"Nick, I suggest you take a long, cool shower and then take a nice nap. Put in some headphones, and listen to Pachabel's Canon. That always relaxes me and makes me feel one hundred percent better."
I patted him on the shoulder and gave him a small smile. Although Nick didn't say anything, I could tell he was grateful for the care interest I was displaying in his well-being.
Inside the house I picked up the phone and dialed Brian's number. Before the phone even began to ring, Nick had placed his finger on the hook.
"Don't go now, Selen," he looked at me with pleading eyes.
"But Nick!" I looked at my watch. "It's nearly ten o'clock."
"You won't be going to bed for hours!"
I placed my hands on my hips. "Are we forgetting that there is a two hour drive awaiting me? By the time Rok gets here it'll be nearly midnight."
Nick pouted. "I don't want to be alone tonight. I feel like no one likes me!" He flopped onto the sofa, and crossed his arms in front of his chest. I knew that he was trying to sound like he was kidding, but I also knew that he meant business. I thought about it for a minute. Nick was obviously in a fragile state, and he needed to feel like he was wanted. As ridiculous as it seemed…the boy really felt that way.
I made one more attempt to protest. Sighing I sat down next to Nick. "Who really matters to you in your life? People who know you…or those that would like to think they know you? Before you answer that, let me say something. If, as you claim, you don't really care what your fans think, then why are you so upset?"
He ran his hands through his hair. "Isn't it obvious Selen? I mean it should be. At least to…you. You usually notice things about me even B. doesn't notice. You always seem to know what I'm thinking."
I smiled gently and patted his knee. "Oh Nick…don't bring Bri into this. He's a guy. They're all clueless. Including yourself." I poked him gently in the chest.
He sat up straight and looked at me with curiosity, as if a thought has suddenly occurred to him. "You I never asked you…are you into video games?"
I met his eyes slyly, "not anymore I'm not. I'm probably a little rusty."
Nick jumped up and turned on his huge TV and tossed me a Nintendo 64 controller.
I examined the thing as if I were looking for foreign particles. "Wow! What are all these buttons for?"
Nick laughed. "You'll see."
"Umm….ok, if you say so. But I personally prefer to have the four standard A,B and X, Y buttons.
Nick paused a moment. "Be right back!" He jumped up and returned a few minutes later with a Super Nintendo, and a game cartridge.
"Whatcha got there? Mario Kart! I squealed. "That was always my favorite. I even got to the Special Cup race once. Ok….I call Koopa!" I said excitedly. I hadn't played this game in years.
"Ahh…he's for beginners. You can him. Donkey Kong and Bowser are the fastest."
"Yeah but they accelerate slowly…and the Koopa has the best control out off all of them. No sliding off of the track."
"Ok! You wanna play for money?" Nick asked.
"Yeah sure!" I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "Cuz I have just so much of it to give away!"
"Ok..we'll figure it out later. But by the end of the night one of us is going to owe the other something!" Nick flopped onto the sofa next to me and tossed me my controller. He turned his hat backwards and straightened his shoulders. He meant business! But I was glad that he had something to distract himself from what was going on in his life. He was certainly right about one thing. I did know what he was thinking. I knew he really did care what his fans thought about him, because they meant so much to him. He just couldn't bring himself to openly admit it. I'll play a couple of games and then have Bri come to pick me up I thought as I settled back in my seat.
Man, is it really time to get up? I thought irritably to myself as I instinctively reached over with my arm to shut off my alarm. When my hand didn't come in contact with anything, I realized that it may be necessary to open my eyes to find it. Groggily, I managed to pry one eyeball open, and the scene that I was graced with wasn't what I was expecting to see. My eyes moved over the coffee table. It was covered with empty Coke cans as well as various wrappers to different snack cakes. In addition, there was a large mixing bowl half full of popcorn. Un oh, I thought when my gaze rested upon the figure on the other end of the sofa. Nick snored lightly and I found myself in need of lifting one unsocked foot off of my stomach. As I sat up I realized that I wasn't hearing an alarm clock….it was the telephone. In my disoriented state, I half-heartedly looked around for the phone but couldn't find it. After a whole five seconds I gave up and threw myself back onto the couch.
"Well, aren't you going to answer it?" Nick mumbled into his pillow.
I hugged the throw pillow to my face and mumbled something completely incoherent even to myself. I had just started falling asleep again when I was jerked to reality yet again by the phone.
"Selena, will you get-"
"It's your phone!" I growled moodily.
Nick whimpered in response, and I got up nonetheless.
I looked around for the phone "where the Hell is-"
"On top of the bookshelf."
"Who puts phones that high up?" I had to jump to grab the receiver. "Hello?" I asked, slightly breathless.
"Selena? What are you doing there?"
"Hi hon, Oh man I'm sorry I didn't call. I just fell asleep."
Brian sighed. "I was up all night worrying about you, girl. I wish you had called."
I swallowed, feeling like a complete loser. What was I thinking? I should have remembered to call him. Not knowing what to say, I remained silent.
"Hello?"
"I'm here B. And I'm sorry. Nick was pretty upset last night." I recounted the previous day's events.
"Poor Nicky," Brian said. "But you could have called and told me babe. You know I do like to know what is going on with him too. He's my buddy."
One again I felt absolutely crummy. I felt a lump rise in my throat. Brian had this ability to make my heart go out to him, like he was a helpless puppy that needed to be nurtured and cared for constantly. I'm sorry hon. I'm sure Nick is awake by now…so after breakfast we'll head up to your place ok?"
"Ok, I'll see you two in a few hours?"
"You bet! I love ya!"
"Love ya too."
"Nick, get up. I can't hang up this phone."
Nick grunted in response to me.
"Come on Nick. We're going to Bri's house. Remember, our last rehearsal before the concert is tonight.
"Man, don't remind me. Please don't remind me."