Nick woke up before Isabel did and looked down. She was curled into a ball as tightly as she could, right on his side. He slowly and gently moved one of her arms off of him and slowly got out of bed. He threw one of his shirts off the floor and walked out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
He walked into the living room to see a short, blonde girl sitting on the couch, obviously: this had to be Michelle. She looked over when she saw a figure out of the corner of her eye and her jaw dropped momentarily, "Holy shit, she wasn't lying when she said you and her were dating."
Nick laughed, "Nope..sorry."
"No..it's okay..really. I mean, I never thought Isabel knew you; let alone would date you. But I can certainly see why. I'm Michelle."
He sat down across from her, "Well obviously, you seem to know who I am. But to be courteous, I'm Nick."
"Nice to meet you..she still sleepin'?"
He nodded, "Yeah..she's a heavy sleeper I see."
"Of course. Well, I would introduce you to my boyfriend, Mark, but he left earlier. I'm sure you'll see him around anyways. Do you want anything to eat?"
"I'll just look around if that's okay."
She flipped on the tv, "Sure, make yourself at home."
Nick walked into the kitchen and began to look around for things. "So, how long have you and Isabel known each other?," He asked from the counter.
"Ummm..maybe a year or so."
"Ohhh..that's cool..you all just move in here this semester?"
Michelle nodded and turned so she could see him, "Cabinet on your right..no, your other right. Yeah, there. Yeah, we just moved in like two weeks before school started."
"Oohhh..cool..what's your major?"
"Juvenile justice."
"Sounds interesting."
"It is..well, to me. Have you taken any college courses?"
"Not yet.," He said shaking his head, "But I'm hoping to after things kinda calm down."
She nodded, "That's good.."
They both looked up as Isabel walked in pulling her hair back in a scrunchie. "Well, I was going to introduce the both of you but I see you've already met."
"Yep..he's not too bad Isabel..I'm gonna head to class..shit, five minutes, see you later Isabel. Nice to meet you Nick!"
"You too!"
"Bye Michelle!"
Isabel walked into the kitchen and smiled, "Finding anything?"
"Yep..cereal..bread for toast. Want anything?"
"Cereal."
He nodded and began to fix her a bowl as well, "You sleep good?"
She nodded, "Yep..did you?"
"Of course."
"Okay, so come here."
He turned to look at her and smiled, "What Isabel?"
"Come here.."
He did so and she pulled him down so she could kiss him, "Good morning."
He smiled and leaned his forehead against hers, "Good morning..infact, it's veery good."
She laughed, "Okay, so let's eat outside on the deck..come on.."
He grabbed his bowl and orange juice and followed her outside.
She pulled her legs up underneath her, "Sooo..you wanna come with me to see Ann? I gotta go get some more of my clothes."
"Sure."
"Okay..then..we can go to the mall."
He scrunched up his nose, "The mall?"
"Okay, not the big mall..we'll go over to a shopping center..I want clothes."
He smiled, "Okay.."
They showered and dressed (seperately) and got ready to go Ann's. "So..what about the VMA's?," She asked as they drove the 30 minutes to Ann's house.
"Well..we're nominated twice and we're supposed to perform a fast song, but we don't know which one. I was thinking about..'Get Another Boyfriend.'"
"Are you hinting that I should get another boyfriend?"
He laughed, "No Isabel..geez.."
She smiled, "I know..I haven't heard that song.."
"You haven't? Oh that's right, you don't have the cd yet.."
"Nope..I've waited.."
"Well..we're supposed to be in NYC on November 12, which is a Tuesday I believe, for rehearsals and press and stuff. The show itself is on a Friday night. I know you have school and stuff and won't be able to be there till possibly Thursday night..right?"
She nodded, "Yeah..pretty much. I mean, I could come earlier, I'll have to look later tonight at the calendar and we'll decide..this'll be so much fun!"
"I know..this'll be the first time I take a date."
She smiled, "I can't wait to go shopping and everything..this'll be so awesome!"
"Yep..sure will.," He said grinning at her, "You're really excited about this, aren't you?"
