Written by: Nikki .
After dropping of Nikkis film at a 24 hour developer, the two girls decided to go out to dinner. Nikki begged Jaqs to eat at Tequila Junction, her favorite mexican restaurant in Tampa. It was hard, with Jacquie being a vegetarian, but Nikki looked so funny pouting that Jacquie caved.
They were seated on the balcony and when the waiter came to take their orders, Nikki asked for two margaritas.
Jacquie raised one tailored eyebrow in question.
"What?" Nikki replied. "They're to celebrate."
As they ate their meals, Nikki asked her friend how her meeting that afternoon had gone.
The mention of the meeting made Jacquie's face light up. "It went great. The executives were wonderful, they provided Maura and me with a ton of information."
Nikki looked over at her friend and cocked her head, "You said this was an event....what kind of event?"
Tricks didn't notice the brief look of panic that crossed Jacquie's face, "It's a joint benefit to raise money for the American Heart Association and the Lupus Foundation. A big, all day bash at the Convention Center."
Nikki looked at Jaqs quizzically, "And why would the Herald be so involved?"
"Well, the paper is one of the largest sponsors. Maura and I are in charge of setting up all the PR appearances."
"So is it a bunch of movie stars?"
"Oh no," Jacquie said. "Bands."
"Anyone I know?" Nikki asked, taking a bite out of her fajita.
Again that shadowed look passed over Jacquie's face and again Nikki missed it.
"Well...we have a ton of bands signed up to perform. We tried to get someone from every genre, and I think we've succeeded." Jaqs chuckled a bit, "We've even got some throwbacks...like the oldies and heavy metal."
Nikki almost choked on a tortilla chip, "Heavy Metal?"
Jaqs nodded, "I know. And throughout the day there will be meet-n-greets and photo opps. Plus we're going to have onair radio interviews, online internet chats, contests and booths for merchandise. We're really hoping to attract a wide range of people so we can raise lots of money."
"Wow," Nikki sighed. "It sounds amazing. And it also sounds like you're enjoying yourself, sweets."
"I am. This is such a wonderful opportunity for me, Tricks. You can't imagine how my stomach does flips every time I think about it."
Nikki giggled at her friend, "So tell me more about who will be performing."
For the next half hour Jacquie talked animatedly about some of the bands that would be appearing at the benefit. When they left Tequila Junction they stopped by Blockbuster to rent movies for the night. Jacquie, of course, had to have "Ferris Buellers Day Off", and Nikki decided on "The Full Monty." When they arrived back at Jacquie's apartment both girls changed their clothes and got ready to watch the movies.
As Jacquie was in the kitchen popping some popcorn, she yelled out to Nikki, "So tell me about these guys that you met today."
Nikki figured Jaqs hadn't forgotten about the boys from this afternoon, "You would have really like them Jaqs. They were great guys....actually, one reminded me of you."
"What? Why?"
"Cause his hair was red.....sound familiar?," Nikki replied with humor. She could hear Jaqs start laughing from the living room.
"So what were these "oh-so wonderful" guys names?, Jaqs asked.
Going to count them off on her fingers, Nikki answered, "Let's see...there was Brian, and Ni...."
She was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. Nikki could hear Jaqs trip in her rush to answer it and started laughing again. She could hear Jacquie speaking with someone before she yelled, "Tricks! Pick up the other phone!"
Nikki picked up the second receiver from beside her, "Hello?"
"Hi Tricks!" two voices yelled in her ear, Nikki recognized them instantly.
"Brat! Liss! What's up chickeritas?"
Jacquie joined Nikki on the couch and they put the other two girls on the speakerphone.
"Watch who you're calling a Brat, Tricks," Fayth answered sarcastically.
"Ooooooh, you're so scary Fayth," was Nikkis reply.
"Fayth! Will you let me have the phone?" Lissa suddenly appeared on the line, "Sorry guys, Brat is living up to her nickname right now."
You couldn't miss Fayth grumbling in the background.
"I suppose you guys are getting ready to watch "Ferris Buellers Day Off" right about now," Lissa stated matter-of-factly.
Nikki and Jaqs looked at each other and blurted out loud together, "Psycho connection."
Lissa laughed, "No, not the psycho connection, although you both are crazy. It's just that JQ is so predictable."
Jaqs stuck her tongue out at the phone, "Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Children!," Nikki shouted over the arguing, and it stopped.
Everyone heard Fayth murmur, "Now who's being a brat?"
Which got her a "shaddup" from the three other girls.
Lissa then asked, "What's the plan for tomorrow?"
Nikki and Jaqs glanced at each other and Jacquie answered, "We were going to drive up to see you guys."
"Cool...maybe we can hit Busch Gardens?" Lissa posed it as a question.
"Yes! Roller coasters, my favorite," Tricks yelled, bouncing up and down on the couch.
Jacquie cracked up, "Someone's all excited."
"Fayth, knock it off!" They heard Liss complain, but Fayth apparently wrest the phone from Lissas hands.
"What time are you guys going to get here? I have an early class tomorrow."
They could hear Lissa in the background and Fayth came back on the line. "And Liss volunteers in the morning too."
Jacquie said, "Well, I know Tricks will kill me if I get her up before 10 o'clock so how about we aim for 12:30 or 1:00?"
This was met with approval from everyone.
"Okay then," Fayth said, "We'll let you get back to your now-cold popcorn, girls. See you laters!"
"Laters!" Jacquie and Nikki yelled.
Nikki hung up the phone and turned to Jacquie, "I can't wait to see them."
"Yeah...Fayth..plus Busch Gardens...that should be a trip," Jacquie said, the sarcasm apparent in her tone.
The two friends settled onto the couch, popcorn bowl between them, and started what they affectionately called "movie night."
[ Chapter Six ]
