CHAPTER SIX: It was Mandy. (Mandy)- Nick…hello…where the hell is everyone at? (AJ)- Man, who let her in here! (Claudia)- I don’t know but I wish that she would shut her big mouth…what a thing to wake up to. (Kristin)- Tell me about it…and after such a nice night too. (Howie)- Well, it’s not like Nick is here anyway…doesn’t she remember that she wouldn’t let him come. (U)- Evidently he must have changed his mind. You said as you pointed down to the floor where Nick laid…still sleeping even through all the noise. Right about then, Mandy found you guys and came into the room. (Mandy)- Here you all are…why didn’t anybody answer me when I was calling…don’t you know what time it is? (AJ)- Well, actually we don’t know what time it is because until you came in here screaming like you don’t have any sense, we were all still asleep…how did you get in here anyway? )Mandy)- Oh, I just remembered where you keep your extra key…and you guys should have been up long ago…it’s after noon already. What is going on here anyways…don’t you have a boyfriend that you should be doing that with *****? She said as she looked at you and AJ wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. (U)- Don’t worry about what I do…not like I have to explain myself to you or anything but nothing happened. We were just watching the movie and we fell asleep. (Kristin)- So Mandy, did you come here for a reason or were you just leaving? (Mandy)- Well, I was looking for Nick…he wasn’t home when I called him this morning and I just wanted to be sure that he didn’t come over here last night after he dropped me off when he said he was going home. (Kevin)- Well you didn’t really give him much of a choice on that one now did you? Just then before Mandy can say anything and without even realizing what was going on, and who was talking, Nick said, Can you guys kindly shut the hell up…I am trying to sleep down here. As he put a pillow over his head. Mandy immediately turned her attention to where he was laying on the floor and could have hit herself for not noticing that he was there before now. (Mandy)- Nick what are you doing here…you told me you were going home last night when you left me. (Nick)- God, what are you doing, checking up on me?…if you must know, I came over here a few hours ago and everyone was still asleep so I popped in a movie and must have fell asleep myself…until now that is. (Mandy)- So what is so important that you have to be over here first thing in the morning? (Nick)- Well, I was coming over to see if anyone would be up for a barbeque/pool party this afternoon. He said as he looked at you guys. (U)- I think that sounds like a wonderful idea but I do have to go home first and get some things together…Jake is going to kill me when he finds out that I didn’t come home last night and that I didn’t even brother to call him. (Kevin)- He is going to be even more pissed off when he finds out that you stayed here all night. (Kristin)- Well, it isn’t like it was done on purpose…she would have went home if we hadn’t fallen asleep. (Howie)- True, but you know how he get when it comes to her being with AJ. (AJ)- And you have to go home in those beautiful clothes you’ve got on too. Everyone laughed at the thought of that except Mandy, who just rolled her eyes. (Nick)- ***** maybe you should take someone home with you because we all know how he can get when he is mad. (U)- Thanks Nicky but I will be fine. (Claudia)- Are you sure? (U)- Totally…now about this little barbeque thing this afternoon…where at and what time? (AJ)- Well, I don’t have much food in the house, but if someone is willing to go to the store, we can do it here…I do have the best pool after all…lol. (U)- When do you ever have food in this house?…lol. (AJ)- I have food in here sometimes but why do I need any this week when you have to buy me dinner every night…lol. I guess that is what you get for making bets that you can’t win. (U)- Shut up. You say as you smile at him and hit him on the shoulder. (Kevin)- That sounds good, but I think we all need to go home and shower and get some things together and all before then…what time should we meet back up? (Nick)- It’s 12:15 now… what do you say 4:00? Everyone agrees and slowly you all start to get up from where you are still half way laying down. As you crawl out from under the blanket you were wrapped up in and start to get up you notice that Mandy is just staring at you, no doubt because you are wearing AJ’s boxers. (U)- I took a shower and had nothing to change into alright? (Mandy)- Uh-huh…whatever. You roll your eyes and then run off upstairs to get your stuff together so you can go home and get ready for later on. You get it, grab a gym bag from AJ’s closet to throw your stuff in and head back down stairs where you find everyone gathered by the front door getting ready to head out as well. (Kristin)- So who is going to the store for the food? You all look at each other for a minute and then look at Nick since it was his idea. (Nick)- That’s cool…I’ll go. (U)- I better go with you, heaven only knows what we will end up with if you go alone…lol. (Nick)- Ha Ha…you are so funny. (Y)- I know, what can I say? (Mandy)- Nick, I can go to the store with you, she doesn’t need to go. (Nick)- That’s ok, we have already made the plans now…you can get ready and I will pick you up after we are done and on the way here. (Mandy)- Fine. She says as she gives you a dirty look. You try not to smile to hard as you look at Nick and say, What time to you want to come and get me? (Nick)- How about 3:00? (U)- Fine with me…Kev will you call Brian and Leigh and see if they can make it? (Kevin)- You got it. (U)- Cool, I gotta get going then because I have a lot to get done before 4:00. Later Jay. (that is your nickname for AJ) and thanks for the clothes. You say with a little smile. (AJ)- Anytime. With that, you all say good bye and head out in your separate directions to do what you need to do. The whole way to your house you are hoping that when you get there, Jake will not be there, however as you turn the corner and pull into the driveway, you see his truck and you know that you are in for a fight to say the least…what you don’t know is that he knows a lot more than you think thanks to Mandy’s little phone call. You turn off the car and take a deep breath and then head into the house to face what you have to deal with. You open the front door quietly and take a look around to see if you can see him anywhere. Much to your surprise and relief, as you look into the living room, you see him on the couch fast asleep. You think to yourself that he either had a really late night last night or that he was into a lot of things that he shouldn’t have been. Knowing him like you do though, you knew that it was probably