“Nick I am sick and tired of your moping around here! You never do anything, you just sit around, at my place and hide in my room whenever I try to talk to you, what’s the matter?” Brian exclaimed as he glanced at Nick who was lying on the couch in a tired heap. “Nick, is something wrong? You’re starting to scare me,” Brian kneeled down beside him with a plate of burnt macaroni and cheese in his hand.
“Go away,” Nick whispered as he covered his face with his arm.
“Nick, I hate to break it to you, but you’re starting to stink,” Brian told him, “How long haven’t you showered?”
“Bri, Amanda broke up with me,” Nick spat out. He peered up at Brian.
“Uh… why Nick? Did you do something?” Brian asked surprisedly, he hadn’t thought that Nick and Amanda would break up so easily, sure, they had fights but they always made up in 24 hours. Never before had they broken up or had Nick cried over their relationship.
“No B, I didn’t do anything. She just broke up with me,” Nick wiped his red face.
“But… but she must have given you and explanation to have broken up with you.”
“Yeah she did, she said she loved me too much and was afraid that she’d lose me.”
“What?”
“Yeah I know, lame eh? You would have thought that she could have thought up of a better excuse, at least I would have felt better, but no.”
“Well, how can I help you?” Brian asked.
“I dunno Bri, I really don’t know what to do. I love her so much… I want her back.” Nick sat up, suddenly struck up by the idea.
“I dunno Nick, it’s her decision. She’s not an object that you can push around or keep. Do you see what I mean?” Brian asked, concerned.
“Yeah, but still…” Nick hesitated, “Thanks for making me feel better.”
“Hey, no prob. What are friends for?”
Nick grinned slightly. His eyes then led to the plate that Brian was still holding. He looked at it strangely. “What the hell are you eating Bri? It stinks!”
Brian shrugged, “It’s macaroni and cheese, want some?” He shoved the plate to Nick.
“Uh… no thanks, I’d rather die than eat that.” He pushed the plate back to Brian. “By the way, why’s it black?”
“Uh… the pan… the color was coming off!” Brian struggled.
Nick gave Brian a friendly push, “Get outta here! Its called ‘burnt’ Bri! Admit it!” he laughed.
Brian grinned, “No it’s not Nick, go check the pan if you want to.”
“Fine!” He ran to the kitchen and found a grey-ish peeling pan lying in the trash can. He picked it up and examined it. Swiping his finger across the greasy surface, he lifted his finger up to see that it was black. He gasped at his finger unbelievably and slowly walked back to Brian. “How could the color come off a pan?” He muttered.
“Believe me now?” Brian snorted as he saw Nick’s black fingertip.
“Yeah…” Nick said sheepishly as he wiped his finger on his shirt. “What should I do Bri? I feel so lost without her. Have you ever had that feeling when you’re just lying around with nothing to do, no one to go to? That’s how I’m feeling right now,” Nick sighed as he leaned back, gazing helplessly up at the bare white ceiling.
Brian hesitated, “Do you really love her Nick?”
“Yes. I’d do anything to have her back. Even if I have to jump off a building, or if it’s my career, or, or…”
“Ok, ok! I get you Frack. I’ll talk to her and see what I can do,” Brian said, standing up, “I can’t guarantee you anything though.”
“Bri, I appreciate what you’re doing, but I think that I should really handle my business myself,” Nick replied.
“Yeah, Nick, you go on and do just that.”
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Nick stood in front of Amanda’s door, wondering what he would say when Amanda opened the door. His finger lingered around the doorbell as he tried to press it. Hearing Amanda’s sweet laughter behind the door reminded him of all the good times they had together. He shut his eyes painfully as he visualized the first day they met in the hospital. She was the one that encouraged him to live. Tears began to make their way slowly down Nick’s cheeks. He took a deep breath and then decided to turn away. The door suddenly flung open.
There was silence. Nick turned around slowly, and found Alex standing behind Amanda, obviously trying to hug her. Nick glanced from Amanda to Alex and back again. Realizing what was going on, he angrily pushed Amanda aside and started walking towards Alex in heavy steps. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing here in my girlfriend’s house?!” he punched him on the face. Amanda ran over and tried to pull Nick away from Alex.
“Stop it Nick!” she cried out, “Just stop it!”
“I thought that you were my good friend! Good friends aren’t supposed to steal each others girlfriends!” He took another step towards Alex, with the bleeding nose and bruised cheek.
“Nick, let me explain.” Alex struggled to say.
“Forget it!” He punched him again.
“Fuck off Nick!” Amanda screamed, with tears streaming out of her eyes. “What are you doing here?” she whispered. Nick glared at Alex and walked towards Amanda. He wanted to hold her in his arms again. He wanted to feel her lips on his just one more time. Amanda brushed him away. “Why! Why are you making it so hard for me? Why are you doing this to me Nick?” she whimpered. “I was so happy. Do you realize how hard it is for me to put up with the days that you’re not here?”
“Amanda, baby, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there when you needed me but I have my career to carry on, and it involves a lot of travelling. You know I come back whenever I can, we’ve had our times then.”
“But it’s not enough Nick! I want to be able to run to someone when I need to! I don’t want to be alone…”
“But Amanda–”
“No Nick. I will always love you. I truly will. You’ll always be in my heart…”