"Oh shit Tiffany! Fuck," I heard a distant familiar voice cry. I
couldn't wake, I couldn't move, I just slept on. My mind drifted into a
time that I thought was forgotten. I must have pushed it to the back of
mind. But now, the date just sprung out of my head, October 18, 1999. My
sophomore year at the Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, two
days before my 20th birthday.
"Nikki! Did you get those notes from lit class this morning?" I asked running into her dorm room.
"Yeah, I got em. But you can't have em till you tell me what you were doin to miss this class." She gave me a grin as I sat on the edge of her bed. I raised my eyebrow at her and bit on my lower lip. "You were with that guy you know from high school, last nite weren't you?!"
"Maybe," I said shyly.
"Oh my God! Spill it!" she said, her think Bronx accent coming through. Her tan skin showed signs of her Italian heritage.
"We just went out to a few clubs. Kissed. Had sex. Ya know, the normal everyday things!" I laughed.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed happily. "But I thought that you wouldn't."
"Me too, but he was very convincing last nite," I said as I lost my smile. "Do you think I did the wrong thing?"
"No, not if you really love him," she answered.
"I do love Marc. I really do." I released a sigh as she looked through her binder.
"Here's the notes. And don't worry, anytime you need me to give you notes again, just let me know." She gave me a wink as I took the papers out of her hand. I smiled at her as I stood to leave.
"I'll see ya later girl. And thanks." I left the room and made my way to my own, pushing through the hoards of people that stood in the middle of the halls discussing whatever came to their heads at the time. I waved and nodded to a few familiar people, but didn't stop to talk.
The minute I got in my room I curled up on my bed, Rob Zombie blaring from the speakers of my stereo, and began to drift into a daydream. My dream was disturbed by the familiar ding from my AIM on my computer, indicating that someone wished to speak to me. I glanced at the screen and smiled as I went to sit in the computer chair.
'Marc! What's up baby?!' I typed.
'Not much honey. Are you in a good mood?'
'I think so. Why?'
'Well, I have some bad news. We're gonna have to post pone our plans for tomorrow nite. Something came up.'
'Oh, I see.'
'I'm so sorry. If I could get out of it, I would. But I can't. You understand, right?'
'Yeah, sure I do.'
'Again, I'm sorry to do this to you, T. I have to run off to class now. I'll talk to you soon.'
'Okay, lata.'
'I love you T.' A smile formed across my face as I looked at the three words that appeared on my screen.
'I love you too Marc.' He signed off and I went back to my daydream.
"What are we gonna do for your 20th birthday Tiff?" Nikki asked as we sat at a table in a small café.
"I don't know. Don't really have any plans. Why?"
"Well, we gotta do something! We can't just sit around doing nothing," she replied as I took a sip of my coffee.
"Whateva ya wanna do is fine with me," I said.
"You've been here for too long. You need to go back to Canada or go travel with your brother for a little while. You're starting to sound like me!" Nikki laughed.
"Is there a problem with that?" I asked.
"Hell no. I happen to think that a New York accent is the best you can have," she said proudly. I laughed at her and shook my head. "Well, we have to think of something. Your birthday is tomorrow."
"Yeah, I know," I said with a sad sigh.
"What are you and Marc doin tonite?" she asked curiously.
"Nothing. Something came up, so he had to cancel our plans," I said sadly.
"Oh, I'm sorry Tiff. Maybe he's out getting you an awesome gift," she said.
"I don't think so. I kinda get a bad feelin bout this whole thing, ya know what I mean?"
"I'm sure it's all good. I wouldn't worry," she said reassuringly.
"Guess we should head back?" I asked standing up from the table. She grabbed her bag and took my arm as we walked towards the train.
We walked up the steps to our dorm hall laughing at someone we had just seen on the train. There are some freaky assed people in New York, but it's all good. I wouldn't wanna be anyplace else. Except maybe with my brother, I missed him so much. Nikki and I started to walk up the stairs when she stopped suddenly and began to stare at a few guys standing by the door to the hall lounge. I stopped in mid laugh and looked where her eyes were directed at. My heart seemed to stop as I dropped my bag on the floor and my eyes watered. I ran towards the taller of the group of four guys. One of the guys tapped the taller one on the shoulder and pointed at me. He smiled at me and opened his arms wide as I jumped into them. I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly as he held me in the air.
"Surprise T-Bird," he whispered in my ear.
