Chapter 8: Practical Joke and Wounded Prides
Nick
Howie, AJ and I stand outside of Tamera's apartment. Actually we're a bit down the hall. Slowly the door opens and the silence of the hall is broken with the laughter of three women. Tamera, Niki and Spike walk into the hall as the door closes behind them. I look over to Howie and AJ, both armed with water balloons as I am. We all nod to each other as we start down the hall after them. Breaking into a run we run past them pelting them with the four balloons we each have.
"Damn you Howie!" Tamera yells as we run further down the hall.
"You're dead AJ!" Spike yells when we reach the elevator.
"Nicholas Jea-" Niki yells getting cut off by the elevator door closing.
I lean back on the steel wall of the elevator. I close my eyes as I catch my breath. I crack one eye open and look over ta AJ and Howie. Then we all start laughing.
"Did you see the look on their faces?" AJ says still laughing.
"I know it was priceless. I wish I had a camera." I say half-wined with laughter.
"Man they're gonna kill us." Howie says rubbing his temples.
"Yeah but it'll be worth it." I say as I finally catch my breath.
Crystal
We walk back into Tamera's apartment each of us half soaked. I hear Tamera grumbling something I can't hear. Niki heads into her bathroom and comes out with three towels She tosses one to me and another to Tamera.
"I'm gonna kill them!" I growl as I towel myself off.
"Howie's dead, this shirt is velvet. It takes forever to dry." Tamera grumbles as she walks into her room.
"I dunno I thought it was funny. I mean April Fool's day is Friday." Niki says toweling off her blond curls.
"Granted that it was funny but that's still no excuse." Tamera says walking back out pulling a t-shirt over her head that has four guys on it and the word Creed written under them.
"Who the hell Creed?" I ask raising and eyebrow.
"It's this new underground band. I went to a concert of theirs and they're awesome. I love their CD." Tamera says looking from her shirt to me.
"I've heard of them… they're ok but they haven't even tried to go mainstream." Niki says throwing her towel on the couch.
"Hey they're working on a new album… it won't be out until about this fall but I think their new single from it is due out in June-Julyish." Tamera says picking up the towel and taking mine.
Her apartment is a lot cleaner since I was last here with AJ a few days ago. I never told her I read her journal, but I know she hid it again. I'll never figure out how the hell she's so good at hiding stuff. I guess it comes with the years of practice she had in hiding stuff from her dad and brother.
"There goes going to the mall." Niki says walking over to the sink.
"I wanted to get my keyboard back, damn it." Tamera mutters as Niki ring out her Elmo t-shirt.
"Since when can you afford a keyboard?" I ask watching her walk into the bathroom.
"Remember that old keyboard I had in high school?" She asks walking back into the living room.
"The one that you were always using to drive your dad nuts?" Niki questions plopping down on the couch as I follow.
"Yup, I sold that old thing for about three grand-" Tamera explains sitting backward on her desk chair.
"You sold that dinky thin for three g's?!" I ask shocked almost falling off the couch.
"That 'dinky thing' was in good condition and now a days, since it had as recording capabilities, it was worth that much. I ordered a new keyboard that shows the cords I'm playing and can play it back so I can write out the music. So this new one is worth almost a grand." She says smirking leaning on the back of the chair.
"What are you doing with the rest of the money?" I ask curiously.
"It's none of our business Spike. Let Tam do what she wants with it. It's her money." Niki says stretching back on the couch.
"You'll see in due time. Come on we can still go to the mall… the guys'll just miss out on going to the movies with us." Tamera says smirking as she stands up.
"Sounds like a plan." I say standing up.
"Then let's go." Tamera says smirking.
AJ
*** Hours Later***
~~~ His Mansion ~~~
Me, Nick and Howie sit in my living room. Howie paces by my bay window, Nick sits on the couch blankly channel hopping. I sit on the stairs to the second floor looking at the front door.
"Where the hell are they?" Nick asks slamming down the remote.
"I don't know- Are you sure they didn't call?" Howie asks still pacing.
"For the last time, no D." I say putting my head in my hands.
"Hey there they are." Nick says standing up.
Howie stops pacing and looks out the window. Nick walks over to door as I stand up. The door opens and the girls walk in laughing. They look at us and stop as Niki closes the door.
"Where were you?" Howie asks before I can open my mouth.
"You girls got some explaining to do." Nick says as I fold my arms across my chest.
"We went to the movies as we planed." Tamera says simply putting a curl behind her ear.
"You were supposed to go with us." Nick says as Tamera sigh in aspiration.
"I know that." She says her hand on her hip her other hand behind her back.
"Yeah, but since you guys soaked us. We had to make an added trip to our apartment to change." Crystal adds in.
"I called AJ's cell, no answer. Then Nick and Howie's. All three I got no answer so I left a message tellin' ya to meet us at the theatre." Tamera says looking from me to Nick then to Howie.
