Nothing Stays The Same

Chapter 24: Last Nights After Math

Nikkie was putting on her coat while the club slowly cleared out. She put was standing with Manny and Paige.

"I can't believe it. 2006. A whole other year. Can you believe it" Manny said

"No. It sucks too. All you guys are leaving once summer's over" Emma said

"Most of us atleast. But dont think about that Emma. We have a long time before then" Nikkie said hugging her. Nikkie and the girls kept talking until she saw Reggie walk by.

"I'll be right back" Nikkie said

Nikkie followed him outside.

"Reggie" she called for him. He turned around and stopped. Nikkie went up to him and looked him deep in the eyes.

"You need a ride" he asked

"No...Im good" she said softly. He kept looking at her. Nikkie looked down and took off the shades that were sitting at the top of her head,

"This belongs to you" she said as handed them to him

"Keep it" he said "They look good on you" he added. She smiled softly.

"I gotta head home. I'll stop by tomorrow" Reggie said. Nikkie nodded. He took his finger and lifted her chin and kissed her in the corner of her mouth, barely on her lips but on her cheek. He turned around and walked over to his car. Nikkie walked back to the entrance and found Jimmy waiting. He walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"You ready" Jimmy asked

"Yeah" With that they got in her car and headed home.


Nikkie woke up with headache. But turned over to find Jimmy lying beside her. She looked at the clock and saw that it was 1:00. She shook Jimmy.

"Jimmy, its 1:00. You have band practice at 1:30" Nikkie said

"Damn. Tell Craig I can't make it" Jimmy said as he turned over

"Jimmy. Thats a priority. Dont let him down. You know this is one of the few you have until classes start coming in" Nikkie said

"Ok, ok. Why arn't you helping me stay with you" he said as he got on top of her. Nikkie laughed

"I want you to stay. But its afternoon and you have practice. So..." Nikkie said before kissing him. He rolled off of her and started putting on his clothes. He finally left and left Nikkie to sit and think. She remembered everything so clearly. She remembered him pulling her. She remembered his kiss. She still smelled his scent on her. She looked at her bedside and saw the shades sitting on her night table. She couldn't believe it. Was it possible that Reggie Valdes a.k.a Slim the friends of rapist be feeling her?

Nikkie got up and got into the shower. She got out and threw on black baggy sweatpants and a long sleeve tight white t-shirt. She went downstairs and fixed herself some tea. She found a note on the fridge from her mom explaining her urgent job call. She sat down at the counter flipped through the magazine while she drank her tea. Suddenly there was a knock on the back door. She opened the door and found Reggie.

"Hey" Nikkie said feeling awkward deep down inside

"What up" he said hugging her. Nikkie sat back down at the counter and Reggie took a seat beside her. He was looking good. He had on baggy dark blue jeans, and long white t-shirt and a black thick blazer and his nike boots.

"What are you doing today" Reggie asked

"Nothing much. Chillin I guess" Nikkie said

"Come with me. I gotta buy a few things" Reggie said

"Cool" Nikkie said. Nikkie went upstairs and put on light blue jeans and left her white shirt on. She put on her white ups and her black bubble vest. She tied up her waterfall curls in a ponytail. She came downstairs.

"Ready?" he asked her

"Yeah" Nikkie said


Nikkie got into the passenger side of Reggie's whine colored mercedes. He got in and pulled out of the driveway. Reggie turned on the radio and Chris Brown's "Run It" blasted the radio.

"Last night was crazy" Nikkie said. Reggie looked at her.

"Yeah...it was" Reggie said

"But I enjoyed it" Nikkie said. Reggie knew what she meant.

"Nikkie, I don't know what came over me last night. I-"Nikkie cut him off

"I said I enjoyed it" Nikkie smiled. He smiled and licked his lips. They arrived at the mall. He went in and bought a few things. Then they went into a jewerly store.

"Reggie, ma man. What's good" the man behind the counter said

"Whats good Alan. You got my peice" Reggie asked

"Yeah, man. Just finished up" Alan said. He looked at Nikkie.

"Is this ya girlfriend" Alan asked Reggie

"No, no. My friend" Reggie said

"Too bad. She's very pretty" Alan said. Nikkie blushed.

"Aite, aite dis ma girl" Reggie said playing around. Reggie grabbed her waist from behind and kissed her on the cheek. Nikkie scrunched up and laughed.

