*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

Charisma, please tell me what’s bothering you,” Alexander begged.

“It’s nothing, Alex,” Charisma lied. “I don’t want to talk about it. Just drop it.”

“You have me worried. So I’m not going to drop it until you tell me what’s wrong. You’ve hardly said anything all day. All I got was a couple ‘yeahs’ and ‘uh huhs’. What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing to be worried about.”

“Is it me? Did I do something?”

“No, of course not. You’re great. Wonderful actually.”

“Are you regretting what happened between us last night? Afraid your sister will do something crazy?”

“I’m not regretting last night or any night before and I don’t care what Alyssa thinks. Even if I did regret it ya can’t erase what has already been done.”

“Then what’s wrong? I know it’s something so please tell me. I love you and I want to see you happy.”

“It’s not that simple, because I can’t even tell Loni, my bestest friend, what it is.” She got up.

“Are you sick?”

“Physically no, emotionally yes.”

“So it has to do with your feelings. I’m beginning to get this feeling that you don’t love me no more.”

“I love you, Alex.” She kissed him in assurance. “I love you very much. It’s just that…”

“It’s what?”

“Nothing. Forget about it.”

“I’m not going to forget about it.”

“Please for me. It’s for your own good.”

“Why is it? Just tell me, it can’t be that bad.”

Charisma just looked at him a moment then said, “Fine, you want to know. I’ll tell ya. But you’re going to regret it.” He just looked at her. “Besides you that I’m totally in love with, I’m in love with two other guys. I’m in love with three very great guys and I don’t know what to do about it. I don’t know how it happened or why. I’m just so totally confused right now. Are you happy I told you? Are you happy that I hurt you?” She wiped away the tears that made their way down her cheeks.

Alexander just stared at her not saying a single word. He started to regret wanting to know he problem.

Charisma looked away from him, as he continued to look at her. As the seconds turned to minutes, neither knew what to say.

After a long nap, Valondra woke up and went downstairs. She stepped into the parlor and found Trace, Antoinette, Justin, and Joshua sitting there. She went over to the sofa and sat between Justin and Trace.

“How’d ya sleep?” Antoinette asked.

“Like a baby,” Valondra replied yawning.

“We went up to see you,” Justin said. “But you were sleeping so we left ya go.”

“That was nice of you,” Valondra said. “Nick stopped by last night and we spent the night talking.”

“And?” Antoinette asked. “What happened? You had to do more than talk.”

“Watched movies,” Valondra said.

“And what else?” Joshua questioned.

“Nothing else happened,” Valondra answered.

“But you were hoping something would,” Trace said. “Am I right?” They were all interested.

“Maybe,” Valondra said. “Why’d you want to see me?”

“To see how it’s going with you and Nick,” Antoinette replied.

“We made progress,” Valondra said. “And I’m so happy, because when I look at Nicky now I don’t see that horrible image. That’s a good thing, because it means it doesn’t bother me anymore and I can be around him again.”

“Did you tell Nick?” Justin asked.

“Yeah and he’s as happy as I am,” Valondra replied smiling.

“That’s good,” Antoinette said. “So are you going to get back together anytime soon?”

“Hopefully,” Valondra stated. “We love each other very much.”

“How sweet,” Joshua said.

“I’m hungry,” Valondra said. “What are you making me, T?”

“Nothing,” Antoinette replied. “Make it yourself.”

“Don’t make me hurt you,” Valondra said getting up. “Did you guys eat?”

“Actually we did,” Trace said. “Toni made us Mac and cheese.”

“Oh sure,” Valondra said walking to the kitchen. “Make them something, but not me.” Valondra went into the kitchen, as the others got up and followed her.

As they stepped into the kitchen, Antoinette said, “You were sleeping.”

“Means nothing,” Valondra said glaring at her friend and opening the cupboard.

“Loni,” Justin began getting her attention, “JC has something to tell you.”

“No I don’t,” Joshua basically lied and glared at his friend.

“Yes he does,” Justin replied. “I can tell.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Joshua said, as Valondra got the bread out of the cupboard. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“Just tell her, JC,” Antoinette said. “He has a confession.”

“What is it?” Valondra asked.

“Nothing,” Joshua lied.

“Just tell me.”

“You’ll probably get upset.”

“No I won’t.” She put mayonnaise on her bread.

“Told ya,” Trace said.

“I promise I won’t get upset,” Valondra said. “If anything, maybe I’ll be flattered.” She smiled.

“I doubt it,” Joshua said and glaring at his three friends.

“Please tell me.” She finished her sandwich and put her stuff away.

Joshua just looked at Valondra and Antoinette said, “I think he’s in love with you.”

“Whatever, T,” Valondra said giving her a weird look. “I only ever had one guy in love with me, outside of Fox of course, and that was and is Nick.” She sat at the table.

“Um…Loni…” Joshua began, “she’s right.”

“Whoa!” Trace and Justin said in unison not believing he actually confessed after all this time. Valondra and Antoinette looked at him.

“You’re upset aren’t you?” Joshua asked.

“No,” Valondra said. “Of course not. I’m just…shocked.”

“You and me both,” Justin said.

“You’re in love with me,” Valondra repeated and Joshua nodded. “I had no idea.”

“You were too busy with Nick to even notice JC,” Antoinette said.

“I noticed him,” Valondra stated. “But not the way he noticed me. I’m flattered, JC. How long did you feel this way? Not too long I’m hoping.”

“Two and a half years,” Joshua replied as Valondra almost choked on her sandwich. “You ok?”

“I think so,” Valondra said coughing. “Two and a half years…wow.”

“Before you say anything else hear me out.”

“Ok…talk.”

“When I started liking you, you and Nick weren’t actually in love yet.” She nodded. “I started to think that maybe, just maybe, something would happen to break you up. That way I’d get a chance.”

“But it never happened.” She started to feel bad.

“No it didn’t, but I gave up the idea after seeing how in love you and Nick were and still are. I actually felt terrible when the whole thing with Bridgett happened. I thought that my wish came true two years later. I still feel terrible, because I want you and Nick to be together.”

“It’s not your fault, JC. I look at it as a test from God and that I left my jealous side get the best of me.” She took his hand. “It’s nobody’s fault, but my own. I don’t hate you; actually I find it flattering that two very hot men are in love with me…well three.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you told me and got it off your chest. I wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life knowing I don’t know how you feel.”

“You’re not upset or anything?”

“No, but be glad I’m not.” They smiled.

“I’m in love with you too, Lon,” Trace said, as Valondra looked at him.

“Oh really. For how long?”

“The past ten minutes.”

“That’s sweet.” She kissed his cheek.

“So am I,” Justin said playing along. “I love you, Loni. I’ve loved you for the past three years.”

“I’m touched.” She threw him a kiss across the table. “Five hot men in love with me. Sweet.” She smiled. “Come here, Justin.” Justin got up and went over to Valondra, sitting on her lap. “How do you like that, Toni? Your boyfriend is in love with me.”

“Oh well,” Antoinette said. “I’ll go find someone else.”

“Sure ya will. I’m sure you’d give up Justin that easily. I know I wouldn’t.”

“Eat your sandwich and shut up.”

“Can I kiss your boyfriend first?” They laughed and Antoinette threw a chip at her.