27
Nikki
The entire cast of Learning Lunacy including Nora and Lavon, Barry, Jim the art teacher, Doreen, Auntie Tonya, Deshawn, even my grandmother had shown up and they all had crazy nice things to say to me. They clobbered me, but eventually wound down and started to leave. Tonya had to take Grandma back home and would be staying the night with Deshawn because I gave her my blessing and a wink. I was getting rather tired and couldn't find Dante or the band anywhere, so I decided to turn in, go to my car and text Dante when I got home. But I found them loading the van next to my car with the instruments. Dante saw me and said, "Hey, Nikki, great job."
"Yeah, you kicked ass," Jake the other guitarist agreed.
"Thanks, guys," I said with an abnormally huge smile on my face. "Need any help?"
"Nope, just put in the last amp," Sam the keyboardist said from inside the van.
"Bring it here," Dante commanded, spreading his arms. I expected no more than one of his infamous hugs. He started the hug but before I could lean my chin on his shoulder, he smashed his lips against mine and threw me onto the floor of the van while the band members laughed and watched. It was not a good kiss, not only because it was unexpected and I was in love with someone else, but…it was just gross. I struggled to pull him off me, but he was too strong. He ran out of breath and said, "Why are you struggling, Nik? Aren't you still into me."
I grunted, still trying to pry him off me, "I have a boyfriend."
"Oh, shit," Geo the bassist exclaimed.
Dante got off me and I slowly got off the van. "What? Why didn't you tell me?"
I sighed and fixed my hair with my fingers. "Feel lucky. You're the first to know."
"Who?" he asked suspiciously.
I sighed. "I can't tell you. Just…leave me alone for a little, Dante."
I unlocked my car, but he grabbed my wrist before I could pull the handle. He turned me towards him and said, his eyes spitting fire into my face. "What's he got that I don't?"
"Nothing, you're almost equals," I said. "Dante, if you can't respect that he came first…" I felt my wrist crack. "Please let go of my wrist."
"Yeah, Dante, this isn't cool," Jake said.
"Quiet!" Dante snapped. Yeah, this wasn't my old friend. This was a scary monster and I was pee-your-pants scared. I didn't, though. "Nikki, I've always thought you were…just perfect for me. Just…the age difference—"
"Still applies," I said. Even though my "boyfriend" was actually some hundred years older than me. "Dante, let me go."
He shook his head and tightened his grip on my wrist, if that was possible. I whimpered from the pain. "I…don't want to hurt you."
"Then don't," he said.
I had to. I lifted my knee and kicked him in the nuts. Before he fell to the floor, he punched me in the face. I squawked and hurried into my car. I pulled out a little too fast, but no matter. I noticed through the mirror I had a black eye forming and there was a sharp pain in my wrist, but I didn't go to the hospital or the cops. I went to the Phantasma place to see my boyfriend. When I pulled in the parking lot, I finally noticed a rose sitting on the dashboard. How it got there, I didn't know, but who put it, I knew.