| Chapter Three |
| “You’re right, I have no clue what’s going on. Its like she can’t make up her mind.” Blake sat on the couch talking on the phone a week after Nikki had broken up with Greg. “I know, V. You’re exactly right.” “Blake, its like she doesn’t understand what happened to her. Why is she still so upset?” “Your guess is as good as mine. Greg’s no good, we both know that. But its like… she’s in mourning or something.” He ran a hand through his hair, “I really don’t get it.” “You’re fine, sweetie. She’ll come around someday, or at least I hope so. Just give her time.” “I hope you’re right Veronica. I’m losing patience with her. All I hear is Greg this Greg that. He broke her heart, but she won’t shut up about him.” He turned around and saw Nikki standing in the doorway. “Oh man… I’ll call you back V.” “So, is talking about me behind my back one of your favorite pastimes or something?” Nikki put her hands on her hips and stared at him. “I don’t understand you.” “Back at you, Nik! What the hell is your problem? Greg cheated on you, he’s not worth all this thought you’re giving him. Do you even realize that?” “I realize that you obviously don’t care about my feelings. Why on earth can’t you just trust that I’m going to do the right thing?” “Nikki, if I didn’t care about your feelings I wouldn’t give you a second thought. But I care about you, and all I want is for you to be happy! Happy Nikki, do you remember that one?” He stared her down. “Fine. If that’s how you feel. I don’t have to stand here and listen to this. I’m going to rehearsal.” She grabbed her purse from the table, “Find your own ride to school.” Blake watched as she stormed out of the house. “Good GOD.” He groaned, “She’s so damn stubborn.” Meanwhile, Nikki walked into rehearsal, and threw her bag on the floor. Ignoring Mandy and Danay’s greetings, she headed toward the bathroom and sat next to the sink. “Nik?” Nikki’s head flew up as Danay walked into the room. “Are you okay?” “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” “Well… I know how it feels to have a guy cheat on you. Don’t shut us out Nikki, we’re trying to help you. But if we’re going to help you, you have to let us.” Nikki shook her head, “I’m not a baby. I know what I’m doing, and I wish you people would just let me live my own life.” Danay shut her eyes for a moment, “Fine.” She stood and walked back into the rehearsal hall, “Are you going to practice the routines or are you going to do that on your own too?” Nikki shot her a dirty look and rose from the floor, “You don’t have to be a smartass with me, Danay. I don’t need it.” Taking her place on the hardwood floor, Nikki spaced off as the music began. “Hey Nikki? You plan on joining us today or is it better out where you are?” Nikki’s head flew up and she saw everyone staring at her. “What happened?” Charlie frowned at her, “Nikki can I talk to you outside for a minute?” She nodded and followed him out into the parking lot, “Nikki, what’s going on? You completely forgot to, well…dance. Talk to me.” Nikki shrugged before finally breaking into tears. “Charlie, its everything. Greg cheated on me, but I can’t help it… I want him back. And its confusing me because I can’t understand why!” Charlie put an arm around her shoulders, “Nikki think about what he did to you. How upset you were. Blake and everyone are only trying to help you-“ “Help me? By doing all of this stuff, they aren’t letting me alone. I can’t think straight with them all over me.” “Them tell them that. C’mon, Nik, you know you love Blake and the girls. What good would it be if you went back with Greg?” Nikki rolled her eyes, “You’re just like the rest of them, you know that?” She turned to get into her car, “I guess now you can just stay out of my life as well.” She wiped her eyes and drove out of the parking lot. Blake walked up behing Charlie, “Wow.” He whispered as they watched Nikki drive off, “That was intense. Why on earth does she want that moron back?” Charlie shook his head, “I don’t know. I don’t think she even knows. But let’s just let her do her thing, she’ll come to her senses. She’s a smart girl, Blake, I trust she’ll do the right thing.” “I hope you’re right.” Blake stared up at the sky, “Because I don’t think I could STAND living with ‘Greg’s girlfriend’ again.” “You and me both.” Greg stared out his living room window and watched as Nikki walked up his sidewalk. He opened the door and smiled at her, “Hey baby.” She smiled weakly at him and he pulled her into a hug, “Hey Greg. What’s up?” She gently kissed his cheek. Greg grinned and pulled her into the house, “I kinda knew you were going to be stopping by.” She looked up at him, “How on earth would you know that?” “Stuck on myself I guess. I was hoping you wouldn’t stay away for too long.” Nikki slipped her hand out from his and walked into the kitchen, “You must have been hoping really hard.” She stared at the candle-lit table and the dishes set up on the creamy table cloth. “That’s so beautiful, Greg.” “I dream big.” He pulled a chair out for her and smiled, “I’m glad you’re here Nik.” She smiled