Amber and Laura were dancing around the pool to the new Madonna cd when Nick came walking on to the motel grounds. Amber noticed him and stopped dead in her place, he was topless, had no shoes on, a black eye, his jacket was torn, and was bleeding from the mouth. Laura turned and looked at him.

    "Told ya it wasn't Kansas,"said Laura quietly.

    "AJ,"yelled Amber before running over to Nick. AJ came out of the room and went over to Nick and Amber to find out what was wrong.

    "Shit, what happened?"asked AJ as he seen Nick and the condition he was in.

    "They took my fucking car,"said Nick,"My fucking car had ten grand in it, ten fucking grand."

    "Who, who's they?"asked Amber taking his arm and helpping him over to the chairs outside Laura's door.

    "Some fucking assholes, I got the window down and all of the fucking sudden, I've got this gun in my face and these assholes are yelling at me to get out of the car,"said Nick. The blood was flowing out of Nick mouth as he spoke soaking his chest even more. Laura went inside and came out with some towels and ice.

    "So what happened?"asked AJ.

    "Fuckers, pistol whipped me then took anything of value on me,"said Nick as Laura handed him the towels,"Thanks." Amber took one of the towels and filled it up with ice then wrapped it up.

    "Here put this on your eyes," Nick held it up to his eyes well he kept the other towel under his lower lip.

    "Where was the money?"asked Laura.

    "Under the backseat, in the cushions,"said Nick,"Why?"

    "Why kinda car did you have, old or new?"asked Laura.

    "Old piece of shit,"said Nick.

    "Call the police, more than likely it was ditched somewhere,"said Laura.

    "Why?"asked AJ.

    "It happens all the time, gangs do it for fun, if they can't find anything useful about the car they simply just ditch it on the side of the road,"said Laura.

    "Fine, we'll call them later and report it,"said Amber. Nick hung his back and closed his eyes.

    "If I go out again, it's in her classy ass car and it's to the Hills,"said Nick,"I'm sure I can kick the shit out of some rich fuckers if they start anything."

    That night around seven Amber sat outside by the pool watching the sunset, AJ had fallen asleep watching some sports game on TV. He had been lacking sleep the last couple of days and really needed to rest, so Amber had left him alone. She puffed lightly on a cigarette contemplating if she should call home, it was a few weeks until Christmas, she wanted to be home in time.

    Amber walked outside with her cell phone in hand, she dialed in a familar nuumber and let it ring a couple of times. Moments later it was answered.

    "Hello, Jeff talkin' to ya," Amber almost started crying at the comfort the voice brought to her.

    "Hi Jeff,"said Amber softly.

    "Amber? That you?"asked Jeff.

    "Yup,"said Amber.

    "Where the fuck are you girl?"asked Jeff almost yelling,"Everyone is so worried about you."

    "I'm in LA, with AJ,"said Amber.

    "You're okay, aren't you?"asked Jeff.

    "Yeah, I guess so,"said Amber.

    "What's up?"asked Jeff. Amber looked around to make sure no one was in ear shot before speaking.

    "Yeah, I gotta problem,"said Amber,"I think I might be pregnant." Jeff was silent on the phone. No one they knew had ever gotten pregnant before marriage, little lone in highschool.

    "Do you know for sure?"asked Jeff.

    "No, god Jeff what if I am?"asked Amber.

    "Go buy one of those test things,"said Jeff.

    "I don't want to,"said Amber,"What if I am?"

    "Well if you are and you buy one of those tests or not it's still there,"said Jeff.

    "I know,"said Amber.

    "Have you told AJ?"asked Jeff.

    "No,"said Amber,"He doesn't need anymore stress."

    "Look Amber, come home we can figure this all out if you're here,"said Jeff.

    "We'll be home soon,"said Amber.

    "Well call okay?"asked Jeff.

    "I will,"said Amber.

    "And take care, are you smoking now?"asked Jeff.

    "Yeah,"said Amber.

    "Then put it out,"said Jeff,"And no more smoking or drinking." Amber dropped her cigarette and stepped on it lightly.

    "Ok,"said Amber,"I'll call you later."

    "Do that, and call your dad, he's probably worried."

    "Ok,"said Amber before hanging up the phone.