the combination of both of those things. You decided that you weren’t going to wake him up because as mean as he can be at times, it only gets worse when he is tired and you knew for sure that he was not going to be happy at all when he heard where you had spent your night at. As quietly as you can, you go up the steps and head into your room to get your things together. You throw AJ’s gym bag on the bed and take out your dirty clothes to put into the hamper. You take off the clothes that you have on and throw them into the hamper as well. Although you promised AJ that you would bring them right back to him, you knew that you didn’t have time to wash them right now and you weren’t going to give them back until you did. You go into the bathroom and take a quick shower and then you get out and put on some of your own clothes. You had decided on a pair of shorts, tight jean shorts and a spaghetti strapped tank top that was about 6 inches up from your belly button. You put your hair into a loose pony tail and then you went back to the bed where you had left the gym bag and you began wondering around the room looking for whatever things you might need to pack for later on in the day. You throw your suntan lotion into the bag because you know that you guys are going to be out in the hot sun all day. You also put in a beach towel since you are planning on playing in the pool as well as your favorite bathing suit and a change of clothes just incase you need them…it was a spaghetti strapped sundress and a pair of sandals. When you get with those guys, you never know what you might end up getting into. You take one last look around the room and decide that you have all that you will need so you close up the bag and throw it over your shoulder. Just as you are turning around to head out of the bedroom and back down the steps to wait for Nick, you notice that Jake is standing in the bedroom doorway watching you. Needless to say he scares you to death because you never heard him come up the steps. (Jake)- Well, look who finally decided to come crawling home…just where the hell have you been all night? (U)- I am sure that I could ask you the same thing. (Jake)- Don’t change the subject…just answer the question. (U)- Well, if you must know, a bunch of us went over to AJ’s to watch a movie last night after we left the club and we all ended up falling asleep. (Jake)- Yeah, I am sure it was just as innocent as all that…so where is it that you think you are going now and why do you need a bag of stuff to go there? (U)- We are having a barbeque and a pool party over at AJ’s this afternoon so this is my towel and stuff that I will need. Why is it that you think I have to explain everything I do to you? (Jake)- Because I said so, that’s why. You really think that I am stupid to not be able to see what is going on with you. (U)- What the hell are you talking about? Just then you look at the clock and noticed the it was 3:55. (U)- look, I don’t have time for this right now…Nick is going to be here in a few minutes to pick me up so that we can go to the store and get the food. You start to head down the steps but Jake is right behind you and he is not giving up on this argument so easily. (Jake)- Oh, so you fucked AJ last night and now today it’s going to be Nick huh? You really do know how to get around, that’s for sure. Does Mandy know about you two? (U)- Give me a break…for the last time, they are my friends and that is it. I am so tired of hearing this shit from you. You peak out the door and see Nick sitting out front in his truck waiting for you to come out. You try and open the door to go out but Jake pushes it back shut and pins you up against the wall. (Jake)- Look you little bitch, I am not nearly as blind or as stupid as you would like to think I am. I know what you are doing and I am going to stop it one way or another. (U)- Get off me…I need to go. (Jake)- You will go when I tell you that you can go. He says as he slaps you across the face with a blow that felt like it broke your cheek bone. Tears started to roll down your cheeks, not because he was mad at you, but because of the pain, and because you were tired of being treated like this. Jake continued to hold you against the wall and was just about to hit you again when the front door opened. You both looked over to see....
CHAPTER SEVEN:
You both looked over to see Nick, who had obviously gotten impatient waiting on you outside. He was about to ask you what was taking you so long when he saw the two of you against the wall and the tears in your eyes. (Nick)- What the hell is going on in here? (Jake)- Nothing that concerns you pretty boy. he said as he let go of you and gave you a look that said…we will finish this later. He turned and went into the living room and sat on the couch as if nothing had happened. You pulled the gym bag up on your shoulder and headed toward the front door so that you could get out of there and Nick followed behind you. Although there was a lot more that he would have loved to say to Jake, he knew that if he did, it would be taken out on you so he let it go. Once you were out on the front porch, you shut the door to the house and it was all that you could do to not cry harder…you didn’t want to do that in front of Nick though so you wiped your eyes and asked him if he was ready to go. He was having nothing to do with you trying to change the subject though and he just looked at you with those piercing blue eyes of his. (Nick)- *****, are you ok? What the hell was that all about and why do you let him treat you like that? (U)- Do I really need to tell you what it was about. (Nick)- Not really, I am pretty sure I know what it was about…last night right? (U)- you got it. (Nick)- I told you to let somebody come with you so that this wouldn’t happen…let me see your face. He said as he wiped what was left of the tears from your eyes. (Nick)- It will be ok, but it is definitely going to leave a mark and I think that it broke some of the blood vessels in your eye. You realize that when AJ sees it, he will kill him right? (U)- Nick, you have to promise me that you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone, especially AJ…please? (Nick)- *****, you can’t keep protecting him and letting him get away with this because he will keep doing it and next time it might be a lot worse. (U)- I know, but I am seriously considering leaving him after today so please just keep this between you and me. (Nick)- Well, I am glad to hear that…and of course, I promise. I won’t tell anyone. (U)- Thanks. You say to him and you give him a hug. Now lets get to the store before we are late. So you both get into the truck and head to the grocery story. On the way there, you reach into your bag and take out your