Chapter 18 Big Trips
Kelly tried to open her front door with books in her hand and she fiddled with the key. The phone was ringing and as she swung open the door she called out, "Donna? David?" After hearing no one call out she dropped her school stuff to the ground and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?" she said short of breath.
"Hey Kelly, this is Nancy's assistant, my name is Russ, calling from the Ford Modeling agency."
"Of course, Hi, how are you?" Kelly said in a friendly tone.
"I'm great…I'm calling because Nancy wanted to know if you could come down here as soon as possible, we have your test shots and she wanted to talk to you about them."
Kelly looked over at the clock on their oven, "Uh yeah, I could probably be there in about thirty minutes, Is that ok?"
"Sounds good, can't wait to meet you." Russ said casually before hanging up.
Kelly pressed the button on her cordless phone and turned it back on again dialing Brandon's number.
"Hello." Brandon said answering the Walsh home phone.
"Hey Bran, I am going to have to take a rain check on our lunch date, Nancy wants to see me right away about my pictures."
Brandon sighed, "Ok, well call me when you get home then."
"Will do, love you bye." Kelly clicked off the phone.
Brandon stood there with the phone against his ear still, "Ok…love you too…bye." He talked to himself knowing she hung up before letting him say good bye. He took a deep breath, "So much for my picnic plans." He said as he looked over at the picnic basket he had spent most of the morning packing and preparing. Why did he get the feeling that Kelly was moving forward without him? He didn't want college and this modeling gig to ruin things with them. The truth was Kelly had broken the last 2 dates with him and he was really looking forward to spending some quality time with her. Brandon was happy for Kelly, don't get him wrong but he couldn't help but be a little jealous that all her time seemed to be with modeling. He tried to tell himself, Kelly had promised to accompany him on the task force team retreat next week and he would have a whole 3 days to spend with her. Even though it was for school he was sure he would be able to plan something romantic for them.
Kelly drove to the Ford Modeling agency. She parked her car and went into the building. She approached the young women at the receptionist desk.
"Hi, I am Kelly Taylor, I am here to see Nancy Hamil."
The receptionist smiled, "She is expecting you, just give me one second." The girl picked up her phone and let Nancy know Kelly had arrived. With in minutes a young man came out and smiled at Kelly.
He reached out his hand, "Wow you are even more gorgeous in person, I'm Russ, Nancy is waiting for you."
Kelly blushed, "Thanks." She followed Russ down the hall. She looked around at all the magazine posters that lined the halls; she couldn't believe she was actually there. Russ moved to the side allowing Kelly to enter Nancy's office.
"Hi Kelly sweetie." Nancy got up from behind her desk to greet her. The women set her hands on Kelly's arms and went in air kissing both sides of her cheeks. "Sit down…sit down." Nancy sat at her desk and rummaged through the folders and pictures that scattered her desk. She pulled out Kelly's file and opened it and turned the pictures around so she could see them.
"Wow, that doesn't even look like me." Kelly said as she leaned in and admired her pictures.
"Of course it does, they loved them." Nancy said excitedly, "They want to give you the cover."
"The cover?" Kelly eyes widen as all of a sudden she became nervous.
"And Kelly…not Seventeen Magazine…Vogue." Nancy smiled.
"What? Not a teen magazine?" Kelly could not believe what she was hearing.
"Honey…whatever they are looking for, you got it, they want you in New York next week."
"Next week?" Kelly looked down thinking about the task force retreat.
"Is that a problem?" Nancy's tone changed.
"No…no it's fine, ok well let me know the details and I'll be there." Kelly faked a smile and got up lending out her hand. "Thank you so much Nancy."
**
Days had passed since the whole Toni, Dylan, Brenda thing and things were definitely not back to normal. Brenda had not had a meaningful conversation with Dylan since it happened. She had tried to keep strong and not break and just talk to him. She felt as though Dylan needed to approach her about it and it wasn't like him to be so distant. She gave herself a once over in the mirror of their bedroom and moved a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She gently glided her hand across her small baby bump and tilted her head sideways making note that she was definitely showing now. Maybe it was small but she could tell. Maybe that was why Dylan was looking else where, maybe he didn't find her sexy anymore. Brenda made her way out into the living room and into the kitchen. She turned the corner and ran smack into Dylan. He put his hands out resting them on her belly.
