CHAPTER 7
"Too much"
"Hey, what's wrong, girl?" - Nick asked very tenderly, while they were walking down the beach. The moon and the stars were all right, just as always Nick wanted them to be. But each of them felt kinda of emptiness to each other. Nick - cause he didn't know how to tell Alsie about his true feelings and he was in kinda of disappointment, cause of Alsie's cold glance and her cold meeting with him. He didn't know why it was so. Alsie - cause she was so much offended on him, and she didn't know what to do. Then suddenly he heard:
"Fra-ance-e-ska..." - she spelled in a low voice.
Nick was close to shock.
"What did you say?"
"Franceska Gallagher... Hmmm... I think that's her name." - she looked at him with a offending in her eyes.
"How did ya..." - started Nick, but Alsie interrupted him.
"Hey, don't...Why didn't you tell me all about her? Why did I have to know all of this from the crowd? You lied to me Nick! Lied!"
"Who told you, Als?" - asked Nick angrily. He was gonna kill everybody and himself also.
"Doesn't matter now. - yelled she - I hoped you would be someone special in my life... And you are not... Gosh... How do I hate you Nick Carter, you hurt me..."
"Wait Alsie... I was gonna tell you about it... But under the circumstances I decided not to tell you too early... I prefer to wait..."
"You waited too long... - Alsie felt the tears in her eyes. "One more time I feel the same hurt, gosh... After that I'll never believe anybody at all..." she thought - You... You just killed me with your lie about that girl... And now I don't want to talk to you, I don't want to see you, I don't want to kiss you, I don't want you at all... - she started crying - I'm leaving, Nick Carter. Goodbye." - she turned around & ran away from Nick.
Nick ran after her.
"Alsie, baby... Wait" - he was gonna cry also, but how could he?
"Don't call me baby... Let me go..." - she cried.
"Alsie, listen, you are the best that I have... Forgive me.. please, baby..." - Nick knew if she went away he would die.
"You're lying again. Nick! I don't believe you, let me go!" - he took out his hands from her. She ran away again.
Then all of a sudden he yelled:
"I love you! I love you..."
She stopped, turned to him and answered.
"Don't dare to say that! Shut up!" - the tears were falling like the rain. That words made her feel herself only worse.
Nick understood that everything was over. He turned away from her and walked down the beach. He felt like the whole world was crushed!
"Maybe we'll go to the exhibition? Museum? Movie at last?" - asked Rimma.
Alsie was lying on the bed. That was her position for the last week, and she didn't eat almost. It was so depressive that Rimma decided to entertain her. But Alsie kept silence and Rimma surrendered. She took a magazine and began to read when the door bell rang. Alsie didn't move at all.
"Who's this?" - asked Rimma.
"That's your prince on the white horse" - asked male voice.
"Ahh... Howie, Come in" - As you've understood that was Howie D himself.
"How is she?" - he asked quietly, with a sorrow in his eyes.
"Bad bad bad... - answered Rimma - How's this guy?" - she began to call Nick "guy" after that.
"He's bad also... but now he's in his family house... Having a little rest!"
"I wonder, from what? From the habit of making people be sad and disappointed?"
"Hey Rimma, stop it. He's my friend... That's why... without a sarcasm please."
"As you wanna it be... But don't forget that the person he's hurt is my best friend!" - she was a little bit offended but when she took herself on Howie's place she understood that he's right.
"Hey gal... What's up?" - Howie came to Alsie's bed. She was keeping silence.
"Alsie, I thought about... well it would be cool if we all come to some clubs or have a dinner at a restaurant. What do ya think?" - asked her Rimma.
"I donno... I don't care - she spelled - I don't care!" - she repeated.
"Hey c'mon, let's go!" - Howie was trying to get her mood up.
"Go by yourself!" - that was Alsie's answer.
"Without you... sorry gal... nope" - that was Howie's answer.
"Hey I have the idea! What about the dinner at home? - she asked with joy in her eyes - We'd bye a lot of food and all... A little holiday for us?"
"Great!" - Howie supported her.
"I don't care... " - repeated Alsie.
"Nick are you going downstairs?" - Jane, his mom, yelled.
Nick was laying on the bed without any moving. He was totally in dreams with Alsie. He cursed himself for being such a dump, blonde guy, who just can make people sad. "Why didn't I tell her from the very beginning?" - thought he. Nick felt kinda angry at himself, at Franky (though she was outta it) and at Alsie, cause she didn't let him explain.
"Nickolas? What's happening?" - Jane yelled once again.
He got up from his bed and headed downstairs.
"I'm coming... What's wrong with..." - he suddenly shut his mouth up up.
In front of him there was standing adorable Franceska Gallagher, cute and sweet as always.
"Nicky, Franceska's come. She will be our guest for this weekend" - said Jane.
Nick was staring at Franky as being unnormal. Franceska opened her eyes wider and spelled:
"Hello Nicker! How are you?"
