“Ally,” Nick began. “We just wanted to say…”
“Can I say something first,” Ally asked nervously.
Nick nodded in response.
“I just wanted to thank you for everything you did today. I don’t know why you did any of that for me, but without you, I don’t know where I would be. I amSO sorry for all the crap that I have put you through. What I did is inexcusable…” Ally said.
Nick paused. “I was hurt when I found out that you didn’t tell me about your boyfriend, but now, I kinda understand why you didn’t. I did everything that I did for you because I care about you. You are the only person here who I feel that I can be around all the time and despite what you think, everyone here wants to be around you too.”
“Yeah right,” Ally coughed in argument.
“I’m serious.” Nick defended. “Within the first week of shooting, everyone knew you as a friend. Who else could have organized Pizza and Twister night?”
“I don’t know…anyone.” Ally said looking down at the ground.
The conversation came to a stop. After moments of uncomfortable silence, Ally said, “Look, I owe you a huge explanation. Are you up for some Ben and Jerry’s?”
“Nah,” Nick said sarcastically causing Ally to smile at the extreme false statement.
Nick stepped out in to the hallway, closed the door behind him, and followed Ally to the small kitchen, which was secluded, from the rest of the house. When the two of them had settled into two table chairs, spoons in hand and a carton of ice cream on the table, the conversation began.
“Ryan and I began dating in high school early sophomore year. At first, Ryan was a total sweetheart, but during the close of out junior year, the fights started. They were usually over simple things like if I were wearing something that was too slutty or if I was even talking with any other guy. The beatings got more and more violent. Friends started noticing bruises and cuts left by Ryan. That’s when I threw myself into acting. I figured that it was my one true escape from him. But, I was wrong. He followed me wherever I went. Finally, on graduation day, I thought that I would be free of Ryan, but that was not the case. I have been living in fear that if I broke up with him; I would not live another day and if I told anyone, I would get back to Ryan. I am so sorry that I put you and Matt, and everyone else into this and that I didn’t tell you that I had a boyfriend when I first met you. I was scared but that is still no reason to leave you guys out in the cold.”
Nick didn’t let Ally finish. “You had a reason. I’m just sorry that you had to live like that, but it’s over now.”
“I can’t be so sure.” After a short silence, Ally spoke. “Can I ask you a question?”
“No I don’t have a girlfriend. Wow, that feels better now that that’s out in the open” Nick said playfully. “Oh, nevermind,” he laughed. “What were you going to ask?”
“Are you still going to beat me at Mario Kart, or are you going to let me win just because of this?" Ally’s smile was returned with laughter from Nick.
“Oh don’t worry,” Nick challenged. “No one will ever beat the Mario Kart Master.”
Nick and Ally stayed up eating ice cream and talking for hours before finally wondering off to bed around 5:30.
Chapter Ten
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