"Adam! Oh my God! What the hell are you doin here?" I asked as tears of joy slipped down my cheeks.
"We're gonna be in Boston the 21st so we thought we'd make a pit stop and spend your birthday with you," he answered as she placed me on the floor gently. I studied his features carefully. Nothing about him had changed in the year and a half I hadn't seen him, except maybe the size of his body had grown in a mass of muscles. His hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and his famous black Edge sunglasses rested on his head. He seemed to be doing the same with me as his eyes traveled from my now shoulder length blonde and blue wavy hair to my face that now had an eyebrow piercing. He looked down to my stomach and noticed the butterfly charm that hung off my belly button ring. "Wow, you're so......different looking. You're still just as beautiful as before, but more.....you I suppose."
"Yeah, it's me!" I laughed.
"Does mom know about all these changes?" he asked skeptically.
"Yeah, as if I'd tell her! I haven't been home since I came here," I answered.
"Anything else that's been added to your body that I should know about?" he asked in a big brother tone.
"Well....there are 3 new additions," I said biting my lip nervously.
"And I can see one of them!" a thick southern voice announced from behind me. My eyes grew wide in shock as I turned my head around to see a multi-colored haired Jeff standing there with his arms crossed over his chest. He had on a Hardy Boyz necklace, North Carolina Tar Heels jersey, tattered worn in blue jeans, and black boots.
"I didn't even see you there, Jeff," I said with a smile.
"Sure, take the girl to her last school formal, give her a personal poem before she comes here, e-mail her from time to time, and she forgets about me! That's not cool!" he joked pulled me tightly into his body in a hug.
"I've missed ya Jeff," I laughed.
"AH! I see it! Jesus, T! What the hell are you doin with your body!?" Adam freaked as I let go of Jeff. I nervously played with my hair as Jeff put his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them gently. "Okay, where are the other two things?!"
"Okay, so maybe I've added some piercings and a couple tattoos," I said biting my lip.
"Couple tattoos?" Adam wondered.
"Yeah, two. The dragon here on my back," I said pointing to the dark and light blue Chinese dragon that was tattooed on the small of my back. I then rolled up the sleeve of my midriff t-shirt to show him the blue flame band around my left bicep.
"You're addicted to them, aren't you?" Matt asked stepping out from behind Adam.
"Hey Matt," I said with a happy smile.
"Okay, what's the other addition?" Adam demanded.
"This," I said sticking my tongue out to show him the blue barbell ring that had been stuck through my tongue.
"Mom would die if she saw you!" Adam said.
"I know," I said in a childish tone.
"Oh God. I can't believe you went from that cute little adorable innocent thing to......JEFF!" Jay laughed as he wrapped his arms around my shoulder.
"Hey! I think I'm offended!" Jeff said in a playful hurt tone.
"You're offended?! He just called me you!" I joked.
"Maybe I should leave. Ya'll are pickin on me just too much!" Jeff said walking away.
"If you leave, Jeffrey, I will be the most hurt person ever!" I said with a playful cry.
"And we'll be stuck with the freak," Matt added.
"HEY!" I exclaimed as Nikki stood back and laughed at us. I looked at her and rolled my eyes. "Guys, this is Nikki. Nikki, this of course is my bro Adam and his dork assed friends. Jeff, the freak. Matt, the uptight nerd. And Jay, well, there's really no classification for him."
"That's the last time I ever come pay you a visit!" Jay joked sticking his nose in the air. I punched his shoulder playfully and laughed.
"So, what are we doin tonite?" Matt asked as I lead them up to my room.
"Well, Nikki and I were gonna see a movie tonite, and I've been kinda pushin her off since Marc and I got back together, so I really can't cancel on her. But you guys are more than welcome to join us," I said as Nikki walked towards her room.
"No, we'll let you girls do your thing. We can party tomorrow for your birthday and then the day after," Matt replied.
"You and Marc are back together? Why?" Jeff asked protectively.
"Long story short, he said he missed me and loved me and that I was the only girl he wanted to be with. So I am with him," I answered as I fumbled with the key to let us in the room.
"You have the tiara and sash in your room?!" Jeff laughed as he looked around.
"Yeah, plus the rose. I dried it," I said pointing to where it hung off the wall.
"How do ya like it here?" Jay asked as he flopped down on my bed.
"I love it. I mean, I do live here. Well, I live in the Bronx with Nikki during the summer with her family. But other than that, I'm here. I love New York, a lot!" I said. "And the school is really awesome. I'm doing great in all my classes. Especially my production classes."