make-up. You look in the mirror and try to cover up the spot under your eye that is surely going to bruise so that no one sees it later when you get to AJ’s. On more than one occasion, AJ and Kevin have both warned you that if Jake hit you again and they found out about it, they would be after him and it wouldn’t be pretty at all. You guys arrive at the grocery store and you run in and get some food for the party. You go with the basics for a barbeque like hamburgers and hot dogs but you also got some steaks and chicken because that is what Nick wanted. From there you got all if the fixings that you would need like rolls and stuff and then you headed to the aisle with the chips and soda. You picked up a whole lot of stuff in that aisle because you knew that you guys would probably get the munchies later in the night and AJ had nothing good to eat in his kitchen. You guys took your cart full of stuff up to the register and you went to pay for all of it when Nick took and pushed your hand away and gave the cashier his credit card. (U)- What are you doing? (Nick)- Look, this whole thing was my idea so I will pay for the stuff. Besides, I am not poor…just a bad shopper…lol. You smile at him and put your money back in your purse. You both get some bags and head out to the truck. You load it up and hop in and soon you are on your way. (U)- Nick, could you do me one small favor? (Nick)- Sure. What might that be? (U)- well, you have to go pick Mandy up now and after the day that I have had I would rather not deal with her until I absolutely have to so, would you just drop me off at AJ’s on your way to get her? I will take the bags with me and then we can go ahead and get everything unpacked and maybe start the food while we wait for you. (Nick)- You got it. (U)- Thanks. So Nick pulls into AJ’s driveway and you get out and go around to the back to get the grocery bags. Right about that time Brian and Leighanne pulled up as well so they both came over and help you with the bags and Nick left to go and get Mandy. Brian really just wanted to help so that he could look in the bags and see what you got and what he would be getting to eat that night but you appreciated the help all the same. The three of you carried all the bags into the kitchen and put them on the counter. You noticed that the house was rather quiet and you began to wonder where AJ was…obviously no one else was there yet but the three of you so you all headed off to see if you could find him. Brian and Leighanne decided to look downstairs which meant that you got the upstairs. When you got to the top of the steps you checked in the bathroom but pretty much knew that he wasn’t going to be in there because the door was open. One by one you looked in all of the spare bedrooms which all turned out to be empty as well. Finally you realized that the only other place that he can be if he is upstairs is in his bedroom so you head in that direction. Slowly you open the door and there you see AJ stretched out across his bed fast asleep wearing only a pair of old faded jeans. (U)- Awww, poor baby must not have gotten enough sleep last night…I guess we kept him up too late…lol. You said that in a very low voice to yourself but all the while you were thinking that this was too good to be true…the opportunity to pull some kind of prank on him was right there in front of you. You walk quietly into his room looking for something that you can do that is going to wake him up. Then you see a big pillow on the floor. You pick it up and go stand over his bed, then with all if your strength you hit him in the head with it. AJ rolls over because he was on his stomach at the time and looks to see who he was going to have to kill but your laughing gave you away and you couldn’t help it. You still had the pillow in your hand so AJ grabbed it and tried to pull you down onto the bed so that he could torture you by tickling you but you let go of the pillow and took off toward the door with him hot on your heels. You flew down the steps and when you got to the bottom you ran right into Kevin who was just coming in the door and you all but knocked him over. AJ was close behind you but he managed to stop himself in time. (Kevin)- Damn girl, did you miss me that much. He said laughing. You just saw me this morning. You laughed at him as you say hello to Kristin. Right about then Brian and Leighanne came into the hallway where all of you are. (Brian)- What’s all the noise in here? He asked as he notices that Kevin and Kristin are there. (Leighanne)- Oh, hey guys. She looks over at AJ then back at you and says, *****, I see that you found our missing person…lol. (U)- Yeah, it was asleep in it’s bed. You say with a laugh. (AJ)- And it’s going to kick her ass for waking me up the way she did…lol. (Kristin)- What is all that about? (Brian)- Oh nothing unusual… these two are just at it again…lol. (Kevin)- I wonder why that could be? He says as he winks at the girls who just smile back at him. They all had the same thoughts about the two of you as they had the night before. (AJ)- So is everyone here yet? (U)- All but Nick and Mandy who are on their way and then Howie and Claudia who I haven’t talk too. (AJ)- Cool, so should we go ahead outside then? (Kevin)- It probably wouldn’t hurt to go ahead out and start setting the stuff up and maybe getting the food started. (Brian)- Good idea because I’m hungry and meat takes a while to cook. (U)- Well, everything is on the kitchen counter in bags…we brought it all in a little while ago. (Kristin)- Alright then, lets go. You all go to the kitchen and grab the stuff and head out back by the pool to set up everything. It was decided that Kevin would be in charge of the grill and cooking the food since he was probably the best cook out of all the guys. The other would probably just burn the stuff up. He began to get the meats out of the bag and carry them over by the grill so that he could get it going so in the meantime AJ, Brian, and Leighanne went to the shed to get out some rafts and stuff for the pool. Neither you or Kristin had your bathing suit on yet so you both decided to go in and get changed while everyone else was busy outside. When you got into the house you heard the door bell ring and since AJ was outside, you decided to open it. (U)- Kris, I’ll get it because I have to get my bag from the living room anyway. You can go ahead up and start getting changed if you want and I will be up in a minute. (Kristin)- Ok but where do you think we should change at? (U)- I was going to just do it in AJ’s room because he has a bathroom in there so we can both change in the same place. (Kristin)- Cool…I’ll see you up there then. (U)- Ok. You say with a smile as you turn to get the door. On the other side you find...