He caught his breathe. Jeez, how long haven't he seen her and haven't heard from anybody that name. She's really great but Nick didn't notice that. The thing he began to realize was that Franceska Gallagher herself didn't bother him anymore, as it was before.
"Hello Franky! I'm Okay! By the way... you look great!"
"Well... I'm doing my best!" - she laughed.
"Okay... I better go for preparing dinner and you, Nick, show Franceska her room" - said Jane, smiling at her son with the shiny smile.
"Which one?" - smiled back Nick.
"On the 2nd floor, 3rd to the left... Just opposite the BJ's room"
"Ok, c'mon Franky"
He took the suitcase from her hands and walked to the 2nd floor. Franky walked after him either.
"What are you doing here?" - Nick asked.
"Hey Nicker? You aren't glad I'm here, are you?" - Franceska was teasing him.
"Not at all. But for me that was kinda surprise!"
"I hope good surprise, ah?"
"Surely French. Well... That's your room." - he opened the wood door.
The room was big, spacey and light.
"Wow... I remember that room - said Franky - do you remember we used to hide here when nobody's at home and..." - she cut her speech.
"Hmmm... yeah I remember - echoed Nick - but talk about it later, okay?"
"Sure Nicker!"
"Okay... Make yourself comfortable and... see ya on dinner!"
"Sheer!" - said Franky in a merry voice.
Nick closed the door after him. Franceska began to unpack her clothes. "Well... I guess it'll be unforgettable weekend, huh..." - said Franceska to herself.
"I'm full like a pig!" - joked Rimma, stopped eating a huge sandwich.
"Jesus, baby! Don't say so!" - Howie made a face at her.
Alsie laughed out loud.
"At last!" - said at the same time Howie and Rimma.
"Gosh... Guys you're so funny... - Alsie was still laughing - and I might say... you're real friends! Real!"
"Gimme diploma for that" - joked Howie.
"No... Kick him... it'll be better!" - added Rimma.
Alsie burst out laughing. They were sitting on the floor and eating the food from McDonalds. Everything was all right, and it seemed that Alsie forgot about Nick, even only for a minute, but she didn't, even for the second. She just pushed his face and astonishing smile back to the background of her memory. Suddenly the "I want it that way" clip appeared on the TV. Everybody turned theirs heads.
"Look... - Rimma began - Let's click the channel off"
"No way! - said Alsie - It's a great song, besides - my favorite."
Rimma shrugged and nodded.
"Look, Howie... You look awful with that moustache! - laughed Rimma - Remind me... hmmm...haired aborigine!"
"Hey! Shut up! I'm Mr.Perfect, as always!" - he looked at Rimma with the satisfaction.
"You!? - Rimma was pretending - Even Kevin looks better here... I'm not saying about Nick"
"Well... What can I say? - Howie shrugged - I'm gonna commit a suicide, cause my girlfriend says I'm ugly" - he showed Rimma a tongue and make his glance sad. Howie was an excellent actor.
"Howie... You're a cutie! Honestly! - said Alsie - Besides, you look here hot!"
"BRAVO! At last somebody could appreciate me! - Howie suddenly stood up - I love you Alsie!" - he kissed her on cheek.
Rimma did the grimace and turned sarcastic smiling. Suddenly the cell rang up.
"That's for me!" - yelled all three.
Howie smiled and slowly said:
"Stop panicking girl, that's for me! - he took his cell - yeah... Ah... Frack! - Rimma and Alsie turned at him - yeah... I'm ok. How's up? That's cool!" - Alsie turned back and tried to keep her eyes outta tears when she saw Nick's calling.
"Tell him, I'm gonna kick his ass" - said Rimma.
"Shut up - said Howie angrily - Yeah Nick... I'm back! What? Who? Who's that? ah... blonde babe... I remember now... Yes! Give her my hug!"
Rimma hit him. Howie laughed. Rimma hit him one more time, this time stronger.
"Stop that! - said Howie - aha... yes... I'll do my best Frack! Yeah... I'll try! okay, Bye!"
"What's happening? - asked Alsie - Is something wrong with Nick?"
"You shouldn't worry about him anyway - said Rimma - what's up with guy?"
"Well... he asks us to come to his place for a weekend" - said Howie.
"Us?" - Rimma asked surprisely.
"Yeah - echoed Howie - but I donno about you Als..."
"That's Okay... I'm not going anyway!"
"NO! You'll go and look at the face of that guy!" - said Rimma.
"I'll kill you, dear - said Howie - all day long you get on my nerves with you mentions about Nick"
"Oh yeah? - Rimma laughed sarcastically and angrily - What's that supposed to mean?"
"He's my friend! One of my best! That's what!" - said Howie.
"Guys, guys... That's all right! You shouldn't argue cause of me or Nick! That's too sad!" - said Alsie in a low voice.
Howie and Rimma changed with theirs glances and then both decided to shut up.
"Anyway... what's else new from Carters?" - begin Rimma.
"Well... Nothing much, except that Franky has come."
"Who?" - asked Rimma and Alsie at the same time.
