Chapter Eleven


“What, exactly do I find fun about shopping, any way?” Gianna asked wiping her glistening forehead with her wrist as she eyes the piles of clothing she had just purchased. “First of all...it’s a waste of money, second of all, it’s a waste of time, and third of all..what the hell am I going to do with all this stuff?? I’ll have to wear three different outfits a day to get all this in before the end of the season.” she said falling onto her mattress.

“G, next time I plan on blowing my cash on a baby-tee, smack me!” Elise said laughing. Gianna shook her head and surveyed their mess. New clothes were tossed everywhere. Shopping for three hours could succumb to a lot...

“Yeah...” Gianna nodded as there was a knock on her door. “Come in!”

“Hey.” Nick said sticking his head in the room. His eyes widened and he came fully into the room. “How did you guys carry all this stuff??”

“Very carefully.” Elise said shaking her head.

“Wow....” Nick said before changing the subject. “Whenever you guys are ready..” he pointed downstairs.

“What are we doing? Everyone else is gone.” Elise said.

“Movies.”

“Wait...AJ skipped out on clubbing to stay home with us and watch movies?” Elise asked dubiously.

“I know...I thought the same thing, but he agreed to do it.” Nick shrugged. He looked over at Gianna who hadn’t spoken since he came into the room. “You okay?”

“What? Yeah...um...” she said moving her eyes up his body. She wanted that so bad...

“Yeah? You ready to watch movies?” he asked coming closer to her. He extended his arm to rest his hand lightly on her lower back.

“Yeah.” Gianna said smiling up at him curiously. “Tell AJ that you and I claim the couch.” she said, testing him.

“Great...will do. You guys coming down anytime soon??” he asked rubbing her back slowly before pulling away. She wiggled a little, trying to shake the tingly feeling that Nick’s touch sent through her.

“Lemme just throw these clothes in my closet and we’ll be right down.” Gianna said shooing Nick out of the room. She shut the door behind her, leaning against it. She breathed deeply.

“Okay...that looked very comfortable. Are you sure that Nick is still iffy about the relationship thing?”

“Elise, he’s just.....” she heaved a pleased sigh. What was Nick? First he was okay, then he was afraid, and now? Now he seemed to be into them being together, but she could never be too sure.

“He’s retarded, that’s what he is.” Elise said rolling her eyes as she gathered her clothes up.

“Hey, don’t insult him.” Gianna remarked defensively.

“Okay, okay. He’s just a little off then. I understand what the guy is feeling, but let’s be reasonable. He has to make up his mind because frankly, he’s driving me nuts and I’m not even the one who’s in love with him.” she pointed out.

“I know...but he has good reasons.”

“I know....”

“You know?” Gianna asked raising her gaze to her best friend. She nodded slowly.

“AJ told me...”

“Oh.”

“He probably shouldn’t have, but...he was having trouble sleeping last night and I asked him to talk to me about it.” Elise said quietly sitting on the bed, her clothes still gripped in her arms.

“I’m sure you would have found out sooner or later....”

“I can’t comprehend how someone could do that to the person they love...”

“I know.”

“I completely understand why Nick’s having so many problems now....I thought he was just being a jerk in the beginning.” Elise said shaking her head.

“People thought a lot of things.”

“How did you deal with that. I mean, I can see how much you care about him, it’s written all over your face. I don’t think I would have stuck by a man if he was having so much trouble.”

“I love him....”

“Really?” Elise asked looking up at Gianna smiling.

“Yeah, he knows that I do. I don’t want anyone else...I want him. It’s strange.” Gianna said stopping to think about her feelings for Nick. “I came her looking to find a guy to have a little fun with...not build a relationship. Nick just took me by surprise, he blind-sided me. One day he’s my friend, the next, I’m looking at him, thinking about how nice of a guy he is, wondering what it would be like to be held by him, kissed by him.”

“That’s how it happens.” Elise said shaking her head again, a small smile playing on her lips. “Bam, you’re in love!”

“Yeah....”

“What are you guys doing up there???” AJ’s distant yell echoed.

“Coming!” Gianna yelled back grabbing arm full’s of clothes, throwing them on the floor of her closet.

“I didn’t think you were literally going to throw them in your closet...” Elise said giggling.

“Let’s go!” she said pushing Elise out of the room, still laughing. They stopped at Elise’s room to drop off her clothes before they headed down to the living room. “Hey you!” Gianna said diving over the back of the couch to land in a heap next to Nick. He looked down at her surprised.

“Hey...have fun shopping??” he asked as Gianna rested her head in his lap, looking up at him. She nodded wildly. “You look like you’re ten.” he smiled, running his hands lightly through her blond hair.

“Why?” she asked him, the corners of her eyes wrinkling as she looked at him.

“Smiling, jumping over furniture...you’re cute.” he finished in a whisper.

“Thanks..” Gianna said turning over so she could see the television.

