A Changed Life (13 page)

“Daddy, please don’t let what happened with Michael ruin anything you and mom have worked so hard for.”

“Nicolette, I will not risk your safety because of a job. Nothing is more important than our daughter, regardless of what is at stake.”

“Please, Daddy. I’m OK, really.”

“Are you sure, Nicolette, is this what you want? You won’t be bothered by the fact that your mother and I will be working with Clayton?”

“I’m sure, Daddy. I want you to continue with your work. Your songs are brilliant. Please, I’m ok. I want you to finish what you started.”

My parents looked at each other and then to Clayton.

“As long as we understand each other about Michael, then we can move forward.” Giving Clayton a stern look, “He is to have no contact with our daughter. We will continue our work, if Michael stays clear.”

“You have my word, Mason, he truly is sorry.”

I rose from my chair feeling a bit shaky on my feet. Nausea took over, as I so needed to get out of here. This house is cold and unwelcoming. I should have stayed home, but daddy insisted that I be here. After all that was said and done, Clayton still got what he wanted, Michael was absolved from his actions, and my parents were still working on the project. As I approached the door to leave, I felt a surge of cold chills on my skin. Slowly turning around, I glanced up to see Michael, staring down at me. Clayton lied; Michael was here the entire time. He mouthed something to me that I couldn’t make out. I turned to follow my parents out.

“You can come down now, Michael. Were you listening to our conversation?”

“I tried, but with the door closed, it was difficult.”

“Michael, you dodged a bullet today with the Vanelles. You have to stay away from Nicolette.”

“Dad, I have apologized and apologized to her. What crime did I seriously commit? All I wanted to do was take the girl to a concert, maybe dinner, and now I’m being treated as if I were a criminal!”

“Michael from this day on, you will concentrate on school, go to all your classes and stay with your own circle of friends. Try at all costs, to have distance from this girl and hopefully in time, everything will be forgotten. I have to go son, this took up my whole afternoon, and I need to take care of a few things.”

“Sorry I took up your time dad.” Raising my hands at my father. “You better run along and take care of business.”

“That’s enough out of you. You don’t have a clue, do you Michael? You can’t just manhandle a girl to get what you want. You are lucky, son. Her father could have pushed for a restraining order, and making it public knowledge. I will not be embarrassed by this, Michael. Take charge of your life and get back on track. Forget about this girl, and fine another warm body to keep you cozy at night, but Nicolette is off limits.”

“She’ll come around dad, I just need to give her some time. I messed up last night with her, I know that.”

“Michael, you haven’t heard a word that I have said, have you? STAY AWAY FROM THAT GIRL! Have I made myself clear?”

“Oh yeah…crystal.”

My father glared at me, as he slammed out of his office.

She’ll come around… I’ll just have to up my game.

Driving home, I sent Simon a text.

Me:
Hey

Simon:
Are you home yet?

Me:
No, but can you meet me at the Juice Bar?

Simon:
Yes! Be there in 20

Me:
K : )

Simon:
: )

“Hey Daddy, can you drop me off at the Juice Bar? Simon is going to meet me there.”

Turning around, “does your wrist still hurt?” asked mom.

“I’m fine, Mom. It’s just a little sore.”

“You haven’t eaten anything yet today, Nicolette. Please make it a top priority?”

“I will, Mom. I promise.”

I arrived at the Juice Bar before Simon. I sent him a text to let him know that I was here waiting.

Me:
I’m here

Simon:
On my way

Me:
I’ll be in the back at our booth

Simon:
I’ll find you…: )

While waiting for Simon, I ordered some food; I was way past hungry at this point. If I could, I would totally avoid telling Simon about Michael, but knew that wasn’t an option. Meeting in a public place was a good thing. I was hoping Simon wouldn’t be too angry for not telling him about this last night. The Juice Bar, as usual is busy and filled with people, and served as a filter for me talking with Simon. I saw Simon, as he entered from the side. He was dressed casual in board shorts and his usual white t-shirt that clings to all the right places. As he made his way closer to me, I got out of the booth and walked right into his arms, nestling my face onto his chest. He returned my hug, but it felt rigid as he pulled away with his eyes honing in onto my wrapped hand.

“Hey, I missed you.”

“I missed you more. I’ve had a crappy day.”

“Why is that? And why is your wrist wrapped? What happened?”

“Wow, that’s a lot of questions.” Giggling at Simon, he looked worried, and he was waiting for my answer. “Can we sit please? And I’ll explain.” Simon had his arm around my shoulders, as we sat down in our booth. My waitress delivered my food, and asked Simon, if he wanted anything. Simon just asked for a coke.

“I’m waiting, Nicolette. What happened to your wrist?”

“Simon, before I explain, can you promise me something?”

“Anything.”

“You have to promise not to over react, and hear me out.”

“Ok, I promise. Please talk to me.”

My mouth felt suddenly dry, I was so freaking nervous. Simon, staring at me wasn’t making what I have to tell him easier. “The reason why my wrist is wrapped is because it’s sprained.”