CHAPTER EIGHT:
On the other side you find Howie, Claudia, and Nick. To your surprise though, you don’t see Mandy. (U)- Hey guys (All)- Hey. (Howie)- Look what we found coming up the driveway when we got here. He says as he points to Nick. You all laugh and they come in. (Claudia)- So where is everyone at? (U)- Oh, they are all outside getting stuff set up. Kris and I just came in to change into our suits. Do you need to change? (Claudia)- Actually no, my suit is on under my clothes. (U)- That is the smart thing to do isn’t it…lol. (Claudia)- usually. She says with a smile as her and Howie head out back to where everyone else is. Nick is still there in the doorway digging through his bag looking for something that he apparently can’t find. (U)- What are you doing? (Nick)- I am looking for my car keys. I thought that I had put them in here when I got out but I don’t see them. (U)- Well, if they are in the bag then what do you suppose that is in your pocket? (Nick)- Man. He says with a laugh as he rolls his eyes when he looks down to see his keys sticking out of his pocket. (U)- So where is Mandy at? (Nick)- Oh, she is at home. She wanted to throw a little baby fit because I went to the store with you instead of her so I just told her that I didn’t have time for her shit and to just stay home if that is how she wanted to act. (U)- Well, no offense to you but I think that we all will have a little more fun without her here. (Nick)- Somehow I think that you might be right about that…just this morning she was yelling about me not being your friend anymore because you don’t know how to act with your friends. (U)- What is that suppose to mean? (Nick)- Hell if I know just then you hear Kristin yelling from the top of the steps. (Kristin)- *****, I thought that you said you would be right up. (U)- Sorry, I am coming right now. You turned to nick and say, I will talk to you some more later but right now I have to go and change. Everyone else is out back and I know that you know your way. (Nick)- Yes, I do…and thanks for finding my keys…lol. (U)- No problem…just say we are even for you keeping my secret. (Nick)- Cool. You turn and run up the stairs to Kristin and Nick goes outside with the others. (Kristin)- Jeez girl, I thought that you were never coming up here. She said with a laugh. (U)- Sorry, I was helping Nick find his keys which were right under his nose and I got some good news while I was at it too. (Kristin)- Like What? (U)- Mandy isn’t coming today…Nick told her to stay home. (Kristin)- No way. (U)- Yes…is that cool or what? (Kristin)- Are you kidding, that is great but why? (U)- He said something about her throwing a fit because he didn’t let her go to the store with him. You know how she is. (Kristin)- Yeah, unfortunately I do. (U)- I know what you mean…so do you want the bathroom or the bedroom? (Kristin)- I guess I will take the bathroom. (U)- Ok…lets change then so we can get outside and have some fun. (Kristin)- Definitely. She grabs her bag and heads into the bathroom that is connected to AJ’s room to change and you go and sit on the bed and dig through your bag to find your bathing suit. You find it and get it out to put it on when the door comes flying open. You look up and see AJ standing there in the doorway looking at you in surprise. (U)- What are you doing in here? (AJ)- Well, this is my room. He says with a little smile. (U)- You know what I mean…I thought that you were busy outside. (AJ)- I’m done now…what are you doing in here? (U)- Kristin and I came up here to change into our bathing suits while you guys were getting things ready outside…didn’t Nick tell you? (AJ)- With that attention span of his, are you kidding?…lol. Where is Kristin? (U)- She is in the bathroom changing. (AJ)- That is what I came up here to do myself. (U)- Well, you are either going to have to wait until we are done or go in another room and besides that , you should really learn to knock when the door is shut…what if I had been undressed or something?
