Chapter Fifteen

 	*****THAT NEXT WEEK; SATURDAY***** 
	Nick thanked the driver as he got out and wrestled with his luggage.  It was
about 1:30 am and a  clear but humid night.  Nick had crashed at his mom’s for a few
extra days and had finally mustered up the courage to come back to Los Angeles.  The
streets were empty in the little neighborhood after the driver took off.  The house was
dark as Nick carefully picked up his fallen keys off the ground.  With a glance at
Natalie’s well-lit house, he walked up to his front door and unlocked it.  Assuming AJ
was asleep because of the darkness, he dropped his stuff right at the foot of the stairs
and headed to the kitchen.  He heard faint music seeping from AJ’s supposedly sound
proof studio and sighed.  He had been hoping that he didn’t have to face  AJ tonight but
he was up and bound to come out of the studio.  With a sideways glance at AJ’s dog,
Nick headed to the refrigerator and searched through the contents, finding a frozen
dinner.  As he waited on the microwave, he heard the music shut off and it was several
seconds before he heard the door open and close again, followed by footsteps.
“ You’re back,” AJ spoke, coming into the kitchen with casual indifference, reaching for
the pack of cigarettes lying on the kitchen table.  Nick studied him, wondering if he
forgot about their argument.
“ How was everyone?” 
“...Good.  Okay...” AJ nodded, lighting up and tossing the Zippo back on the table.
“ Did you meet up with anyone?”
“ What do you mean?”
“ Well, I assumed that since you stayed longer than you said you would, you met
someone...Or met up with an old ex,”
“ Speaking of which, how’s Marielle?” Nick asked before the topic could go any further.
“ Mhmm.  You know,” He said vaguely with a shrug.
“ Well, I’m off to bed, got plans tomorrow,” Jay left, the smoke still hanging in the room
as his footsteps carried on towards the stairs.  Nick stared after him, wondering over the
fact of how little he knew about AJ’s “private” life even when they were sharing a house. 
Now that the house had fallen silent, Nick got restless.  He wasn’t hungry anymore, and
he wasn’t sleepy.  He glanced out of the window, his gaze drawn to her house once
again.  Guilt resurfaced and he got up, deciding he might as well attempt at sleep...






Main Page

Table Of Contents