Chapter Ten
Nick sat on the floor in the living room, his Playstation controller in hand.
“Shit! Why do you always do that??” He asked the small figure of Shaun King. The quarterback of
his Madden 2000 NFL Tampa Bay Bucs had just done the exact opposite of what Nick had wanted him to
do. “I wanted you to do the Quarterback sneak!”
“Problem?” Gianna asked as she came in behind Nick and sat on the couch.
“My game is fucked up!” Nick said dropping the controller in his lap. He crossed his arms over his
chest and glared at the paused television. He turning abruptly when Gianna started laughing.
“What?”
“It’s only a game....chill!” Gianna said between laughs.
“Yeah, I know..but it makes me mad when it doesn’t do what I tell it to.” he sighed, picking the
controller up again to resume his game.
“Can I ask you something?” Gianna asked as she moved to the edge of the couch, wrapping her
arms around Nick’s neck from behind.
“Huh?” Nick asked, momentarily tensing at her touch. He closed his eyes and forced himself to
allow Gianna to continue.
“What exactly is the obsession with video games? I mean, you sit in front of the television, pressing
buttons with your thumbs. How exciting can that be?” she asked resting her head against Nick’s. He
smiled slightly.
“It takes concentration, good motor skills, and quick thinking. It’s fun.” he said calming a little.
This was Gianna, the girl that, for some odd reason, loved him. If he wanted to be able to move on and
begin another relationship...he had to force himself to be comfortable with flirting.
“I still don’t see the fun part.” she said, her warm breath hitting Nick’s neck. He laughed
nervously.
“The fun comes in when you succeed or win. If you beat some huge guy with muscles and a gun,
that’s rewarding.”
“What about that Mario guy?” Gianna asked referring to the Mario Brother’s games.
“Mario and Luigi...good times.” Nick said leaning back, in between Gianna’s legs. “Those guys
rule. You get to make your way through these lands, searching for the kidnapped princess. Killer turtles
roam around and football players jump around trying to hit you with footballs. You have to dodge
them...kill them..and make it to the end to save the princess. There are really cool graphics, kind of
cartoony but they still maintain a certain amount of realism.”
“Wow, this is getting technical...”
“Not really, video games just pass the time.” Nick said relaxing in Gianna’s arms. He smiled
proudly at his accomplishment. He let her hold him without feeling uncomfortable.
“I guess you’ll have to teach me to play.”
“You wanna learn?” Nick asked angling his head to look up at Gianna.
“Sure.” she said smiling down at him. “I wanna spend time with you...if I know how to play, we can
pass the time together.” She continued. “If that’s okay with you.” she added quickly.
“Um...I...yeah.” Nick smiled. “I’d be happy to teach you. What do you wanna learn?”
“Hmmm....well what systems do you have?”
“We can start off easy with the Super Nintendo. I have Playstation, right here...but it’s kind of
technical for a beginner.”
“Okay...what game?” Gianna asked as Nick crawled over to unhook his Playstation and plug in the
Super Nintendo.
“Um...let’s start with Super Mario Kart. It’s kind of complicated..but it teaches you how to use the
controller pretty well.”
“Okay...” Gianna said raising her eyebrows. Nick inserted the game cartridge and pulled Gianna
onto the floor next to him.
“Ready?”
“Sure.” Gianna shrugged. The game booted up and the opening menus appeared.
“Do you wanna watch me play first?”
“Yeah.” Nick nodded and began to race. Gianna watched, fascinated. The game was pretty simple
looking...there were a bunch of little creatures in cars and they raced each other around a dirt road track in
the middle of a green field with pink flowers. She smiled at the graphics. Revving sounds and bounces and
boings accompanied the little cars whizzing around the track bumping into each other. Nick glanced at
her quickly and smiled.
“You enjoying this?” he asked.
“Yeah..those guys are cute. Which one are you?”
“Yoshi. He’s the green dino looking dude.”
“Cool..you’re winning!” Gianna cheered as she watched Nick pull ahead.
