Naila played boredly with a napkin at the food court as she waited for Kristy's arrival. She had called her early morning and asked her to meet her for lunch at their old hang out. She said it was important... Being the good person that she was, Naila didn't hesitate to say yes. Besides, she was looking forward to leaving the house. Kevin still seemed bothered by Sarah's surprise visit, and she certainly didn't feel like being the one to ease his conscience.
Looking up, she saw a big blond curly ponytail and smiled "Kris- over here" she yelled waving her over.
Kristy sighed with relief after spotting her friend and quickly made her way towards her, taking a seat across from her at the table.
"What's up?" Naila asked in a rather worried tone "What was so important that you had to meet me here?"
"He kissed me" Kristy said in a rapid breath.
Naila's brow arched "Who kissed you?"
"Brian!" she answered looking as though she was having a panic attack.
"Brian?!" Naila queried "But what about Rick? Doesn't he know abo..."
"Ya he does!" she interrupted "I mean. Okay..." she tried to calm herself down by taking a deep breath "Ok. See. This is what happened. He offered to give me a lift to Rick's- so I accepted. When I show up at his place, Rick's there with some Pam Lee looking chick in a towel. The dickwad cheated on me..."
"I'm so sorry" Naila said sympathetically.
Kristy waved her hand "No. I mean, thanks, but that's not the problem. So then Brian starts saying how I'd feel better if I talked about it. Ya, hell- that's the last thing I had on my mind at the moment. So I just let him hug me and when I was going to back off-... he kissed me!"
"And..."
"And he kissed me Nay! Brian Thomas Littrell kissed me"
"Did you kiss him back?"
Kristy gave her friend an incredulous glare "Of course not!" she snapped.
"Well why?"
"Why?" Kristy barked, "You're asking me why?" she paused to catch her breath "Damnit Naila, can't you see that's what I asked you here for?"
Naila burst out into laughter. Kristy always did have a way of turning the most serious discussion into something humorous "Well honey, I really don't know what to say."
"Gee, you're a real help" Kristy murmured sarcastically, crossing her arms over her chest and slouching in her chair.
**At The Cabin**
With a loud yawn, Alyssa awoke from her sleep. As her eyes tried to focus, the first thing she saw was the extinguished fire. She had a good nights rest after all... The next thing she noticed was the smell and sound of bacon sizzling in a pan.
"Good morning" A.J chirped, sliding an omelet on to a plate, then placing it on a tray.
Alyssa watched with confusion as he made his way towards her, taking a place next to her on the couch "I hope you like eggs" he said stabbing a fork into the scrambled yellow substance " 'Cuz there isn't much else left in the fridge..."
He looked at her face and frowned. Her expression was cold and he worried that she was upset with him over last night. So he tried to change the topic "Well anyway, I called triple A and they said that they'll come tow the car and give us a lift, so we shou..."
"Why did you do it?"
His brow arched "Do what?"
Perhaps it was fatigue getting the best of her, or maybe even the fact that her ankle was causing her excruciating pain, but for some reason what had happened between the two last night just didn't seem right. Or rather didn't make any sense "Why did you tell me you loved me?" she asked keeping a dry exposition so that she wouldn't show weakness.
"What the hell kind of question is that?" A.J asked in dismay.
Alyssa grimaced. This is exactly what she feared! "A.J, I really don't know what you expect from me any more" she said, standing up and limping away as best she could with her sprained ankle "We fight, then make up. We fight.... then you tell me that you love me the day your girlfriend breaks up with you! What the hell am I? Some rag doll you can toy around with?"
So caught up in her whirlwind of emotions she didn't even notice the tears streaming down her face "You can't do that to a person!" she shouted pounding her fist into the wall "Not to me!"
Coming up to her, A.J wiped away one of her tears with his thumb and grinned at her. She tried to push him away, but he pulled her in and held her firmly against his chest. Finally, she gave in and began sobbing into his white T-shirt.