“How did you sprain it? And when did you sprain it? I was with you practically the whole night.”

“Not the whole night.”

“Do you remember me leaving you to go the bathroom…you were talking to Sam?”

“Yes.”

“Well when I was coming out of the bathroom, Michael was waiting for me. I tried to get back to you right away, but he kept blocking me... When I pushed past him, he grabbed my wrist and because of how I jerked it back, it twisted.”

“What the hell! Nicolette.”

“Shh…Simon, please keep your voice down.”

“I will not keep my voice down, and why didn’t you tell me this last night? I don’t fucking believe this!”

Looking around the busy café, I felt all eyes were on us.

“Simon, people are staring at us. Will you please calm down, and let me talk?”

“I don’t care, let them look.”

“I care Simon, and if you don’t chill out, I’m going to go.”

Inhaling a few deep breaths, “Fine, what the hell happened with St. Clair?”

“Do you remember when we decided to be together?”

“Um…Yes, it was the happiest day of my life.”

Simon’s words calmed me, so I felt a little better continuing. “Ok, remember how I told you that when I was with Michael at school, he asked me out for that weekend?”

“Yes.”

“At the time, I didn’t know where you and I were headed, so I told him that I would think about it. After you and I talked, I texted Michael later that night and explained to him that you and I were now together. Michael accused me of leading him on.”

“I asked you to stay away from him, Nicolette. Why did you have to call him?”

“I didn’t call him, Simon. I had sent him a text, and told him that I wasn’t interested and I had a boyfriend. Michael then called me and we got into it. He told me that the only reason why you asked me to be your girlfriend is because you knew he wanted me, and you just beat him to it.”

Now putting some distance between us, Simon was clearly pissed off. “Is that what you think, Nicolette? Yeah… I asked you to be my girlfriend because I didn’t want St. Clair to top me. That is so far from the truth, and this is just another way how Michael works.”

“I’m sorry Simon, I should have been up front with you last night, but we were in my house, and I didn’t want to cause a scene, especially in the middle of my parent’s party? Are you angry with me?”

“Yes, but I’m more angry with him. What the hell, Nicolette! This is why I wanted you to stay away from him, and now he puts his hands on my girlfriend?”

“I’m so sorry, Simon.”

“It’s not your fault that Michael put his hands on you. I’m going to kick his ass all over Beverly Hills!”

“You can’t, Simon… you need to let this go.”

“Let this go?” Simon is looking at me like I have grown extra limbs. “How can I, babe? He puts his hands on my girlfriend, hurting you, and you just want me to do nothing?”

“Exactly! Simon, guys like Michael, are not worth your time or your energy, and he probably is waiting for you to come after him. Fighting with Michael, would only hurt you in the long run. I can’t have that on my conscience.”

“Nicolette, you don’t know him like I do. Michael St. Clair is not a good guy. Someone I used to care about, he didn’t treat very nice.”

“Jennifer” I whispered.

“You know, don’t you?”

“Yes, I know, and I’m so sorry for you and what happened with Jennifer.”

“I replay that night over and over again in my head. If I would have just personally delivered her to her parents, she would be alive today.”

“Simon, she was determined to get back to that party, whether it was to continue having a good time or to meet Michael, we will never know, but you have to forgive yourself.”

“It still hurts, Nicolette, and her family is torn apart because of her death. I heard her parents are divorcing, and her brother Tommy transferred out of school and moved back east.”

Talking about Michael, and then Jennifer put a wall between us, or that’s how it felt for me. Simon, brooding where he sat, I placed my hand on top of his. “Are you speaking to me?”

He sighs. “Of course I’m speaking to you. I’m just upset that this happened to you.”

“I’m already over it, Simon. How about this for a cover story? You took me surfing, and a hard wave crashed into us, and I went flying into the surf twisting my wrist.”

“I’m impressed, but the truth is always better, babe.”

“Not this time. My fib will win out and besides, Alexis and Bailey will love it!”

Leaving the Juice Bar, Simon was calmer, and we took the motorcycle ride he promised. We stopped by the beach, and watched the sunset slowly set on the ocean. Our hands were linked all awhile his thumb caressing my knuckles. I felt so safe with Simon, and all I wanted to do was kiss him. All though we talked he still seemed tense. He had shared his personal pain with me, and it was time for me to share a story with him.

“Simon, you’re not the only one who had some misfortune your junior year.”

“What did you say, Nicolette?” My words dragged him out of his haze, he was finally attentive and wanted to hear what I had to say.

“I had a boyfriend last year. His name is Jason. He was the star of our school’s football team and very popular. The football team was slated to win the championship, and dating him gave me some notoriety. It wasn’t like I was this shy wall flower in school, but I had my own friends. We hung at coffee houses, museums, that sort of thing. Jason’s group consisted of cheerleaders and football players. The weekend plans were always a party at someone’s house and of course, filled with kegs of beer.