"Yeah. His name is DarkStar," Alesha said looking through the rack of shirts.
"DarkStar?" Lori asked confused. "What the hell type of name is that?"
"It's from a comic book. The DarkStars were a group of superheroes not unlike the Green Lantern Corps," noticing Lori's vacant expression Alesha laughed. "Anyway. He just started talking to me out of nowhere."
"Hmmm…how many times have you talked to him?" she asked pulling a shirt off of the rack. "Ooh. I like this one," she said.
"That's okay," Alesha said glancing up at it. "This one's better," she said handing Lori a dark blue shirt with ties in the back. "That one would look EXCELLENT with those new black pants you bought. AJ will have a hard time keeping his hands off you," Alesha grinned.
"You're right," Lori said looking at the shirt. "I knew I kept you around for a reason," she said smiling.
"Haha," Alesha murmured. "Hmm…how about this?" she asked holding up a short green dress with small spaghetti straps that crossed in the back. "Not too dressy. Not too casual. Could be club, could be mall," she said holding the dress up to her and "modeling" it.
Lori laughed. "I like it. Would look awesome on you," she said. The girls walked up to the counter and paid for their clothes.
Alesha sighed as they walked out of the store. "Ya know, I was thinking…"
"Oooh no," Lori grinned.
"Funny," Alesha said making a face. "Let's get something to eat," she said steering Lori in the direction of the foodcourt.
"THAT'S what you were thinking?" Lori asked. "It's no wonder you and Nick got along so well."
"Funny Lori." They walked to the food court, heading directly towards Chik-Fil-A, their favorite place to eat. After ordering their food and paying for it, they sat down in a quiet remote area of the court. "So anyways, I was thinking…" Alesha said taking a sip of her Dr. Pepper.
"We've established that," Lori said picking the lettuce off her sandwich.
"Oh grumble," Alesha said getting up, walking over and grabbing some mustard. Sitting back down at the table, she continued. "Do you think Chad is still in town?"
"Umm…no clue? Why?" Lori asked looking at Alesha funny.
"Well, cuz like I haven't seen him since the day that Nick threw him out of the house. That kind of worries me," Alesha said setting her sandwich down, leaning forward and looking at Lori. "He's not the type of dude that gives up that easily. I just wonder what terrible thing he has planned."
"Hmmm…" Lori said thoughtfully.
Alesha shrugged. "Oh well, I'm not going to worry about it," she said picking up her sandwich and taking a bite.
"So…you gonna tell me what brought on this sudden change of demeanor?" Lori asked eating a waffle fry.
"Umm…well…" Alesha looked down at the table. "I had a life-changing revelation the other night. One that only cost about two hundred dollars."
"Two hundred dollars? What in the world would cost that much money and change your life at the same time?" Lori asked surprised.
"Drugs," Alesha said.
"Drugs-Alesha no," Lori said softly, her eyes wide.
Alesha laughed. "Don't worry, I didn't use them. I almost did. I was this close," she held up her fingers.
"What stopped you?" Lori asked.
"Celine."
"Celine?" Lori blinked in confusion.
"Yeah, ya know. Celine Dion?"
"Yes, I know her name," Lori said shaking her head. "But how did she change your mind?"
"I had the needle here," Alesha holding out her arm and pointing. "It was almost in my arm, when that song 'Because You Loved Me' started playing."
"Kay…" Lori said.
Alesha sighed. "I couldn't take it anymore. I was so lost. I was alone. No one could reach me, you know, you tried. And AJ showing up and throwing it in my face was the last straw. So I went out and bought the only thing I knew of that could release me from any hell I found."
"But how did you know where to look?"
Alesha laughed without humor. "Did it for so long, I guess I just instinctively knew where to go. Anyway…I got home and went through the motions of preparing it. I didn't even have to think about it. It was such a routine to me back then, I guess I never forgot the procedure. But that song…it woke me up from the zone I was in. It made me realize exactly what I was doing. I broke down. I think I cried for a good hour. Let out all the hurt and all the feelings of betrayal I had inside me. Then I went to the cabinet, pulled out all the alcohol I had in the house, grabbed the tools of my drug use, and threw it all in a box. I pulled it outside. I busted all the bottles and tossed the drug stuff in the ocean."
"Wow," Lori said looking at Alesha in awe.
"I sat down on the beach and stared out at the ocean. I seen Nick. He was standing on the deck looking out across the water. By the time he went inside, I knew that everything would work out. I didn't know how, I didn't know when. I just knew it would."
"I see," Lori said.
"Okay, so I'm a hopeless optimist at times," Alesha grinned.
"No," Lori shook her head. "I think the same thing sweetie. It's just amazing that you were able to walk away from temptation that easily."
"Oh, it wasn't easy. But I love Nick that much," Alesha said softly. "I didn't want to lose him forever," she whispered her eyes filling with tears.
"Oh sweetie," Lori said putting her hand on Alesha's arm. Patting it lightly, she smiled and began gathering her mess up, stuffing into the bag. "So tell me about this DarkStar person," she said.
Alesha shrugged, picking up her trash. "Just like most of the weirdoes that somehow decide I'm the lucky person their going to grace with their oddness, he just started talking to me. But he seems okay, I guess. He likes comics, so that's a BIG plus right there."
Lori laughed. "Did he tell you anything else about himself?"
Alesha looked off in space for a moment. "Ummm…well…he likes Kevin Smith. But that kinda goes along with the comics thing," Alesha grinned.
"Oh, the perfect man. Hehe…comics and Kevin Smith. You're all set," Lori giggled.
"But that's about all he's said. I've only talked to him a couple of times."
"Hmm…he sounds interesting," she said smiling. Looking down at her watch she gasped. "Ohmigawd. It's 4:15. We're suppose to meet AJ back at the house at 4:30," she said.
"Ooops," Alesha giggled. "Oh, just show him the outfit ya got, I'm sure he'll forgive ya."
