Chapter Two
After a terrible flight, Nikki finally reached her destination. "Nikki!" A familiar voice shouted her name; it was Jen. Jen, without thinking, ran towards Nikki with open arms, and gave her hug.
"Jen ... can't ... breath," Nikki say while gasping for air. Jen let go.
"Sorry. I got carried away—is that all you have?" Jen notice Nikki only had one small suitcase, like she was only visiting for a day or two.
"Yes," Nikki say as she lifted the handle up. "I've learn from traveling that using a carry-on bag is much more easier, then dealing with lost luggage."
"If you say so," Jen said. "Let's go, shall we."
Once Nikki had gotten into Jen's car, and drive away, Jen started to speak,"there is something I need to tell you."
"Yah," Nikki said, looking out window.
Jen didn't know how to start off, but ... "Jonesy knows you're here."
Nikki eyes widen when Jen said her name. "What," she say with a shock. "You said he wouldn't be back until the end of the summer? That was the only reason why I'd agree to come here the first place." After what happened, she couldn't bare to face him, or see his face without braking down.
Although Jen didn't take her eyes off the road, she could feel Nikki presence; it wasn't pleasant. "I don't know why he came back early, all I know is that he had an important announcement, that somehow required him to come back home," Jen said. She also added to her conversation, "I already told Jonesy that you're coming, and he told me that you have nothing to worry about—which I don't believe."
Nikki was silence on whole way car ride. After almost half-hour driving, Jen pulled up to her drive way and parked it. Both of them got out of the car, and into Jen's house. "Guest room is second door to the left, down the hallway," the first thing Jen said when she entered her house. She threw her key onto the table that was located near her door.
After Nikki un-pack her thing, they both sat on the couch."What do you want to do?" Nikki ask, resting her tried feet.
Jen let out a sigh. "This is completely last minute, but Jonesy wanted to gather family dinner tonight." She looked at Nikki. "I know you didn't want this, but I can not go—"
"—go to it," Nikki said. "It's obviously important, so go. I'll be fine. I promise."
"If you say so," Jen say while getting up from the couch. "I need to ready." She walked into her bedroom, and got ready for the night.
Jonesy sat at the same as before, but this time, the family, except for Jen, who was late, were there eating their super.
"How was Europe," Jonesy father ask, cutting up chicken from his plate.
"Good," was all Jonesy could say before munching on the food.
"Just good?" His father ask? "You've definitely grew on your vocabulary , Jonesy." His father laughed.
"I still can't believe you didn't bring my anything," Jonesy younger brother, Robbie, sarcastically said.
"I actually did," Jonesy replied back to his younger brother.
"And that would be?" Robbie ask?
Jonesy stopped, and placed the cutlery down. I guess Jen will miss this, he said in thought. She was running late, but he can't hold onto the secret anymore. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make." Everyone at the table stop and looked at Jonesy while he was speaking. "How do I put this into words, but I'm ... getting married."
Everyone at the table looked at Jonesy lifeless, like they saw a ghost.
"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you—I thought you'd said you're getting married?" Robbie ask while cleaning his ear, to make sure the earwax didn't block the way.
"I didn't even know that you were seeing someone," Emma said, adding in the comments.
"I also have to agree with Emma on that," His father said, shocked at his son's announcement. "Who—who is she?"
Before Jonesy could continue, the front door open. "Hey! Sorry I'm late; the traffic was so afwul, that I wait for almost fifteen minutes—" Jen stopped right at the doorway of the dining room table. Everyone, expect for Jonesy, was—looked like they were out of this world. "Um ... what happened?" She asked, pulling out and sitting at a chair at the table.
"Jonesy is getting married," Robbie told Jen. Jonesy gave him a death-glare.
"What?" Jen say as she sprouted out of her chair and slammed her hand against the table. "You're getting married? To who?"
"Sit down, and I will tell you," Jonesy said. Jen sat immediately sat down, and Jonesy began to explain. "While I was working in Europe, I fell for one of the co-workers, and ... the love wad mutual. And I propose to her last week, and she said yes."
"Are you sure about this," Emma said while sipping from her drink.
"Yes. I'm one hundred percent sure ... I haven't felt like this in years," Jonesy said said with a smile on his face. "And she is coming here by the end of the week.
Jen couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was such horrible timing for Nikki to come out, it will cursh her if she found out.
"This is shocking, yes, but Emma and I will support you, Jonesy. After what you went through, I'm glad that you found your happiness," Jonesy father said. He could sense that his son was happy. "So? Tell us. What is her name."
Jonesy paused for moment before saying his fiancé name. "Her name is ..."
After an unforgettable evening, Jen stacked the dirty plates onto of each other, and walked towards the kitchen.
"You should go home, Jen," Jonesy said, leaning against the doorway.
Jen stopped. "I can't believe you're getting married to someone so soon," she said with concern in her tone. "And to someone who you've haven't been with for even four months."
After the terrible break-up of Nikki and Jonesy, Jen knew from first hand experience on how hard it was for him. "I'm almost done," Jen say while washing the last plate. Jonesy notice a container that was filled with food.
"I'm assuming this is for Nikki? Jonesy ask, pointing at the container.
"Yes," Jen replied. "Is that problem?"
"No," Jonesy said. "Just wondering."
Jen grabbed the container. "If you're wondering whether I tell Nikki about your engagement, no, I won't say a single word."
"I wasn't thinking that," Jonesy said.
"I've know you long enough when you're lying, your forehead creases. I still think you're making a stupid mistake," Jen said, storming out of her parents' place and getting in her car. Stupid, Jonesy, Jen thought.
She started up her engine and drove back to her place.
"Nikki?" Jen shouted her name, while turning on the lights. She walked, until she stopped at the guest bedroom. Nikki was fast sleep. She was very peaceful.
"Goodnight, Nikki," Jen whisper as she quitely closed her door.
Jen placed the container into her fridge and walked towards her room and called a night.
Jonesy lay right down on his bed, with his arms crossed behind his head. Tonight didn't turn out how he wanted to be. I've know you long enough when you're lying, your forehead creases. Jonesy couldn't get those words Jen said out of his head.
As Jonesy eyes started to drift, the ringtone on his laptop went off. he immediately got up and quickly grabbed his laptop and answered it, "Mara, how was your day?"