“Yeah..always do.” he said proudly. He rolled his eyes at how arrogant he sounded as he repeated
the words in his head. Stupid!
“Uh..yeah.” Gianna said plastering a fake smile on her face. He seemed so full of himself.
“Um..I didn’t mean to sound arrogant just then.” Nick said laughing nervously. “I..um..I just like
this game. I...”
“No, no, it’s okay.” Gianna said laughing. She glanced over at him and smiled. He was a good
guy.
“So...that’s the first race. You think you could learn that?” Nick asked eyeing her.
“Piece-a-cake.” Gianna said waving her hand at him. He smiled.
“You think?” he restarted the game and handed her the controller before moving to sit behind her
with his one leg on either side of her body.
“Uh...” she stuttered as the game began. “Where’s go?” Nick laughed.
“Right here.” he said reaching around her to press a control button. He moved closer to her from
behind so he could see over her shoulder. The hand that aided her in locating the ‘gas’ button rested
comfortably on her knee. She managed to maneuver the little Yoshi car around the first curve and was
headed for the second when she realized where Nick’s hand was. She smiled at his close proximity to her.
He was coming around..finally. She zoned out, concentrating hard on the game, wanting to impress Nick
with her quick learning skills. When she finished the race she dropped the controller and smiled. Third
place, on her first try.
“Yeah baby!!” She said laughing.
“You sure you never played before?” Nick asked moving his hand to her arm to squeeze it
affectionately. The flirtatious actions were coming easier and easier. He could do this. Gianna was
perfection to him. Beautiful, kind heart, and was willing to wait for him..he had to do this for him..but also
for her. She believed in him, she trusted him, but most of all, she had faith in him.
“I’m sure. That was the first time.”
“You’re a pro. It took me weeks to master this game. It took you all of five minutes.”
“Good teacher, I guess.” she said lightly elbowing Nick in the gut.
“Sure..I’ll bet that’s it.”
“What, I swear. If I had not had your expert example to learn from, I probably would have spun out
on the first curve.” Gianna said laughing.
“Right.”
“Thank though.”
“Yeah, when you’re really good, then we can play against each other.”
“Can’t wait. Hours of competing with you. Paradise.” Gianna said sarcastically.
“Are you insulting me?” Nick asked plastering a bewildered look on his face as Gianna turned to
face him.
“Yeah...”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve seen you play with Brian. You’re ruthless..brutal..violent.”
“Am not.” Nick complained.
“You throw tantrums if you lose.”
“No-”
“Nickolas.”
“Okay, so maybe I’m compeitive..is that a bad thing?” Nick asked shrugging his shoulders
innocently.
“Yes.”
“I’m hurt.” Nick said sighing.
“Aw..poor baby.” Gianna said in an exaggerated baby voice. “Do you need a hug?”
“Yeah.” Nick said pouting. He was astounded at the words that were leaving his mouth. Where was
this guy coming from?!
“Really?” Gianna asked surprised. She hadn’t expected him to accept her offer.
“Yeah..wow..”
“What?”
“I can’t believe I just said that.” Nick said laughing.
“Me either.”
“It was so easy.” Nick said confused. “It hasn’t been easy in a long time.”
“Maybe you’re finally moving on.” Gianna said quietly.
“Mabye I am.” Nick said smiling. “Hey...”
“Huh?” Gianna asked raising her eyes to his.
“Where’s my hug?”
“You really want one?”
“Hello?..yes!” Nick said laughing as he held his arms out. Gianna blushed lightly as she crawled
closer to him and wrapped her arms around Nick’s neck as he folded her into his arms. They held to each
other. Gianna, closing her eyes to concentrate on the feeling of Nick holding her once again, and Nick
clinging to her, amazed that he was comfortable and calm through it all. They pulled away and laughed
lightly.
“That felt good, Nick.”
“Yeah, it did.” Nick said smiling. He ran his hand through his hair and smiled.
“Hey you two!” Elise said entering the room. She stopped seeing the two sitting next to each
other. “Did I interrupt?”