"Why didn't you just call my house?" I ask raising an eyebrow.
"I didn't have enough change and I know you don't answer unavailable calls." Tamera says silencing my before I could object.
"Tam why did you do that? I was worried about you." Howie says, she turns to him and stands in front of him her right hand at her side out of my sight the left on his cheek.
"I know you were." She lifts her right hand a water balloon in hand and smashes it on Howie's head, "But obviously not enough to not shoot water balloons at me. Besides hun, I can take care of myself." Tamera says her face expressionless as Niki and Crystal snicker.
I look at Howie. His hair is down and soaked water drips down his face. I could almost see steam raising off his head. His face goes almost as red as Tamera's hair.
"If you can take care of yourself so well then why'd you almost get raped?" Howie asks cruelly as Tamera's face goes white.
Whoa! I never knew that… but that explains why she was a bit jumpy when we came back. I could tell that was outta line. Niki and Crystal stand on either side of Tamera each putting a hand on her arm. Her lower lip trembles as she stares at Howie.
"Hey Howie man calm down." Nick sys putting his hand on his shoulder.
"I can't believe you think that." She whispers not looking away from him as I walk over to her.
"I'm sure he didn't mean it." Niki says looking from Howie to Tamera.
"I don't care. I'm going home." Tamera says pulling her arms from their grasp.
"But it's my car." Crystal chimes in stopping Tamera in her tracks.
"I'll drive you." I volunteer, I look at Crystal and see the objection in her gold eyes. "You need to stay here with Nick and Howie and Niki to calm D down."
Slowly she nods. I walk over to Tamera and put an arm around her shoulders. We walk out of my house and to my Expedition. She gets into the passenger seat as I get into the driver's seat. After a moment I start the SUV and pull out of my driveway.
Niki
Tamera and AJ just left. I watch them pull out of the driveway. I whirl around my curls hitting me in the face. I can't believe Howie would do that. I didn't even know Tam told him that. Man talk about shattered trust. It was hard for her just to face us when we're her best friends. To think how hard it was for her to tell Howie everything, then have him betray your trust. I look over at Howie and try to keep my temper in check… but Spike on the other hand isn't doing so well.
"What the fuck's your problem?! She was just playing around goddamn. She trusted you with her secrets and you betray her!" Spike snaps echoing through the mansion.
Howie doesn't say anything and he turns his back to us to look out the window. I look from Spike to Nick. Now what?
"Why don't you let me talk to him? I mean I'm a lot calmer and stuff then you guys are." Nick says looking at both of us.
"Ok, come one Spike." I say pulling her out of the room.
We walk into the kitchen. I push Spike onto a stool and I sit next to her. She sighs and so do I.
"Howie has some damn nerve!" She snaps hitting her fist against the bar top.
"I know. I know. But let's let Nick talk some sense into him and AJ can talk to Tam while he takes her home." I say calmly.
Howie
Spike and Niki left and I start pacing again. Tamera has some damn nerve! First she worries me sick then she hits me with a damn water balloon. She deserved what I said… no, she didn't.
"Howie man what's going on? What's wrong, you and Tamera fighting or somethin'?" Nick asks standing nest to me.
"I don't know what's wrong with me Nick. I went off at her for no reason." I say rubbing the back of my neck.
"I noticed D. You've been jumpy for the last few days. What's up man?" He asks as I put my head in my hands.
"If I knew man I'd tell ya." I say looking back up at Nick.
AJ
I pull out of my driveway silence fills the SUV. With my eyes on the road and with one hand I turn on the radio. The slow sounds of Toni Braxton's Breath Again fills the silence. I stop at a stoplight and look over at Tamera. She's looking out the passenger side window. In her reflection I see a tear roll down her face. I look back out at the road.
"You ok?" I ask turning off the radio again.
"No, AJ I'm not… Howie blurred out something embarrassing in front of you and Nick. I trusted him enough to tell him and he used it to ridicule me." She says sounding like she's holding back tears.
"You know D and his Latino temper. He didn't mean to say it. He was angry and embarrassed and wasn't thinking. He didn't mean to hurt you Tamera." I say glancing over at her before pulling away from the stoplight.
"Meant to or not AJ he hurt me. He cut me deep." Tamera says looking over at me.
"I can tell he did. Wanna tell ol' AJ what's matta you?" I ask with a bad Italian accent and Tamera laughs and I see a genuine smile.
That a girl Tam, laugh at me. At least that way I know you didn't lose your humor. I spot her apartment building in the distance and so does she.
"Can you come upstairs and I'll tell you then?" She asks with a sigh.
"Yeah, no prob Tam." I say pulling into her spot in the parking lot.
I turn off the engine and we both hop out. I lock the doors then we close the doors. Silently I follow Tamera inside and up to her apartment. In the elevator I study her. She's looking up at the numbers biting her lower lip, her clothes the casualest I've ever seen her. A Creed t-shirt and black jeans her fiery curls up in pigtails. The elevator lurches to a stop and we step off the elevator. She unlocks her apartment and I follow her inside.