"You should come travel with us this summer. Just like old times," Jeff said as he read over some of the poems I had written.
"Yeah, maybe," I said looking at Adam who was busy in his own world looking at the pictures of he and I that sat on the dresser. "I missed ya bro." I stood next to him as he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. I rested my head on his chest and released a sigh of contentment.
"I missed ya too, T." He kissed the top of my head and continued to look at one specific picture. The picture of me and him walking down the stairs for my formal. We looked so much a like then. It's amazing how things can change over time.
"Is this Marc, now?!" Matt asked picking up a picture of him and I at Central Park.
"Yeah, he's changed, huh?" I laughed.
"Hell yeah! He's not the normal football jock looking guy that I saw a few years ago," Jeff said as he looked over Matt's shoulder.
"Yeah, he doesn't play sports anymore. He's working on becoming a lawyer," I laughed.
"Excuse me? Looking like that?!" Jay exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know. That's what I keep telling him."
"Jesus, when I saw him, he had short spiky blonde hair, large build, no earrings or piercings of any kind, OR tattoos," Jeff said.
"Yeah, now he's got purple spiky hair, the same large build, both ears pierced, tongue pierced, lip pierced, and a tattoo on his calf, shoulder, back, and chest," I laughed.
"It must be a New York thing," Matt said shaking his head disapprovingly.
"A New York thing?! Have you seen your brother lately?!" I said.
"Good point," Matt smiled. Jeff just gave him a side ways glare, shaking his head slightly.
"Tiff, are ya ready?" Nikki asked peeking her head in the room. I nodded at her as she walked inside.
"I'll give you a call tomorrow?" Adam said kissing my cheek.
"Sure thing. I'm sorry about this guys. Don't think I don't wanna spend time with ya'll, cause I do," I smiled as I watched them get into their car. I waved at them as they drove off.
"Girls nite out!" Nikki screamed excitedly. I laughed at her as we jumped into her black sunfire.
"Does that guy look familiar to you guys?" Jeff asked pointing towards a table across the room of Planet Hollywood from them. The others look and tilted their heads in confusion.
"Yeah, man. Very familiar. But if it's the guy I'm thinking it is, he shouldn't be with her," Jay answered.
"That girl looks familiar to me too," Jeff said scratching his head.
"Dudes, that's my sister's mother fuckin boyfriend makin out with that chick!" Adam yelled in a heated rage.
"It is Marc! Dude, who's the chick?" Matt questioned as they continued to stare at the couple that were sharing an intimate dinner.
"Mackenzie?" Jeff questioned to himself. "Holy shit! Dudes, that's Mackenzie!"
"As in the Mackenzie that made fun of my sister all through out high school?" Adam asked furiously.
"Yeah, man. That Mackenzie," Jeff answered cautiously.
"Fuckin asshole bitch!" Adam yelled as he stood up from the table.
"No man. Don't," Jay said putting his hand on Adam's arm. He pulled back down to his seat. "Dude, you don't wanna go off on this guy here. What we'll do is go back and tell Tiff."
"It'll destroy her," Adam said.
"But she needs to know. She's an adult. She can handle it," Matt said.
"I think it would be better for her to see this. I mean chances of her believing this are very slim," Jeff pointed out. "Call her Adam. Tell her that we'll treat her and Nikki to dessert."
Adam nodded and began to call my cell phone. "Hey T. Ya done with the movie yet? Well, get your asses over here! We're treating the two of you to dessert. Yeah, Planet Hollywood. Right. Okay, see ya soon," Adam said before hangin up. "They should be here in about five minutes."
"I feel really bad about all this already," Matt said.
"I know, she's gonna be crushed," Adam said.
"TIFF!" Jeff yelled as he waved us over. I sat down next to him facing the couple.
"Thanks for treating us to dessert," I said as Jeff put his hand on my knee in a comforting way. I gave him a weird look and he just shook his head.
"T, I have something to tell you and you're gonna be really upset about it," Adam started.
"What are you talkin bout?" I asked.
"Oh shit. I see what he's talking bout," Nikki said angrily as she looked at where everyone else was looking. I shook my head trying to get rid of the confusion as Jeff moved my head with his hand to where Marc and Mackenzie sat.
"Oh my God," I said quietly as I watched them share a passionate kiss.
"T, are you alright?" Matt asked.
"I can't believe this," I said angrily as I stood up. I stormed over to them and leaned on the table.
