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» CHAPTER NINETEEN «

Kevin meanwhile, in the living room, turned to AJ. "What's goin' on?"

AJ ignored his question and produced one of his own. "What is he, anyway? Her lap dog?"

"AJ!" cried Kevin, impatiently. "Answer my question!"

"Nothing!" he replied angrily.

Jenna stomped over to him, her eyes bright with anger, as she started yelling at him. "What the heck did you do, this time?!"

"Nothing!"

"My ass!" she screamed.

"It was 'nothing'!" he yelled back.

"Then what did you mean by she 'ran' to you?"

"Screw you Jenna! Stop screaming in my damn face just because you're freakin' jealous!"

"Whatever! You aren't worth my time! I'm gonna go see Emmy."

Chasity raised her eyebrows. "I really suggest you don't."

The two exchanged a look and Jenna nodded and sat down. "She needs her privacy.." she murmured.

Ellie, to change the subject, turned to Brian, "Is Leighanne coming by today?"

"Oh.. yeah.. why?"

"We're going shopping at 'Bloomy's'.. five hour sale.."

They all laughed. "There goes your wallet, buddy!" said AJ slapping his back. "I'm sorry man! And I'm glad as heck I ain't you!"

Ellie laughed. "Didn't you know, AJ, honey, Christine is coming too!" She turned to Howie. "You could come to Bloomy's too, if you wanted!"

"Why would I want to do that?!"

"To find yourself a nice skirt!" she replied with a smile, and when he didn't reply went on, "You know.. what we were talking about.. remember..."

Howie just glared at her. "Right.."

"Um... okay.. never mind then."

Brian looked over at Kevin. "So.. did you talk to Denise about arranging for us all to get for them all to be comin' over and goin' out? She's gotta get them security guards and all.. get us ready with a spot at the club.."

"I was going to ask today."

"Well tell 'er that Mandy, Chris and Leigh are goin' fer sure.. uh.. is your new girlfriend.. what's 'er name, Kristin goin'?"

"Maybe.. dunno if she wants to... did you ask the girls yet.. or just decide for them." Kevin looked at Brian sternly.

"I just assumed they want to, actually.." he replied with a cheeky grin.

Kevin nudged Brian and made a gesture towards the girls in the room who were sitting around doing their nails or playing with their hair. Brian raised his eyebrows, but Kevin asked them, "Do you girls wanna go somewhere Saturday? Kind of a bring whoever you're dating thing.. we're getting Denise to book us some spots at a club.. probably 'Oz' or 'Gecko'.. We're inviting friends.."

Chasity looked skeptical. "Then why are you asking us?"

"We're supposed to be friends?" replied Howie, although it was more of a question than an answer.

"Maybe.. if we aren't busy.." replied Ellie coldly. "We probably 'will' be."

In the closed off section that Nick and Mary called their room, the two were sitting on the waterbed talking quietly so no one else could hear.

"So.. Mary.." She threw her head back and looked at him. "You all right?"

"Yep, just surprised. This one was a little unexpected."

"This one?" he raised his eyebrows. "It's happened before?"

She lifted her eyes. "Well yes.. actually.. come to think of it.. that was unexpected as well.."

"So how did you get away from him last time?"

"Well.. firstly, he wasn't drunk.. and secondly.. actually.." she cringed. "I 'didn't'.."

"Huh?"

"I went along with it.. oh.. we didn't do a thing.. but I pretty much just went along with it.. so I guess I brought this on myself" she told him quietly. "I even ran to him the second time."

"What.. this time?"

"No.. the same day.. and all.. but I saw Derek with Parker and I flipped so... yeah.."

"Why didn't you come running to me?" he asked jokingly.

She laughed. "Cause I was scared you'd drop me."

"I wouldn't have! Practice makes perfect.. after a few times dropping you, I'm sure I'd learn how to hold you right."

She ruffled his hair. "Aww.. you' so cute!"

"I know, I know" he smiled. "Uh.. so.."

She laughed and started singing softly. "Sew.. something something.. needle and thread.. La.. the note that's after so.. Ti.."

"Sound of music" he laughed. "I remember watching that a long time ago."

"Oh shut up, Nick, I know you watch it every night to get yourself to sleep!"

He smiled. "As I was getting at.. uh.. are you busy on Saturday?"

"Huh?" she smiled dumbly. Was he asking her out? She didn't want that! She just wanted to do a little flirting, cause a little jealousy.

"Are you busy on Saturday?" he repeated.

She smiled, acting confused and hoping he'd get the message. "Uh.. what?"

"You know, the day before Sunday.. comes right after Friday.."

"Um.. no..."

"How about doing somethin'?" he asked, pleased.

"Sure!" came a voice that wasn't her own from a place inside her that she didn't know existed.

Mary wanted to take it back, say she couldn't. She didn't, and so, Mary and Nick had a date.

¤ Chapter 20 ¤
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