"Yeah..I mean, I get to go to an awards show with my boyfriend who I won't see for at least another month and I get to spend a couple days in New York. Oh please tell me we'll go to an after-party?"
"If you want, we'll go to one."
"Yes! I can't believe I'm this excited and it's over a month away or whatever.."
He smiled, "But it's okay..really."
After a quick visit to Ann's house, Isabel drove back to Lexington and stopped at a small shopping center. She figured Nick wouldn't get AS recognized because one, it's a small area, two, fans would most likely be in school and three, no one knew he was in town. Nick took her hand without hesitation as they walked into Old Navy. "I'm gonna head over to men's, ok?"
She nodded, "Okay..come find me when you're done."
He nodded as he dropped her hand and walked to the other side of the store. Isabel walked to the women's section, looking through the sweaters and t-shirts.
"Hey..Isabel?"
She turned around to see Nick, pulling his ballcap lower. "Yeah?"
He stepped closer to her, "Ummm..I think we better head to another store."
Isabel looked confused, "Why?" Then suddenly, realization dawned, "Ohhhhh..I see.."
She curved a finger, "Come with me.."
He followed, keeping his head down, hand in hers. Isabel stopped an associate, "Do you have a public bathroom?"
The man nodded, "Yeah, the right backhand corner."
"Thank you."
Once at the bathroom doors, she turned to Nick, "Okay..go inside, take off that over shirt, tuck in your white t-shirt and give me the over shirt and I'll put it somewhere..umm..then, umm..put your hat over your hair and we'll bolt out."
He smiled, "You're a genius sometimes."
"Yeah well, whatever. Go on, Nicky."
Nick ducked inside and took into the first stall he came to, locking it behind him. He took off the over-shirt he had put on and hugn it on the hook on the back of the door before tucking in his white t-shirt. He pulled his hat as low as it'd go and stepped out of the stall, his shirt in his hands. His eyes widened and he poked his head out of the bathroom, "Okay..what do you think?"
He stepped out further and Isabel looked him up and down critically, "Well..it'll have to do..who recognized you?"
"These two girls looked about 15 maybe.."
"Ohh...umm..tie the shirt around your waist.."
He nodded and did it, "Better?"
"It's all we go right now Nick.."
He took her hand, "I'll keep my head down and keep a hold on your hand."
She nodded, he took her hand, and they made a beeline for the entrance.
Once outside in the warm sunshine, they both let out a breath they'd been holding. "Think we can go get some lunch now?," He asked.
She smiled and started towards her car, "Yes..come on."
Wednesday afternoon Nick had to leave, they had gone out the night before but couldn't stay out too late because Isabel had an early class. After her last class, Isabel took Nick to the airport.
He smiled down at her as many emotions crossed her pretty face and he brushed a piece of hair back, "Don't cry."
"I'm not..so...shut up."
"Isabel!"
"Not like I meant it. Call me tomorrow when you get there?"
"Of course.," He said nodding.
She played with the ring on his right hand, "It's going to be weird.."
"What?"
"Not having you here with me."
He smiled, "I know..but it's the price we gotta pay."
"I know that too..but, I'll be with you and the guys within a month."
He nodded pulling her a little closer, "Yep..and we'll get all glammed up and go out and party in NYC."
"Yep..I can't wait.," She said with a smile.
"I'll call you and e-mail, ok?"
"Ok."
The last boarding call was made and Nick smiled weakly, "I gotta go sweetie."
"I know. Remember to call."
He nodded before kissing her, "I will..I promise, I will."
She smiled as he pulled away, "Okay..go, perform for your millions of fans."
He smiled as he threw his backpack on his back, "I will..but I'll be thinking about doing it just for you."
Isabel laughed, "You're not the most graceful dancer in the world."
He laughed, "I'll call!"
"You better!"
"Bye baby."
"Bye Nicky.," She said with a wave.
He turned and began walking towards the terminal. Isabel didn't and wouldn't cry; she knew she'd be with him soon, and that kept her going.
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