Nick looked at Brianna though the Plexiglas. She looked thin, tired, and, well hung over. With bail already posted she was only being held until she was medically cleared, hence not intoxicated. She had also refused to leave with her parents. Nick watched as she made her way to the table where he was sitting. She didn’t even raise her eyes to look at him.

“Hey little girl. What’s going on?” He had ranted in the car at Tony on the way up and got it out of his system. Then he decided that a quiet approach would be the best. She just shrugged her shoulders. “You look tired. I take it you probably didn’t get much sleep in here last night.” She shook her head no. Nick sighed, he wasn’t getting anywhere, and it wasn’t like her to be so standoffish to him. “Bree, look at me.” Maybe eye contact would help.

Slowly she lifted her head. She had dark circles under her eyes and her eyes were red. Nick wasn’t sure if it was from the alcohol or from crying. Damn, how long has it been since I’ve seen her? He thought trying to figure out how the sweet, shy little girl he used to know could have changed so drastically.

Then he noticed two tears slowly making their way down each cheek. She was also shaking. “It’s gonna be okay, ya know. No one’s mad at you. You made a mistake, it happens.” He gave her a little smile of reassurance, and that seemed to break the dam that was holding everything back.

Through her tears she managed to choke out, “It, it was just a p-party. Just fun. They arrested me. I had handcuffs on and was in the back of a police car. Nick, they, they fingerprinted me. I have a criminal record now.” Everything came out as a rush of words.

Nick stood and went to sit next to her pulling her into his arms. “It’s gonna be okay. It’s not that bad, really. You got caught at an illegal rave, big deal. You were drinking underage, again big deal. How many other kids were there doing the same thing? It’s not like you killed someone. Just learn from this. Learn to control this, moderation sweetie.” Brianna sniffled and nodded her head yes.

“Nick, will you, I mean, can you take me back to my dorm? I, um, do you have security?”

“Of course, I planned on it anyway, that is if you would’ve let me. Tony’s here and is finding out what exactly we have to do to get you out of here.”

It didn’t take long and the three were on their way. Thankfully, with it being a holiday weekend the majority of the campus was home visiting family, so Nick was able to make it to Brianna’s dorm un-noticed. Once there he did the same as he had after her graduation, and many other parties. He gave her some aspirin, Sprite, and a peppermint. After taking the aspirin she excused herself to take a shower. Clean and dressed in pajamas she found Nick and Tony on the couch talking.

“I know you can’t stay long, can you?” She realized they didn’t talk a whole lot anymore. Every time they are together the time is usually spent partying and recovering from the party. She missed just talking and goofing off.

“Sorry sweetie. But, I gotta go back today. All my stuff’s at AJ’s and the tour is starting. But I can stay for a little while.” Nick saw the sadness in her eyes and thought it ran deeper than just his not being able to stay.

She sighed. “I figured that. Sorry to ruin your vacation.”

Standing and pulling her into a hug he started, “Hey, don’t even say that. I got to see you didn’t I? That’s always a good thing. Even if you are hung over. What am I gonna do with you, huh? My little girl’s become a rebel.” He tried to joke with her.

At first she didn’t say anything, just wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back. “God, Nick, I’m so tired. I wanna stay up and talk with you but my eyes just don’t want to cooperate.”

“Well, how ‘bout this? How about I go lie down with you and we can snuggle and talk ‘till you fall asleep?” He heard Tony softly chuckle behind him. Brianna just nodded her head and started to walk towards her room. She knew she would be asleep in a matter of minutes. She also knew when she woke up, God knows how many hours later, Nick would be gone. “I’ll be right there, Bree.” Then to Tony, “What was that for?”

“That girl’s got you wrapped around her finger, you know that?” Tony had a huge smile on his face. He liked Brianna and always found it amusing how Nick always babied her and protected her.

“Man, don’t even go there. She’s like a sister, alright?” Tony rolled his eyes at Nick. Nick gave him the finger in return before going to lie down with Brianna. “Hey, if I fall asleep too, wake me in a little bit. I don’t wanna get back too late.”

“Whatever, man.” Tony didn’t even look at Nick; he just smiled and picked up the remote to the TV.

<~ Chapter 6 or Chapter 8 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003