"Franceska Gallagher, the friend of the family... She used to come in summer for the weekends" - Howie took a glass with "COKE" from the table.
"I see... Franceska... well... I think it'll be interesting to get aquatinted with her" - said Rimma, thinking about that stuff inside of her mind.
"Yes. She's cool! And cute also as well!" - added Howie.
"Cute, rich, cool - that's the type of you dream girl, yeah Howie?" - said Rimma.
"Stop teasing me sweetie, you know... you're the one..."
While they were into their relations, Alsie got deep inside her. She thought about herself, Nick and Franceska get altogether. "Well... Of course they're spending their time in the excellent mood! - thought she - I wouldn't be able to replace Franceska anyway" That hurt Alsie and she just wanted to forget about everything and get Nick outta her heart.
"How's doing your parents Franceska?" - asked her Robert Carter.
All Carters, including Franky were sitting on the posh served table.
"They're doing well! - answered Franky - Besides, my mom wanna start a new business"
"Give to Melissa my best wishes" - said Jane.
"Sure"
"What are you planning to do?" - asked Robert.
"I donno... how's about surfing... surfing in USA! - joked she. Everybody laughed. Aaron blushed - I really donno... maybe Nick will be kinda sweetie and show me something interesting here?"
"No I won't be!" - said Nick, kidding.
"Of course he will, he'll show you whatever you want to - promised her Jane - and besides, you can always rely on me or BJ to go for shopping" - she winked at Franky.
"Cool! I've always known you won't leave me!" - joked Franky.
"Well... I gotta go... - Nick began - my guys are waiting for me and..."
"Wait! Where are you going?" - asked Jane.
"To Tampa" - simply answered Nick.
"Take Franceska and BJ with you" - she almost ordered.
"No! Only not those two! - Nick was playing fool around - Okay! I'm gonna take Franky, but not BJ, she's a monster!" - he joked. BJ did the frightful grimace.
"Nickolas!" - Jane laughed out loud.
"If you wanna come with me, you better quick! I won't be waiting for you! I'm almost late!" - said Nick, checked the watch. The girls screamed and ran to theirs rooms.
"Jeez... They are speedy bombs!" - said Aaron.
"Yeah... but Franceska is a really great girl, yes Nick?" - asked him Jane.
Nick nodded.
Not later than 15 minutes after that they left the house and headed to Tampa by Nick's "Camaro".
"Only listen to me! You just go there and watching over things!" - said Rimma to Alsie.
"No, no, no... You better forget about it! I don't wanna see him or her also as well... By the way... it hurts still"
"I know, girl... But I was thinking about one thing... - Rimma looked mysteriously - And what if Nick really loves you, maybe you should fight for your love?"
"If he does love me, he didn't lie then..."
"Maybe he just tried to protect you" - supposed Rimma. Alsie stared at her.
"Are you on my side or what?"
"Sure I'm on yours. that's why I keep saying! But there's 2 more reason I want you to come there"
"What?"
"First: you love him, he loves you, why are you apart? You're searching for your love so long"
"Yes... I was... And I did hurt myself once again! I don't want it anymore!"
"Hey, Als. Suppose, he still loves you. What if you're making the greatest mistake?"
"I donno..."
"See? You're doubting..."
"I was just so angry at him on the beach then and so depressing after all I've heard, that I couldn't stand... and just splashed it outta me... But I'm right anyway... And I have my proud!"
"You see? You're too stubborn! You make your proud to be on the first place! You just try to forget about all and listen to your heart"
"But my heart says "NO" - sang Alsie, kidding.
"Don't lie silly! You still love him!"
"Well... I know I do but..."
"No "but"... and what are you planning to do with your dancing career in BSB?"
"That's the question!"
"Yes! It is! I hope you're not planning quit!"
"I guess I'm not!" - Alsie said doubtful.
"You guess! - Rimma was teasing - Of course you're not! Well decide then!"
"What?"
"Are you so stupid or you're just pretending to be stupid to make me mad? - Alsie laughed after Rimma's words - Are you gonna with us?"
"No"
"Why not?"
"I was not asked to come"
"Of course you wasn't. You yelled at guy, maybe at innocent guy and what do you want after all?"
"Well... I'm bad, he's good, yeah?"
"Well... Yeah!" - Alsie pulled the pillow at Rimma.
"You just can't imagine how do I feel myself good after you words, couldn't you tell me that before?"
"Well... Let's say I was check on you!" - both girls laughed.
"Anyway, I must find out what's about Nick and Franceska!"
"Right you are! It seems you're coming!"
"I still donno..."
"You're, cause that bitch will be there... She's now there with him... Think about it!"
"Shut up!"
"Maybe something's happening between them" - Rimma continued to tease her.
"Shut up! I'm coming!"
"Great! You must fight!"
"Yes I guess I'll have to - Alsie took a hard breathe - By the way, what's the 2nd reason why I must come there?"
"Well... I just want you to kick ass that doll!" - girls burst out laughing.
