Chapter Four

Sugarplums were the farthest thing from Nikki’s mind as she lay in her bed that night. Her eyes closed, and candles burning, she reflected on her life. She knew she was shutting people out, and she hated it. “But what can I do?” She wondered aloud. “Its not like I can help it.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, “This is ridiculous.” “What is?” Blake asked as he ran into the room and hopped onto her bed and smiled at her. Nikki looked at him once before rolling her eyes and turning her back to him. “You wouldn’t understand.” He raised an eyebrow, “Where is this coming from? You can always talk to me Nikki. About anything.” She shook her head, “I don’t think this is your place Blake. Just leave me alone.” She tried to force a tear back, but he caught it with an eye only a best friend has. “No. You’re going to tell me what’s happening with you.” He stared at the back of her head, “I don’t care if it takes me the rest of my life, because I’m always going to be here for you Nikki.” He swallowed hard, trying to keep his emotions in check, “Whether you like it or not.” “If that’s your perogative.” She said quietly. “I can’t do anything about it.” He groaned and sat up. “Nikki, I don’t understand you, and it scares me. I’ve always been able to fix your problems, and now I can’t. I don’t think you realize that whatever hell you’re going through, you’re putting me through the same one. Think about that for awhile.” Blake stood and walked toward the door, when a voice stopped him, “Blake?” He turned, “What is it Nikki?” He asked shortly. “Never mind.” He gritted his teeth and exited the room. He counted to ten, trying to calm himself down. “Oh look at this. I didn’t even get to 5.” He glared at Greg. “Why are you here?” Greg stared at him, “I think my girlfriend lives here. Or did we forget that in your attempt to steal her from me?” “Whatever.” Blake stared at him with ice cold eyes, “Just don’t forget that I live here too, and whatever you do to her, involves me. I’m watching you Greg. So don’t try anything.” “I suggest you take your own advice, Blake. She’s mine, not yours. You try anything with her, and I swear your life will never be the same.” Blake watched in disbelief as Greg walked into Nikki’s room, shutting the door behind him. He was about to follow, when the phone rang from inside his bedroom. “Fine. You get your way.” He picked up the receiver and muttered a quick hello. “Blake? Its Mandy. Can you meet me at the coffee house in ten minutes?” She didn’t wait for an answer, but instead hung up the phone and left him sitting on his bed wondering what was on her mind. Fifteen minutes later, Blake walked into the coffee house and recognized Mandy sitting on the couch, nursing a mocha. “Hey… you all right?” He whispered as he sat next to her. “Not really. I saw Nikki with Greg today. Something’s not right.” She said, staring into her mug. “You just now figured this out?” He asked in disbelief. She shook her head, “No. I don’t mean wrong as in she’s with the wrong person, I mean wrong like, I don’t like the power he has over her.” “You don’t think….” “Now I didn’t say that. She’s a smart girl. I doubt she would ever get involved with anyone who… was like that.” “It wouldn’t be the first time a smart person got tricked. You’ve seen Sally Jesse Raphael, and so have I. Its not that uncommon.” Mandy stared at him, “I just hate to think about her being tricked into something that hurts her. She doesn’t deserve that.” “But we don’t know for sure he’s… doing anything. For all we know, he could just be an egotistical asshole.” “Maybe its both.” He put an arm around her, “I suggest you don’t worry about it. I don’t think Nikki is in any situation that could harm her. She and Greg aren’t the world’s happiest couple, but I don’t think he has the state of mind to hurt her.” “We don’t know as much as we used to Blake. I know it, and you know it. She’s not the same person you used to build sandcastles with when neither one of you could say your alphabet. She’s not the same person I used to go to the movies with and laugh so loud we got thrown out. I have a feeling none of us know who Nikki DeLoach is anymore.” Blake looked at her, “That was deep, Manny. But, no offense, I hope to God you’re wrong.” “Hey you two… mind taking this conversation somewhere else? We’re closing.” A clerk said from behind the counter. Blake nodded at him, then looked at Mandy. “Let’s go back to the house. I’d feel a lot better if we were there with them.” She smiled in appreciation, “You just read my mind.” When the two walked into the quiet house, they ran into Greg in the dark kitchen. Mandy sneered at him, “I think its time for you to leave.” He stared at her, “And I think its not your house, so you can’t do jack to me.” Blake stepped from the shadows, “But it IS my house, and I CAN throw you out. So buh-bye Greg.” He looked him up and down, “I don’t think I have to go anywhere. Nikki’s upstairs, and I think she wants me to stay.” Mandy rolled her eyes, “Please. If you’re going to lie… be creative. I get bored.” “You’re too smart for your own good.” Blake looked at her, “And so is Nikki. I suggest you leave. Now.” Greg smirked, “Fine. But you can’t control her Blake. I hope you know that.” “Right back at you.” Mandy watched as Greg snaked by her and walked out the side door. “I really don’t like him.” Blake nervously laughed, “I thought I was going to have to call the police just to get him the hell out of here.” He started up the steps, “You wanna stay in the guest room?” She nodded quietly, but followed him into Nikki’s room, “Is she asleep?” He smiled, “Yeah. She probably doesn’t even know he’s gone.” “Thank God for small miracles.” She said as she stood next to him, “We have to do something about this, Blake.” “I know it. But I don’t think we can do anything until she realizes there’s a problem.” Mandy looked up at him and sighed, “I hate when you’re right.” He looked back at Nikki’s sleeping form, “So do I.” Back in his room, Mandy sunk onto Blake’s bed and put her head in her hands, “I don’t know what to think about this, Blake. I really don’t.” He sat next to her and rubbed her back, “I know. I’m right there with you. I know he’s no good, but I can’t! How could she get involved with anyone like that? It just doesn’t make sense!” prove it to Nikki.” “She’s such a smart person Blake shook his head, “I always wondered…” “Why she wasn’t with you? I wonder that myself.” Mandy lay her head on his shoulder, “She has a gem in you Blake, if she would only look right in front of her, I think she’d see that.” He let a tear slip down his cheek, but made no movement to wipe it away. “I don’t think she ever will. It hasn’t happened yet, and I’m about to lose hope.” Mandy put a hand on his cheek and turned his head to face her, “You can’t say that. We’re all still young, no matter how old our souls are. There’s always hope.” “Not with Greg in the picture.” “Then we have to find a way to get Greg ERASED from the picture.” Mandy said with finality in her voice. Blake laughed bitterly, “I don’t know if that’s possible.” He shrugged his shoulders, “Maybe he really is an all right guy, maybe I’m just so jealous I can’t see it.” “Oh please!” Mandy stood and stared at him, “If that were the reason, then I sure as hell wouldn’t think the same thing you do. Sorry sweetie, but I’m just not jealous of Greg.” He managed to crack a smile, “Are you sure about that?” “He jokes!” She raised her hand in fake praise, “That’s a start.” She sat next to him again, “We know what’s going on, Blake. I know you realize that. We just have to make sure we do the right thing.” “And that would be…” “We help Nikki find out the same things we have.” “I hate to break it to you, but I’ve tried…” “No.” She raised a hand to silence him, “You’ve tried TELLING her. I’m proposing that we SHOW her.” She smiled in thought, “I think, being a girl, that I can cook something up that will show Nikki just how UN-gentleman like Greg Cantwell is.” He kissed her cheek, “For some reason, I think I just realized what all those guys see in you.” “All those guys who?” She watched as he walked into the bathroom, obviously avoiding her question, “Oh no… who are they?” She tried following him, but he locked the door. “Oh BLAKE. C’mon!” She pounded on the door, “Tell me…” She sighed, “Well… how many are we considering ‘all those’?”