"Shhhh" he soothed, trying to calm her down as he stroked her long mane "I'm sorry I made you feel like that Lyssa... But there's something you need to know. If this whole ordeal with Amanda hadn't happened.... I don't know... I can't explain it.... All I know is that things between us would have been different- I would have kissed you that morning in your dressing room..."
Alyssa's eyes opened. She had almost forgotten about that... Looking up, she met his gaze and felt her soul melt "I love you" she whispered softly.
"Dido" he smiled before engulfing her lips with his own.
**Meanwhile**
"We are not two people.... now we are one" The lyrics to what I had now dubbed our song rang in my head! I watched as he slept at my side. So silent. So still. So perfect. I wondered what I had done to deserve him. He looked like a fallen angel laying there blissfully; I just couldn't help extending my arm to assure myself this wasn't a dream. As my hand neared his face, his eyes popped open and grabbed my wrist.
"Irresistible, aren't I?" he smiled as he kissed the tips of my fingers.
"Yes" I answered sincerely. No smart alec remark could be employed at this point. He'd stolen my heart. Moving over, I rolled onto him and sat cat like over his firm chest "Kiss me" I demanded.
He needn't be told twice... Immediately he leaned forward to meet her tender lips, exploring every inch of each others mouths as their hands roamed each other's bodies feverishly.
"I... love... you" I whispered between pecks.
Giving me one of those heart melting grins, he wrapped his arms tightly around me and nuzzled into my neck "I'm going to take a shower" he murmured "Care to join me?"
I sat back up and smacked him in the forehead laughing, "Your dirty mind is what needs a washing"
"Well it's just that when I'm around you I get all horny, baybey, yeaaaah" he joked in his best Austin Power's impersonation, slightly tickling me so that I'd get off him.
I giggled and rolled to his side as he slid out of bed. (Authors Note: what a sight LOL) "I won't be too long" he said before disappearing into the bathroom; the door locking behind him.
For a few silent moments I lay in the crumpled up sheets and remonest on the previous night. Making love to Nick was the first moment of true happiness I had experienced for as long as I could remember! Just thinking about it... about him brought butterflies to my stomach. I smiled to myself at how blessed I was. Things were definitely looking up.
"Bang!Bang!Bang!"
Startled, I scram, pulling the cover over my head. It took me a few seconds to realize what all the commotion was about. Someone was knocking on the Plexiglas in the living room. 'Oh god, it better not be his mom' I feared, hopping out of bed and reaching for the nearest clothing items I could find. I pulled on a pair of Nick's boxers, my tank top and yanked a flannel shirt from his closet as I ran for the door.
"Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!"
"I'm coming!" I yelled as I neared the sliding glass. Quickly I tried to get myself together, tucking my hair behind my ears. Finally, I pulled the cord, sending the forest green curtains flying open. I smiled at whom I had expected to be Mrs. Carter, or maybe even Aaron, but it rapidly disappeared when I caught a glimpse of a total stranger! A thin, short brunette with a tuff of curls the likes I'd never seen before stood before me in a pair of torn up blue jeans, a yellow blouse and sneakers.
Her look of astonishment faded far prior to mine.
"Um, can I help you?" I asked, cautiously stepping away from the door.
She looked at me coldly, almost as though she were looking through me. I couldn't help but gulp because she was really frightening me. "Yeah" she said licking her bottom lip "Where's Nick?"
Right then and there, I concluded she was some obsessed fan that had somehow managed to track Nick down. "If you don't leave, I'll call the cops!" I threatened, taking yet another step back.
Her face scrunched up and she stared at me like if I were some kind of idiot.
"I'm his neighbor!" she said loudly.
"Oh!" I answered sheepishly, my cheeks flushing from my stupidity. Reaching forward, I unlocked the door and watched as she slid it open and walked in.
She took a few seconds to re-familiarize herself with her surroundings. It'd been a while since her last visit. "Where's Nick?" she asked again, not even bothering to look Eli in the face.
