*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

“Did you hear anything from Loni yet?” Kevin asked when he and Alyssa got back home that night.

“Yeah,” Storm said. “Nick’s fine and they should soon be home.”

“So it wasn’t serious then,” Alyssa said.

“He was lucky,” Storm said. “His truck is totaled though.”

“What happened?” Kevin asked.

“Lon didn’t say,” Antoinette said.

“At least he’s alright,” Kevin said.

“Yeah,” the girls agreed as the door opened.

“Hey, guys,” Howard said as he and Lillie walked in. “Did you hear about Nicky?”

“Yeah,” Kevin said. “He’s fine though.”

“We just heard it on the radio,” Lillie stated.

“It’ll be all over the world tomorrow,” Kevin said. “Nickolas will be getting tons of get well cards.”

“But only Lon can make him feel better,” Antoinette said smiling.

“How do you think it’ll affect the tour?” Storm asked.

“Don’t know,” Kevin said. “If we have to we’ll finish it with out him. No biggy.”

“Nick’s fans might be disappointed but there’ll be nothing we can do,” Howard said picking something up off the coffee table. “What are these?”

“They look like bugs,” Storm said.

“So they weren’t lying,” Lillie said. “That’s a first.”

“Who?” Antoinette asked. “Bridgett and Farah,” Kevin replied. “They crashed the Halloween party last night.”

“Damn it,” Antoinette said. “I miss all the good stuff.”

“What’d Lon do?” Storm asked.

“Almost killed Bridgett,” Alyssa replied.

“Cool,” Antoinette said. “But at least she didn’t.”

“She knew it wouldn’t be worth it,” Kevin said.

“There’s lasagna in the kitchen if you’re hungry,” Storm said. “Lon said we could have it.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Lillie said sitting in a chair.

“Ok,” Antoinette said as there was a knock.

“Now who?” Alyssa asked walking to the door. She opened it and saw four young girls. “May I help you?”

“I’m Nikita,” the young African-American said. “These are my friends; Kayla, Sunny, and Venus. We’re looking for Valondra Summers.”

“She’s not here.”

“Well, we heard about Nick and we wanted to see if she’s ok,” Sunny said.

“She’s at the hospital with him. You may come in.”

“We don’t want to intrude,” Kayla said.

“Not at all. Please come in.” She stepped aside and the four girls walked in. “They should be home anytime.”

“Was he hurt badly?” Venus asked.

“No.” Alyssa looked at her friends. “Guys this is Nikita, Venus, Sunny, and Kayla.”

“Hi,” they all said in unison.

“Girls, that’s Storm, Toni, Lillie, and you most likely know Kevin and Howie,” Alyssa said.

“Yeah,” Venus said smiling.

“Howie,” Sunny began, “I just want you to know you and I have the same last name.”

“Really,” Howard said interested. “Maybe we’re related.”

“No; I already checked it out,” Sunny said.

“Bummer,” Howard said and they laughed as the door opened.

“Baby, no arguing with your dad,” Valondra said helping Nickolas inside.

“I’m perfectly fine,” Nickolas said.

“You can hardly move,” Bobbie said.

“I just need, Loni,” Nickolas stated looking at his fiancée. Valondra just shook her head.

“Clear a spot on the couch ladies,” Valondra ordered.

“Right,” Storm said as she and Antoinette got up as Valondra led Nickolas to the sofa.

“How are ya feeling?” Kevin asked.

“Alright,” Nickolas said sitting down.

“Get your feet up,” Robert said. “You heard what the doctor said.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Nickolas said as Robert put Nickolas’ feet up on the coffee table. “I’m not a child.”

“But you’re acting like one,” Bobbie said.

“Whatever,” Nickolas said making Valondra sit beside him.

“Oh, hello,” Valondra said noticing the four extra girls in her parlor.

“Hi,” they said and Nikita added, “I’m Nikita Levinson.”

“Sunny Dorough,” Sunny said.

“Venus Hiller,” Venus said.

“And I’m Kayla Robertson-Peete,” Kayla stated.

“Hi,” Nickolas said.

“They came by, because they heard what happened to Nickolas,” Alyssa said. “And they wanted to see if Lon was alright.”

“Oh,” Nickolas said.

“I’m fine,” Valondra said. “Thanks.”