It looks cleaner then the first time I was here. No clothes on the floor everything in place. Then I see a keyboard on the coffee table. She sits down backwards on her desk chair and signals for me to sit on the couch across form her and I do.
"When'd you get the keyboard?" I ask eyeing it up.
"Oh I ordered it about a month ago and it finally got her today. I had to sell my old one to afford it." She explains leaning on the back of the chair.
"So what's up?" I ask leaning my elbows on my knees and she sighs.
"Well before you guys came back Crystal, Niki and I went to a party. To make a long story short I got kinda buzzed and asked a guy friend to drive me home. He got back here, tried to rape me and if Niki and Crystal didn't come to check on me he would have." She takes a deep breath then continues. "I told Howie after the concert, I trusted him AJ. I-I never thought he'd do that…" She trails off hugging the back of the chair to her chest.
I didn't know what to say. I watched her as she studied the reddish-brown carpet. Damn I thought D had it rough with four sisters and a brother. Sliding off the couch I walk on my knees over to Tamera. I put my hand on her shoulder. She sat up and looks at me. I squeeze her shoulder and held her stare. Then she hugged me. I hugged her back and she slid off the chair.
"Thank you for understanding." She whispers.
Howie
I looked out the bay window of AJ's living room at the darkened lawn. Nick stands next to me, I can feel his eyes on me. What's wrong with me? I attacked Tamera with a dark secret of her's she trusted me with. I look over at Nick, his blond hair mussed a bit over his blue turtle-neck.
"Nick man, I've lost it." I say with a sigh.
"We all get those times man." Nick says with a bit of a shrug.
"Yeah but I think I just blew it with Tamer." I say sitting on the windowsill and putting my head in my hands.
"No worries D, like we said when you met her we don't call you Sweet D for no reason." Nick says sitting next to me.
I drop my hands and look over at him. Sighing I sit up straight ad look around the room. It' empty except for me and Nick. I hear Niki and Spike faintly from the kitchen.
"I gotta go apologize to Tamera." I say closing my eyes.
"That would be a good idea, it she'll talk to you." A female voice says as I open my eyes.
I see Niki and Spike walking in. Spike seems calmer… I just hope she doesn't decide to jump down my throat.
"Spike's better now… I hope." Niki says as she and Spike sit on the couch across from us.
"What's you mean, 'if she'll talk to you'?" I ask looking at both of them unsure of who said it.
"I mean that when she's hurt she has a tendency to close herself off. She'll really be a loner and stay alone in her apartment writing and playing music." Spike explains.
"Don't worry give her till tomorrow morning. She'll listen then." Niki adds in.
"I can't wait till tomorrow. I really fucked up, the longer I take the longer she'll sit and think about it." I say leaning back on the windowpane.
"I've got an idea. Spike and I'll go talk to her when AJ gets back. You come with us and we'll try to get at her new keyboard. I'll play the intro to Darlin' and use the song to apologize to her." Niki explains with a smile.
I sit and ponder that for a moment. Well Darlin' does describe how I feel and the situation. I know Tamera know the song. She knows all out songs for Christ's sake! Why didn't I think of this?
"Alright, let's do it." I say smiling at them in agreement.
AJ
"You sure you'll be ok here alone Tam?" I ask as she pushes me towards the door.
"Yes. I wanna work on a song idea and I do that best when I'm alone." She says stopping at the door.
"Fine, take care ok?" I say protectively as I open the door.
"I will AJ, don't worry." She says smiling before I walk out of her apartment.
I get inside the elevator and grab my cell. Damn can't call in here the reception sucks. I paid five hundred bucks for this damn thing and I can't even make a call in an elevator. I sigh as the door opens to the lobby. I step off the elevator and walk out of the building to my Expedition. Leaning against the hood I quick dial the number for my house. After about three rings someone picks up.
"Hello, McLean residence." I hear Crystal say on the other line.
"Now that's a voice I could get used to answering my phone." I say smiling.
"AJ. How's Tamera?" She asks right away.
"Still hurtin' but back to normal. She kicked me out cause she wanted to work on a song." I say with a sigh.
"Ok good, just as we thought. Umm, Nick's gonna head home and Niki, Howie and me are headin' over by Tamera." She explains.
"Why?" I ask curiously.
"I'll explain when I head back to your place. Hopefully we'll patch things up between Tam and D." She says happily.
"Good luck, lock up before you split." I say feeling relieved.
"Of course. Sooner or later this'll be my mansion too so might as well keep it safe." She says and I laugh lightly.
"You got that right baby. Talk to ya later." I say smiling.
"Yup, love ya." She says happily.
"Love ya too." I say before she hands up the phone.
