"Lucy, are you ready?" Nick's head popped into her bedroom in time to see Lucy step out of the bathroom, all dressed and made up. "Wow! You look incredible!" He breathed out and his eyes were almost popping out of his sockets. Lucy's cheeks reddened a thank you and she smoothened her silver and black dress. Tyra, who was sitting on the bed, yelled to Nick, "Hey! Watch where you're slobbering over! We've taken the whole evening to make her up nicely, you know?" She gave a mischievous giggle and Lucy and Nick just smiled at each other.
"You're looking nice too." Lucy whispered into his ear as she accepted his outstretch hand. He gave her a huge grin and just said, "That's because I'm standing next to a jewel that just brings out the best in me."
"Oooohhh...." Peggy said suddenly from behind them. "Smooth talker, huh?" And the three of them laughed before the couple were pushed out of the door by Peggy. She gave Lucy a quick hug and told her to enjoy herself. Lucy smiled a thanks and went downstairs with Nick. They were greeted by the other guys who were busy watching a movie.
"Yo, man, take care of her and remember to bring her back safely!" Kevin called from his comfortable position on the couch. The other guys laughed at his "fatherly talk" and just told them to have a good time. Nick and Lucy waved a goodbye and started their walk to the local club which Joanne, or rather her dad, had rented.
Joanne's father was a rich and influential man. He had rented the club just for his daughter so that she could throw a Christmas party. But unbeknownst to both Nick and Lucy, Joanne had taken a liking to Nick and people who knew Joanne well will know that she will do anything to get what she wanted. After hearing Nick talk about Lucy so fondly, when she first knew that he was staying at her place, jealousy burned within her and she wanted to badly to win Nick away from her. She didn't dislike Lucy, she just didn't have any interest in being her friend. Lucy was plain and completely different from people like her, she only made friends with the "in" people of her school and she was the natural leader of the popular batch of students. Claire was her best friend, or her "sheep" as many people called her. She did whatever Joanne asked of her just because she was rich and popular. And because she knew Joanne, she held a place in her school. Joanne had a plan which will take place at the party, she intended to make Nick hers, no matter what it takes and she had gotten Claire entwined in the matter with her.
Nick and Lucy finally reached the club and just sat down at the bar, getting themselves a little something to drink when Joanne sauntered up to Nick and asked him for a dance. Before Nick could say anything, she had already pulled him to the dancefloor with her and started slow-dancing. Lucy looked on as Joanne placed her arms around his neck and he placed his arms around her waist. He moved awkwardly and turned to give Lucy an embarrassed and apologetic look. Lucy turned away but didn't say anything, she stood up and walked around the club, just observing the things around her. But on the inside, she was fuming with rage. How dare she?! she thought. And why didn't Nick just say no? She walked around the club, increasing her speed and pace, ignoring everyone else. Suddenly, she felt a familiar hand suddenly grab hold of her arm and jerk her to stop. She tried to pull her arm away but Nick grabbed hold of her more tightly and said, "Lucy, didn't you hear me calling you? Look, I couldn't help it, she did invite us to this party and I couldn't just say no now, could I?" Lucy looked at him coolly and just said, "I'm not angry, do I look angry?" She forced a smile before walking back to the bar and sitting down.
"Lucy... Yes, you do look angry." Nick said, exasperated.
"Well, I'm not." She turned to look at him, her anger melting away, "I was just wandering around, trying to check this place out. You just enjoy yourself and get to know people, I don't mind one bit." She patted his hand and kissed him when he gave her a doubtful look.
"Go on already." She smiled at him and he nodded his head and went to get some more punch. Just as he was returning to the table, Claire intercepted him and screamed.
"My silver bracelet! I left it on the bar counter just now because the clasp had broke! It was placed next to this bag!" She picked up Lucy's bag and Joanne looked at Lucy accusingly. She walked over and took the bag and poured the contents. "Let's see what you've got in this bag, little lady" she said icily to Lucy. Objects were strewn over the table, a comb, a purse, a few essentials like make-up and together with all that, was a silver bracelet which didn't belong to Lucy. "My bracelet!" Claire said in a hushed voice as she grabbed it from the counter. The place was completely silent and Lucy started to defend herself.
"I didn't, I didn't take anything from anybody! I'm innocent!" She stood there, vulnerable and helpless and stared pleadingly at Nick. Why isn't he defending me? She thought angrily. Nick stood there, frozen, at a lost for words. He didn't know what to say. The evidence was against her and together with the rumours, it made her seem so guilty. Even though there was a piece of him who couldn't and didn't believe that she was a thief, he didn't say anything. He just turned away. I'm not going to take this any longer, Lucy thought, I'm innocent and I'm getting out of here! She ran to the counter and picked up everything which belonged to her, stuffed it back into her bag, stormed off to the entrance and collected her coat before leaving the club.
As she walked away from the club, the snow started to fall again. Tears filled her eyes as she walked faster and faster, finally breaking into a run. Her vision blurred, she heard nothing and saw nothing. All she could feel and listen to was the pumping of her heartbeat and the sound of her heels hitting the hard, cold streets. As she ran around the corner onto the main road, a sharp light suddenly appeared from nowhere and suddenly a great explosion burst through the air and rang in her ears. Fireworks were exploding in her head and she could no londer feel or sense anything. Everything became blank and it was probably the only moment which she felt truly in peace that night.
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