"Courtney are you almost ready?" Janet called through the door. "Music class starts in 10 minutes!"
Janet and Courtney were attending a music day camp at the community center over the summer.
"Ok, I'm ready." Courtney finally came out of her bathroom. "Sorry, just a hair crisis."
"Okay, lets go." Janet said. "Is Nikko coming?"
"I've told you a million times, Janet." Courtney grabbed her car keys. "Nikko doesn't want to go to a music class, he hates following rules, especially when it comes to his music."
"Oh. I thought he didn't come because he can't afford it."
Courtney looked away. "That too."
It was always awkward for Courtney when money was brought up. She lived in a nice suburb, while Nikko lived in an apartment downtown.
"How do you know he can afford the LA Performing Art College?" Janet asked.
"Actually he can." Courtney said happily. "His parents left him a huge college fund before they…"
She stopped. Talking about Nikko's parents was awkward too.
"…Oh." Janet said. "Well at least college won't be an issue."
When they arrived to music class, they took their usual spots on the bleachers for choir practice.
Courtney's eyes widened when a familiar person walked up to them.
"Royce?" She asked. "What are you doing here?"
"Hi to you too." He said.
She sighed. "Hey"
"Hi Courtney…Janet."
Janet smiled sheepishly. "Hey."
"So are you in this class now?" Courtney asked.
"Yep. It fills the time."
"Huh. I would have thought you'd be off conquering the show choir world with Tammi."
Royce sighed. "Umm. Yeah. Tammi. We aren't together anymore. We broke up."
Janet snorted. "I heard she dumped you right after nationals."
He frowned. "Right. Well either way, it's over with her."
Courtney smiled sympathetically. "I think its for the best."
"So are you still with rock boy." Royce looked at her hopefully.
"Yes."
"Oh. Yeah I wondered if you two lasted through graduation."
"Well we did. We're doing great." Courtney said.
"So are you going to the LA Performing Art School? I just got my acceptance letter." Royce said, suddenly changing the subject.
"Yeah, most of Spectacular is going."
"Of course." Janet said. "It's the only music college worth going to."
"And Nikko is going too." Courtney added.
Royce raised his eyebrows. "Nikko? Why do you want to go to college with him?"
"He's my boyfriend, why not?"
"Isn't he in that band that recorded a demo?" he asked.
"So? His band is just for fun, he has to go to college." She said.
"Your not seriously depending on him, are you?"
"What do you mean?"
Royce shrugged. "I'm just saying he's let you down before, don't let him do it again."
Courtney looked down. She remembered when Nikko chose Flux over Spectacular. Sure, he showed up after all. But he only came because his band was blowing the audition.
Then she remembered when they looked into each other's eyes after the show, and when he kissed her for the first time…
Courtney shook her head. "He cares about me. It's not going to happen again."
"If you say so." Royce said. "Still, I'm glad we are going to the same college. Music just wouldn't be the same without you around." He smiled at her.
"Royce…" She began.
"Look, I know things ended badly with us. But we've both done a lot of growing up with high school ending. I know I have. But we both love the same things, and we were a good fit. I really hope I see you around at college." He said.
Before Courtney could respond, the teacher came in to start choir class. Courtney had to admit, Royce was being really mature.
She liked Nikko a lot. He wasn't always making smart decisions, and he was really rowdy, especially about music. But something about him helped her be a better person. When she saw how carefree he was, it made her want to be that way too. She loved that Nikko could still be so happy even though he'd been through such hard times. She loved that he could be so full of himself, but when he was around her he suddenly had a vulnerability about him. She loved everything about him.
I love him. Courtney thought to herself. She hadn't realized it until now.
After class was over, she said goodbye to Royce then quickly pulled Janet aside.
"Janet I have to tell you something." She said quietly.
"What is it?" Janet asked.
"I think…I think I love Nikko." Courtney smiled spite herself.
"Wow." Janet said. "Really?"
"It's the first time I've ever been in love with someone. It feels amazing."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"I want to." Courtney admitted.
"I'm happy for you." Janet said.
"I'm going to tell him.' Courtney decided. "I have to."
Sneak peak:
"So what did you want to tell me, Nikko?" Courtney asked
Nikko couldn't bear to tell her the truth. "Just that... I love you too."
He leaned in to kiss her, he moved his hand up her shirt, and this time she didn't stop him.
Sorry if this chapter was kind of short and uneventful. But I needed to develop the story and build things up a little. This chapter was originally supposed to have a second part with Nikko and Stavros talking about the future, but as I started writing it, it was so terribly boring I decided to leave it out.
Just so you know, chapter 5 is going to be longer, and really really good! I'm like excited to write it lol. I will post it this week, promise, I'm on spring break so I have more writing time. Please review!