Slowly I hand up my cell phone letting my arm drop to my side. I look up at the sky, the stars twinkle down at me. Did she mean that? I've barely known her a week… but it feels true to me. A smile creeps across my face as I push off the hood and get in my SUV.
Howie
*** Half Hour Later ***
~~~ Tamera's Apartment Building ~~~
Niki, Spike and I stand in the elevator in Tamera's apartment building. The door opens to reveal an empty hallway lined with doors on both sides. I sigh as we walk down the hall, Niki and Spike leading the way.
"Just stand on the side of the door, I'll take a sec to close the door so you can slip inside. Go into the kitchen, ok?" Niki says over her shoulder at me.
"Yeah sure." I respond.
Muffled piano music fills the hall in front of Tamera's doorway. It's upbeat but still a bit slow, the notes flow together over indistinct singing. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as Niki knocks on the door. I flatten against the right side of the door as the piano stops. I hear footsteps walking toward the door then the door unlocking. The door swings open and Tamera leans against the doorframe looking at the girls not seeing me.
"Hey girl. You alright?" Spike asks putting her hand on the doorframe.
"Yeah, just workin' on a song. Come on in." Tamera says her voice a bit flat.
She moves out of the doorway and head into the living room of her apartment. Spike follows and so does Niki, I slip inside and into the kitchen after Niki. They go and sit down as I duck behind the bar.
"Workin' on a figuring out your new keyboard?" Niki asks.
"Yeah, just writing the music to a song I wrote." Tamera explains as I hear papers rustling.
"Can I see it?" Niki asks.
"Sure, just be careful with it." Tamera says as I hear jeans rustling and people moving.
Damn she's working fast. I can do this, I just pray she'll listen. This'll work I know it. She'll know I'm sorry. I hear the intro to Darlin' play on the piano. Here goes nothing. I slowly stand up before I start the song.
"Baby, can I talk to you?
I know something's wrong,
Things just ain't the same,
But deep down inside
I know you still care.
So tell me what to do
To get things back
The way they used to be." I say looking right at Tamera before I walk out of the kitchen and into the living room.
"If you were to need me
If you really cared about me
Tell me why can't I find love in your heart
If you were my lover
A constant friend to me
Tell me why
Would you turn away from my love?" I sing acappella now as I kneel in front of her.
"So darlin'
Tell me what to do to make things right
Darlin'
Tell me what to do to make things right for love." I sing my eyes locked with her's and my hand on her cheek, she leans her head to my touch.
"Can't you see?
All I'm asking for
Is a chance to let me love you
Can't you see?
Girl, you know with me
Is where you should be
And if by chance we should find
That is can be for you and I
Then girl I'll try
I'll try
Oh baby." I sing as Niki and Spike inch towards the door.
"We'll leave you two alone so you can work things out." Spike says before they leave.
I'm kneeling on the floor in front of Tamera, she's sitting on the couch. Her coffee table behind me. My eyes locked with hers. My hand sits on her knee her hands further back on her lap. I take a deep breath as silence surrounds us.
"Tamera I don't know why I said what I did. I would never do that-" I say my eyes not leaving hers.
"Coulda fooled me Howie, cause gee it sounded like you did say that." She says her features stone and her light blue eyes have an icy look to them.
"I-I know. I was angry I didn't know what I was saying." I explain putting my hand on top of hers.
"What about the next time you get mad? What then? Are you gonna tell the world I was beaten by my dad?!" She exclaims pulling her hands from mine ad standing up.
"No! I would never do that." I say still remaining calm and trying to hide my pain.
"How can I trust that Howie? With your temper your… your liable to say anything." She says her voice wavering.
She looks down at me her fiery curls in pigtails falling over her shoulders. Even looking like that she doesn't look cute right now, not with the cold stare she's giving me. I can feel my heart slightly freeze as she turns and walks into her bedroom and slam the door. I stand and walk over to the door, quiet and muffled sobs emanate from the room. I want to just open the door but I knock instead.
"Go away!" She yells hoarsely through the door.
Ok I'm going in. I open the door and step inside. Her room is small, I mean it makes my room feel huge. A twin bed in the center of the room a small end table in the right corner next to it. On my left next to the door is a tall dresser then on the right wall is a closet. A poster of me and the other guys is on the wall behind the head of her bed. I look down at the bed and see Tamera hunched over her head on the bed. I walk over to her and kneel down next to her and put my hand on her shoulder.
"I thought I told you to go away." She says taking a deep breath and silencing her sobs.
"I know, but I know that you really don't want me to leave." I say as she lifts her head to look at me.
Her eyes red and tears stain her cheeks. My hand lifts from her shoulder. She licks her lips before I speak.
"I'm sorry." I say wiping her cheeks.