"He's in the shower" I answered awkwardly. She turned around and examined me from head to toe. I grew more and more uncomfortable under her microscope and was relived as hell when I heard the shower water turn off.
Nick walked out of his bedroom in his Hillfiger boxers "Eli, by any chance did you see...." he paused when he saw that they weren't alone- "Sher! Girl, wuzzup?" he beamed taking his long time friend into a tight bear hug.
"Ouh, just thought I'd pay my world famous neighbor a visit" she smiled, hitting him playfully on the arm as he freed her from his grip. "So how's my lil' blond bud doing?"
"I'm good-I'm good" Nick was flabbergasted "Wow, look at you! You've changed!" he awed.
"No I haven't!"
"Sure you have.All grown up!" he snorted "You look like a girl!"
"Shut up! I've always been a girl"
"But you've always acted like a boy..."
"That's because you've always acted like a girl..."
"Ahum" I interrupted quietly.
Sheridan looked over her best friends shoulder at the petite brunette and gave her the evil eye.
"Oh. Sorry" Nick apologized scooping Eli into his arms "Baby, this is Sheridan... My neighbor and good friend. Sher, this is Eli my...uh..."
"His girlfriend" I said dryly, extending my hand to shake hers "It's nice to meet you"
Sheridan gave her a smug smile "Dido" she answered.
The room fell silent. "Well..." Nick finally said, clasping his hands together "Who's up for breakfast?"
**Earler That Day**
It was now just over 8 hours since the shot was fired from Eric's gun. Thankfully, due the dimness of the room and the fact that he was drunk, he missed his target. The bullet struck Howie in the arm! It didn't appear to be too serious. He'd spent the night leaned against the wall, his hand pressed firmly against his wound to keep the blood from gushing out.
Eric had handcuffed Dawn to the railing to keep her from getting to him. Eric had warned the two to keep their mouths shut until he figured out just what he wanted to do with them. But after a handful of excruciating hours, Howie just couldn't take it anymore.
"What do you want man? Is it money? Cause if it..."
"This isn't about money" Eric hollered, "If I wanted dough, I'd rob a fucking bank"
Howie thought cautiously before he spoke again "Then what is it?"
"You stole my girl, dog!" Eric yelled.
"She's not your girl"
To Howie's words, Eric stood up in a blinded rage and pulled him up by the collar, shuving him up against the wall "What the hell did you say?" he spat, his gun pressed firmly against his temple.
"Eric don't!" Dawn cried out mercifully.
Eric looked Howie straight in the eye; Howie showing no fear as he stood moments from what could well possibly be his death. He held his breath as he felt Eric's hand move, but to his surprise, merely to punch him in the stomach. Howie let out a moan as he crumbled to the floor.
"You son of a bitch!" Dawm cried, tugging on her cuffs at a useless attempt to free herself.
Eric whirled around and pointed his gun directly at his ex-girlfriend. "Do you think this is a joke?" he bellowed, watching as tears streamed down her pail face "Is this funny to you Dawn?" he yelled as she vigorously shook her head no. He stopped and watched her sob for a moment. He took a few steps and knelt down in front of her, taking her face in his free hand "Well I didn't think it was funny either when you left me Dawn. But apparently you did" he paused "Tell me Dawn..." he murmured leaning forward, his mouth just millimeters away from her ear "Who's laughing now?"
He drew away and smiled smugly at her, brushing the tears away from her cheek with his thick fingers.
"If..."
Before he could get so much as two words out of his mouth, Dawn hacked and spat him in the eye
"You're a pathetic excuse for a human being" she slurred.
Eric reached forward with a loud growl and tangled his fingers into her long hair; giving a hard tug "You better watch that tongue of yours" he threatened.
Dawn tried to keep back tears as she stared her kidnapper straight in the eye. Building up as much courage as she could, she spoke "You wanna know why I left you?" she asked, his icy glare penetrating the very depths of her soul. She shook her head "Because you're not even a twelfth of the man Howie is"
Eric fell silent. She still showed no fear as she glared at him. Up until that moment, his intentions, however wrong, were never to harm her in any physical manner, but to try to win her back. But Dawn had now crossed the very thin line that had been keeping Eric on the verge of clinical insanity... and he snapped.
