Chapter 5

Two Years Later

Nicole got off of her plane and got into the lobby. Jeff was standing there with a big painting the said 'WELCOME BACK NICOLE'. She smiled and jumped on him.

"Good to see you too!" he smiled as they hugged.

"So...how's everything?"

He looked at her for a second. She'd changed so much. Her hair was shorter and all blonde, which wasn't like her at all. She got a little taller, maybe, an inch or two. She was tanner and so much prettier than he'd thought she'd be. "Better."

She laughed. "Right...you haven't lost your sense of humor I see..."

He laughed. "Nope, and I see you still have your sarcasum?

"Wouldn't leave home without it!" she said as they climbed in his car. They talked for a while.

"So, uh...how's...Shane?" she asked out of the blue.

"Don't tell me you haven't talked to him..."

"Well..."

"Oh my God..." he said. She laughed as he continued. "He's ok, I guess... I've seen him happier..."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He found somebody...this chick named Hallie. I don't know...I personally don't like her..."

"Oh..." she said. "Is he happy?"

"Seems like it...boy oh boy is he going to be surprised to see you..."

"He's at your house?!?!"

"Jeeze...watch the ears woman...yeah, I told everyone I had a surprise for them and to wait at my house."

She smacked his arm and the car swerved. "Nicole! What? I thought you'd be happy!?!" he laughed.

"I hope I've told you how much I hate you..."

"Not recently...ok, here we are...home sweet home..."

"Not funny...I'm not going in..."

"Oh yes you are...put a smile on that face of yours, or I'll permanently attach one...with paint...now, come on..." he said pulling her out of the car. Before he opened the door, he said, "Remember...smile, be nice, and have fun." She just rolled her eyes as she walked in.

People just stood there in shock. Whispers were everywhere. Amy broke the silence.

"Nicole? Is that you?!?" she asked.

"The one and only..." she smiled slightly.

"Oh my God!" she ran up to her and hugged her. "Where have you been for the past two years?"

"Uhh...Florida actually..."

"When are you coming back to work?"

"Umm...pretty soon, as soon as I get settled...ya know.."

"Yeah...wow...we have to get together really soon...I missed you so much!"

"Missed you to Aimes..." she said, hugging her friend tightly.

Various people were coming up to her and hugging her, telling her how much they've missed her. She noticed Shane looking at her and she walked over to him.

"Hey..."

"Long time no see..."

"Yeah..." she laughed a little. "Ok...screw this long silence thingy...I'm way over that..." she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. A couple moments passed by and she felt his arms wrap around her. "God, I should have called." she stated, still hugging him. "I missed you...alot..."

"I missed you too..." he said, letting go of her. "Umm...there's somebody I want you to meet..." he called her over. "Nicole, meet Hallie...my girlfriend..."