Classes at the high school had been suspended until further notice Nicole had been looking for Robby for three days, sleeping for just an hour or two in-between and only stopping to go to work. She was so tired but she didn't care. She just wanted to see him, to hug him, kiss him, just be with him. She hadn't seen or talked to Sam since the school fight. She decided to go see her before work. It was around noon. Nicole knew she was welcome to just walk in so she did.
"Hello?" She said
"We're in the living room." Daniel said.
She walked into the room. When she did Amanda, Sam and Daniel were immediately concerned. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked very pale.
"Hi Sam." Nicole said.
"Hi I've been trying to call you." Sam said.
"I know, I'm sorry I've just been busy." "Any change with Miguel?"
"No."
"How are you doing?"
"My wounds are healing but I'm really worried about Miguel."
"I know."
"Nicole, how long has it been since you've slept?" Daniel asked.
"I slept for a few hours last night and a few the last couple of nights."
"You should stay here and get some rest."
"I can't." "I have to go to work and then I have to go look for Robby."
"You need to take care of yourself."
"I need to find Robby." "That's all I need to do." She said with tears in her eyes. Being sad from losing Robby, tired and agitated from the lack of sleep she was beginning to break down.
Sam stood up. "It's ok."
"No it's not." She said as tears went down her cheeks. Sam hugged her. "I want Robby."
"I know, ssh, it's ok."
Nicole called off work and was sleeping in Sam's room. That night Amanda went to check on her. When she did she noticed something in Nicole's hand. When she got closer she took it out of her hand. It was Robby's note. She took it and went to find Daniel.
"Daniel?" She called.
"Yeah?" He said coming into the living room.
"Nicole has seen Robby." She showed him the note. "I found it in her hand." "I think it's pretty recent."
"I don't think she knows where he is now though." "Especially with the way she reacted earlier."
"Did you see the second line?"
"Yeah, I think they slept together."
"Me to." "No wonder she's so devastated."
"I know." "It must be a lot to take in."
Amanda returned the note to Nicole.
The next Nicole woke up physical feeling better but emotionally she was still a wreck. She went downstairs. Amanda and Daniel were in the kitchen.
"Morning." She said.
"Morning." Daniel said. "You look better."
"Where's Sam?"
"Out running errands." "We know you want to find Robby, we do to but you need to take care of yourself."
"This is just really hard for me Mr. LaRusso." "Being without him hurts."
"I know." "We saw the note he left you."
"He came to see me three nights ago." "I have no idea where he is now, I swear." "I know I should've told you, I'm sorry."
"It's ok." "Mrs. LaRusso would like to talk to you." He went upstairs.
"Nicole, I need you to know that it's ok and I just want to talk." Amanda said. "When Robby came to see you, did you sleep together?"
"Yes."
"Was it your first time?"
"Yes."
"Are you alright, it's a big thing."
"I'm fine." "It wasn't planned but I'm glad it happened." "I love him."
"Were you safe?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"It feels nice to talk about it."
"Well anytime you need to talk about anything, you can always come to me or Mr. LaRusso."
"I know."
Later that night Robby was laying down in the backseat of a van he'd taken from the trade-in lot of the dealership. He was looking at a picture of he and Nicole on his phone. He thought about going back to get her but knew it was a bad idea. He missed her so much. As he fell asleep he thought about how they made love, how she fell asleep in his arms, how he'd give anything to have that again.