"TIFFY! What a surprise!" Mackenzie said in her usual bitchy tone. I guess some things never change.
"You son of a bitch!" I screamed as Marc looked up at me with a cocky grin.
"Sorry Tiff. Guess you gotta know the truth. I canceled because of Mackenzie. I love her. Always have. You were just available when she wasn't," Marc said.
"That's right dear. He was using you!" Mackenzie laughed.
"You asshole!" I yelled as I pulled my fist back and let it land right on Marc's nose, causing it to make a horrible cracking noise and bleed.
"That's my sister," Adam said proudly.
I began to walk away, very content with my actions, but I needed to do one more thing. I looked back at Mackenzie, gave her the middle finger, and smiled as I mouthed, 'Fuck you bitch.' I walked back to the table where Adam was smiling proudly and everyone else to sat there shocked.
"So, dessert, right? I'll have a slice of chocolate cream pie," I said with a smile.
"I know you said that you were okay at the restaurant. But are you really?" Jeff asked as he walked me up to my room.
"Truth?" I asked.
"Of course," he answered as I threw my coat on my bed.
"I'm not okay. Not by a long shot. I believed him Jeff. I can't even count how many times that makes it that he's hurt me. Why do guys insist on doing that?" I asked as I collapsed on the bed. Jeff sat next to me, putting his arm around my waist.
"Like I've told you time and time again, you'll find that one guy. I promise you. Hell, you may even know him now!" Jeff said.
"I can't trust anyone anymore. Well, except for you guys. You guys have never brought me down," I said letting tears slip down my cheeks.
"Hey, don't cry, Queen T." Jeff smiled at me before kissing my cheek. I chuckled and hugged him tightly.
"I'm so glad you guys are here. I think I'd be lost right now if you were," I said letting out a sigh.
"You'd get through it. Some how you always do."
"I know, but it's getting harder and harder. I lied to you guys earlier. I'm not doing well here. I'm hardly passing any of classes. It's not what I expected, ya know? I just don't know what to do. And I'm afraid Adam my kick my ass if I tell him I wanna drop out," I said.
"Is that what you want? To drop out?" Jeff asked.
"I don't know what I want anymore," I answered looking into his deep green eyes. As many times as I had looked into his eyes before, I'd never seen them look quite this beautiful. But then again, he also seemed to be looking at me in a different way.
"Come on the road with us," Jeff blurted out.
"I don't know Jeff. I mean I love watching you guys on tv, but I don't think I actually wanna be a wrestler," I said looking away from him.
"Not to be a wrestler. We'll get you some other job. T, I miss you so much. You would fit right in with us. Please?" Jeff pleaded.
"I can't Jeff," I said softly.
"Then finish the rest of the year and then consider it," I heard Adam say. I looked up at him as he stood in the door way. "T, I'd love to have you with me again. I can't even express how much I miss you."
"I miss you too," I cried. "I miss you all. As much as I love New York, I just can't be without my big brother."
"Then finish the year and come on the road with us this summer. We'll see what we can do about getting you a job. You could work in wardrobe, or be a photographer you do have kick ass camera skills. OR maybe work on production. I don't know what yet, but we'll find something. You're my T-Bird, I want you with me," Adam said as he knelt down in front of me. He took my hands in his and smiled up at me.
"I'll think about it," I said with a smile.
"Great!" Adam said excitedly. "Come on Jeff. Let's go to the hotel to get some sleep."
"You two wanna just stay here?" I asked.
"Nah, I'll see ya tomorrow baby sis," Adam said kissing my forehead as he stood. "Coming Jeff?"
"No, I think I'll stay here with Tiff," Jeff smiled. Adam nodded and left.
"Tv?" I asked as I picked up the remote. Jeff took it out of my hands and set it down on the nitestand. He pulled a wrapped gift out of his pocket and smiled at me.
"It's now 12:01 am, October 20th. Your birthday, so I want to be the first to wish you a happy birthday," Jeff said handing me the gift. I smiled at him as I ripped the paper off the small black velvet ring box.
"Jeff, are you purposing to me?!" I joked as I opened the box. "Oh wow." Inside was a silver claddah ring.
"It's a claddah ring," he said as he took it out of the box and placed it on my left ring finger with the crown pointing up. "If it's like this it means friendship, but if you put it the other way with the heart facing you, then it's love. This just kinda expresses how much you mean to me as a friend." I stared down at my finger as the shiny object glistened in the light. I smiled and placed my lips on his quickly.
