| Chapter Four |
| Nikki stared at her reflection in the hallway mirror. I don't know why I'm doing this. She thought. Her heart skipped a beat when the doorbell rang, and resumed pounding at twice its speed. She quickly spritzed herself with perfume, then cautiously opened the door. When Lance stepped into the entrance, she silently kissed his cheek. "Hey Nik. You, uh... look... just... wow." He blushed after he said this, not believing how dumb he had just sounded. But she only giggled, and slowly dipped her head to show her appreciation. "You ready, Lance?" She linked her arm through his, and they walked slowly to the awaiting limo. "Lance, this is gorgeous. You are absolutely amazing." "No more than you are." As he slid in next to her, she slowly and uncertainly linked her fingers with his.He grinned inside, but managed to keep his composure as he turned to her, "We're going to have so much fun tonight, Nikki." "You know what, Lance? I don't doubt it a bit. Not one... little... bit." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "That was great Ryan. You're not half bad..... for a guy." Jenny shrieked as Ryan mocked her by lifting his golf club over his head, "You and your little power trip can putt putt with the best of 'em." "Me? Look who's talking. You only beat me by four, Jen. And let's not forget the whole wind-mill incident on the back nine, eh?" "That was not my fault. Damn thing's deffective. We should complain. Seriously." She giggled and pulled him closer to her as she leaned against the car. "I meant that." "There's no question in my mind." He studied her eyes, and slowly ran a hand through her hair. "No doubts at all." He leaned in towards her, and their lips touched in a light, gentle kiss. Jenny's mind was fluttering right alond with her heart. She was trying to concentrate on him, she wanted to. But her thoughts kept returning to another. Images of Nikki sitting in that old chair, relaxing in the corner. Images of Nikki laughing and talking with Ryan, her face so happy. So filled with joy. She pulled violently away from Ryan "I... I can't do this." Ryan's face was twisted with confusion. "I'm not quite sure I understand." He tried to cup her cheek in his palm, but she shied away. "Jenny, what's wrong?" She turned from him, and opened the care door. "Take me home Ryan. Just... please. Just take me home." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Nikki? You home darlin'?" Jenny yelled as she threw her jacket on the couch. The house was dark, and she walked from room to room, "Guess not. Huh, wierd. I didn't think she had a date tonight." Jenny pulled the covers back from her bed, and changed into her old pajamas. She was so worried. Nikki wasn't one to leave without any notice. As long as I have known her, she has never, not once, done anything this much on the spur of the moment. She would''ve told me. She would've called. She pulled the covers around her and slowly made her way to the living room, "Might as well wait for her. We need to talk." Great, you're talking to yourself now? Get a grip, Morris. You're losing it. Maybe she got a call from one of the others and went over there. You did have your phone off at the theatre. She buried her head in a pillow, and clicked the t.v. on, surfing until she found an old episode of "Facts of Life". I can stay up a few more hours........ I just hope she's ok. She glanced at the clock. It read 3:30. Okay, Nikki. Where are you? |