Thanks for the positive response to the first chapter hopefully it continues.
A/n for the purposes of this story Nicki dropped the Boyle from her name and goes by Nicki Reagan.
Most of this chapter is a flashback that explains Nicky's storyline next chapter will get back to the present.
The club mentioned in this chapter is fictional.
Nicki's roommate is an OC
The poem mentioned in this chapter is mine.
Chapter2 A Walk into the Light
Eighteen year old Nicky Reagan was enjoying her first taste of freedom she had taken full advantage of the college experience she had decided to live on campus as oppose to staying at home which proved to be a smart choice on her part because it was through that choice that she was able to truly get to know herself.
Nicky had spent most of her first semester getting acclimated to the college environment which for the most part was easy, she quickly got the lay of the land at Columbia and made as seamless transition from high school senior to college freshmen which came in quite handy especially when she dealt with the new social environment of college.
For the most part after the first weeks of being campus Nicky began to feel at home on campus amercing herself in every aspect of college life from the academics to the social scene.
One thing that made Nicky's first college semester easier to handle was the fact that she had a roommate Ashley who was already accustomed to Columbia thanks to her early exposure to the campus.
Ashley was a criminal justice major who while being an academic enthusiast also knew how to have a good time which help Nicky learn to balance herself in a whole new way.
The friendship Nicky and Ashley developed was actually the catalyst to Nicky finding out something about herself that changed her forever.
One Friday afternoon in November just before break Nicky was walking out of her American history class Ashley had asked Nicky to join her at an off-campus club called Pink Storm, at first Nicky was hesitant to accept the invite because she wanted to study but Ashley talked her into coming after convincing her that she needed to let loose before she had a nervous breakdown.
"Nicky we're not going to get a table if you don't hurry up." Ashley called from just outside their dorm.
"I'm coming Ashley I just need find a decent top."
"Damn it Nicky just pick one we're just going to a club it's not a corporate dinner."
"Fine then you pick my top."
"Fine I will." Ashley said heading back inside and closing the door.
Ashley was a 5' 7" tan complexion girl with hazel eyes long jet black hair which she put blonde streaks in.
Ashley walked in to find Nicky dressed in a pair of black jeans and black high boots.
"Nicky just put on that long sleeve camo top and let's go you're stressing too much and I want to get over to the club before they make us pay cover".
"Fine I'll wear it by the way I've never heard of Pink Storm what's it like?"
"Pretty chill vibe the DJ is amazing and sometimes they get live bands you'll like it now let's bounce before Raquel chews me out."
"I didn't know Raquel was hanging with us tonight."
"Yeah sorry we haven't seen much of each other since she's working nights at the drop in center."
The Raquel they were referring to was Ashley's girlfriend who was a junior over at John Jay College.
"If you guys want some time to yourselves I'd be cool staying in no big I don't want to be a third wheel." Nicky said as they grabbed their coats and headed out.
"Nicky you won't be a third wheel besides you need to get out and meet someone I'm not going to let you spend your night studying and thinking about Chris."
"Ashley why did you have to bring him up now you know what that does to me."
"Sorry but it's been months you need to get over him you're lucky I saved you or he would have made you into his personal fuck toy and punching bag if I didn't step in, lucky I solved it before your uncles or mother found out ".
"I know that now and thank you for that but he seemed like a nice guy and I heard he got help it could have worked."
"No Nicky he was an ass and all wrong for you."
"If he was wrong for me and my last three dates were train-wrecks I'll never find anyone that's right for me I swear I must be the only girl in our dorm that doesn't have at least one potential guy after her." Nicky stated as they neared the club which had a bright pink sign.
"You're wrong Nicky you'll find someone you just have to let them come to you."
"Whatever you say Ashley." Nicky stated flatly as she walked into the club with Ashley.
As Nicky and Ashley walked into the club heading for their table they were greeted by a tan skinned girl who was two inches taller than Ashley but had brown hair and green eyes.
"Hey Rocky baby." Ashley said as leaned into her girlfriend for a chaste kiss.
"Hey Ace I missed you." Rocky said referring to her girlfriend by her nickname.
"You brought Nicky finally." Rocky said greeting Nicky with a smile.
"Yeah got her to come out even if it was like pulling teeth."
"Hey I'm right here you know."
"Lighten up Nicky we're just playing around." Ashley stated.
"Whatever I get it."
"So Nicky did my angel tell you what tonight was?"
"No what's tonight?"
"Ace how could you not tell her?"