“No.” Gianna said getting up. She patting Nick on the head, tossing him a smile. “I promised Lee
that we could go shopping today. Thanks for the lesson? Same time tomorrow?” she asked.
“Sure..anytime.” Nick said watching Gianna retreat. “Gianna?” he asked quickly. Gianna stopped
and turned towards him. “Um...thanks.” he smiled weakly.
“Yeah, Nick. You’re welcome.” Gianna smiled warmly, her expression going shooting an arrow at
Nick’s heart. He grinned as he watched Gianna leave the room. Things were going good. He had actually
experienced the school boy tingly feeling when she looked at him. Maybe this really was his time. Maybe
Gianna was the girl that would bring him out of his dateless funk.
“Yo Nick-ay!” AJ said bounding into the living room. He made his way over to the window and
watched Elise and Gianna pull out of the driveway.
“J, my name is Nick. Not Nicky, not Nick-ay. Get it right.” Nick stated rolling his eyes. He picked
up the game controller and analyzed it.
“You let Gianna call you Nicky.” AJ pointed out, sitting down on the couch.
“Yeah..well, that’s different.” Nick said looking up.
“Is not..you just let her call you Nicky because she has boobs.” AJ said smiling. Nick looked at him
blankly for a minute before cracking a smile as well.
“Well....”
“Man, you totally want her.”
“Of course I do.”
“How ya doing, by the way.” AJ asked seriously. “You guys broken up? Dating? What?”
“In between.” Nick said. AJ looked at him puzzled. “Um..I’m not ready so she’s waiting for
me.”
“But you guys are still crazy about each other right?”
“Yup.” Nick nodded. AJ raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t get it. You guys are in love, but you won’t make it official?”
“Basically...I need time to get used to a new relationship. I care about her, but I need to let her
into my life a little at a time. Not all at once.”
“Okay...” AJ said slowly. “Whatever works for you.” he said smiling.
“So..” Nick said changing the subject. “How are you and Elise?”
“Good.” AJ said stretching. He reached into his baggy jeans pocket and retrieved a pack of
cigarettes.
“You guys are quite a ‘thing’ now?”
“Yeah..” AJ said flicking the button on his lighter, touching the tip of the cigarette, held carelessly
between his lips, to the flame.
“Not to big on details are you?” Nick asked chuckling.
“Eh..we’re cool. We just mesh well with each other.” AJ shrugged exhaling a cloud of
smoke.
“No..deep feelings there?” Nick asked waving his hand to clear the foggy air.
“No, no. Don’t get me wrong. I’m definitely attracted to both her body and personality.”
“Love?”
“Maybe.” AJ smiled.
“Cool.”
“Yeah.” AJ laughed. “Were you teaching G to play video games?” AJ asked glancing at the
television screen where the main menu for Mario Kart blinked.
“Yup.”
“Nicky...” AJ shook his head. “You and your video games.
“Nick.” Nick corrected.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry buddy.” AJ said putting his cigarette out in an ashtray next to him.
“Sokay. What are you doing tonight?”
“Not sure. The girls should be back a little after dinner...I don’t know why they insisted on leaving
now? It’s like 4!”
“Me either. I don’t see the fun in shopping.”
“Man, don’t diss shopping. It’s a release.”
“J, the only thing you release is money from your wallet. How can it be fun?” Nick asked stretching
out so he was laying on his back.
“I don’t know. It just is. You either like it or you don’t. Apparently, you don’t.”
“Nope..”
“Do you wanna do something tonight?” AJ asked.
“Maybe..I was kind of thinking you, me, G, and Lee.”
“Hmm..could be fun.”
“I think that everyone is going to some club tonight. I know this may be asking a lot, but do you
want to stay home and the four of us can find something to do here?” Nick asked.
“Me? Miss out on clubbing?!” AJ asked wide eyed, then laughed. “Sure..sounds like staying home
with those fine ladies could be fun.” he wiggled his eyebrows.
“Could be.”
Chapter Eleven
Table of Contents
HOME