Feeling the exhaustion setting in, Nick decided to take a little nap, but he found it hard to fall asleep. Visions of his family sifted through his mind as he unsuccessfully brushed them aside. He wanted so bad to talk to any one of them-the Boys, his family, Crystal- but that was a useless thought. He didn't know if he was off the hook yet. The Queen seem nice enough, right? Nick tried to comfort himself, but for some reason, he still felt jittery.
Hours passed as he lay still in his bed, attempting in vain to get some rest. He began to see images of his past. This time, his thoughts were focused on Crystal. He remembered that day when he had that nasty argument with her. But then again, when had they ever come near each other without ripping each other's throats?
But that image had stuck to him because it was one of their nastiest fights ever- because they didn't exchange a single word to each other. He didn't know if Crystal knew it, but she was hurting him so deeply that he no matter how many tears he shed, the pain would not go away.
FLASHBACK
They were all sitting in Brian's house, enjoying a nice barbecue. Once again, Nick sat alone on the couch getting some rest. He had been overworked and the only reason he was at that party was because Brian had begged him to come. As usual, he was the first one there, and instead of helping Brian prepare the food, he decided to just sleep. It was something that he didn't get too often.
Finally, he heard voices of the guests arriving-mainly the boys and their girlfriends, including Crystal. Nick got up and decided to join in, although he was reluctant to do so. "Hey you," Brian saw Nick. "Wash your face and get some punch." Nick smiled weakly and headed for the kitchen. But he suddenly bumped into somebody from behind. He turned around in time to see Crystal eyeing him icily. But she didn't say a word. She was still angry at him. She had been for three weeks.
Not wanting to ruin Brian's party, Nick shrugged it off and went to the kitchen to wash his face. Later that evening, when the party started kicking off, he sat on the couch, reluctant to talk to anyone. He glanced at Crystal secretly. She had her arms wrapped around AJ protectively, smiling as if she had the time of her life. When she noticed Nick's gaze, she moved closer to AJ and whispered something in his ear. He laughed sweetly.
Feeling as if he were intruding, Nick looked away. He felt an overwhelming sadness. It was not his intention to make enemies of anybody. Crystal's hostility made him uncomfortable and sad. Then he began to withdraw. He felt safe when he was by himself. He didn't want to share with anyone how hurt he was because if he did, he would feel exposed and vulnerable. He got up and started walking to a corner where he would be less conspicuous. It was easy since no one noticed him and tried to talk to him.
But before he was out of sight, he heard Crystal's cold voice. "Where's your date Nick?" He turned around to be greeted by Crystal's cold gaze. "Why aren't you dancing with her?" Nick sensed the sarcasm in her voice.
"Look Crystal, let's not go there. I don't want to argue with you."
"I'm not arguing. I'm just wondering what happened to that beautiful brunette of yours."
Nick looked at her, trying hard not to show the hurt. "She couldn't make it," he said quietly. He didn't want to continue that argument they had started three weeks ago over the brunette. Besides, he had broken up with her after she had tried to take advantage of his weak, gentle heart.
But Crystal didn't seem to want to let it go. "She already had her fun with you? She saw the whole package already and gotten bored? My Nick, I thought you were better entertainment than that. I thought you might have kept her attention for more than the 2 minutes of sex you gave her." Her words were crude and cruel.
Nick was shocked at her vulgarity. He began to raise his voice, but still kept it quite controlled even though he was stung by her acrid words. "Look Crystal, I know that we haven't been on good terms, but butt out. All right? Stop pestering me. I can see that you're not enjoying it, okay? So I'll be civil about it and not cuss at you." He tried to sound as mature as he could, but just controlling his temper was taking much of his effort already. He didn't know how much longer he could maintain his calmness.
"Come on," Crystal continued sweetly. "Don't be so serious Nick. I was just asking a question." And before he tried anything aggressive on her, she left. It always ended like that, with him feeling unsettled. She always knew how to ruin his self-esteem. And the more she attacked him, the more he believed her words.
END FLASHBACK
Nick was startled when he heard his door being opened. 'Is there no respect for privacy,' he complained more to himself than to the guards.
"Her majesty wishes you in her quarters." Nick got off his bed slowly and followed the guards.
When he arrived at the Queen's place, she was sitting on her bed. He noticed 2 glasses of wine on one of her drawers.
She walked up to him and her hands reached for his head. Nick jerked back in fear. Something didn't seem right. The Queen suddenly acted differently. She was acting in a more carefree manner, nothing like she was yesterday. She just laughed and grabbed his hair, ruffling it with her hands. 'So soft,' she thought. 'And so blond.' Nick was staring at her, not budging. He became conscious of his surroundings all of a sudden. He felt woozy, sensing that he was on dangerous grounds.
"What are you afraid of?" she whispered in his ears.
"Do I have reason not to be?" Nick cried softly. His body was so tense.
She let her hand drop to his arm. Again he jerked back. She nudged him, motioning him towards the 2 glasses of wine that lay dangerously perched on her drawer. Nick stepped cautiously, as if he would cause an explosion if he didn't step in the right spot.
'The one on the left' the Queen reminded herself of which glass had the poison. But she didn't reach for any of the glasses. 'Not yet.' She didn't have any fun yet.
She suddenly turned around and pushed him onto the bed. He yelped and she heard a thump as his body struck her bed. Before he could straighten up, she ran at him as if she were crazy. He jumped backwards, seeing the craziness on her face, in her eyes. He shut his eyes tight. She stopped two inches from his face and pecked him on the forehead. Nick's eyes were wide with fright.
He tried to stop her by pushing her away, but accidentally touched her breasts instead. He quickly drew his hands back while his face turned beet red from embarrassment. She moved a little more forward, unabashed, while he moved back and fell off the bed. He turned to run, but she caught his feet and he fell again. By now, she giggled with joy. Oh how fun. She heard the thump as he landed face down. He turned around to face her, his hair tousled up and his breathing painful, as if he were gasping for air.
Just then, a guard came in, shocked at the sight.
"Your highness, Counselor Meina wishes to speak with you."
"Tell her I am busy," the Queen answered, annoyed.
"She says it's very important," the guard pressed.
"Don't give me an attitude," the Queen answered, angered. Then after a moment's thought, "Let her in."
The counselor entered, her 6'4'' form intimidating. Nick had never seen a women so robust and overpowering before. She saw Nick get up from the floor and smiled mockingly. Then facing the Queen, she said, "And I thought he'd be dead by now. Turns out that I must have been mistaken."
Nick looked at the counselor and the Queen and then at the 2 glasses of wine. Suddenly, the realization hit him. The counselor noticed Nick's focus on the glasses of wine, and as if answering his thoughts, she said, "You're a clever boy, eh?" Nick shuddered under her piercing cold eyes.
"What do you want, Counselor Meina?" the Queen said calmly. She did not like Meina's attitude, but Meina had been around way too long and had too much power.
Meina looked towards Nick, raising her eyebrows. Nick swallowed hard.
"Guards," the Queen called, "take him out for a while."