine kept looking outside the window, obviously debating on telling my mom.
"Steph, can we talk?" she finally said not looking at me.
She went out to the parlor and sat in the couch. As if she's the owner of the house and I'm the visitor.
I sat across from her and refused to look at her face.
"Steph, you owe me an explanation." she said.
I remained quiet, rehearsing the way to kick her ass like Priscilla said.
"You won't be mute and look elsewhere as if I'm not here. I demand an answer." she demanded.
"Look, Nadine, I want to ask you something. I want you to come with us to the party." I said. Well I wasn't begging like I thought I would do. She looked shocked and disappointed.
"Hell no Steph, I'm not doing anything like that!" she practically screamed.
"Well, it's fine" I said and sighed. What kind of human being is she?
"Now your explanation" she demanded again but I remained quiet.
"Steph, you're not deaf, are you? I'm asking you to explain to me why you ditch me for those rascals. You won't just keep quiet and ignore me. Answer me" she demanded looking angry.
"Nadine, who do you think you are? My keeper? My master? Or what? You can't just come into someone's house and start screaming. I don't owe you anything, just leave me alone."
I snapped which made her even more surprised.
"You didn't just say that, did you?" she said. "Steph, I'm your best friend. You can't just become mean to me all because of some stupid wayward girls you found today. We were friends since birth. And you can't just throw it away just like that in the name of some useless crappy party or girls." she scolded.
"Well, it might be a crappy party but I want to go. And just so you know, you won't talk about my new friends like that, not in my presence." I snapped.
"Oh Stephanie, you are more messed up in the head than I thought" she hissed as she pace around.
Then she came to sit by me.
"Look Steph, do you realize the amount of trouble you will land your butt into following those girls and to the extent of going to a party with them?" she said calmly.
"The Bible says bad companies corrupt good practices and we both know that Priscilla and her friends have nothing good to offer. The Bible again says avoid bad companies. In psalm 1,we were to-" she'd started preaching the Bible when I interrupted.
"Nadine, just stop disturbing me. If you're keen to keep this friendship, you would do anything to keep it. This is simple. Just follow us. We could still be friends." I said trying my best to convince her.
"You know mom, dad and Els will be disappointed in you. I will tell your mom." she threatened.
That's it! She has to leave my house.
"Nadine, leave my house." I hissed. It was as if I'd slapped her. She looked very shocked and sad.
The words tasted bitter on my tongue but she deserves it. She can't be a hindrance to my happiness. Not anymore.
"Are you kidding me?" she asked. "Not at all. Just leave this house."
"Are you kicking me out of your house?" she asked as I stood up pointing to the door.
"Not only out my house, but I'm kicking you out of my life too." I hissed. I felt mean and sad but this have to be done. Nadine shook her head with agony written on her face.
"I can't believe this. I know you will regret this action later. But I still love you. You'll still remain my best friend, if not physically, you still are in my heart. I love you Stephanie." And she went out.
I felt a pang of pain and loneliness the moment she walked through the door. A tear strolled down my cheek. Even though she was boring, she have good sides. We've been friends for years and she had become like a sister. She was my soul sister but I kicked her out of my life. I quickly wiped the tear and went to the kitchen. At least, I won't remain lonely forever. I have new interesting friends.

"Oh, I'm almost done. You guys are tired of waiting huh?" my mom said smiling as she removed the brown crispy dough nuts from the electric oven putting them in a plate.
"Not exactly," I muttered.
"Why's that?" she asked worriedly. Well, I can't tell her I kicked my best friend out. She'll be furious because Nadine was like her own daughter.
"she isn't feeling too well so she went home to get some sleep" I lied.
"Oh no. She should have stayed and sleep over. There's no-one in the house. She won't get any one to keep her company. Poor Nad." Seriously, that nickname ought to stop in this house.
"Are you okay?" she asked handing me one hot crispy doughnut. I took it so she won't get any impressions.
I nodded and sighed. Well, this is the time to talk to her about it.

"Mom?" I called as we settled down in the sofa watching TV waiting for dad and Elsie to come back.
"Yeah." she answered looking at me.
"Mom, I want to ask your permission for something."
"What's that?"
"Mom, Nadine and I had decided to have a sleepover." I lied. I could go with this.
"Well, but that's not a big deal, you always have sleepovers." she said.
"It's because this is going to be in Nadine's house."
"Why? Are you facing difficulties in here?" she asked.
"No. Not at all. Just felt like we've disturbed you much. Nadine's mom should experience some of it." I lied again.
"Well, I still don't understand, but since you will be with Nad, it's not actually a big deal." she said.

I was secretly thrilled but my conscience was still worrying me. I know Elsie will be disappointed in me if she finds out I went to the party.
Going to the same school with Nadine was awkward since she's become an enemy. I no longer sit with her. I'd started sitting with Priscilla and her friends. They are so friendly and kind towards me. But I can't deny the fact that I'd seriously missed my best friend.

Exams had started and we're getting close to completing school. I was very happy cos I've got all I want and the exams are really cool.

On Friday after the last exams, Priscilla came to me while her friends talked and laughed happily with others. Most people are happy not only because we've completed school but because of the party. Some people kept saying the celebrity coming around is Angel, a very popular and talented musician in our country. But Priscilla had refused to let us know who's coming.
I smiled at her as she came to sit by me on the bench.
"Hey Steph," she smiled.
"Hey," I replied.
"So what's up about tonight?" she asked
"Nothing much, my dress is with Berny. I will meet her at her house for dressing and make up."
I smiled. Bernice said she'd got a pretty dress for me after I told them I don't have any proper dress for their party.

"Right. Let's go get some frozen yogurt." she offered holding my hand.
Priscilla is a good person so far. And she's not so contemptuous as I had thought.
We went to the ice cream shop in our school. I should have be happy I went there but I wasn't this time.
Nadine sat on a chair taking ice cream when we went. She was lonely and sad. I swear the kind of guilt that embraces me is so huge, I feel like crying. I heaved a heavy sigh and concentrated on picking my nails.
"Hey, we're here too. I like chocolate flavor." Bernice said sheepishly as she wound her arm around mine.
"And I love yoghurt" Jane also said sheepishly looking at Priscilla.
"Please tell that to the waitress" Priscilla said as we laughed.
Priscilla got ice cream for all of us.
"Uh oh, look, it's the douche bag whose sorry ass was kicked last week." Bernice teased looking at Nadine who was heading out of the shop. I didn't know how I started laughing too. Maybe it's because of how Bernice said it sheepishly. Nadine's gaze fell on us with anger and sorrow. I felt bad and my eyes started watering so I looked away.
I have to figure myself out. How could I ditch my soul sister and still laugh at her?
Nadine take another look at me before stomping out of the shop.