"Thank you! I love it," I said happily.
"I.....I'm glad," he stuttered in a state of shock from the kiss.
"Nikki! Did you get those notes from lit class this morning?" I asked running into her dorm room.
"Yeah, I got em. But you can't have em till you tell me what you were doin to miss this class." She gave me a grin as I sat on the edge of her bed. I raised my eyebrow at her and bit on my lower lip. "You were with that guy you know from high school, last nite weren't you?!"
"Maybe," I said shyly.
"Oh my God! Spill it!" she said, her think Bronx accent coming through. Her tan skin showed signs of her Italian heritage.
"We just went out to a few clubs. Kissed. Had sex. Ya know, the normal everyday things!" I laughed.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed happily. "But I thought that you wouldn't."
"Me too, but he was very convincing last nite," I said as I lost my smile. "Do you think I did the wrong thing?"
"No, not if you really love him," she answered.
"I do love Marc. I really do." I released a sigh as she looked through her binder.
"Here's the notes. And don't worry, anytime you need me to give you notes again, just let me know." She gave me a wink as I took the papers out of her hand. I smiled at her as I stood to leave.
"I'll see ya later girl. And thanks." I left the room and made my way to my own, pushing through the hoards of people that stood in the middle of the halls discussing whatever came to their heads at the time. I waved and nodded to a few familiar people, but didn't stop to talk.
The minute I got in my room I curled up on my bed, Rob Zombie blaring from the speakers of my stereo, and began to drift into a daydream. My dream was disturbed by the familiar ding from my AIM on my computer, indicating that someone wished to speak to me. I glanced at the screen and smiled as I went to sit in the computer chair.
'Marc! What's up baby?!' I typed.
'Not much honey. Are you in a good mood?'
'I think so. Why?'
'Well, I have some bad news. We're gonna have to post pone our plans for tomorrow nite. Something came up.'
'Oh, I see.'
'I'm so sorry. If I could get out of it, I would. But I can't. You understand, right?'
'Yeah, sure I do.'
'Again, I'm sorry to do this to you, T. I have to run off to class now. I'll talk to you soon.'
'Okay, lata.'
'I love you T.' A smile formed across my face as I looked at the three words that appeared on my screen.
'I love you too Marc.' He signed off and I went back to my daydream.
"What are we gonna do for your 20th birthday Tiff?" Nikki asked as we sat at a table in a small café.
"I don't know. Don't really have any plans. Why?"
"Well, we gotta do something! We can't just sit around doing nothing," she replied as I took a sip of my coffee.
"Whateva ya wanna do is fine with me," I said.
"You've been here for too long. You need to go back to Canada or go travel with your brother for a little while. You're starting to sound like me!" Nikki laughed.
"Is there a problem with that?" I asked.
"Hell no. I happen to think that a New York accent is the best you can have," she said proudly. I laughed at her and shook my head. "Well, we have to think of something. Your birthday is tomorrow."
"Yeah, I know," I said with a sad sigh.
"What are you and Marc doin tonite?" she asked curiously.
"Nothing. Something came up, so he had to cancel our plans," I said sadly.
"Oh, I'm sorry Tiff. Maybe he's out getting you an awesome gift," she said.
"I don't think so. I kinda get a bad feelin bout this whole thing, ya know what I mean?"
"I'm sure it's all good. I wouldn't worry," she said reassuringly.
"Guess we should head back?" I asked standing up from the table. She grabbed her bag and took my arm as we walked towards the train.
We walked up the steps to our dorm hall laughing at someone we had just seen on the train. There are some freaky assed people in New York, but it's all good. I wouldn't wanna be anyplace else. Except maybe with my brother, I missed him so much. Nikki and I started to walk up the stairs when she stopped suddenly and began to stare at a few guys standing by the door to the hall lounge. I stopped in mid laugh and looked where her eyes were directed at. My heart seemed to stop as I dropped my bag on the floor and my eyes watered. I ran towards the taller of the group of four guys. One of the guys tapped the taller one on the shoulder and pointed at me. He smiled at me and opened his arms wide as I jumped into them. I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly as he held me in the air.
"Surprise T-Bird," he whispered in my ear.
"Adam! Oh my God! What the hell are you doin here?" I asked as tears of joy slipped down my cheeks.