"Are you ok?" he said looking down.
Brenda glanced up and looked into his eyes, she nodded slowly, that was the most he had really said to her in two days. Besides the occasional, bye, see you later. Brenda looked down sadly as he took his hands off her belly. He moved around her quickly.
"Dylan." Brenda blurted out.
Dylan swung around and looked at her, she started to open her mouth to speak and just say to hell with it, and find out what was going on when the phone rang. Brenda reached out being closer and answered.
"Hello."
There was a pause, "Hi…is Dylan there?" the voice sounded confused.
"Yeah he is right here, can I tell him whose calling?" Brenda said in a friendly voice.
"Tell him it's Toni."
Brenda eyes began to water, "Sure." Her voice cracked as the tears began to escape, there was no use trying to fight them. She looked at Dylan who saw right away she had tears.
"Bren?" he said concerned.
Brenda looked at him and handed the phone over, "It's for you." She said quietly. Dylan raised the phone to his ear; he was a bit nervous and confused.
"Hello?"
"Dylan…hey you, how are you?"
Dylan sighed realizing what just happened, he turned to face Brenda but when he did he only saw her back as she closed the apartment door and left.
Dylan shut his eyes and shook his head, "Hey Toni, right now is not a good time, can I meet you later at school, we could get a cup of coffee or something?" he was hoping they could meet up so Dylan could tell her about Brenda and clear his conscience.
"Well, that's why I was calling, I got a better idea." Toni said in a cheerful flirty tone.
Dylan smiled, "And what idea is that?"
"Meet me at the garage by school in 30 minutes."
"30 minutes? I have class."
"Oh come on, which class? You can miss, it's so worth it I promise." Toni said still flirting.
Dylan shrugged, "Fine. See you in 30." Dylan clicked off his phone, he had to tell her. He wasn't sure if Toni was interested in him or what her deal was. Maybe she did just want to be friends but Dylan owed Brenda some loyalty. He was going to tell her today and just let Toni know he was in love with his girlfriend, he lived with her, she was having their baby and that he was not interested.
Dylan looked around the dark garage, "Toni." He called out. The headlights of a car came toward him and stopped next to him.
"Hey, hop in." Toni said in a black pick up truck with shell top.
Dylan shook his head at her and got in, "You're kind of crazy, has anyone ever told you that?"
Toni pressed her lips together pretending to think, "Mmmm yep all the time." She peeled out of the garage and started to drive.
"So where are we going?" Dylan said looking over at her as she drove out of the city.
"Surfing." Toni looked over quickly and smiled.
"Surfing? What? Where?" Dylan looked out the window confused.
"Jersey." She said with a smile, "My roommate's boyfriend is from there and we got to talking and there is some decent surf down the shore."
"The Jersey Shore? That's like two hours away?" Dylan began to get nervous.
"Yeah so. You got somewhere else to be?"
"Well…" Dylan rubbed his forehead with his hand. Why couldn't he just tell her? He knew why but had yet to admit it out loud or in his head. "I guess not."
**
Brenda looked around before entering the Romantic Poetry class she had with Dylan. What was going on with him? Why was it so hard for him to talk to her? She had thought about all the stuff they had been through. She thought about him and Kelly, and her and Rick, she thought about Jake and how much he helped her through all of it. Maybe coming to New York was a bad idea. Maybe having this baby was a bad idea? They were young and even though they loved each other maybe it wasn't enough. Maybe they weren't ready for all of this. Maybe he wasn't ready for this and was having regrets. She kept thinking about Dylan as she took a seat. Every person that came through the classroom door brought her attention to it in hopes it would be him. She missed him so much. After everything that they had been through she did truly trust him. Maybe he was just friends with her; maybe Toni wasn't interested in him at all. Maybe he had told Toni about her and the baby. The professor came in closing the door behind him and began class. Brenda looked around, where the hell was he?
**
David stuck his head in the door of their apartment, "Hello?" he called out. After hearing no response he sighed in relief as he went to his bedroom taking a duffle bag out of his closet and opening his drawers. He started to shove clothes into the bag when he heard her voice.