(AJ)- What if you were…how would that be a bad thing? He said with a laugh. (U)- Very funny. (AJ)- Now, let me get this right…you are kicking me out of my own room and telling me that I need to knock when I believe that you are the one that rudely woke me up this morning, which by the way I will get you back for. (U)- Yes I am and good luck trying sweetie…lol. (AJ)- Well, sweetie (he says mocking you) muck like that bet we made last night at the club, which by the way you lost, I am going to kick your butt. (U)- Bite me. (AJ)- Ok, he says laughing as he moves over to where you are and tries to bite your neck. You start laughing too as you try to fight him off. He grabs a hold of both of your wrists and moves closer toward your face. You are still on the edge of the bed so the only thing that you can do is lay back to keep him from getting you. This doesn’t stop him though and he just climbs on top of your lap and sits there. He takes your wrists and pins them against the bed above your head. He starts to lean down towards you to bite you, when his eyes catch yours and you both stop laughing and stare into each others eyes. You feel yourself starting to breathe faster and your heart is racing. Just then Kristin comes out of the bathroom with her bathing suit already on and her clothes in her hand and she sees the two of you on the bed. (Kristin)- Oh God, are you two at it again? She said with a smile. She is never going to get ready and we will be in this room forever. (AJ)- Hey, don’t blame it on me…I just came up here to change and she had to start giving me a hard time. He says as he climbs off of you and you sit up. (U)- Oh yeah, whatever. (Kristin)- Somehow I don’t think it was all her…lol. (AJ)- Now, why not…I am the good one after all and she is just a bad influence on me. He says as he grabs his swimming trunks out of his dresser drawer. (U & Kristin)- Give me a break. (Kristin)- Is that what you are putting on AJ? (AJ)- Yep. (Kristin)- Good, so go put them on so she will get ready, please. She says as she pushes him out the door without giving him a chance to say another word. She looks at you and says change. (U)- Yes Mother…lol. You go into the bathroom and put on your bathing suit. It is a yellow string bikini and it makes you look really good. While you are in there Kristin stands on the other side of the door and says, So spill it girl…what is up with you and AJ? (U)- What do you mean…nothing is up, why do you ask? (Kristin)- Well, when I walked out of the bathroom you guys looked pretty cozy to me…almost like you were getting ready to kiss. (U)- Awww, we were just playing around. I told him to bite me and he took it literally…lol. (Kristin)- If you say so, but I am telling you that I can see something more there and I am not the only one. (U)- I know what you guys think but AJ only sees me as a friend…trust me. (Kristin)- What if you are wrong…what if he wants more than that but is afraid that you only see him as a friend…you know, kind of the way you think he sees you? (U)- I don’t know…but I don’t think I am so can we please just drop it for now? (Kristin)- Sure, I just wanted you to know how much we all would love to see you and AJ together. (U)- I know but it’s a lot more complicated than just that. (Kristin)- But it doesn’t have to be. (U)- I thought that we were going to drop it for now. (Kristin)- Sorry…hard head…lol. You came out of the bathroom and put your clothes into your bag, then you grab your towel, sunglasses and lotion as you and Kristin head back down the stairs. (Kristin)- Let’s get outside before AJ runs into us and you two start up again because then we will never get outside. You just laugh at her as you follow her down the stairs and outside to where everyone else is waiting for you guys. Kevin has got the food cooking and everyone is just sitting around the pool on lounge chairs talking. Kristin walks over and sits on Kevin’s lap and you take the seat next to them. (Kevin)- So where is AJ…he has been gone forever. (Kristin)- He is upstairs changing…he should be down in a second. Just then AJ comes outside to join you guys. (Howie)- What took you so long man, we thought you got lost in your own house. (AJ)- Well, I found some girls in my room that wanted to change also and they chased me out, so it kind of held me up waiting on them. He said as he looked over at you and Kristin. Everyone laughed as Kevin said, Let me guess, it was ***** that was the last one getting ready again right? (U)- Not even funny you guys…I don’t take that long to get ready…lol. (Kristin)- Well, maybe I was just joking last night, but today it really did take you forever to get ready. (U)- True, but I was distracted. (Brian)- Well, it doesn’t really matter who was last because everyone is changed now and it is really hot out here so let’s go in the pool for a while. (U)- I am not getting in the pool just yet because I have to put some lotion on first or I will burn and it has to be on for a little while before getting in the water. (Kristin)- Yeah, I am with you. (Kevin)- I have to keep an eye on this food for right now, but I will be there in a little bit. Everyone went and got in the pool while Kevin went to check the food and you and Kristin sat around in your lounge chairs. You got your bottle of lotion and began to put some on and then you passed it to Kristin so she could put some on too. You guys were just about done when Kevin came back over and said, Do you ladies need any help getting that on your shoulders or anything? (Kristin)- Well, how kind of you sir. She laughed. Kevin smiled at her and gave her a kiss on the lips before taking a seat behind her and putting the lotion on her back. When he was done, he cane over and sat behind you and put some on your shoulders and back. When he finished he was just about to get up when he puts a small drop on his fingers and says to you, You might want to put some here too so you don’t get those raccoon eyes. As he put the lotion on under eye. The only problem with was that he put it on the same eye that Jake had hit earlier that day and when his fingers touched it, you flinched because it was so tender. You didn’t mean to do it, but it was a reflex and you couldn’t help it. (Kevin)- What’s wrong *****, what did you jump like that for? Did I hurt you? You just sat there for a minute thinking about what to say because you knew that if you told Kevin what had happen earlier, he would totally flip out to mention what AJ would do once he found out. (U)....
