That night, at the Raleigh, Durham concert, when it was time for make-up, Emmalee's heart thudded. She hoped she got Nick. She knew what Jennifer was going to do if she got Nick, and Emmalee didn't want Jen to go out with Nick. She knew it was selfish on her part, but she knew she would be jealous if Nick went out with Jen.
Nick, AJ, and Kevin sat on the big plush sofa that was sitting in the make-up room. They watched as Howie and Brian got their make-up.
Nick looked intently at Emmalee. She looked so beautiful with her hair up in a messy ponytail, a tight tank, and a pair of shorts, with sandals. His eyes turned to Jen. She wasn't too bad, but she was too tall for his taste. Her blonde hair was down, and curly, her green eyes were accentuated with black mascara. She wore a pair of shorts, and a Tommy T-shirt. Jen looked his way, and saw Nick looking at her. She smiled, and Nick smiled in return.
Ahhhh! Nick was looking at me? That means that he likes me! He has to like me! Jen thought, gleefully. She worked faster on Howie, so Nick could be next. She hoped that he came next, because she knew that she was going to finish before Emma. A few minutes later, she finished on Howie. He stood up, and walked over to the sofa to wait for the rest of the guys. Kevin stood up, walked up to the chair and placed himself on it. Inwardly, Jen seethed. Damn you, Kevin! I wanted Nick! she thought, before she angrily started to work on Kevin.
A little while later, Emma finished with Brian. Nick jumped up before AJ got the chance. He almost smiled. He wanted so bad for Emma to do his make-up. He sat on the chair, and waited for Emma to start on him.
Yes! I got Nick! Jen must be mad, Emmalee thought, getting the foundation, and startign to apply it on Nick's face softly. Oh well, all fair's in love and war...Wait, what am I talking about? I don't love Nick. As a friend, sure, but nothing else, she insisted to herself.
Nick looked up into Emma's blue eyes. She caught him staring and gave him a small smile. That encouraged him to talk.
"Hey, Emma," Nick said softly. Emma was surprised that Nick said something to her.
"Hey, Nick, what's up?" she said, making small talk.
"Nothing much. Listen...I just wanted to make sure that you don't hate me for kissing you yesterday," Nick said, looking down. Emma put he fingers under Nick's chin, and brought up his face. Nick blushed. "I can't do your make-up with your face down, Nick. Please don't start," she teased. Nick smiled. "And don't worry about yesterday. It's all forgotten. It wasn't that big a deal, Nick," she said. What she didn't know was that that came came out all wrong. Nick took it like kissing him was nothing. He felt tears sting his eyes, but was determined not to let it show.
"Okay, Emmalee. Thanks," he whispered, before he fixed his gaze on the point above her shoulder.
Jen saw Nick and Emma talking quietly, and seethed inside. She wished it were her that Nick was talking to like that. He has to like me, or he wouldn't have been looking at me, she thought, satisfied, she turned her gaze back to Kevin.
Emma saw that Nick had gotten quiet after what she had said, then it dawned on her that he had taken it into offense. "Oh, Nick, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I meant that you don't have to worry about it, okay?" she said, in hopes that he would understand. Nick looked at her, and smiled. He nodded.
Nick almost sighed. At least she didn't hate him.
After the concert, Jennifer cornered Nick.
"Hey, Nick! Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked. Nick almost groaned. What would she want with him?
"Sure, Jen. What's up?" he asked, leaning against the wall.
"Well, I was wondering if...I mean, uh, if you would like to go out with me sometime?" Jen finally got out. Nick didn't know what to say. He really didn't want her to get her hopes up.
"'Cause I really like you, and I saw you looking at me earlier, so I thought that you liked me too, so I decided to ask you out, and I was hoping that-"
"Jen! It's okay. Um...well, I'm kinda busy, ya know? With the tour and stuff. Maybe sometime. I gotta go now, okay? Bye," Nick said. He walked away. Jen stared off after him. How could he do this to me? Throw my words back in my face? But don't worry. You'll succumb to my charms sooner or later, and you won't be able to get out, she thought, before she started to go on the tour bus that she was on.
Emmalee decided to tell Nick that she had felt something when he had kissed her. Even if Nick didn't like her, she had to tell him, or she would die if she didn't tell anyone. She had to tell him as soon as possible. She rounded the corner and plowed straight into a hard body.
"I'm sorry! I-" She looked up and realized it was Nick. "Hey, Nick," she said, forgetting her apology.
"Hey, Emma..." Nick said. I gotta tell her my feelings for her. I have to. It's now or never, he thought. "Emma-"
"Nick-" they both said silmutaneously. They laughed.
"You first," they both said again. They laughed even harder.
"Okay, Nick. What was it that you had to tell me?" Emma said, when she had quieted down. Nick took a deep breath.
"I have to tell you something."
Jennifer was right behind Nick, but he wouldn't be able to see her, because she was in a space in the wall where the plant was, and she was hearing the conversation with Emma and Nick. What could Nick possibly tell Em? Maybe it has something to do with me! she thought excitedly. She listened closer.
"Umm...well, I had to tell you that...um....well, I like you," he blurted out. "I like you a lot...In fact, I think I'm falling in love with you," he whispered, looking down, his face flaming from embarrassment.
Jen couldn't believe what she had just heard. It couldn't be.
"Really, Nick?" Emma said softly. Nick nodded, looking up into her eyes. Emma smiled.
"Well, guess what?" Emma said, stepping a little closer to Nick.
"What?" Nick asked. Emma took a breath, and was about to tell Nick, when Jen rounded the corner, holding in her anger. She didn't want to risk Emma and Nick getting together.
"Oh, hey guys! Emma! Come on, I gotta tell you something!" she said, desperately trying to get Emma away from Nick.
"But she was about to tell me something!" Nick exclaimed. Jen looked at Nick.
"She could tell you some other time. Come on, Emmalee!" Jen said, grabbing Emma's hand, and dragging her behind her.
When they had disappeared from view, Nick sighed.
"Couldn't she have butted in some other time! I don't even know what Emma's reaction was, and what she was going to tell me. Now I'm gonna have to wait," Nick said exasperatingly. Just then, Kevin rounded the same corner Jen had.
"Hey, Nick! We're leaving! Come on," Kevin said.
Nick nodded and trailed after Kevin into the tour bus, far away from Emmalee, who was on the other tour bus. He sighed, and plopped down on the sofa, and turned on the N64. Maybe playing a little Mario Kart would clear his mind.
"What did you have to tell me that was so important, Jen?" Emma inquired, when they had settled into the tour bus, which was now headed towards the next destination. Jen looked up, trying to make up something on the spot.
"Oh, darn, I forgot! I'll tell you when I remember, okay?" Jen said, settling into her bunk, and turning her back to Emma. Emma sighed with frustration. She probably didn't have to tell me anything from the start, she just wanted to get me away from Nick. Well, it won't work. I'm getting Nick, and that's it. Ha! He likes me anyway, Emma thought, smiling to herself, before she too went to sleep.
Chapter 5
Back To Index
Back To Fanfiction
Back To Main Page