"Nah, so where it at" Reggie asked

"Here man" Alan said. He pulled out a black box. Inside was a medium platinum name plate that said "Slim" in cursive. It was incrested with diamonds.

"OMG. Reggie, that shit is gorgeaus" Nikkie said

"For real. Alan you hooked it up" Reggie said

"No problem my friend. For you. Perhaps I make one for the lady" Alan joked

"How much is it" Nikkie asked

"You don't want to know" Reggie said. Reggie had money. From his dad and the streets. He had enough money that if her ran out of toilet paper, he could wipe his ass with it. Reggie spent it wisely. But treated himself when he thought it was necissary. After walking out of the jewelers they walked around for a while.

"So what's the shopping for" Nikkie asked

"Im going on a trip" Reggie said

"Where to" Nikkie asked

"We're going to NYC" Reggie said

"We...?" Nikkie asked

"Me, a few of the boys and maybe you" Reggie said

"I have school" Nikkie said

"I know, I know. But its during your regents week" Reggie said

"I don't know" Nikkie said

"Please, it would mean alot. I have alot of things to do. You can tell ya mom that you going up there to see Raylese. Plus Im suppose to be going to my cousins sweet 16. So it would mean alot if you came as my date" Reggie said. Nikkie smiled.

"Ok, I'll ask her" Nikkie said. Reggie smiled and hugged her. "I dont have a dress though" Nikkie said

"Not a problem. We could find something right now" Reggie said as he pulled her into a dress store.


Nikkie and Reggie came back home. Nikkie went upstairs and layed the dress he bought her on the bed. It was a strapless peach dress that stopped down at her knees. The layers were thing making them flow. She put several other bags down beside her bed. Reggie went overboard when he said he would buy her a few things. He bought her jeans, tops and a pair of red and white prada sneakers. As well as himself. Nikkie took off her vest and went down stairs to find Reggie on the couch. She plotted herself beside him. Nikkie really thought about what he meant when he was going to be busy in New York.

"So what is it really that you need to do when you go out there" Nikkie asked

"Truthfully...business. My boss, the guy who runs the blocks in my area, he's going out to New York to pick up product. He needs my help, and while were up there, were gonna get a few customers" Reggie said

"Right...I dont understand why you guys live up there if your dad gets money with his job" Nikkie said

"My dad is a workaholic. He's where I get it from. But he thinks the areas fine. Its the outer city limits that I run. The little crew I've gotten together is what I run" Reggie said. Nikkie sighed.

"I should go to Craigs now. I gotta pick up Jimmy" Nikkie said getting up

"You gotta pick him up. Do you like run his life" Reggie said smirking

"No. Jimmy and me are on a level in which we are each others business. Dont blast it up because you...forget it" Nikkie stopped herself before she said too much. Reggie got a little upset. He got up.

"Because I what, go ahead" Reggie said. Nikkie stayed shut. "Because I want you and I can't have you. Because Jimmy's got claim on you. Because Im not worth your time because Im some worthless thug off the streets" Reggie yelled

"No, no none of that" Nikkie said

"Then what is it? Tell me! Cause Nikkie, truthfully I really need you in my life. And it kills me that things have to go this way" Reggie said. Nikkie was speachless.

"Im sorry. Your an amazing person. And if I you could have me, you would have me. But Im in love with Jimmy, and it would crush everything we have" Nikkie said

"Then what was last night about" Reggie asked

"Reggie. I like you. But these feelings have come at me all at once, much too quick. Last night was a give in with what Im telling you now" Nikkie said as she walked over to him and grabbed both open sides of his blazer. She looked up at him. "I dont regret it though" she added. Reggie leaned in and kissed her softly on her lips. She pulled back. And he leaned his forhead on hers.

"I have to go" Nikkie said. He nodded and licked his lips and kissed her softly on her forhead. He grabbed his keys and walked out the back door. Nikkie sighed and grabbed her keys and began walking over to Craig's house.

AUTHORZ NOTE: OH, it kills me that im stuck with this story line. But next two chapters will be first month of school and the whole NYC thing. After that, Vanessa's skeem to pull Nikkie out of her popularity loop will come through. Craig and Nikkie's road to "FINDING EACH OTHER" will come. Nikkie and Jimmy's horrible breakup is on its way. And Jimmy's comeback AND Reggie and Nikkie's past history is nearly here. Enjoy my spoiled chapter...GET READY...COZ ITS ABOUT TO BE SOME SERIOUS ISH!