"We're gonna be in Boston the 21st so we thought we'd make a pit stop and spend your birthday with you," he answered as she placed me on the floor gently. I studied his features carefully. Nothing about him had changed in the year and a half I hadn't seen him, except maybe the size of his body had grown in a mass of muscles. His hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and his famous black Edge sunglasses rested on his head. He seemed to be doing the same with me as his eyes traveled from my now shoulder length blonde and blue wavy hair to my face that now had an eyebrow piercing. He looked down to my stomach and noticed the butterfly charm that hung off my belly button ring. "Wow, you're so......different looking. You're still just as beautiful as before, but more.....you I suppose."
"Yeah, it's me!" I laughed.
"Does mom know about all these changes?" he asked skeptically.
"Yeah, as if I'd tell her! I haven't been home since I came here," I answered.
"Anything else that's been added to your body that I should know about?" he asked in a big brother tone.
"Well....there are 3 new additions," I said biting my lip nervously.
"And I can see one of them!" a thick southern voice announced from behind me. My eyes grew wide in shock as I turned my head around to see a multi-colored haired Jeff standing there with his arms crossed over his chest. He had on a Hardy Boyz necklace, North Carolina Tar Heels jersey, tattered worn in blue jeans, and black boots.
"I didn't even see you there, Jeff," I said with a smile.
"Sure, take the girl to her last school formal, give her a personal poem before she comes here, e-mail her from time to time, and she forgets about me! That's not cool!" he joked pulled me tightly into his body in a hug.
"I've missed ya Jeff," I laughed.
"AH! I see it! Jesus, T! What the hell are you doin with your body!?" Adam freaked as I let go of Jeff. I nervously played with my hair as Jeff put his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them gently. "Okay, where are the other two things?!"
"Okay, so maybe I've added some piercings and a couple tattoos," I said biting my lip.
"Couple tattoos?" Adam wondered.
"Yeah, two. The dragon here on my back," I said pointing to the dark and light blue Chinese dragon that was tattooed on the small of my back. I then rolled up the sleeve of my midriff t-shirt to show him the blue flame band around my left bicep.
"You're addicted to them, aren't you?" Matt asked stepping out from behind Adam.
"Hey Matt," I said with a happy smile.
"Okay, what's the other addition?" Adam demanded.
"This," I said sticking my tongue out to show him the blue barbell ring that had been stuck through my tongue.
"Mom would die if she saw you!" Adam said.
"I know," I said in a childish tone.
"Oh God. I can't believe you went from that cute little adorable innocent thing to......JEFF!" Jay laughed as he wrapped his arms around my shoulder.
"Hey! I think I'm offended!" Jeff said in a playful hurt tone.
"You're offended?! He just called me you!" I joked.
"Maybe I should leave. Ya'll are pickin on me just too much!" Jeff said walking away.
"If you leave, Jeffrey, I will be the most hurt person ever!" I said with a playful cry.
"And we'll be stuck with the freak," Matt added.
"HEY!" I exclaimed as Nikki stood back and laughed at us. I looked at her and rolled my eyes. "Guys, this is Nikki. Nikki, this of course is my bro Adam and his dork assed friends. Jeff, the freak. Matt, the uptight nerd. And Jay, well, there's really no classification for him."
"That's the last time I ever come pay you a visit!" Jay joked sticking his nose in the air. I punched his shoulder playfully and laughed.
"So, what are we doin tonite?" Matt asked as I lead them up to my room.
"Well, Nikki and I were gonna see a movie tonite, and I've been kinda pushin her off since Marc and I got back together, so I really can't cancel on her. But you guys are more than welcome to join us," I said as Nikki walked towards her room.
"No, we'll let you girls do your thing. We can party tomorrow for your birthday and then the day after," Matt replied.
"You and Marc are back together? Why?" Jeff asked protectively.
"Long story short, he said he missed me and loved me and that I was the only girl he wanted to be with. So I am with him," I answered as I fumbled with the key to let us in the room.
"You have the tiara and sash in your room?!" Jeff laughed as he looked around.
"Yeah, plus the rose. I dried it," I said pointing to where it hung off the wall.
"How do ya like it here?" Jay asked as he flopped down on my bed.
"I love it. I mean, I do live here. Well, I live in the Bronx with Nikki during the summer with her family. But other than that, I'm here. I love New York, a lot!" I said. "And the school is really awesome. I'm doing great in all my classes. Especially my production classes."
"You should come travel with us this summer. Just like old times," Jeff said as he read over some of the poems I had written.