at him, but said nothing. After dinner Nikki stepped into Greg’s living room and fell onto the couch. “I could sleep for hours.” “You don’t have to go home. You know you can crash here, right?” He smiled at her. “My couch is always open.” She giggled, “I know.” She pulled him down next to her, “Good night sweetie.” She kissed him gently and fell asleep. That night, Blake was pacing around his bedroom on the phone with Mandy, “I don’t know WHERE she is. That’s the entire problem.” “Calm down Blake, I’ll call the other girls, and you call Greg.” “Oh why do I have to call Greg? That’s not fair Ma-“ “Shut up and do it.” Mandy hung up and Blake sat there staring at the phone. “Ugh, FINE.” He walked into Nikki’s room and grabbed her phone book from her desk, stopping to stare at a picture of himself. “Huh, that was a LONG time ago.” He flipped to Greg’s number and reluctantly dialed. Greg stood slowly so he wouldn’t wake Nikki, and picked up the reciever, “Hello?” “Greg? Its Blake. Is Nikki there?” “Why hello there, dear. Yes she is, but she can’t talk right now.” “What do you mean she can’t talk?” “She’s asleep. What’s the matter? Upset that she’s not with you? Too bad you can’t be here Blake. I mean, come on, that’s what you want isn’t it?” “I’d love to know what you’re talking about, but unfortunately for you, I don’t really care.” “Oh yes you do. Come on Blake, fess up. You wish you were with her instead, right? Well too bad, because she’s here, and quite frankly, you’re not in the picture anymore.” “Oh Greg why don’t you just get over yourse-“ Blake reared his head back and stared at the phone, “He hung up.” Hearing the doorbell, he rushed downstairs. “Hey, what are you doing here?” Mandy smiled as she walked in with Veronica and Danay. “We were upset, have you found her yet?” “Oh yeah. Her and Greg both.” He sighed, “She’s over there.” “Don’t tell me they’re back together.” Veronica groaned, “Damnit all.” He chuckled, “Yeah I know. But,” He fell onto his bed, “There’s nothing we can do about it tonight. Sorry you all had to come over here for nothing.” Danay shrugged, “We’re fine. We can have slumber party!” Blake’s eyes widened, “Maybe I should leave…” Veronica grabbed his arm and pulled him back onto the bed, “Oh come on… don’t tell me you’re not interested in spending the night with three chicks.” “Oh I am, but not in the way you’re thinking. You guys won’t try to… fix my hair or anything will you?” “Now that you mention it….” Blake groaned, “Its gonna be a looong night.” The next morning, Nikki walked into Blake’s bedroom and smiled when she saw her best friend laying with all three girls cuddled up next to him. “Wake up sleepyheads!” Blake’s eyes opened slowly, and settled on Nikki, “Hey you. Have FUN last night.” She shook her head at him, “Spare me. And what about you, Mr. Love Machine. THREE girls?” He laughed, “Don’t even say what I know you’re thinking. Come on you three, let’s wake up.” He rolled over Mandy and out of the bed. The five of them walked downstairs and sat in the kitchen. Nikki smiled at Blake, “How’d you sleep?” He stared at her, “I thought you were mad at me.” She stared at him in confusion, “What? No way.” She smiled brightly and walked into the bathroom. “Ummm… does she sound like she’s acting fake to any of you?” Mandy nodded at Blake’s statement, “Very. Something’s wrong with her.” She was about the speak again, when Greg walked in from the car. Nikki stepped back into the kitchen and leaned in to hug Blake when she saw Greg and jumped away from Blake like he had the plague. “Hey Greg.” He smiled at her. “Hey baby.” She stayed in the opposite side of the kitchen until Mandy walked over to her, “Hey Nik, why are you so jumpy?” Nikki shook her head, “Don’t worry about it Mandy. I’m fine I…” Greg cleared his throat loudly and Nikki glanced at her feet, “I gotta go. Talk to you all later.” Veronica and Danay walked out the door and Mandy and Blake sat on the couch and looked out the window. Mandy leaned forward, “What’s up with her? Something’s wrong Blake.” He watched as Nikki got into Greg’s car and turned her head away from his kiss. “You’re right. Although, lately, I think I’ve been driving myself insane over her.” “Driving? Honey, you’re already in the parking lot.” He shook his head at her, “Thanks for the boost of confidence Mandy. I appreciate that.” She giggled and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I am worried about her though.” “I know you are. I am too.” He glanced down at her and smiled, “It’ll all work out.” Mandy nodded, “I guess you’re right.” They sat in silence for a few minutes, then she suddenly tilted her head and kissed him slowly. Blake stared at her for a second, “What was that for?” “You’re complaining?” He shook his head, “Not a bit, but I would like to know what it was for.” “Listen.” She sat sideways and grabbed his hand, “I did that because you’re in love with Nikki.” She paused and saw that he was still confused, “You’re in love with Nikki, and I don’t understand why.” Blake watched as she slowly stood and kissed his cheek before leaving. “Uh oh.” |