A Changed Life (14 page)

One night, I skipped the usual keg party and stayed home. My parents were out with friends, and I was home alone. A very drunk Jason ended up on my doorstep, how he even got to my house was a miracle. I had let him in and he immediately was all over me. He was kissing me, his hands feeling me up. I pushed him off, and I went to the kitchen to make him coffee.

When I returned, he was on the couch with his legs hanging over the edge, and I thought he passed out. Feigning being asleep, he grabbed and flipped me onto my back. He began to press himself into me. At first I thought he was joking around, and I was trying to wiggle out from under him. He began to hold me down to the point where it was beginning to hurt. I screamed at him to get off of me, and he wouldn’t budge. He kept calling me a cock tease and telling me it was time to give it up. Jason had never talked to me that way before that night.

I didn’t even hear the door slam, and that’s when my father grabbed Jason by the neck and began choking the life out of him. Relieved that I was ok, my mother then separated my father from Jason. Dad had him in a choke hold, never seeing my father that way, kind of scared me. My mother called his parents, and they picked Jason up. His parent’s apologized, and took him home.”

Giving me a hug, “I wish that hadn’t happened to you, Nicolette. He sounds like a real douche bag.”

“He was being stupid, and he didn’t hurt me. After that night Jason and I broke up, and he never bothered me again. I survived the rumor mill at school. I was the girl that got dumped by the football captain!

“I guess that explains the inquisition your father put me through when I met him.”

“Who knows what brought that on, but they have always been protective of me.”

“If I had a sister, I would probably be the same way.”

“With everything I have said about Michael, are we ok?”

“Yes, we are more than ok. Please Nicolette, stay away from him from now on?”

“I promise Simon. I doubt I will be running into him anytime soon.”

We left the beach shortly after the sun had set. Simon lifted me off of his bike and right into his arms. Wrapping his arms around me he kissed the top of my head, down my cheek and on to my neck. My boyfriend can kiss! Lots of naughty thoughts were racing through my mind with every kiss he placed on me. I craned my neck up to give Simon, one last kiss and then said goodnight.

“Can I drive you to school tomorrow?” Simon, asked me.

Surprising me, “Don’t you usually run in the morning?”

“I think I can push it off until lunch.”

“I would love for you to drive me to school.”

What an exhausting day! I didn’t see mom or dad when I went in, but that’s a relief. I wasn’t in the mood for any more talks today. I went to my room, blasted my stereo and took a lavender bath. Before going to sleep, I checked my phone and Simon had texted me a heart image with a good night message. I was relieved that I didn’t see any missed calls or texts from Michael.

I can’t believe I woke up before my alarm, maybe it’s because Simon is picking me up for school. I plan to have a fabulous day. I went into the kitchen, and Simon was already here, and sitting at the breakfast nook with my mom.

“Good morning, Nicolette,” winking at me.

“Good morning, Simon,” I replied back. Oh that sexy smile, I just wanted to haul my body into is. “I didn’t expect to see you sitting in my kitchen.”

“So is it a good surprise or bad surprise?”

“Good surprise, how can it not be?”

“Good morning, honey. How did you sleep?” Mom interrupted my flirting with Simon.

“Good and my wrist is much better.”

“Good to hear. Just keep it wrapped for one more day. I need to run, I’m late. Have a great day Nicolette… Simon.” Mom gave me a quick hug and left for work.

“Now that the coast is clear, Can I properly say hello, and kiss you?”

“Yes, you may. I thought you forgot.”

“No chance of that happening, babe.”

Simon stood up and cupped my face with his hands, he tenderly kissed me. Groaning between kisses, I felt a surge of electricity flow through my body. I so badly wanted to touch him and run my fingers up and under his shirt. Ugh…remembering we had to leave for school, he pulled back, and winked at me.

Arriving at school, we joined Alexis, Bailey and Sam on the quad before going to our first class.

Looking around, “Where’s Jameson?” asked Simon.

“He took a mental health day, and said he was going to the spa,” replied Sam.

“It’s only October and he already needs a spa day?” asked Simon.

Bailey chimed in and explained why our friend needed a day to himself.

“After we left your house, we went dancing at the club downtown. Jameson ran into an ex-boyfriend, who happened to be dancing with some guy who Jameson likes. The exes got into a fight, and then we left.”

“Did anyone talk to Jameson on Sunday?” asked Simon.

“Yeah, I did.” Alexis had explained that Jameson was sulking, but they met up and went shopping. We had a blast! Jameson exercised his American express card while my visa got a work out. Don’t laugh Simon, he was heartbroken.”

“Oh I’m sure…extremely sad while shopping on Rodeo Drive. I’ll call him later.”

Walking hand in hand, Simon, walked me to Calculus. Pulling me into him, he whispered something naughty in my ear, making me blush crimson as he left a chaste kiss on my neck. My boyfriend was quite the tease. I watched him sprint off until he disappeared out of sight.

Dropping my back pack off in my locker, I saw one long stemmed rose taped to the front of it. How romantic of Simon to leave this for me. As I opened my locker, a note fell out. What the…It wasn’t from Simon, it was from Michael. How did he manage to do this?

Looking over my shoulder, I scan the near empty hallway for any sign of Michael. How could he get this rose and note to me? And why even take the chance after yesterday? I threw the rose away, but kept the note. I shoved the note in my purse and went to meet the gang for lunch.

Watching me walk over, Simon stood up and grabbed my food tray for me.

“Hey I’m not helpless, you know. I can carry my own lunch tray.”

