Chapter 2
God…Jeff looked so upset when I left last night…Nick thinks to himself as he walks into his kitchen and makes himself a sandwich. He likes me…I can't believe it…I wonder how long he has…? Nick ponders these questions as he bites into a turkey and cheese sandwich. Wow…That night at his farm…That's when I started to REALLY like him…I mean, before that, it was just thinking about how cute he looks when his hair is in his face, and his big goofy grin, and those eyes…Damn it, Nick, why couldn't you have just told him you like him too and kissed him or something last night, instead of being a coward and running off… "Ow!" Nick exclaims as he accidentally bites his finger. He walks back into his room and gets dressed. I'm going to see him…I'm going to tell him exactly how I feel. He tells himself as he grabs his shoes and his keys. He takes a deep breath and walks out to his car. "You can do this, Nicky Duval…"
~oOo~
"Wow, so, Nick and Jeff, huh…?" Trent says to Emma as he takes a bite of his pizza.
"Yeah, I knew they were best friends, but never more than that… Don't tell anyone, okay? I don't know if I was even supposed to tell you… I just seems like I can tell you everything, though… and, I really needed to get that off my chest." She finishes off her last bite of pizza and sits back. "Man, I'm stuffed! Thanks a lot, Trent."
"Oh, anytime, really! So, I really think we should get going. My mom wants me to help her finish cooking for tomorrow." Trent says as he stands up and offers her his hand. She giggles and takes it.
"Yeah, we probably should. Thanks for everything, by the way." She says with a smile. She gives Trent a hug and he takes her phone out of the jacket pocket. She looks at him curiously. "What are you doing?"
He punches some buttons and types a few words and hands it back to her. "There was something wrong with it, but don't worry, I fixed it."
"What was wrong with it?"
"It didn't have my number in it." He says with a wink. Emma blushes and starts to put the phone back in the jacket pocket but stops.
"You might want this back…" She starts to unzip it, but Trent grabs her hands.
"Keep it for now. Don't want you freezing to death on the way home. I'll get it back from you the next time I see you. And, there will be a next time. It needs to be pretty soon, too. I like that jacket." He holds the door open for her as they walk outside. Emma is about to step into Trent's car, when they hear a car's tires squeal as it makes a U turn right in the middle of the road. It turns into the parking lot right beside Trent's car. Trent steps in front of Emma.
"What the HELL do you think you're doing with my girl! Who the hell is this, Emma! What happened to sleeping with Jeff, huh? Cheating on me with more than one guy!" Jesse steps out of his royal blue convertible and slams the door shut. He walks up to Trent and shoves him a little. "Out of the way, Tubby. Ems, let's go. We're going home." Jesse grabs Emma's hand and starts to drag her over to his car. "And you're wearing his jacket!" He unzips the jacket and throws it on the ground.
"Hey, who do you think you are! You can't treat her like this!" Trent says as he picks up his jacket and wraps it back around her shoulders. "Maybe you are her boyfriend, but can't you see she's freezing?"
"I don't care if she's freezing; she's NOT going to wear some douche's jacket! Especially one I don't know!" He says as he yanks on Emma's arm. She looks at Trent sadly and shakes her head and mouths 'Don't do this'. Trent clenches his jaw and pulls Emma's wrist out of Jesse's hand and steps in front of her.
"Do you not see that she's terrified of you? She's shaking! And, that's not just from the cold!" Puts the jacket back on Emma and zips it up. "You're a pretty bad boyfriend; you know that, St. James? Yeah, I know who you are. Lead vocalist for Vocal Adrenaline. You think you're all that. You also think you're all that because you have lots of money. You think everyone likes you, and you have lots of friends, but you don't! News flash? Not a lot of people like you. After regional's last year, I heard lots of people from YOUR group saying that you always get the solos. Saying the only reason you did is because you BRIBE the director! I don't care how you act as a regular person. But, as Emma's boyfriend, you better get your act together. Because, you treat her like shit, when you should be treating her like a princess. Understand!"
Jesse looks at him disgustingly. "How dare you tell me how to treat my own girlfriend. I know how to treat her. I treat her fine, don't I, Em? You, Tubby, need to back off. She's taken. By ME! So, I suggest you get in your little car and go drown your sorrows in Oreos." Jesse says with a smug look on his face. Trent narrows his eyes, rears back, and introduces his fist to Mr. St. James' face. Jesse falls backwards against his car and holds his nose, blood covering his hands. Emma's eyes get round as she just stands there and watches. "Emma, we're leaving!" Jesse snapped as he climbs into his car. "Get in, NOW!" He yells at her.
She looks at Jesse, then at Trent. "No, Jesse. Trent was right. You treat me terribly. I'll be by later to pick up my things." She says with a smile as she links elbows with Trent.
Jesse glares at Trent. "You know what? Fine! You want to be a little whore and dump me, be my guest, bitch! But, I'm taking back EVERYTHING I bought you! Including that car!" He jumps out of his car and snatches her keys out of her pocket. "Have fun with Tubby here, whore." He says as he slams the door and drives away quickly. Trent turns to look at Emma and sees tears running down her delicate rosy cheeks. He wipes a tear off her cheek and kisses it.
"It's okay, Emmy… You deserve better than that jerk." She looks up at him and hugs him tight. Tears continue to stream down her cheeks. "Emma, why are you crying…? Please don't cry… I hate to see that sweet face of yours stained with tears…"
"I… I should be getting home… But, Jesse took my keys-…"
"I'll drive you home. Don't worry about it." Trent replies as he holds open the passenger door with a smile.
~oOo~
"I got it, Dad." Jeff calls as he goes to the door. He's been feeling better, ever since Emma came over. His family has been great help, also. Everything seems pretty good. Until he sees who's at the door.
"Hey, Jeff…" Nick says nervously as he jams his hands in his pockets and looks down. "I, uh… came to talk…" He says as he reaches up and rubs the back of his neck.
"Um… yeah, okay… c-come on in…" Jeff says with wide eyes.
"Oh, hello, Nicholas! Nice to see you again. You haven't been over in a while." Jeff's father calls from the kitchen. "How have you been?"
"I've been good… thank you, Mr. Sterling." Nick responds with a nervous smile.
"Dad…! Come on, Nick…" Jeff grabs Nick's hand and leads him upstairs to his room. He closes the door and motions for Nick to sit on the bed. "You want to talk…?"
"Um… y-yeah…" Nick says uneasily. He swallows nervously and wrings his hands. "About what you said yesterday… about you, liking me… I, um… I like you too… I have for a while…" Nick explains as he starts to chew on his bottom lip.
Jeff's eyebrows shoot up and he sits down beside Nick nervously. "Define awhile…"
Nick gulps nervously and takes a shaky breath. "S-since that day… at your farm… under the oak tree…" Jeff scoots closer to Nick just a little and takes his hands.
"R-really…? Because," Jeff tilts up Nick's head using his index finger and looks into his eyes. "that's when I started having feelings for you… and, they never really stopped…"
"Same here… Jeff, I…" Nick leans in inches from Jeff's face. "I really like you… I have for a while now… and, I was kind of being a jerk about it last night…" He whispers softly in Jeff's ear. "Let me make it up to you."
~oOo~
Jesse stomps up the stairs to his room and slams the door. How could she do that? To ME! Jesse thinks to himself as he kicks over a chair. After all I've done for her. All the presents I've bought her..! He flops down on his bed and pulls out a diamond necklace from his pocket. I was going to give this to her… He drops the necklace on the floor and puts his head in his hands. "I've lost her…"