She studies me for a moment looking at my face and in my eyes. Slowly she raises a hand to my face and tangles her fingers in my down hair. Again she looks at me but this time it's almost as if she doesn't recognize me. Suddenly without warning she throws her arms around me and buries her head in my shoulder. She knocks me off balance and fall backward onto my back with her still in my arms. We may have been fighting for a little over an hour but it feels good to have her in my arms. Wrapping my arms around her I rub her back to calm her nerves.
Crystal
Niki drops me off back at AJ's after we leave Howie at Tamera's apartment. I know they'll make up… now time for some fun with AJ. Smiling I ring the doorbell and wait for him to open the door. The door slowly opens to reveal AJ in black snap-on pants and a white beater with a black cameo shirt over it. I smile as he steps to the side and I walk inside my black and blue cargo pants swishing as I walk. As closes the door I notice he's smiling, as if in approval, at me. I grab his hand and pull him into his living room smirking.
"I've got something I wanna show you." I say before I start pulling my BSB concert t-shirt over my head.
"Whoa Crystal!" AJ says covering his eyes with his hand and I laugh.
"Chill, I got a beater on." I say pulling the shirt over my head as I laugh.
"See look." I say dropping the t-shirt and turning so he can see my right arm.
"Whoa, cool tattoo." He says as he looks at my arm.
I smile and look down at my arm. A tattoo of barbwire stands out on my peach forearm. I look back up at him and see he's smile creeping across his lips. AJ takes a step closer to me filling the gap between us. His hands fall on my shoulder and out eyes meet.
"You're getting too much like me." He says playfully.
"I'm not the only one who got a tattoo…" I say purposely trailing off.
"What? Who else?" AJ asks impatiently.
"Oh Tam just got a rose on her breast plate and Niki got a dolphin on her shoulder." I say simply with an evil smirk.
"You girls are nuts." He says squeezing my shoulders.
"Oh like you care, I thought you liked the fact that I'm nuts." I say leaning closer to him.
"No I love that you're crazy." He corrects me before he kisses me.
Niki
I knock on the door to Nick's penthouse. I wonder what he'll say when I show him my tattoo? I'm glad I wore a back less shirt. An evil smirk crosses my lips as the door opens to reveal Nick in a tight gray t-shirt on over some black Adidas pants. He smiles at me and lets me in. I slip off my jacket to reveal a back less pale blue shirt.
"Cool dolphin. When'd you get that done? Musta been pretty recent cause it's still red." He asks coming up behind me and slipping his arms around my waist.
"This afternoon. You really like it?" I ask looking over my shoulder at him.
"Yeah, very sexy and very wild. I love it, it's you." He says kissing my bare shoulder.
"I'm glad you like it." I say turning around in his arms.
Nick flattens his hands on my bare back and pulls me closer to him. An evil smirk spreads across my lips. I raise my arms and lock them around his neck. He rubs my nose with his giving me an Eskimo kiss. I laugh at him then stop suddenly when he stops. He lowers his lips to mine and we kiss. Again I hear fireworks in the back of my mind.
Nick's the one thing I know I'll always want and need. I've never needed someone like this. When he's away from me, even though Spike's there, I feel alone. I tighten my arms around his neck as he slightly lifts me off the ground. Now out bodies are against each other.
Sharen
Bianca, Natalia and I sit around a small round table in my living room, three black candles lit on the center of the table. The room is dark except for the candlelight. We need to start taking action. I take a deep breath and look from Natalia to Bianca. I pick up three Polaroid pictures off the floor.
"I've called this meeting of the Black Widows because the time has come for action! Our display at the graduation was good but not good enough. We need to take action. Our targets." I lay a photograph of a woman with curly blond hair in front of the candle by Bianca, "Niki Knoxs." I place a photograph of a woman with orange hair and a spike collar by the candle in front of Natalia, "Crystal Mandra." Then a photograph of a woman with fiery red spiral curls in front of me, "Tamera McCarty."
"We've almost got our work cut out for us. I ran into them today at the mall, they were getting tattoos. I heard Crystal saying they're going to Charlie's for lunch tomorrow… alone." Natalia says with an evil smirk.
"I'm working tomorrow." Bianca says with an excited smile on her face.
"Excellent. Now what're you gonna do?" I ask look at both of them.
"I could poison them." Bianca says a bit perky.
"With what?" Natalia asks sarcastically.
"Umm… how about some bleach?" Bianca suggests.
"But in what?" Natalia questions.
"In their drinks." I shoot in.
"Exactly." Bianca says clasping her hands together in front of her.
"Now that we have a plan, it's time to get back the one's we love." I say with an evil smirk on my face.
Bianca
*** The Next Day***
I sand behind the bar of Charlie's Dinner wiping it down. The bell rings above the door and I look up. Three women walk in. One has fiery curls with a baby blue baby-tee over black flares. The other has orange hair back in a braid with a Godsmack t-shirt and wide leg black, pink and orange camouflage pants. The last one has blond curls half up in pigtails with a tank top and blue jeans. They're here. They slip into a booth in the back corner and look over the tabletop menus. Tamera, the red head, sits alone with Niki, the blond, and Crystal, the one with orange hair, across form her. I take my order tablet and walk over to them.