"Yeah, maybe," I said looking at Adam who was busy in his own world looking at the pictures of he and I that sat on the dresser. "I missed ya bro." I stood next to him as he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. I rested my head on his chest and released a sigh of contentment.
"I missed ya too, T." He kissed the top of my head and continued to look at one specific picture. The picture of me and him walking down the stairs for my formal. We looked so much a like then. It's amazing how things can change over time.
"Is this Marc, now?!" Matt asked picking up a picture of him and I at Central Park.
"Yeah, he's changed, huh?" I laughed.
"Hell yeah! He's not the normal football jock looking guy that I saw a few years ago," Jeff said as he looked over Matt's shoulder.
"Yeah, he doesn't play sports anymore. He's working on becoming a lawyer," I laughed.
"Excuse me? Looking like that?!" Jay exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know. That's what I keep telling him."
"Jesus, when I saw him, he had short spiky blonde hair, large build, no earrings or piercings of any kind, OR tattoos," Jeff said.
"Yeah, now he's got purple spiky hair, the same large build, both ears pierced, tongue pierced, lip pierced, and a tattoo on his calf, shoulder, back, and chest," I laughed.
"It must be a New York thing," Matt said shaking his head disapprovingly.
"A New York thing?! Have you seen your brother lately?!" I said.
"Good point," Matt smiled. Jeff just gave him a side ways glare, shaking his head slightly.
"Tiff, are ya ready?" Nikki asked peeking her head in the room. I nodded at her as she walked inside.
"I'll give you a call tomorrow?" Adam said kissing my cheek.
"Sure thing. I'm sorry about this guys. Don't think I don't wanna spend time with ya'll, cause I do," I smiled as I watched them get into their car. I waved at them as they drove off.
"Girls nite out!" Nikki screamed excitedly. I laughed at her as we jumped into her black sunfire.
"Does that guy look familiar to you guys?" Jeff asked pointing towards a table across the room of Planet Hollywood from them. The others look and tilted their heads in confusion.
"Yeah, man. Very familiar. But if it's the guy I'm thinking it is, he shouldn't be with her," Jay answered.
"That girl looks familiar to me too," Jeff said scratching his head.
"Dudes, that's my sister's mother fuckin boyfriend makin out with that chick!" Adam yelled in a heated rage.
"It is Marc! Dude, who's the chick?" Matt questioned as they continued to stare at the couple that were sharing an intimate dinner.
"Mackenzie?" Jeff questioned to himself. "Holy shit! Dudes, that's Mackenzie!"
"As in the Mackenzie that made fun of my sister all through out high school?" Adam asked furiously.
"Yeah, man. That Mackenzie," Jeff answered cautiously.
"Fuckin asshole bitch!" Adam yelled as he stood up from the table.
"No man. Don't," Jay said putting his hand on Adam's arm. He pulled back down to his seat. "Dude, you don't wanna go off on this guy here. What we'll do is go back and tell Tiff."
"It'll destroy her," Adam said.
"But she needs to know. She's an adult. She can handle it," Matt said.
"I think it would be better for her to see this. I mean chances of her believing this are very slim," Jeff pointed out. "Call her Adam. Tell her that we'll treat her and Nikki to dessert."
Adam nodded and began to call my cell phone. "Hey T. Ya done with the movie yet? Well, get your asses over here! We're treating the two of you to dessert. Yeah, Planet Hollywood. Right. Okay, see ya soon," Adam said before hangin up. "They should be here in about five minutes."
"I feel really bad about all this already," Matt said.
"I know, she's gonna be crushed," Adam said.
"TIFF!" Jeff yelled as he waved us over. I sat down next to him facing the couple.
"Thanks for treating us to dessert," I said as Jeff put his hand on my knee in a comforting way. I gave him a weird look and he just shook his head.
"T, I have something to tell you and you're gonna be really upset about it," Adam started.
"What are you talkin bout?" I asked.
"Oh shit. I see what he's talking bout," Nikki said angrily as she looked at where everyone else was looking. I shook my head trying to get rid of the confusion as Jeff moved my head with his hand to where Marc and Mackenzie sat.
"Oh my God," I said quietly as I watched them share a passionate kiss.
"T, are you alright?" Matt asked.
"I can't believe this," I said angrily as I stood up. I stormed over to them and leaned on the table.
"TIFFY! What a surprise!" Mackenzie said in her usual bitchy tone. I guess some things never change.
"You son of a bitch!" I screamed as Marc looked up at me with a cocky grin.
