Remember Me This Way- Chapter 7
*1 hour later- Nick's house*
Nick- "Listen, I'm gonna go over to Brian's and shoot some hoops. Do you want to come along?"
Jena- "No thanks. I think I'm gonna stay here and relax for a while. Plus I need to call AJ back before he calls me again."
Nick- "You sure your gonna bo ok here alone?"
Jena- "I'm sure. Go ahead and go."
Nick- "Ok, the phone numbers are next to the phone in the living room. Just call Brian's house if you need anything."
Jena- "Ok, see ya later." Nick almost leaned over to kiss her goodbye, but stopped himself before it was too late. Instead he grabbed his car keys and headed out the door, closing it behind him. Jena made her way into the living room and sat down on the couch next to the phone. Looking through the list of phone numbers she found AJ's and started dialing. After 3 rings he finally picked up.
Jena- "Hey AJ....Yeah, Nick and I went for a drive. We just got back....Actually I'm here by myself and I wanted to know if you'd come over and keep me company....Ok, I'll see ya then. Bye."
*At Brian's house*
Brian- "Nice shot Frack." Brian said to his friend as he picked up the re-bound.
Nick- "Thanks." Even though he was trying to enjoy himself, Nick's mind was else where at this moment. Brian noticed it the minute that he arrived, like he was there but he wasn't.
Brian- "Thinking about Jena?" Nick looked up at his friend with sad eyes.
Nick- "Always."
Brian- "Wanna talk about it?" Nick was quiet for a moment, trying to put what he was feeling into words that Brian could understand.
Nick- "I took her to our park today. You know, the place where we had our first date."
Brian- "I take it that didn't go very well."
Nick- "It's not that. It was just painful, for me and for her. She wants so badly to remember everything about her life, but she just can't. And me, I feel like we've never been further apart then we are now. Brian, it's eating me up inside." Nick leaned back against the garage door and sunk to the ground. Brian went over to him and sat down beside him.
Nick- "You know, next week is Jena's birthday."
Brian- "I know, Kevin and Howie made the final plans for the party. The grand ballroom at the Renaissance is booked, along with the presidential suite for you and her, and another suite for me and the guys. We have her favorite colors for decorations and-."
Nick- "Brian, stop." Nick said cutting him off in mid-sentence.
Nick- "I think we should cancel the party. I mean, she doesn't remember who she is or even how old she is. What good is this party gonna do her?"
Brian- "Nick, you can't put everything on hold. The more we do for her, the faster she's gonna get better. Look, I can't tell you that I know how you feel, cause I can't possibly imagine it. But I do know that both you and Jena aren't quitters. This must be awful for both of you, but that doesn't mean that you put your lives on hold, just hoping that she's gonna get well. You have to help her to get well, keep giving her the memories and the answer's. Then before you know it, Jena will come back." Nick was on the verge of tears as he listened to his friend speak. He knew Brian was right, but there was still a part of him that wouldn't let him believe the love of his life would return.
Nick- "I'm trying Brian, I really am. I just don't know how much longer I can deal with this. I know I sound selfish, I know that in truth Jena must be feeling worse then I am."
Brian- "Frack, it's not selfish. No one knows better then I do how much you love her. But if you truly want her back, you have to be there for her every step of the way. Nick, I've known since you were 13 years old, and in the six years we've been friends I have always seen you fight to get what you want. Don't loose that quality now when you need it the most." Nick thought for a few moments, silence overtaking them both. Finally he looked at Brian and smiled.
Nick- "Your right Bri, I guess it's time for me to stop feeling sorry for myself and start thinking more about getting her back to the way she was. The way WE were."
Brian- "That's it bro."
Nick- "Thanks man, you're a good friend." Nick leaned over and hugged Brian.
*Back at Nick's house*
Jena- "Hey, come on in." She opened the door wider and let AJ walk passed her and into the living room.
AJ- "So, how ya doing?"
Jena- "Ok, I guess. I still feel lost and confused, but Nick has been really good to me."
AJ- "He cares about you a lot."
Jena- "I know." She sat down next to him on the couch.
Jena- "But I think I'm doing him more bad then I am good."
AJ- "How do you figure?"
Jena- "I see him, watch him. I know he's in great pain and what's worse I know that I'm the cause of it. He loves me and I can't remember how to give him the love in return."
AJ- "Nick doesn't blame you Jena. No one blames you-."
Jena- "I know, we've already had this conversation. But the thing is I blame myself. I blame myself because no matter how much I try, I can't find anything more then friendship in him. You told me that he is my boyfriend, and even with a loss of memory, I can't find that attraction I'm supposed to have."
AJ- "The attraction was lost, along with everything else in your mind. But it will return and things will go back to normal." Jena looked at him, trying to fight back the feelings she was having and the thoughts that she had been thinking for last 3 days. Like how beautiful his eyes are and how safe she felt when he had her in his arms.
Jena- "AJ, don't get me wrong when I say this. I want to remember everything. But what if I don't want to retain that part of my life. What if I want something else."
AJ- "What more is there." Jena moved closer to him and put her hand over his.
Jena- "I want you." She whispered.