“You really wanna know?” Ali asked her best friend, swirling her spoon in a pint of Chunky Monkey.
“Only if you wanna tell me.” Em said gently. Ali put down the spoon and sighed.
“Ok. You remember Greg, my VERY first boyfriend?” she asked. Em nodded.
“Yeah, the really cute older guy.” She recalled.
“Yeah, that’s him. Well, one night at a party, I walked in on him having sex with this other girl. I was so upset, and such a kid, I mean, I was only 14.
So I went crying to his best friend James, who got me totally loaded. I don’t remember what happened after that, but when I woke up the next morning, I was next to James and our clothes were all over the floor.” Ali paused and Em stared at her in shock.
‘Somehow, Greg found out and came around the next day wanting to know why I betrayed him like that. When I told him it was for revenge he laughed in my face. Said I was nothing but a little slut and he deserved better. And ever since then I’ve been with guys who have abused me emotionally and physically, as you know. But I’ve never slept with them, I’m not even sure if I actually DID ‘sleep’ with James, that’s what they told me I did. That’s why Nick meant so much to me.” she finished. Emily still stared at her, trying to comprehend what she had just heard.
“Oh my god, why the HELL didn’t you tell me?” she cried.
“I didn’t want you to think I WAS what they said I am, because I try so hard to be the opposite.’ Ali told her, tears spilling out.
‘You know that I would never agree with them.” Em told her friend softly.
“Oh God Em, I love him so much, why does he have to be like all the rest?” Ali blubbered.
“Honey, he’s not. He just doesn’t know how to handle these strong feelings. He’s different than Greg, and James and any of those guys. He loves you.” Em told her. Ali paled.
‘Oh God, I’ve made such a horrible mistake.” She whispered, and ran to the phone.
“Hello?” Nick answered his cell phone wearily, not bothering to check the caller ID.
“Nicky,” a voice sobbed on the other end and he sat up straight.
“Ali? Baby are you okay?” he asked, alarmed.
“I- I need you.’ she bawled.
‘I’ll be right there.” He promised and bolted out of the room.
‘What the-“ Brian paused as his phone rang too.
‘Hello?” he answered.
‘If you’re wondering why Nick just ran out of the room, that was Ali on the line.” Em explained to him.
“That’s for telling me, I thought he’d lost it.” Brian laughed.
‘Hey, since those two need their space, do you think I could come over there?” EM asked shyly.
“Of course!” Brian exclaimed.
‘Great, see you in a bit.” Em said, and hung up. Grinning, Brian looked around the room.
Everything had to be perfect.
The door was unlocked and he barged up the stairs to her room.
“Ali?” he asked uncertainly, opening the door. There she was, sitting on her bed, eyes red from crying.
“What’s wrong?” he asked gently, kneeling down.
“I’m so sorry.” she whispered, and the tears started again.
‘For what? I should be apologizing.” He told her, stroking her hair.
“I didn’t believe you, I doubted you. That was the worst thing I ever could have done.” She said.
“No, I’m sorry for letting it happen.” Nick interjected. Ali shook her head.
“NO, you couldn’t control it.” she said to him.
“Nicky, I have something to tell you.” she took a deep breath and told him what she had told Emily. When she finished, Nick’s eyes were full of love, sympathy and anger.
“Oh honey, I wish you would have told me sooner.” He said gently.
‘I wanted to, its just so hard.” She tried to explain, the tears starting again.
“I understand.” He cradled her in his arms, rocking her until she stopped.
‘I could kill those bastards.” He muttered. She managed a weak laugh. He noticed the ice cream containers on the floor.
‘Want some?” he picked up the half –melted tub of Chunky Monkey and she nodded. He fed her the ice cream, getting it all over the both of them in the process.
“Comfort food.” He sighed as she kissed the ice cream off his nose.
“I feel awful about ruining the sleepover.” She commented.
“Don’t worry, we’ll do that some other time.” He assured her.
“I think Em and Brian are having one without us.’ Ali told him, a gleam in her green eyes.