| Chapter Eight |
| "Thanks for taking me out tonight Ry. I really had fun." She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek and squeezed his hand. "Sooo.... is this a bad time to ask if I stand a chance? Because I had fun tonight as well, Nikki. But I don't like the idea of having to share you with another guy. Not my idea of a dream relationship." Nikki giggled as she pulled the door to her apartment open, "I'll get back to you on that. And I know its hard for you to share, but..." Her words broke off as she just stood and stared at the people sitting on her couch. She stared in complete silence as Jenny ran a hand over Lance's chest, as he continued to kiss her. Slowly pulling the door shut, Nikki turned to Ryan with tears swelling up in her eyes. "Looks like you aren't the only one that's being shared. Ryan... I need to stay at your place tonight." He watched her with worried eyes, "Are you going to be okay?" She didn't answer, but just walked down the hallway toward the elevator. "Nikki?" He sighed as he ran to catch up with her. Giving her some space, he stood with her on the way down, and watched her carefully as he opened his car door for her. She sat in the leather seat and stared out the window at the passing lights. They flew by in such a blur, and she could relate. Her mind was a blur. She was in a daze, and she still had images of Lance and Jenny in her head. Closing her eyes, she tried to push the memories away, but they wouldn't budge. That night, as she lay in the guest bedroom, she cried herself to sleep. She was crying for Lance, she was crying for Ryan, but mostly she was crying for herself. What did I do to deserve this? I didn't think he liked Jenny. He told me he LOVED me. She couldn't understand what could have happened in the three hours she had been away from the house. He messed up such a good thing. The next day, Nikki walked into rehearsals with her head held high. No one knew what was going on. Not even Lance and Jenny. She hadn't let her presence be known. She glanced up as Lance walked up to her, a wide smile on his face. "I waited at your apartment for you last night." "Did you?" She asked without looking him in the eye. He gazed at her in wonder, "But you never came home. Is this some habit you have Nikki? Not coming home from dates?" Her mouth dropped open, "How could you EVEN... that's just horrible! What about your habits Lance? Do you often fool around with your girlfriend's best friend? Or is it just a passing phase?" He stared at her in shock. "Nikki, WHAT are you talking about? I can't believe you would even THINK that I would play you like that. Why would I ever hurt you?" She shook her head in amazement, "You're a good lier. Too bad I saw it all with my own eyes or I might actually fall for this pathetic little display of affection you're trying to throw at me. Its not going to happen Lance, because I saw you with Jennny last night. And I know it was you, because no one LOOKS like you. Try to explain your way out of this one Lance. Just try, I could use a laugh." He looked at the ground. "Look Nikki, its not what you think. I mean, you went out with Ryan, and I was lonely. I figured, you were seeing people, so why couldn't I just have a couple of kisses or something? Then Jenny practically threw herself at me...." He was babbling now, and she knew it. But she knew what she was doing, and she was going to do it well. "Oh Lance! She came onto you that strong? I completely understand. I mean, this IS Jenny we're talking about. She's not a quitter. That's for sure." She quickly kissed his cheek and walked out of the room. That was too easy. "Jenny! Can I talk to you for just a minute?" Nikki called to the younger girl. Jenny tenatively walked up to her, and smiled shyly. "Uh, hey Ni- Nikki. What's on your mind?" "Well! I would just like to tell you that I know what happened last night between you and Lance. Are you going to go after EVERY guy I get interested in, or are you going to knock it off anytime soon?" Jenny's eyes widened. "Oh my God, Nikki that was NOT what it looked like! He practically FORCED me to kiss him. I didn't want to, because I thought of you, but Nikki, I'm so SORRY it happened!" Nikki smiled gently and hugged her, "I understand. Maybe you should just stay away from Lance. I mean obviously, you don't want a thing to do with him." Jenny's eyes turned from fear to confusion in an instant. "What? You mean, not even talk to him? That's not very fair.... Oh, that's right. I shouldn't WANT to talk to him, right? I mean, he took advantage of me." She walked off completely confused, not knowing what to make of Nikki's behavior. Way too easy. Ryan watched the scene unfold in front of him and he couldn't understand what Nikki was doing. It looked like she didn't even care that Lance had basically cheated on her. "Does that mean that she loves him enough to keep forgiving him for all of the things he does?" He muttered to himself, "I can't lose her like this. I won't let that happen." "You sound very sure of yourself." Troy Baker walked up behind Ryan and smiled at him, "You don't know me. I'm Troy, one of Nikki's friends." "What kind of friend, exaclty?" Ryan asked suspiciously. "Not that kind of a friend. We'd kill each other if we ever dated. But I don't think you know Nikki as well as you think you do. For example, you think what she has for Lance can be broken because of you? Nikki never has given into anyone for any reason that she didn't believe in. And trust me, changing her mind is harder than advanced calculus. She has strong opinions and beliefs. Good luck if you're going to try and cross her. Its not a good idea." "Well, if you know her so well, then riddle me this. Why is she forgiving the two people that betrayed her? That makes absoluely no sense to me." "Have you ever stopped to think that maybe she doesn't want anyone to know? Nikki has a reason for every action, even if she won't admit to what it is. I think you'll save yourself some precious time if you don't question what she's doing. She'll let you know eventually, if you're meant to know." "How do you know her so well?" "Let's just say that Nikki and I go way back. Way way way back." Troy winked and then left Ryan alone with his thoughts. |