"If I would've told her it would have been harder to get her out here."
"What are you two talking about what's tonight?"
"Nicky tonight is twin bill night." Ashley admitted.
"What's twin bill night?"
"It's a night where singles meet up and try to end up together."
"Ashley how could you bring me to a club to set me up, I don't believe you." Nicky snapped.
"Nicky let's face it when it comes to dating your recent track record sucks maybe being setup your luck will change."
"Fine I'll go along with this but next time don't try and snow me."
"Done, I promise tonight will be fun." Ashley stated.
The trio started their night innocently enough with a few sodas and some barbecue sliders after the trio finished their food the atmosphere in the club picked up.
"Hey Nicky you should hit the dance floor with us."
"No thanks Rocky I think I'll hang out for a bit go enjoy Ashley."
"Alright suit yourself." Rocky said as she joined Ashley on the dance floor.
Since the club was comprised of two floors Nicky headed up to the second floor to see what she could find.
Once up on the second floor she noticed a stage and round tables the second floor resembled a quiet coffee house, Nicky noticed an empty table and decided to sit down.
The promoter was walking up to the mic apparently to introduce the next reader.
"Alright ladies and gents it's Friday night so you guys know what that means it's time to introduce our big star the princess of poetry miss Marina Lopez."
After the introduction a 5'9" tan woman with long free flowing black hair with hazel eyes wearing grey ripped jeans and matching grey fitted shirt stepped up to the mic.
"Good evening my fellow word enthusiasts I'm sure you guys are eagerly waiting for me to drop another round poetic justice on you so I won't keep you guys waiting any longer let's get it popping this little number is Boom.
Tic-Tic boom is how my heart feels when I think of you.
Tic-Tic boom only ones in the room.
You lit a fire I don't want to put out
You're the one I want to find out more about
Alas you are like the star one I must admire from a far
I can lie down at night thinking that one day I can be where you are.
Once the poem was done snaps erupted in appreciation of the performance.
As the unknown woman left the stage Nicky and her shared a passing glance which left both women reeling.
Once the lyricist finished Nicky went down to go find Ashley thinking either her or Rocky might have information on the mystery woman.
Nicky raced down to the first floor luckily finding Rocky and Ashley at their table.
"There you are Nicky where'd you run off to?" Ashley asked.
"I went up to the second floor ended up listening to some poetry that was really good and I wanted to talk to the poet but froze, do either of you know anything about a poet named Marina Lopez?"
As soon as Ashley heard the girls name she smiled.
"Yeah we know her she's a senior at Columbia really smart comes here a couple times a week to relax and on Friday's packs people in for open mic". Ashley replied.
"Okay so there's a chance she could be around campus?"
"Nicky she's always on campus helps out the freshmen before work."
"Alright so do you guys know if she's still around?"
She should be at her table on the other side of the club."
Just as Ashley said that Rocky noticed her phone vibrate she looked down at it and noticed it was Marina.
"Ash mind if we hit the ladies room real quick." Rocky said as she tried to nonverbally tell Ashley it was important a message which was quickly picked up.
"Nicky we'll be right back don't leave."
"Alright Ash I won't."
Once Ashley and Rocky were clear of Nicky Rocky pulled out her phone.
"Rocky what's up you bolted like a bat out of hell?"
"Ash read this and you'll know why I did what I did."
Ashley took Rocky's cell phone and read the message.
Saw the angel your girl walked in with tonight do me a solid and get me Intel ASAP.
"Oh my god Rocky I just got a beyond brilliant idea."
"What are you thinking Ash?"
"What if we play matchmaker for Nicky and Marina."
"Pump the breaks cupid Nicky doesn't play for our team."
"I know that babe but hear me out, we get Marina to come out with us I'll make sure I bring Nicky along you coordinate with Marina and we see if they hit it off who knows maybe a spark happens Nicky falls for Marina and bang instant couple."
"I don't know Ash sounds risky it could go south real quick."
"Think positive Ash worst case scenario Nicky makes a new friend."
"Alright fine but if this goes south you're the one putting Nicky back together again."
"Fine now let's get back before Nicky sends a search party after us."
"Lead the way Ash."
Both girls met back up with Nicky who was finishing off a soda.
"What took you guys so long?"
"Long line that's all now let's hit the dance floor again before last call." Rocky stated as the DJ sped up the dance floor.
"I'll bite this time I suddenly feel like dancing."
The trio made their way on to the dance floor as Nicky couldn't stop thinking about the woman she saw tonight and hoped to see again.