CHAPTER NINE:
(Kevin)- What's wrong *****, what did you jump like that for? Did I hurt you. You just sat there for a minute thinking about what to say because you knew that if you told Kevin what had happened earlier, he would totally flip out, not to mention what AJ would do once he found out. (U)- Oh no Kevin, you didn't hurt me. I just walked into the corner of my closet door earlier today and hit my eye and now it is sore, that's all. (Kevin)- Are you sure? He asks you as his eyes meet Kristin's. (U)- Yes, I am sure…what else would it be? (Kristin)- *****, it's ok…you can tell us if something happened. (U)- Really guys, nothing happened and I am fine. I just wasn't watching where I was going. (Kevin)- Ok, if you say so, but don't let me find out he is hitting you again. You are my friend and Kris's friend and we care about you. I am not just going to sit by and watch you be treated like that and do nothing about it. (U)- I know that and I appreciate it and if I ever really need anything, I will tell you, I promise. (Kevin)- Ok, you've got a deal. He says as he hugs you. Kristin smiles at you and then she comes over and hugs you too. Although they have dropped the subject you still feel that they don't believe your story and you can't really blame them because they know all about what has gone on in the past with you and Jake. At any rate, the subject was dropped and Kevin ran off to join the others in the pool. You and Kristin decided to go and lay in the hammock that AJ has put up between two trees down by the pool. There was only one hammock but you both were small girls so you agreed that you would just share it. You both managed to get into it without tipping it over and before long both of you had fallen asleep, no doubt due to the serious lack of sleep you had the night before. Some time had passed and Kevin got out of the pool to check on the food that he had cooking rather slowly on the grill. In order to get to it though he had to walk by the hammock where you and Kristin were and when he saw that you guys were asleep, a smile formed on this face as a really devilish idea crossed his mind. He knew he could not do it alone though so he motioned for Nick and AJ to get out of the pool and come over to where he was. As they approached him, he put his finger over his lip and pointed to your hammock so that they would know to be quiet. They got to where he was standing…far enough away from you girls that you could not hear them talking so that they would not wake you up but close enough that they could see you and what Kevin was plotting to do. He pulled AJ and Nick into a little huddle and began to share his idea with them, which of course they both loved. A few minutes later, they broke from the huddle and they each headed in the direction that they needed to be in to carry out their part of the plan. Nick climbed up the tree that was holding up the hammock that you and Kristin were laying in and positioned himself between two branches so that he was pretty much right above your heads. He then waited for AJ to go get the garden hose and hand it up to him. When that was done, AJ hid behind the tree and motioned to Kevin who was over by the faucet to turn the water on. He turned the knob and the water started to flow through the hose up into the tree where Nick was waiting for it. He held the nozzle down so that it was facing the ground and squeezed the trigger as AJ shouted, "rain shower". The water came shooting out from the hose and you and Kristin both jump up in shock as the ice cold water hits you and has both of you soaking wet. You look around to see what is going on, still a little disoriented from being woke up and then you realize that the only place in AJ's whole back yard that is wet other than by the pool is where you are at and it's then that you know that someone was playing a joke on you. Just as Kristin looked up and points out to you that Nick is up in the tree with the hose, AJ and Kevin busted out laughing because they can't hold it in anymore. Kristin looked over by the faucet where Kevin is standing and he is laughing so hard that he can barely stand up. You guys can hear AJ but you don't know quite where he is and neither of you are going to climb the tree after Nick…he will get it when he comes down. (Kristin)- Kevin Scott Richardson, you are so gonna get it. She says as she begins to laugh. You look at her and say, Oh, it's on now and you both hop out of the hammock and go running after Kevin who sees you coming and starts to run from you. He runs down into the yard with you and Kristin both close behind him and as he gets near the pool, he hit's a spot of wet grass and slips, falling onto his back. Kristin runs over and sits on this stomach as a way to hold him down so that you guys can get him back. Of course she is no match for him and he gets up even with her sitting on him. He sets her down and goes to run again so you jump up on his back and Kristin grabs both of his arms and holds onto them so that he can't go anywhere. Right about then AJ decided that Kevin might need a little help so he comes out from behind the tree and goes the long way around the yard so that you won't see him coming. He sneaks up behind you and begins tickling you on your sides and slowly your grip on Kevin loosens and you slide off of his back into AJ's arms. Kevin scoops Kristin up in his arms and walks over to the pool like throws her in. AJ follows close behind still carrying you, and you say to him, AJ don't you dare throw me in that pool like that. So instead of him throwing you in, he just jumps in with you in his arms. Kevin stands on the edge of the pool and laughs as he enjoys his victory until Kristin pops up from under the water and grabs his ankle and pulls him in. You have come up from under the water and you look over at AJ and although you can't help but to laugh, you say, Damn you AJ. (AJ)- What? You said not to throw you in and I didn't…I jumped in and just forgot to put you down…lol. (U)- Oh, is that what it is. You turn around like you are going to get out of the pool and then when AJ is not expecting it, you turn back around to face him and splash him right in the face with a big handful of water. (AJ)- I guess I had that coming. He says as he grabs you by the waist and pulls you up out of the water. He picks you up over his head and throws you back into the water which lands you by Kevin and Kristin who were having a little water fight of their own. Kevin looks at you because you splashed him when you landed in the water so he says, What, you want some too? As he splashed you back. You wiped your eyes and went to splash him back but before you could he grabbed your wrist and moved closer to you and said, What is wrong with your eye? (U)- What do you mean? (Kevin)- Well, it's all bloodshot and red. AJ heard that so he swam down to the end of the pool where you guys were so he could see what you had to say. (U)- Oh, that is probably just from the chlorine in the water. It always bothers my eyes. (Kevin)- So why is it just this one that's red then?…the other one is fine. (U)- Ummm....