"Hello welcome to Charlie's. Do you know what you want or do you need a few more minutes?" I ask cheerfully looking at all of them.
"Umm… give us a few." Tamera says looking from Niki and Crystal to me.
"Ok can I get you ladies anything to drink?" I ask holding a pen in one hand and the order tablet in the other.
"A Dr. Pepper." Tamera says looking back down at the menu in front of her.
"A Pepsi please." Niki and Crystal say at the same time then they both bust out laughing.
"Alright, I'll be back in a few with your sodas." I say before I head back behind the bar.
I grab the sodas out of the refrigerator and set them down on the bar top. I place three empty plastic glasses on the counter next to the fridge as I open the freezer. I pull out a nearly empty ice tray and pop out the three ice cubes in the tray. Dropping one into the bottom of each glass then I fill the rest of the glass with chipped ice. We'll see if they can dodge this one like they dodged those bullets. Setting the glasses and cans on a serving ray and walk back over by them. I place a glass in front of each of them and the Dr. Pepper in front of Tamera with the two Pepsi's between Niki and Crystal.
"Are you ready to order?" I ask resting the tray on my hip.
"Yeah I'll have a bacon cheeseburger and fires." Tamera says cracking open her can of soda.
"You want your burger medium rare, medium or well done?" I ask as I write down the order.
"Medium rare." She responds before taking a swig from the can.
"Lettuce and tomato on the side?" I ask hiding my wide eyes.
"Yeah." She says setting the can down.
"I'll have a cheeseburger, medium, with fries." Niki says tapping the top of the can.
"Ok, and for you miss?" I ask writing the order but glancing up at Crystal.
"Umm… I'll have a Chili dog." She says with a cheesy smile.
"Ok do you want fries now or with your meal?" I ask writing the last order.
"Umm… we can wait can't we guys?" Tamera asks and they nod.
I nod at them and walk over to the bar. I rip out the order sheet and post it in the kitchen for the cook. Leaning against the wall I watch them from the corner of the eye. No damn it you don't drink from the cans! Then I see Crystal put some ice in her mouth. An evil smirk crosses my face as I turn to put away dishes.
Niki
As the waitress walks away and I notice Tamera's watching her. I pop the top on my can and take a swig. Out of the corner of my eye I see Spike pop a piece of ice in her mouth.
"I've seen her before… I know it." Tamera whispers still watching her.
"You always say that." Spike says as I look back over my shoulder.
She's putting away some dishes. Suddenly Tamera snaps her fingers and I hear her trying to say something with a mouthful of soda. I turn back to her as she puts down her can and swallows.
"I got it! From graduation, the black mustang." She says hitting the table top with her fist.
"What mustang?" I ask confused.
"At graduation when you got shot remember. I saw that black mustang?" I nod, "Well remember how I saw a blond driving, a brunette in the passenger seat and a Latino chick in back." She explains pointing at the waitress.
"Wait a sec… you think that that chick was the one shooting at us?" Spike asks crunching on a piece of ice.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. I would stop eating that ice Crystal, she might have done something to it." Tamera says picking up her glass and looking at the ice.
"Tam, girl you're getting too paranoid." Spike says as she sniffs the top of her glass.
"Bleach. Bleach. This ice has bleach in it." She slams the glass down, "Check yours see for yourself." Tamera says as we follow her lead.
"It smells like bleach so what?" Tamera's eyes widen in anger, "Did you ever stop and think that maybe they use bleach as a disinfectant?" Spike says and Tamera's mouth turns into a thin line on her face.
"But would the glass still smell that strongly of bleach if it was a disinfectant?" Tamera says crossing her arms.
"She's got a point Spike, you know she does." I say and notice a smile tweaking at Tamera's lips.
"Fine, fine. I won't chew on the ice ok? Happy now?" Spike says leaning back on the booth.
"Yup." Tamera says smiling.
We all sit in silence for a minute. The clinging and sizzling from around the dinner. I hear three guys laughing from behind Tamera.
"Wonder how much trouble the girls are getting into now?" One of them says.
"Did you know they all got tattoos?" Another of them asks.
"What when'd that happen?" The third one asks.
"Yesterday. So how're you and Niki?" The second man asks.
"I think I'm in love man. I can't get her outta my head." The first man says.
"What about you and Spike?" The third man asks.
"Unlike Frack here, I know I'm in love." The second man says.
We all look at each other and laugh. Tamera holds a finger to her lips. She kneels on the seat and turns around to peak over the top of the barrier. She kneels back down and looks at us.
"Ok you two come over here. I'll sneak over to the booth on the other side of them." She whispers to us and we nod.