"You whore" He spat, pulling her up, still entangled in her hair. Realizing that she was still cuffed, he fiddled with his key and jerked Dawn to her feet "You wanna play rough? That's fine with me.."
Howie watched helplessly as his girlfriend was dragged into one of the bedrooms. The door slammed shut, followed by yelling. He still could not grasp what was happening. A sharp pang shot through his arm, and as he turned over wincing, something fell out of his pocket. It was his cell. A god sent! As quickly as possible, he picked it up and dialed 911.
Just as his finger grazed the send button; he heard a scream followed by 2 gunshots.
Horrified, he dropped the phone. A million thoughts and fears flashed through his mind at that moment. Every last one of them about Dawn. Silently he watched as the door opened and a figure emerged from the solemn room.
**Earlier That Day**
"So he just kicked her out?"
"Yep!"
"God! What a bitch!"
Naila shrugged, taking a sip from her strawberry milk shake "I think she was just caught off guard! I doubt she expected to see her ex already living with his new girlfriend"
"But that still doesn't excuse the attitude!" Kristy said , losing patience with her friend's blasé stance.
"Guess not" Naila swallowed unhappily. She then sighed "You should have seen her Kris! She looked like a super model. I'd kill to look like her..."
Kristy smiled sympathetically at her friend. What could she possibly say to comfort her? After all, she was confused enough with the whole Brian situation. Brian. How could he kiss her? How could he expect her to kiss him back? He'd just witness her heart being broken, and she stood by him during his whole Eli ordeal... How could he even think of kissing her after all this?... Agh! It was such a head ache.
Again, Naila thought about Sarah. Drop dead gorgeous Sarah! How was she supposed to live up to Kevin's expectations? She could never be her. She looked down at herself and frowned. She felt and looked like crap! She eyed her shake and tossed it into the waste basket. For starters, she should stop with the junk food...
**Not Long After**
Kevin wandered around his apartment in a futile attempt to find something to keep his mind occupied with. But it didn't work! He just couldn't help worrying about Sarah's unexpected visit and the impact it will have on his current relationship with Naila. He loves Naila- not Sarah. There was no doubt about it. But how could he convince her? He let out a heavy sigh right as the phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered
"I'm so sorry about last night"
Kevin inhaled sharply "I certainly hope so"
"I don't know what got into me" Sarah said on the brink of tears "I didn't mean to act like that. I'm so sorry"
"It's Ok" Kevin accepted. After all, there was no use dwelling on it. There was nothing either of them could do to change it now.
"So..." he began, trying to shift the conversation "How have you been?"
****
Quietly opening the door, Naila walked in to her new home. It was strange living there with her boyfriend, but it just had to take some getting used to. As she removed her shoes, she could hear a low voice in the distance. Making sure not to make any noise, she tipped toed through the entrance and spotted Kevin on the couch; receiver in hand.
"Well of course I remember Sar..."
Her heart sank! He was on the phone with Sarah? Not wanting to ease drop, she made her way to the kitchen to get something to eat. She opened a cupboard and grabbed a box of extra-chewie-chocolate cookies. She took one out and began to chew as she observed the contents. '13 grams of fat per serving'?! Her face scrunched and she spat the remains of the cookie into her hand.
She couldn't fall into temptation, or she'd lose Kevin for sure... She took the box and threw it in the trash. And that was that!
**Before**
"Oh god!" Howie breathed as the form emerged from the dark room. Shutting his eyes tightly, he began to pray for Dawn's life. Summoning all his courage, he opened his eyes and gasped.
Dawn, and not Eric, stood infront of him; blood splattered all over her light gray shirt. She looked down at her boyfriend and felt herself go numb "He's dead" she announced before letting herself and the gun drop to the floor in one, loud, eerie thump.