CHAPTER TEN:
(Kevin)- So why is it just this one that's red then?…the other one is fine. (U)- I don't know then…maybe it's irritated from where I hit it this morning. You lied again. You didn't like to lie to them, but you knew what they would do if they found out about what really happened. (Kevin)- Ok, if that's all that it is. (Kristin)- You know that you can tell us if something is wrong. We are your best friends. (U)- Yes, I know and if there was anything to tell, I would tell you but there isn't so can we just drop it? (Kevin& Kristin)- Ok. AJ didn't say anything and as you looked over at him you could just tell by the look on his face that he knew there was more to it than what you were telling, and knowing him the way you do, you also knew that he wouldn't give up until he found out. He let it drop for the time being though because just then, Kevin took and splashed you again and that got AJ back into the playful mood he was in as well. From there it basically turned into a girls against guys water fight and of course, you and Kristin had no chance. Brian, Leighanne, Howie, and Claudia had all gotten out of the pool a while ago and were watching in amusement from their lounge chairs up on the patio as they were trying to dry off. After this went on for a while and you guys settled down, you and Kristin noticed that Nick was still up in the tree quite amused at what was going on. She looked up at him and said. You have to come down from that tree sooner or later Nick. (U)- And when you do, we will be waiting for you. (Howie)- Hey Kev, I hate to break up your little water battle there, but you had better come and check on this food before it burns. (Brian)- Yeah man, I don't want any burned food now. (Kevin)- Alright, I think that we have whipped up on them enough for now anyway…lol. (U)- Only because you guys cheated. (AJ)- Us, cheat? …never. (Kristin)- Please…lol. (U)- You had just better watch yourself there buddy because once Kevin gets out, it will be two on one then. (AJ)-And you will still lose. (Kristin)- In your dreams. While AJ had his attention turned to Kristin, you went under the water and swam behind him. You came up and jumped on his back pulling him down as Kristin pushed his head under the water. When you both came up you said, Now we are even. (AJ)- Maybe so but it took two of you to do it. (U)- Maybe so but it took three of you to do what you did to us. You three stayed in the pool and played around for a little while before Kevin yelled down to you to let you know that the food was ready and since you were all pretty hungry, you decided to get out. Of course in the time that you had been in the pool with Kevin and AJ, Nick had come down from the tree and you and Kristin knew that you had to come up with a way to get him back so while he was at the picnic table making his plate, she pointed out two large buckets that were over by the shed. You both snuck away from the table so that Nick wouldn't notice and you got the buckets from the shed and filled them up with cold pool water. Nick had now finished making his plate and had sat down at the table with his back facing you. Brian saw you coming with the buckets but you shook your head at him as if to say, If you tell him you die, so he didn't say anything and then right at the same time, you and Kristin dumped your buckets right over Nick's head. (Nick)- Oh man…I should have known not to turn my back on you two. Needless to say that everyone was laughing…even Kevin and AJ. After that, you guys sat down at the table and settled down for awhile. Everyone sat around and ate and talked and you were having a lot of fun. It was still early in the evening but it was getting dark and everyone wanted to change out of their wet clothes so you guys cleaned up what you had outside and moved your party into the house. You and Kristin went upstairs to AJ's room to get your bags and dry clothes that you had left up there as everyone else found a room to change in also. You took off your wet bathing suit and dried yourself off then put the clothes that you had come over in back in. You dried your hair and brushed it out a little but between staying up so late last night and then getting up so early this morning and now all of this playing around in the pool you were getting really tired and you didn't really feel like taking the time to do your make up again so you decided not to. Besides that, everyone thinks that you are pretty enough that you don't need any in the first place. When you were dressed and have everything back in your bag, you sit down on AJ's bed and wait on Kristin to get done changing in the bathroom. She finally comes out and you guys grab your bags and head down the stairs to be with everyone else. You find them all in the living room talking and carrying on with the stereo blasting. (U)- So, what's going on guys?….what are we going to get into now? (Leighanne)- Well, unlike you party animals who never need to sleep, she says with a smile. Brian and I are going to go home so we can have some time alone together and get to bed at a decent hour. (AJ)- Yeah, we know what that means…lol. You might go to bed but you won't be going to sleep. (Leighanne)- Shut up…is that all you ever think about? (U)- Pretty much. (AJ)- I don't remember asking you for your opinion. (U)- I don't need to be asked for it, especially from you…I just give it freely…lol. (Brian)- Oh no…here they go again. Sorry guys that we can't stay and referee but we really need to go. (AJ)- It's cool. (Claudia)- We have to head out too because we have to be up early in the morning and none of us got much sleep last night. (Kevin)- Why, what are you planning for tomorrow? (Howie)- We are going to visit my sister tomorrow and it will take us a while to get there and we want to be able to stay for a while and not have to rush. (Kristin)- Good reason. You all walked out front and say goodnight to Brian and Leighanne as well as Howie and Claudia. When they pull out of the driveway, you, Kristin Kevin, AJ, and Nick all head back into the living room where you were before. Nick sat down on the floor to play with AJ's play station 2 while Kevin and Kristin proceeded to start yet another make out session. AJ went upstairs to finally change into some dry clothes and you stretched out across the couch and closed your eyes. A few minutes later and just when you were about to fall asleep you felt someone sit on your legs so you open your eyes and find AJ looking at you with a smile on his face. (U)- What? (AJ)- Now is that any way to talk to me? (U)- Yes, it's the only way…lol. (AJ)- Well, fine then, I had an idea but I am not going to tell you now…lol. (U)- What is it? (AJ)- Nope, I am not telling you. (U)- Ok then, but can you get off of my legs now?