Quietly she slips out of the booth and quickly crawls past their table. We slip out of our seat and into the other, me by the wall and Spike on my other side. We both squat on the chair as Tamera crawls over to the other booth. Moments later her head pokes over the barrier along with ours. Tamera mouths one, two, three then at the same time we reach over and out our arms around their necks.
"You were just talking about us?" I say kissing Nick on the cheek.
"Talk about a coincidence." AJ says looking over his shoulder at Spike.
"Is this a private party or can we join you?" Tamera asks threading her fingers through Howie's hair.
"Come on over." Nick says with a smile.
We take our arms off their necks and slip out of the booth. Tamera comes over and grabs her soda as AJ brings over a chair. I grab my soda and quickly slide in the booth next to Nick. Tamera slides in on the other side by Howie and Spike sits next to me with AJ sitting backwards on a chair on the side of the table. Nick stretches his arm over my head and put is over my shoulders. I move over and nestle in by his side. I can feel Spike's feet moving under the table. Howie has his arm around Tamera's waist and she has her head on his shoulder.
"Will you two quit playing footsy before you kick me again?" Tamera asks as Spike's face goes scarlet.
"How long were you girls there?" AJ asks a bit nervous.
"Long enough to order… and hear you say you're sure you're in love." Spike says smiling.
For the first time I saw AJ blush. Spike smiles evilly at him. Then she slips her hand in his as the rest of us stifle a laugh.
"And if I am?" AJ asks after swallowing.
"Well I am too." Spike whispers before she kisses him
"Ok break it up! Here comes our food." Nick says seeing a different waitress walks over by us carrying our orders along with the guys' orders.
"Ok who ordered the bacon cheeseburger medium rare?" Tamera raises her hand and she sets a plat and basket in front of her, "The grilled chicken?" She asks.
"That would be mine." Howie says as she sets down a plate and basket in front of him.
"Umm I've got two cheeseburgers and both are medium?" She says a bit baffled.
"That would be mine." Nick and I say in unison.
"Ok." She puts a plate and basket in front of both of us, "Then a chili dog and… grilled cheese with chili." She says looking from Spike to AJ.
"Chili dog." Spike says.
The waitress puts the a plate and basket in front of Spike and a plate and bowl in front of AJ. She walks away as everyone start to dig in. I grab the ketchup and smear it all over the bottom of my burger. Then Tamera reaches across and does the same but puts a giant blob on the corner of her plate. She puts the lettuce and tomato on as Nick grabs the Ketchup. As I take a bite of my enormous cheeseburger I see half of Spike's chili dog is gone with chili all over her face around her mouth.
"Where wee you gonna tell me you got a tattoo?" Howie asks as Tamera takes a bite of her burger.
I take a bite of mine and watch her. Her eyes widen a bit as she chews. Then she ticks her head from side to side as she swallows and I do the same.
"I wasn't. I was gonna show you… but since they ruined my plan I guess now I don't have to." She says before taking another bite of her burger.
"You and your secrets." Spike mutters between bites.
"That doesn't mean you can't go through with your plan." He says as she swallows and he takes a bite of his burger.
I suppress a laugh by continuing eating. I glance around at everyone as I chew. Spike's done with her chili dog and is eating her fries. She puts a small line of ketchup on each fry before she eats it. AJ's grilled cheese is gone and his chili has a considerable dent in it. Looking next to me at Nick as I take another bite of my juicy cheeseburger, I see he's about half done with his. Tamera's about half done with her burger with Howie's constant badgering and he's barely touched his. As I take another bite I notice my cheeseburger is nearly gone as well.
"Leave the lady alone D." AJ says swallowing a spoonful of chili.
"Stay outta this Bone." Howie says opening his mouth to say something to Tamera.
"It's just a tattoo D." AJ says before taking a swig of his Mountain Dew.
Tamera sighs as Howie opens his mouth to say something. She puts her hand on his shoulder. They meet eyes and she squeezes his shoulder.
"I'll show you in due time. I was just jokin' around hun." She says smiling at him.
He smiles back at her then she goes back to eating. After a time a majority of us are munching on fries with AJ stealing the occasional few from Spike. Nick replaces his arm around my shoulder eating with one hand.
"So what are everyone's plain tonight?" AJ asks stealing a fry.
"I'm stealing Nick to go shopping." I say resting my head on his shoulder.
"I wanted Howie to come over so he can hear my new song." Tamera says slipping her hand into Howie's.
"You're going to let Howie hear you song before us? I'm crushed." Spike says melodramatically.
"Looks like we're the only one's without plains." AJ says looking at Spike.
"We can hang out at your place. That's fine by me." She says smiling.
Finishing off the last of our fries and sodas we pay our separate bills. I drag Nick over to my green Saturn while Tamera and Spike go with AJ and Howie to his Expedition. Waving our good-byes I drive towards the mall with Nick by my side.
