| Chapter Twelve |
| Mandy looked over at JC, who was sitting in an arm chair, just staring out into empty space. She turned to look at Joey and Nikki, who were sitting on a couch, whispering frantically with Justin. Matt sat next to her and put an arm around her. “You okay Manny?” She shook her head, and turned to him, “Did you see the newspaper?” He nodded and JC, who had overheard her, stood and walked out of the room. “Nikki? What’s going on with you and JC?” Nikki and Joey stared the floor, and Justin answered angrily, “Kyle is what’s going on with Nikki and JC! He took this picture of Nikki and Joey, and sent it into all the papers. They weren’t even DOING-“ “J, I can handle this. Manny, Kyle got to JC too. He’s made him believe that I’m interested in Joey, and surprisingly enough, that pisses C off to no end.” “What I don’t get,” Joey said in a strained tone, “Is why Kyle would start in on me, you, and JC. Sure Matt and Mandy got together… but why…” Justin’s eyes flew open. “Nik… when you sent JC to get Kyle to admit all of the things he’s done on tape, did you ever tell him that it was a trap?” She shook her head and he continued. “He went through with what he thought JC was too cowardly to do. He decided to get rid of Ryan through that picture. But it backfired because JC is interested in you.” He paused, “Either you or Joey.” Nikki groaned, “That’s not funny Justi- Oh. My. God. Ryan! What if he’s seen… I gotta go you guys!” She flew towards the elevator and left the remaining group in the lobby. “Man, why can’t he just leave well-enough alone?” Veronica asked. “Would that be so much to ask?” She trudged into the lobby, carrying something shiny in her right hand. Mandy stood up quickly, “V!! What happened to you? And what is…. That’s the necklace Matt gave me! What are you doing with it?” She stared at Veronica with stone cold eyes, waiting for an answer. “Mandy, please. The last thing we need is for you to let Kyle frame me for stealing this thing. Here. Take it. Kyle dropped it in my room before he locked me in there.” Chris’ eyes widened, “He locked you in your room? Why would he do…” “To make sure I didn’t tell you guys what I had heard him talking about on the phone. You guys, he’s not playing small anymore.” Meanwhile, Nikki was still on the phone with Ryan, “Man, I am SO glad you didn’t get a chance to see it yet…. Yeah I know its weird, but you’ve met Kyle…. Alright…. Yes I swear he just did it to get me away from you… Yeah it was like a joke…. I love you… Bye.” She hung up the phone and rubbed her temples with her hand, “He’s going to ruin all of us. We’re all through.” She sighed, “Looks like my career is over before it started.” “Nikki?” “She whirled around when she heard the voice at the door, “What the hell do you want?” He looked down at his shoes, “I’m sorry about what I did to you earlier. I didn’t mean to not give you a chance to explain yourself.” “So what you’re telling me JC, is that you would still hate me for NO reason if you hadn’t heard me explaining things to my boyfriend? If you hadn’t been LISTENING to my conversation. But now you want to be my friend again?” He nodded, “Nik I didn’t mean to-“ “Didn’t mean to what? Make me feel like shit? Well, good job JC, because you did. Now, if you would be so kind, just STAY OUT OF MY LIFE.” She ran out the door and back to the lobby. Justin walked up beside JC and shook his head at him, “Man, you just blew that. How could you not believe her? Even with Kyle around? Man, you’re no better than he is.” He continued as JC glared at him. “So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go comfort my best friend because Mandy’s little ex is trying to ruin her life.” Kyle watched as the scene unfolded in front of him, “So Mr. Chasez… you didn’t want to lose her?” JC’s eyes narrowed at him, “Kyle, Mandy and Matt are back together, and everyone knows what you’re up to. You might as well get the hell out of here.” “No, I think I’ll stick around. It looks like you’re about to catch hell from nine other people.” He turned to leave, but stopped, “Oh and JC? I’m not done yet. I don’t care if you all know what I’m doing. I could care less actually. But there are people like newspapers and a whole bunch of the like who DON’T know better than to think that I’m just an inside source. Good afternoon to you JC.” JC looked as he dissapeared into the elevator, and despite everything, found himself wishing the cable would break. Standing there until the elevator came back up, he knew it wouldn’t be that easy to get rid of Kyle. Or bring all of his friends back together again. |