…lol. (AJ)- Oh yeah, sorry he says as he gets off of you. You move your legs so he can sit down and then when he does you stretch back out putting your legs across his lap. (U)- So are you going to tell me now? (AJ)- If you are going to be nice to me. (U)- I will be nice to you. You know that I was only picking on you anyway you big baby…lol. (AJ)- That's me…a big loveable baby. (U)- Whatever. (AJ)- Anyway, I was thinking of going to the tattoo parlor tomorrow and getting a new tattoo and I was thinking that you should come with me. (U)- Why is that? (AJ)- Well for one thing I don't want to go by myself because I might need some help picking one out but also because I was thinking that maybe you would want to get one too. (U)- Why would I want to do that…I have never talked about getting a tattoo before. (AJ)- I know, I just thought that it would look really cool if you got one, maybe on your belly or something. (U)- And why do you think that? (AJ)- Well, seeing you in that bikini today is what gave me the idea. I just kept thinking today how cool it would have looked if you had one. (U)- I don't know AJ. I don't know if I want a tattoo or if I want to spend the money it costs to get one, or even what I would want. (AJ)- All the more reason to come with me then…you can look around and besides I might need someone to hold my hand…lol. (U)- Somehow I doubt that, but I will go with you. (AJ)- Sweet, and if you find one you like I will pay for it for you. (U)- You don't have to do that…I do have money. (AJ)- I know that you are my friend and if I want to buy you something I can. (U)- Ok, but I still am not promising anything. (Kristin)- Girl, if you let him talk you into that, you are crazier than I thought. Don't you know how much that will hurt? (AJ)- Do you always listen to other people's conversations Kris?…lol. (Kristin)- Only when I feel like it. (AJ)- Oh, well if that is the only time. He says with a laugh and turns his attention back to you. (AJ)- Don't listen to her, it's really not that bad…and I should know. It would look cool if you got one on your stomach or even your ankle. (U)- Yes, it might look cool but I still don't know. (AJ)- Just come with me then and you can decide what you want to do from there, but either way I want you to go. (U)- Ok, cool. You want to pick me up or meet me there? (AJ)- I will pick you up around 1:00. (U)- Sounds good…consider it a date…lol. By now it was starting to get dark in the house and since you and AJ were deep into your conversation and Kevin and Kristin were still busy making out, Nick decided that he would get up and turn on the lamp. He comes over to the end table by the couch where you and AJ are and he turns on the light. Until he did that, the house was still light enough that you guys could see but dark enough to keep the bruise that had now formed under your eye hidden from everyone. Of course with you not having any make up on either, that made it all the more obvious. Nick was just about ready to turn around and go back to his game on the play station when it caught his eye and without even realizing it he said "Oh shit" (U)- What? AJ noticed that Nick was looking at you when he said that and before could even answer you or find a way to let you know about the bruise, AJ said "What The Hell Is That"? Kevin and Kristin stopped what they were doing and looked up and you sat up on the couch and said what are you talking about? As you looked at Nick who rubbed under his eye so that you would know that you now had a black eye and that AJ had seen it. Damn you thought to yourself…if I had only put my make up on. (U)- It's nothing. (AJ)- Don't give me that crap…he hit you again didn't he? You didn't say anything, you just looked at the floor. No matter how hard you tried you could never lie to AJ. (AJ)- Well, did he? He asked you as he took your hand and waited for you to answer him. (Nick)- Just tell them. (Kevin)- Tell us what? (U)- Nothing. (Kristin)- ***** come on, please tell us so we can help you. (AJ)- She doesn't need to tell us…I can see it in her eyes and it's not that hard to figure out. (Kevin)- Bone's right. He says as he looks to you. First I hurt your eye when I put that lotion on you today, then your eye is all bloodshot, and now it's all bruised. You didn't walk into something, he hit you. By now AJ was up pacing the floor as he was trying to control his anger until he heard it come from you. Kristin had moved over onto the couch beside you to offer you support and hold your hand. (U)- Ok, so we had a fight…all couples have fights (Nick)- But they don't fight like you and him do and that wasn't just a fight either. (AJ)- How would you know what it was? (Nick)- Because I know what happened. (Kevin)- How do you know? (AJ)- You told him but you wouldn't tell me? He says as he looks at you a little hurt. (U)- AJ, I didn't tell him anything. (AJ)- Then how does he know about it? (Nick)- Because I walked in on it. (Kristin)- Well, what did you do about it and why didn't you tell anyone? (Nick)- I didn't have to do anything because he stopped when I walked in the door and I knew that if I said anything to him, that he would just do it to her again to get back at me. I didn't tell anyone because ***** asked me not too. (AJ)- He stopped when you walked in? Nick looks over at you as if to say he's sorry and then he fills everyone in on what happened. (Nick)- When I walked in he had her pinned up against the wall. He had obviously already hit her once because she was crying and he had his fist drawn back like he was getting ready to do it again but he stopped when he saw me. I really don't think he is finished with it yet. (Kevin)- So why didn't you want us to know? You can't keep protecting him and letting him do stuff like this to you. He said as he looked at you. (U)- I didn't ask Nick not to tell to protect Jake, I did it because I am embarrassed, that's all. (Kristin)- Don't be embarrassed…it's not your fault. (Nick)- She's right…you just need to get away from him. (Kevin)- What were you fighting over anyway? (U)- Because I slept here last night. He accused me of sleeping with AJ and he basically told me that he didn't want me around him anymore so when I told him that we would always be friends no matter what, he slammed me into the wall and you know the rest of what happened already. (AJ)- That Son Of A Bitch…I'm Gonna Kill Him! (Kevin)- I wouldn't mind having a talk with him myself. Nick, you stay here with the girls. We are gonna go pay our buddy Jake a little visit. (AJ)- I will get some of your stuff for you while we are there because there is no way in hell that I am letting you go back over there with him tonight or ever again until he cools his ass down. (U)- Yeah, I am sure that will go over really well. (Kristin)- He's right…you can't go back there with the way things are, especially once these two go over there. Jake will be more pissed off than ever and it won't be safe for you. (AJ)- That's right…you can stay with me if you want to. (Kevin)- Or if you don't think that is a good idea, then you can stay with Kris and me. (Nick)- Or with me. (U)- But…before you can say anything to that, Kevin and AJ are heading for the front door. AJ opens it and just as they are about to step outside they see....
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Chapters 11-15
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