The dream slowly melted away as Nikki came to. Through the fog of sleep surrounding her, Nikki realized that one of the flight attendants was trying to wake her. Groggily she asked the young woman, "Is there something wrong?"
"No," the girl grinned. "But we are preparing for our landing, so you'll need to put your seat-back up."
"Oh, thank you," replied Nikki.
After shaking herself awake, Nikki sat back and watched their approach to Tampa. The warm light of dusk illuminated the city in a golden glow as the plane made its descent.
"Welcome to Tampa, Florida. The current temperature is 86 degrees and the local time is 9:34 p.m. Enjoy your stay and thank you for flying USAir."
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Nikki was collecting her suitcase at baggage claim when she heard the excited voice behind her.
"I can't believe it. You're finally here!"
Nikki turned to find Jacqueline Barrows standing right in back of her. "Jaqs!," she squealed, dropping her suitcase and hugging Jacquie with all her might.
"Uhhh...Tricks....I can't breath," Jacquie gasped.
Nikki giggled as she let Jacquie go. Stepping back she took a good look at her friend. "Back to brown, huh?," Nikki asked, fingering a lock of Jacquie's shoulder-length hair.
Jaqs had this obsession with coloring her hair. Nikki swore that in the time she had known Jacquie her hair had been every color of the rainbow but blue.
"Yeah, I was tired of the red," replied Jacquie.
Jaqs looked down to the single suitcase sitting beside her friend. "Is that the only suitcase you brought?" she asked incredulously.
Nikki couldn't help but laugh, "Yes Jacqueline. I'm not a clothes hog like you. Besides, I'm only here for five days."
"Well, I know...but there are so many things we have to do. We have to go to the beach, we have to go see Fayth and Liss, and you know we'll all go out one night. Plus I've got something special planned for......"
"Whoa Jaqs! Why don't we get out of here and talk about our plans at your place?"
Eyes widening, Jacquie lightly smacked herself on the forehead, "Oh gosh, I forgot....I'm double parked outside."
Nikki barely had enough time to grab her suitcase as Jacquie grasped her hand and started pulling her through the airport to a car that may or may not be waiting for them.
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They made it outside just as the tow truck attendant was about to chain up Jacquie's classic Ford Mustang convertible. Being the charmer that she was, Jaqs batted her cool green eyes a few times, flashed her 1000-watt smile and got them to let the car lose, with a promise to never double park again.
Finally on their way to Jacquie's apartment, Nikki just had to comment, "Only you could work your magic on two tow truck workers and actually get them to give back your car."
Jacquie's green eyes sparkled with laughter, "I am talented, am I not?"
As they pulled into a small parking lot, Jacquie announced, "Home Sweet Home."
When Jacquie started college at the University of Central Florida she majored in journalism. Just recently she had been hired as an intern at the Tampa Herald, in the entertainment division. Because of this she'd had to transfer to the University of Tampa to finish up her last few credit hours and to be closer to work. She'd found herself a great little apartment on Interbay Boulevard. It had a fantastic view and was right around the corner from some awesome clubs, but Jacquie still missed her old school roommates and good friends, Fayth Browning and Lissa Andrews. Thank goodness they weren't too far away at UCF.
Jacquie escorted Nikki to the second floor apartment, which was classically furnished in muted, earthy tones with flashes of rattan and wicker thrown in.
"What'd you do Jaqs...raid the Bombay Company?," Nikki asked.
"Actually it was Pier 1 Imports," Jacquie replied with a grin.
Jacquie got Nikki settled into the modest guest room and minutes later the two girls were sitting together in the living room, in pajamas, discussing Jacquie's plans for the next few days.
"So what have you got planned for my little vacation, Jaqs?"
"Well, tomorrow I have a big shopping spree planned for us, maybe a stop off at the beach. Thursday we'll get together with Liss and Fayth. You'll get to meet their new roommate, maybe we can all hit this new club named "Camelot". Um...Friday is kind of up for grabs right now, but I've got something "huge" planned for Saturday, " was Jacquie's reply.
Nikki noticed the conspiratorial grin on her face, "And what have you and the other two screwballs cooked up?" Nikki inquired.
"Why on earth would you think that Liss, Fayth and I have something planned?" Jacquie asked, feigning innocence.
Nikki just rolled her eyes, "It could be that snickers eating grin you've got plastered on your face. So spill it!"
Jacquie shook her head, "Nope...it's something special. You'll just have to wait and see."
Sensing she'd get no more information out of her friend, Nikki told Jaqs she was pretty tired and was going to hit the sack.
"Okay Tricks...I bet jet lag is setting in. I set the clock for you so we can hit the mall early. Don't want to miss sun time either." Jaquie gave her friend a big hug, "It's so good to have you here again."
Nikki squeezed her friend in return, "It's good to be here."
As they settled into their respective bedrooms, Nikki heard the light sounds of music drift from Jacquie's room. Five heavenly voices were singing, and Nikki could just catch some of the words..."what about your, your ten thousand promises, that you gave to me..."
"How sad," Nikki thought, cuddling into the downy comforter.
Just as Nikki closed her eyes, Jacquie yelled out, "Night, John-Boy."
Laughing, Nikki yelled back, "Night, Mary-Ann."
Within minutes the two girls were sound asleep.
[ Chapter Three ]