Bianca
I watch them leave and almost feel my blood boil as I take my break. I grab my cell phone and head outside. My eyes rise to the sky as it starts drizzling. Thunder rumbles in the distance as I dial Sharen's number. It rings three times before the voice mail picks up.
"Hello, You've reached Sharen. I'm not how right now please leave a message at the beep." The recording says with a beep following.
"It's Bianca, the mission was a failure." I say before I hang up.
Damn it! That stupid red head ruined my plain… she'll pay for this because I know where she lives. I chuckle evilly remembering that she wrote a check.
Howie
I stand in the kitchen of Tamera's apartment with her in her room. I look inside the refrigerator and grab a coke. Holding the fridge door open I look over my shoulder.
"You want a soda?" I yell to her.
"Sí!" She yells back.
I grab her a coke. Closing the fridge I walk into her room. At first I don't see her then I look down and see her kneeling by the bottom drawer with only her bra on. I swallow as I put the cans on top of the dresser. Her head shoots up and she sees me. I watch her face slowly turn red as she stands with a tank top in her hands. She faces me covering her stomach but not the black bra she's wearing.
"I guess you'd see this with or without the tank top." She says biting her lip as her hand goes to her breastplate over her right breast.
My eyes follow her hand to her breastplate. A red long stem rose with an emerald stem. A parchment color banner wraps around the stem. In a type of calligraphy "My heart stays with you" is written on it. A smile crosses my lips as I reach a hand to touch is but stop my hand hanging in mid air.
"It's beautiful… it's you…" I say as I run my fingers over her tattoo.
"I'm glad you see the meaning behind it." She says a bit breathless as my fingers linger over the banner of the tattoo.
I smile as I move my fingers up her breastplate. Trailing gently over her neck to her cheek. Her eyes slowly close as my free hand goes to the tank top in her hands. She licks her lips. I kiss her lips but still holding her tank top. Then I pull away and lift her tank top over her head and slide it over her head. She lips her arms in place as I pull the tank top down over her. Her face highlighted red as I leave my hands on her waist.
"You know I feel like such a fool right now." Tamera says breaking the silence.
"Why?" I ask pulling her to me by the waist.
"I thought-" She says as I raise my hand to her lips.
"I know. I would never do that… unless you wanted me to." I say my hand trailing back down to her waist.
"I might but, not tonight." She says letting me pull her body against mine.
"So about that song…" I say as she smiles.
"Come on." She says taking my hand and leading me into the living room.
Her keyboard, some music and lyrics sit on the coffee table. Tamera sits on the couch behind the keyboard as I pull over the chair by her desk and sit in front of her. She turns on the keyboard as I look it over. It's part synthesizer with a little screen that shows the note on the staff with the corresponding key on the keyboard. I look up at her in shock as she's reading over her lyrics.
"So what's the song's title?" I ask as she clears her throat.
"Fell from Grace." She says with a smirk.
She places her fingers on the keys and starts playing. What sounds like a modified mix of Moonlight Sonata and Fur Elise with a bit of a rock beat reverberates out of the keyboard. I watch her as she closes her eyes.
"I bared you my secrets
Wore my heart on a sleeve.
But you tore me down and
Made me bleed.
I can't help but wonder
What went wrong?
Where did our love go wrong?
"I fell for grace
When you broke my trust.
Fell from grace
Down to earth.
You cut me deep
With your disloyalty.
I fell from grace
Without your love.
"Do you know what you've done?
Can you see my heart cry?
My trust in your just won't die.
Our love is true, to the core.
I just wish I knew
How you feel and tell me
This mistrust isn't real?
"But I still fell from grace
When you broke my trust.
Fell from grace
Outside your arms.
I need you with me,
By my side.
So I don't fall from grace
Without you.
"I don't understand
Why it all happened.
All I know is how I feel.
I look at you now,
I can't hide my love
But I can't deny the pain
I feel in my heart.
"You made me fall from grace
When you broke my trust.
Fell from grace
From the pain in my heart.
But I can't deny my love
And how I feel inside.
Even if I fell from grace
Because of you.
"The truth is becoming clearer
The pain is fading fast
Now I know why.
I fell from grace
Without your love." She sings in a smooth voice with the hint of a rock singer.
A few the last cords are played then she stops I sit awestruck as the meaning of the lyrics envelopes me. She wrote this song about me. Tamera folds her hands on her lap and she watches me.
"It was beautiful… did you write that by yourself?" I ask a bit awestruck.
"Yeah, I write songs whenever I get the inspiration to. You really liked it? I mean you're not just saying that to make me feel better?" She asks her cheeks a rosy red.
"Yes I really liked it. You have a real talent Tamera. I told you you had a beautiful voice. Now you have beautiful lyrics to match." I say smiling.
I stand up and walk over around the coffee table. She scoots over and I sit down next to her on the couch. Looking over at me she smiles slipping her hand into mine.
"Thank you. But I owe some of my lyrical talents to you, since you're my inspiration." She hums before she kisses me.