"Oh Dear God, please help me so," I said as the lightening bolt flashed across the sky. "Just don't let the electricity cut off." As if my words could move mountains, the electricity began to fade in and out.
I was terrified of the dark, and the fact that I was all alone didn't help either.
"Nick, Nick," I chanted as I ran up to my room for the telephone. "No!" I suddenly shouted. My Dad and brother were still mad at me, and Nick just happened to be the reason why, even though he didn't say or do anything himself. If I had never gone to his house that night then this none of this would be happening.
So that's it. I should break up with Nick.
No! I can't. I'm with him because I love him and without him I'd die.
I laughed at my thoughts. I was sitting there, on my bed, all alone, arguing with myself inside of my head.
I chewed my upper lip. I hope they get home soon, even though they both hate me. But I love them, and their presence does matter.
I thought about the guy at the beach that day. He offered me his number, which wasn't too big of a deal. But what was, was the fact that I had actually taken it.
Would Nick have done the same? Probably not, but I did. Had I questioned Nick at all at that time? No. Had I questioned my love? No. Maybe I was tired of dating a guy I hardly see, and how I have a boyfriend my Dad doesn't accept. My Mom did. I remember what she had said in my dream that night.
"Nick. You have to stay here and share life with him."
It was like subconsciously I knew Nick and I would end up together, that's why I had dreamt about it. What was I, psychic or something?
My thoughts were interrupted by a banging on the front door. Dad and Jakob!
I got up and ran for the door. The lights flickered again but I didn't care. They were home.
"You guys, I'm so glad your here," I shouted as I swung open the front door, but I stopped when I saw who it was.
"Nick, you can't be here."
"Amanda, I'm so sorry but my family isn't home!"
"No, just leave...they'll be home any second."
"I don't know where they went but I came home from the recording studio and I was locked out. I didn't know what to do so I came here."
"Nick, you can't stay. Dad and Jakob..." I trailed off as I saw their car pull up in front of the gate.
"Please."
"No!"
"Amanda I have no where else to go!" I fidgeted and continued to glance back and forth between Nick and my Dad.
"Fine, fine," I said giving in. "Hurry up, run upstairs and hide in my bathroom." I shoved him past me and stayed put.
"Hey guys," I said, pretending I had been awaiting their arrival. "I was so scared without you guys. I think the electricity is gonna cut off." I moved aside and let them come into the house. "Oh well. I guess I'll be fine," I stated, referring to having Nick upstairs in my bedroom.
"Fine? But you've always been afraid of the dark!" My Father said.
"Yeah, but I have candles and flashlights in my room, oh and those click lights that are battery powered. I better get everything set up, I have this huge feeling that a long blackout is coming." I hurried up to my room before anyone could protest.
As soon as I entered my room I began smiling and quickly jerked my bathroom door open to a nervous and wet Nick sitting on the edge of my bathtub.
I grabbed his hand and led him towards my walk-in closet. I quickly grabbed a clean towel from the shelf and threw it at him.
"Thanks." I nodded and went toward my radio and turned it on to help cover up any voices my brother and Father may hear.
I placed my index finger up to my lip, reminding Nick that we aren't alone in this house.
"How long can you stay?" I asked him as I helped dry his hair off.
"Until my parents come home and when you say the coast is clear."
"Shoot," I muttered. "Well keep an eye out for your parents driving by my house. And then you can sneak out. My Dad goes to work early so he'll be going to sleep soon," I grumbled. "I knew I shouldn't have let you in..."
I walked over to throw the towel in the dirty clothes basket and let him wonder around.
"What's this?"
"What?"
"This." Nick threw a slip of paper at me and I watched as it fluttered to the ground. I didn't have to pick it up to know what it was.
"Nothing. I was at the beach the other day and this guy tried to hit on me."
"And you took his number?"
"What else was I supposed to do Nick? Who knows what kind of stalker he coulda turned into if I didn't."
"But you still took it. Even though you knew that it was wrong. And you didn't throw it away?"
"No, I didn't get the chance. I was doing my laundry and I took it out just today."
"Okay, whatever." His attitude changed for the worst and my anger rose.
"Don't you even get mad at me."
"Well I have every right too!"
"Nick what about that girl the other day. And you know very well if she gave you her number you wouldn't know how to say no. You would think that that was rude."
"And you would get mad at me!" he shouted.
"Please be quiet. Someone will hear you."
"So?"
"So?! I'll be the one to get in trouble!"
"I don't care. It's not me." His words stung my heart. I shook my head and turned to sit on my bed.
"I'm sorry Amanda. I didn't mean it like that."
"I'm sorry too. Sorry I could love a person who doesn't care about me in the same way." I felt tears coming to my eyes but I pulled them back.
"I do love you Amanda." He sat down next to me and put his arm around me, holding me tight.
"Then why do we always fight? Ever since we've been together all we do is fight." I had never taken the time to notice it before but now that I had, I realized it was true. Something always came between us. "Maybe we were better off as friends," I stated.
"What? No we weren't! Please don't say that Amanda!"
"I don't know." Tears filled my eyes and began slowly spilling over.
"So...so you're breaking up with me?" Nick questioned. I turned my head to him. "No, no I'm not. I just want to know why we always fight. Jealousy always gets between us, or my parents, or SOMETHING, and I really don't want us to end."
"I don't either." Nick sighed in relief and his chin stopped quivering. He brought his hand to my cheek and pulled me close enough to kiss.
"Just say that we'll always be together and your career won't get in the way of it, or anyone else."
"I promise," he stated and kissed me again. I silently promised as well and just hoped it would be kept.