"Oh hey, I didn't know you were here." Donna said as she stood in his doorway.
"Hey…Kelly told me you had class, I…I'm sorry…I didn't think anyone was here." David said nervously.
"I didn't go." Donna walked in plopping down on David's bed. "Where are you going?" she said sweetly.
"I was going to stay at my dad's. I figured you wouldn't want me here anymore, I wanted to make sure you weren't uncomfortable." David looked down.
Donna shook her head, "You don't have to leave David."
"I don't?" David moved his duffle bag to the floor and sat next to her.
"No…I understand why you broke up with me." Donna paused and with out making eye contact, "So are you happy with Valerie?"
David swallowed hard feeling a tad uncomfortable, he shrugged, "Yeah its ok, you know new still."
Donna nodded and sat quiet for a second before looking up at him, "I still love you David and I miss you a lot, mostly our friendship."
"I miss you too Donna…and." David set his hand on Donna's, "I still love you too."
David looked at his long time girlfriend; her big brown eyes that he remembered so well sparkled with tears. He leaned in and gently kissed her lips. He pulled away slowly and continued to look at her. He smiled at her and Donna moved in again this time kissing him harder and more passionately. She leaned her body against him lowering himself to his bed and covering his body with hers. David at first was shocked; almost finding himself not kissing back but as the shock passed he realized she wasn't stopping. He kissed her back moving so he was on top of her.
**
Dylan sat on the beach looking out into the water. He watched as Toni came up from the water and set her surfboard down, sitting next to him. "I told you this would be worth it." She said smiling.
He gave her a half smile, "You were right, definitely worth missing class. Who would have known surfing in Jersey only two hours away from the city? I have died and gone to heaven." Dylan looked over at Toni.
Toni moved back on her side as she rested her head on her hand, "So Dylan, tell me…what is your family like?"
Dylan shrugged, "Well…my mom lives in Hawaii and my father died last year." Dylan looked down.
"Oh I'm sorry." Toni felt bad asking.
Dylan smiled and shrugged, "Its ok, shit happens I guess. I have some great friends and sadly I am used to being alone."
Toni looked down and nodded, "Yeah me too, my mom died when I was young. It's just me and my dad but I barely see him really. He works a lot."
Dylan looked at her, "One more thing we have in common I guess."
Toni smirked, "Yeah I guess so." She looked at him and sat quiet for a second. She leaned in and planted a kiss on Dylan's lips. Dylan at first kissed her back but gently pushed her back moving his head to the side.
"Toni…I can't do this." Dylan looked out at the water.
"Why? I thought you liked me." Toni said sweetly.
Dylan looked over at her and sighed, "I do like you and that's why I can't do this."
Toni smiled as she moved in again, "Well if you like me then what's the problem." Her lips connected with his again, this time becoming more passionate.
Dylan pushed her off again and closed his eyes, "I haven't been completely honest with you…I have a girlfriend."
Toni was taken back, "You do?" she said sadly.
"I'm sorry I should have told you, we have been together since high school, three years actually going on four. We actually live together."
"Was that her on the phone when I called?" Toni gave him a half smile.
Dylan nodded, "Yeah, she isn't that happy with me right now. Normally I can talk to Bren about anything, I just haven't because I was starting to like you and it scared me."
"Well it sounds like you guys have a long past and you're pretty serious."
Dylan smiled and nodded, "Yeah pretty serious is an understatement, she and I have going to have a baby… in four and half months."
"Wow that is serious." Toni laughed, "I'm sorry I pressured you into coming out with me. I just thought we you would enjoy it."
"I did actually." Dylan looked down before meeting her gaze again, "Maybe in a different time we could have had something but I am in love with Brenda."
"Well she must be something. I would love to meet her."
Dylan shrugged, "You would like her…I should probably get back." Dylan looked down uncomfortably wishing he had just told her this sooner.
Toni sweetly nodded, "Ok." she said quietly.
EEEEK Ok B/D fans don't throw stuff at me PLEASE. Please review, sorry for the long wait for an update I was out of town. Ok let it start, I have a feeling I am going to be yelled at lol.