“What are we watching??” Elise asked crawling over to the pile of movies that sat next to the VCR.

“We figured that we’d let you guys decide.” AJ said lighting a cigarette.

“Smart idea.” Gianna commented turning her head to flash Nick a smile. He laughed and ran his hand down her arm to rest on her hip. His fingers squeezed affectionately. Elise slid the movie in and pressed play.

“Hope Floats.” she announced as she sat on the floor in front of AJ’s chair, between his legs.

“Rub my feet.” he said placing a foot in her lap. She rolled her eyes at Gianna before she tickled him. “Hey! Come on, baby...” he pouted. Gianna laughed at the scene.

“Are you comfortable?” Nick asked after he flipped the light off. Gianna sat up and shook her head. “Where will you be comfortable?” Nick asked. She smiled shyly pushing Nick onto his back before climbing on top of him. Her head rested on his chest and her body lay between his parted legs. He sighed, wrapping his arms around her. “I don’t know how this can be comfortable for you, but whatever makes you happy...” he said running his fingers over her back.

“It’s very comfortable. Are you comfy or am I too heavy for you...?” she asked lifting her head off his chest to look up at him.

“I’m comfy.” he smiled. He sighed deeply, looking upwards, saying a silent ‘thank you’ that he wasn’t afraid to hold her anymore. He turned towards the television and became engrossed in the movie. They watched silently for the next two hours. Nick’s hands moved over Gianna’s body slowly, eventually putting her to sleep. The movie ended and Nick looked down at Gianna, gazing at her sleeping form.

“When did that happen?” Elise asked standing up from her place on the floor next to AJ, who had moved half way through the movie. She crouched down next to Gianna and angled her head to see her. “She is completely zonked out! And during her favorite movie too...huh.” she said pursing her lips in thought.

“Do we wake her up?” AJ asked raising his arms above his head to stretch.

“Nah...I think I can slide out.” Nick said carefully lifting her body off his a little to dislodged himself from underneath her. His feet hit the floor and her gently laid he back down. “Okay, I’m gonna carry her up to bed.” he explained slowly turning her over. He slid one arm beneath her legs and the other under her upper body, and lifted her off the couch.

“Do you want help?” AJ asked as Nick moved across the room, heading for the stairs.

“Nope, I’ve got her, g’night guys.” he said softly, as not to wake the sleeping girl in his arms. He made it into her dark room and rested her on her bed. She mumbled softly in her sleep as she turned on her side, curling her legs to her chest. “Night, Gianna.” Nick whispered, dropping a light kiss on her cheek. He straightened and started for the door when he heard her softly call his name. “Yeah?” he turned around.

“Nicky?” she called him again, her voice small.

“Hmm?” he asked making his way over to her bed, he knelt beside her.

“Stay..” she said opening her eyes to gaze at him.

“You want me to stay here?” he asked uneasily. She nodded, scooting over to make room for him. “Gianna, I- I’m not so sure..” he began.

“Please?” she whispered to him. She was still half-asleep. Maybe if he just slipped out of her room, she’d just fall back to sleep, and not remember anything in the morning.... "C’mere..” she whispered. He shook his head to rid the previous thoughts from his mind. Leaving was out of the question...

“Gianna, are you sure?” he asked timidly. He kicked himself for asking that. Of course she was sure...she wasn’t the one having the problems. He eyed her bed...it was calling to him. What harm would it do anyway? He wanted to show her he could do this...wanted to show himself. Why not just sleep here? She sighed and turned onto her back.

“Nevermind.” she said louder, more alert.

“Wait a minute.” Nick said looking at her.

“No, Nick. Forget...just go to bed.”

“No.” he said causing her to look over at him.

“No?” she questioned.

“No.” Nick said smiling. “I’ll stay.”

“You will?” she asked, sitting up a little. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Nick laughed. “I’m great...” he stood up and pulled his sweatshirt over his head, leaving him in a wifebeater. He moved onto the bed, stretching out next to Gianna. She looked over at him like he had grown a second head. He opened his arms to her. She looked at them apprehensively...

“Come on...I’m staying.” he said, encouraging her to come closer to him. She shook her head in disbelief before crawling into his arms, resting her body against his again. He hugged her to him and kissed her forehead. Gianna wanted to cry...he had taken it away from her so many times, she hadn’t expected him to surrender to her pleas so easily. He was there, next to her, holding her, protecting her... this was what she wanted. Exhaling slowly she relaxed against him....slowly drifting off. Nick laid there, looking up at the ceiling, breathing deeply as he held her. Was this really happening? Was he really laying there with a beautiful girl cradled in his arms...a girl who cared so much about him? Was he actually okay with these advances?? He smiled when he realized he was. He thought back to what he had told AJ the day before.....

“Now all I have to do is hold myself back until I know that once I have her I won’t look back...”

He wasn’t looking back....he was looking forward. All the possibilities...everything they could do together. A future he could spend with her....


Chapter Twelve
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