Chapter 9
Nick’s point of view
Jen and me got on really well. Over the next three months
we became really close. I took her out loads of places on dates and I even
convinced her to come to a few of Howie and AJ’s parties, with the rest of the
guys and their friends, family, wives or girlfriends.
But something was wrong. It wasn’t obvious but I knew her
well now. She was purposefully staying distant from me to a certain extent. It
was as if she had something to hide, something she didn’t want me to know
about, but I didn’t want to upset her by challenging her about it.
AJ: Jeez, just tell him already!
My mind drifted back to the bar, when she agreed to get to
know each other better. That hint of doubt in her voice…..
I was jerked back to reality as Jen rested her head on my
shoulder, fast asleep. We were in Brian and Leighanne’s car, being driven home
from the nightclub. I smiled at her sleeping form. The car was pulled over at
Jen’s apartment, and Brian leaned over to me, “We’re at Jen’s! Shall I wait
here for you?”
“Yeah, please!” I replied as I gently picked Jen up, not
wanting to wake her.
Brian: Aw, so sweet.
AJ: Yeah, you’re such a gentleman, Nicky. *rolls eyes*
I carried her to the door, and awkwardly tried to open the
door with her keys with one hand while holding her in both arms. After fumbling
about a bit, I got the door open. I laid her down on the couch and kissed her
forehead, before going back out.
Kevin: She must be a really deep sleeper.
Locking the door from the outside, I pushed her keys
through the letterbox so she was locked in safe and got her keys back.
I went back to the car and was driven home. I waved goodbye
to Brian and Leighanne and stepped inside. Feeling a bit tipsy, I collapsed on
my own couch and instantly fell asleep.
Kevin’s point of view
I sat watching more news about increased sightings of UFO’s
across the world. Things seemed tense with the other guys, except AJ, who
didn’t seem to believe in ET or anything.
Brian: *in ET voice* ET phone home.
I switched off the TV as the phone rang. Kristin picked it
up before I could move.
“Hello? Yeah ……. OK…… right, I’ll tell him. Bye.”
Kristin put down the phone.
“That was Brian. He said if you see or hear from Nick,
could you tell him?” she informed.
“Why? Has he not tried his cell?” I asked.
“Yeah, but he isn’t answering either his home phone or his
cell.”
“Not like him to be up this early……… ah well, he probably
couldn’t sleep or something. Or he won’t get up!” I chuckled.
Brian’s point of view
I put my phone down after calling Kevin’s house. I was
confused. Nick was never up this early, and he rarely ignored his cell phone.
Nick: Gee, did you ever think that maybe I’m asleep and
can’t hear the phone? For crying out
loud!
“Is everything OK?” Leighanne asked, putting Lil’ Tyke down
on the floor.
“I’ve called his cell three times already and he isn’t
answering,” I worried.
“Maybe he’s asleep,” she suggested.
Nick: Well at least your wife has some common sense, Frick!
“But he always answers his cell after at least two tries!”
I dismayed.
“He did have a lot to drink at AJ’s party last night,
Brian,” she reassured.
AJ: Yeah, so he’s probably passed out cold on the bathroom floor
right now. That’s reassuring.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,”
I hoped she was. I’d hate to think Nick had been kidnapped
or something. I was becoming such a worrier.
Nick: Just like Kevin! Must
be a family thing.
Kevin and Brian: Hey!
Nick’s point of view
After getting up early, I hastily got ready and ate some
breakfast. I felt lonely in the house by myself, so decided to go and see Jen
before she left for work.
AJ: Aww, is poor lil Nicky lonely?
Nick: Shut up, Bone.
It was still dark when I left, and a bit chilly outside,
and I absent-mindedly left my cell at home. I didn’t realise I didn’t have it
with me until I reached for it to call Jen and tell her I was coming in the
car.
Withdrawing my hand, I shrugged my shoulders and turned
back to the road, just in time to see someone or something trying to dive out
of the way of my car. I slammed on my brakes and closed my eyes, but too late.
I heard the thud as metal met the person or animal.
Nick: Ouch.
Kevin: Well, that’s what you get for not watching the road, Nick.
Nick: *looks at Kevin* Story, Kevin. It’s a story.
Not real.
When I opened my eyes, I looked out of the window to see
what I had hit. In the darkness, it looked like a dog, lying sprawled on the
tarmac. I sighed unhappily and sat back in my seat.
“Hey, watch it next time, buddy!” a deep voice, about the
same deepness as AJ’s, shouted at me.
I spun my head in the direction of the sound. The thing I
thought was a dog was now standing upright, rubbing his head. He turned and ran
down the next street, limping.
As I sat, I concluded that it must have
been some kid heading home from partying all night, and they must have dived
out of the way in time. The thud might have been the car hitting the curb.
AJ: That’s what you
think…
Shaking myself back to reality, I reversed back onto the
road and headed towards Jen’s again.
I parked outside her apartment and locked my car up. As I
approached her door, I could hear voices, Jen’s and another, male voice. I
frowned in worry. Was Jen cheating on me?! As I pondered, I put my ear to the
door and listened.
“How did this happen?” Jen asked, irritated.
“Look, I just sprained my ankle a little trying to get out
of the way,” the guy protested.
“You tell me to be careful with Nick when you can’t even
cross a road safely!” she sighed.
“You know I don’t like that guy!”
“I don’t care. It’s my life!” Jen stated. “Anyway, are you
sure you’ll be alright on that leg?”
“I’m sure,” he moaned.
I frowned at the familiar voice. The guy that was in there
was the same guy he had nearly run over a few blocks back! I’d had enough. I
banged my fist on the door angrily.
AJ: Ha ha, Nicky, she’s cheating on you with dog-boy!
Nick: *pouts*
A few seconds passed before Jen opened it. She immediately
saw the rage in my expression.
“Nick, what’s wrong?”
“Who the hell were you talking to?” I asked, fuming.
Jen’s face dropped, showing fear. She gulped, backing off.
“WELL?” I raged.
“You’d better come inside,” she stated, stepping aside.
Howie: Ooh, I think she’s going to finally tell him the truth!
*claps hands eagerly*
Others: *stare at Howie*