“I get that. I just want to be a gentleman and help my girlfriend out.”

“You never did say how you hurt your wrist?” Asked Bailey.

“Surfing accident. My incredible instructor over here let me slip off my board resulting in this.” I lifted my wrist. Simon laughed at my explanation.

“It’s funny how I don’t remember it happening the way you’re describing.”

“Oh Nicolette, you’re such a city girl, blaming your boyfriend for your poor surfing skills.”

Simon’s squeezed my shoulder, I was giggling. The girls rolled their eyes at us.

“You know, you truly are nauseating, said Alexis. This is my fourth year at this school, I’m alone, and you’re here how long? And you have the hottest boyfriend already!”

“Now don’t be a hater Alexis. I told you I would fix you up with a guy from my track team,” said Simon.

“Oh yeah, I remember. Jimmy? Really, Simon? Have you seen the car that Jimmy drives?” Simon leaned in to my ear and whispered, “What did I tell you, superficial?”

“What was that Simon?”

“Nothing princess, I have to go and work out with my lowly teammates that don’t meet your car standards. I’ll see you later Nicolette. I’ll text you when I’m done, ok?”

“I can’t wait.” Before leaving, Simon lifted me into his arms and slammed his mouth down onto mine. I loved how he kissed me, and he gave me one more on my nose before jogging away.

“What was that about? Am I a snob?” I felt bad for Alexis. My friend doubted herself. I would have to remember to remind Simon that he had hurt her feelings.

"It's no crime for liking certain things," said Alexis.

“No, it isn’t, but you need to take people for who they are and not what they have.” “Where did you hear that from? A Hallmark card?” snickered Alexis.

Answering her a little snippy, “I guess I was raised differently, and not a Hallmark card, but my uncle Jack. Ugh…sorry. Alexis, ignore what Simon said. You are perfect the way you are.”

“I’ll think about going out with Jimmy, and besides his body is smokin’ hot.”

“Yup…that’s the girl I love.” We all laughed.

“Ok! Good to hear we have your love life straightened out Alexis, now can we change subject already?” asked Bailey.

“We have covered boyfriends, surfing accidents, snob girls that like expensive cars, winking at her sister, now onto my news.”

“I met a guy a while back, and I just recently bumped into him again a few weeks ago. We started talking, and he has asked me to a college party this weekend!” Squealed Bailey.

“Wow that’s impressive, who is he?” asked Alexis.

“His name is Seth. Remember we talked to him at the St. Clair’s party?”

“Oh yeah, he was cute, I’m so happy for you Bailey.” Alexis gave her sister a gigantic hug.

“I’m happy for you too Bailey,” but inside I was cringing. If my memory is right, he is a friend of Michael’s and this could complicate things if he and Bailey get serious.

“What college does he attend?” I already knew the answer, but I wasn’t sure if Bailey had known the connection her guy had with Michael.

“He goes to Stanford, and the party will be at his fraternity house.”

“Oh my god, I am so excited! What am I going to wear?” Alexis was bouncing up and down.

“I did tell him that I would only go, if I could bring my two best friends with me. Please say yes girls.”

“You can count me in” Alexis replied.

“Nicolette, what do you say? Please come to the party with us?”

“I can’t go Bailey. My parents are not going to let me attend a college party.”

“You can just say you’re sleeping over at our house, and they won’t know.”

“Well I will know and what about Simon? I don’t think he would appreciate me going to a college party surrounded by other guys.”

For the next twenty minutes, Bailey just continued to beg me, and I repeatedly told her no. Hopefully she would get the hint, because I can’t tell them about Michael. For the rest of the week, I kept avoiding Bailey. By Friday, I think she was just annoyed with me. I didn’t change my mind nor mention it to Simon.

In order to avoid Bailey, I skipped lunch to go meet Simon at the track. Bailey spotted me as I was crossing the quad.

“Hey wait up.” shouted Bailey. I turned to acknowledge her.

“Glad I caught you. This was in front of your locker.”

Bailey handed me a wrapped box with a note attached to it.

“It’s not mine, must be a mistake,”

“Well it has your name on it,” Bailey had said. I took it and placed it in my backpack.

“Have you changed your mind about the party? Please join us Nicolette. I already have a date lined up for Alexis, and I’ll be with Seth.”

“Ok Bailey, you win. Simon and I will see you at the party.”

“You have to come on your own, Nicolette.”

“Why?” I asked Bailey. I had my suspicions about Bailey and her intentions, but I just wasn’t sure. I didn’t want to believe Bailey would be fooled by Seth into setting me up. I just had an awful feeling Michael was behind this.

“I’ll ask you one more time, Bailey. Why is it so important for me to attend this party, and why can’t I bring Simon?”

“Seth has a friend he wants you to meet. I already told him that you would go.”

“Oh my god! Bailey! How could you do that to me?”

“What is your problem, Nicolette? No one says you have to do anything with the guy. All you have to do is hang out with us, and this way everyone is matched up. You don’t want me to look like a liar to Seth, now do you?”

“I don’t care how you look, Bailey. What you did is not acceptable. Friends don’t deceive one another. You lied to me, and I can’t be friends with liars.”

“Nicolette! You can’t be serious? You won’t be my friend because I want you to come to a party with me?”

“No Bailey, that’s not it. You hid the real reason why you wanted me to go to the party, and I don’t play games with people, especially my friends. Friends don’t lie to each other, and that’s exactly what you did. I have to go.”

“Come on, Nicolette. I’m sorry? I didn’t think this was a big deal.”