"Sorry Tiff. Guess you gotta know the truth. I canceled because of Mackenzie. I love her. Always have. You were just available when she wasn't," Marc said.
"That's right dear. He was using you!" Mackenzie laughed.
"You asshole!" I yelled as I pulled my fist back and let it land right on Marc's nose, causing it to make a horrible cracking noise and bleed.
"That's my sister," Adam said proudly.
I began to walk away, very content with my actions, but I needed to do one more thing. I looked back at Mackenzie, gave her the middle finger, and smiled as I mouthed, 'Fuck you bitch.' I walked back to the table where Adam was smiling proudly and everyone else to sat there shocked.
"So, dessert, right? I'll have a slice of chocolate cream pie," I said with a smile.
"I know you said that you were okay at the restaurant. But are you really?" Jeff asked as he walked me up to my room.
"Truth?" I asked.
"Of course," he answered as I threw my coat on my bed.
"I'm not okay. Not by a long shot. I believed him Jeff. I can't even count how many times that makes it that he's hurt me. Why do guys insist on doing that?" I asked as I collapsed on the bed. Jeff sat next to me, putting his arm around my waist.
"Like I've told you time and time again, you'll find that one guy. I promise you. Hell, you may even know him now!" Jeff said.
"I can't trust anyone anymore. Well, except for you guys. You guys have never brought me down," I said letting tears slip down my cheeks.
"Hey, don't cry, Queen T." Jeff smiled at me before kissing my cheek. I chuckled and hugged him tightly.
"I'm so glad you guys are here. I think I'd be lost right now if you were," I said letting out a sigh.
"You'd get through it. Some how you always do."
"I know, but it's getting harder and harder. I lied to you guys earlier. I'm not doing well here. I'm hardly passing any of classes. It's not what I expected, ya know? I just don't know what to do. And I'm afraid Adam my kick my ass if I tell him I wanna drop out," I said.
"Is that what you want? To drop out?" Jeff asked.
"I don't know what I want anymore," I answered looking into his deep green eyes. As many times as I had looked into his eyes before, I'd never seen them look quite this beautiful. But then again, he also seemed to be looking at me in a different way.
"Come on the road with us," Jeff blurted out.
"I don't know Jeff. I mean I love watching you guys on tv, but I don't think I actually wanna be a wrestler," I said looking away from him.
"Not to be a wrestler. We'll get you some other job. T, I miss you so much. You would fit right in with us. Please?" Jeff pleaded.
"I can't Jeff," I said softly.
"Then finish the rest of the year and then consider it," I heard Adam say. I looked up at him as he stood in the door way. "T, I'd love to have you with me again. I can't even express how much I miss you."
"I miss you too," I cried. "I miss you all. As much as I love New York, I just can't be without my big brother."
"Then finish the year and come on the road with us this summer. We'll see what we can do about getting you a job. You could work in wardrobe, or be a photographer you do have kick ass camera skills. OR maybe work on production. I don't know what yet, but we'll find something. You're my T-Bird, I want you with me," Adam said as he knelt down in front of me. He took my hands in his and smiled up at me.
"I'll think about it," I said with a smile.
"Great!" Adam said excitedly. "Come on Jeff. Let's go to the hotel to get some sleep."
"You two wanna just stay here?" I asked.
"Nah, I'll see ya tomorrow baby sis," Adam said kissing my forehead as he stood. "Coming Jeff?"
"No, I think I'll stay here with Tiff," Jeff smiled. Adam nodded and left.
"Tv?" I asked as I picked up the remote. Jeff took it out of my hands and set it down on the nitestand. He pulled a wrapped gift out of his pocket and smiled at me.
"It's now 12:01 am, October 20th. Your birthday, so I want to be the first to wish you a happy birthday," Jeff said handing me the gift. I smiled at him as I ripped the paper off the small black velvet ring box.
"Jeff, are you purposing to me?!" I joked as I opened the box. "Oh wow." Inside was a silver claddah ring.
"It's a claddah ring," he said as he took it out of the box and placed it on my left ring finger with the crown pointing up. "If it's like this it means friendship, but if you put it the other way with the heart facing you, then it's love. This just kinda expresses how much you mean to me as a friend." I stared down at my finger as the shiny object glistened in the light. I smiled and placed my lips on his quickly.
"Thank you! I love it," I said happily.
"I.....I'm glad," he stuttered in a state of shock from the kiss.