"Hey Nicole, how are you feeling?", Brian asked breaking the silence.
"Ummmmm, I feel fine, except I have this huge headache. I just wanna go home now."
"Oh about that. Nicole I want you stay at my house because I don't want you to be alone.", Nick said.
"Nick--"
"Not another word. You're staying at my house and that's that.", Nick ordered.
"Oh okay. But you don't have to go through all that trouble for me.", Nicole said.
"Nicole, listen to me, you are and always will be my best friend. And I'm telling you that I would go through hell for you.", Nick said, looking straight into her eyes.
"Awwwww Nick..... I'll always be there for you too.", Nicole said, pulling him into a hug.
"Sorry, to interrupt the deep moment, but we're here!", Brian said.
"Alright!", Nicole said cheerfully.
"Okay Nicole. Once we get inside, you're gonna straight to bed.", Nick said.
"NO! What if Derrick comes back again", Nicole exclaimed.
"Nicole, he won't. Besides I'm here. And if I gotta go somewhere, Brian will be here to take care of you.", Nick said assuringly.
"Okay, but can you stay in my room until I sleep? You can go after I fall asleep.", Nicole asked.
"Sure, anything.", Nick replied.
"But can you help me out of the car now, cuz I don't think I can do it myself."
Nick picked up Nicole and carried Nicole to the front door. Brian took the keys from Nick's pocket and unlocked the door.
Nick carried her upstairs and lay her down in bed in the guestroom she usually slept in.
"Nicole, can I get you anything?", Nick asked.
"Yeah, can you get me some Tylenol? I have headache remember?"
"Oh yeah. Hold on."
Nick went into the bathroom and got Nicole Tylenol and water.
"Here ya go."
"Thanks."
Nicole swallowed the medicine and lay back down. Nick got into the bed next to her since it was a queen size.
"How are you feeling?", Nick asked.
"Sleepy.", Nicole answered.
"Good, because I gave you a sleeping pill too."
"Yeah, you're a great friend too, Nick", Nicole mumbled sleepily.
Five seconds later she was sleeping like a baby. Nick got up and pulled the sheets up to Nicole's chin. Then, he kissed her forehead and left the room.
While she was asleep, Nick left Brian in charge so that he could go to Nicole house and pack some clothes for to wear. He walked across the street to Nicole's house. He took the spare key from under the doormat.
Ring! Ring He heard the phone ring and went over to pick it up.
"Hello?"
"Hi Nick! Is Nicole there?"
"Oh hi Mrs. Erickson. No she's not here because she's going to be staying at my house for a while. And I'm here to pack some clothes for her.", Nick said.
"Why is she staying at your house?"
"Oh that's because well, she had this fever and I'm going to take care of her for awhile.", Nick explained, hoping that he didn't worry Mrs. Erickson.
"Oh well, me and Mr. Erickson were planning on staying a little longer, but if Nicole's sick then we'll come home now."
"No, stay. Have fun. I'm here. I'll take good care of Nicole. Don't worry about a thing."
"Well, I guess it would be okay. I mean you're there. Okay then, we'll be staying until February 25."
"Okay, I'll tell Nicole."
"Thank you, Nick for taking care of my daughter. I appreciate it.", Mrs. Erickson said gratefully.
"No problem!"
"Okay. Bye Nick! Kiss my daughter for me!"
"Sure Mrs. Erickson. Where would you like that kiss to be?"
"On the cheek, naughty. Thanks. Bye"
"Okay. Bye Mrs. Erickson."
He hung up the phone and continued with what he came to do. He went to Nicole's room and took an empty suitcase out of the closet and began packing.
At the bottom of one drawer he found a book.
I wonder what this is, Nick thought to himself.
He opened the book and his eyes widened as he read the words.