“They worry about the ones who aren’t injured,” Nickolas stated.

“Quit being a baby, Baby,” Valondra said. “I’m worried about you.” She smiled.

“We were worried about you too, Nick,” Kayla said. “We’re glad you’re ok.”

“Thanks,” Nickolas said. “I’ll be fine.”

“We hope so,” Venus said.

“I will be. Don’t worry.”

“Would you girls like a drink?” Valondra asked.

“We don’t want to impose,” Venus replied.

“Not at all,” everyone said.

“Lil, show them to the kitchen,” Alyssa said.

“Follow me,” Lillie said as she took the girls to the kitchen.

“What ya got there, D?” Nickolas asked.

“Bridgett and Farah’s handy work,” Antoinette said.

“We found them in every room,” Storm said. “First in the kitchen so we decided to check the other rooms.”

“Oh,” Valondra said.

“Just imagine all they heard,” Nickolas said and smiling at Valondra.

“Don’t even,” Valondra said. “We got company.”

“I’ll get rid of them,” Alyssa said picking the bugs up and going outside.

“I’m sorry,” Nickolas said.

“For what?” Valondra asked.

“Putting you through this with Bridgett.”

“You didn’t do anything.”

“I went out with her.”

“A long time ago. Forget about it…forget about her.”

“She’s making it hard. Especially by doing this to you.”

“I’m not worried about her. So neither should you. I ain’t going anywhere.” The girls walked from the kitchen.

“Neither am I.” He gave her a kiss.

“So what happened, Nickolas?” Kevin questioned. “Speeding?”

“No,” Nickolas rebutted. “I swerved to miss hitting a little girl.”

“He’s worried over his truck being totaled,” Valondra pointed out. “He ain’t worried about how I felt hearing he was in an accident.”

“Ok, how did you feel?” Nickolas asked.

“Scared. I didn’t know what to think.”

“I’m fine. Besides this headache and my back being out of whack.”

“Don’t forget your cracked ribs,” Bobbie reminded him.

“I can’t if you keep reminding me every five minutes.”

“So sue me.”

“It was either hit the little girl or risk hurting myself. I chose the latter of course, because I thought it was the right thing to do. I saved a life, but could’ve lost mine.”

“Ugh!” Valondra said disgusted.

“What?”

“I asked you repeatedly not to talk like that.”

“Sorry.” He put his arm around her.

“You know how I feel about it.”

“I won’t let it happen again. I promise.”

“You’re so sweet,” Venus said smiling.

“Yes he is,” Valondra agreed.

“You’re such a lucky girl,” Nikita stated.

“No, I’m the lucky one,” Nickolas said.

“Now he’s just making himself look good,” Howard smirked.

“Yo, D, stop lying,” Nickolas said as they all laughed. “Oh!”

“Are you ok?” Storm asked.

“Yeah,” Nickolas replied as the door opened. “It just hurts when I laugh.”

“Hey, ladies,” Alexander said walking in with Charisma.

“Hey,” they all said.

“Nick, are you ok?” Charisma asked.

“I’m fine,” Nickolas replied. “Don’t worry about it.”

“And who might you ladies be?” Alexander asked.

“Nikita, Sunny, Venus, and Kayla,” Nikita replied.

“Nice meeting you,” Alexander said.

“You too,” Sunny said.

“Excuse me,” Charisma said walking away.

“That’s Charisma,” Alyssa said.

“Have a seat,” Valondra said.

“AJ, can I get a picture?” Venus asked.

“It’s been her dream since the first time she saw ya,” Kayla pointed out.

“Sure thing,” Alexander said as Howard walked to the kitchen.

“Thank you,” Venus said.

“Nicky, I’m going to go to the kitchen,” Valondra said. “Do you want anything?”

“Some grub would be nice,” Nickolas said.

“What would you like?”

“Some of your awesome lasagna.”

“Ok.” He gave her a kiss before she got up and he watched her walk to the kitchen. She looked at Nickolas as Storm sat beside him. He looked at her and smiled then she went into the kitchen. She went to walk over to the refrigerator, but stopped and looked at what she saw. “What…who…oh my…” She just watched as Charisma and Howard came out of their kiss and look at her.

“Lon,” they said surprised.

“She was right? What in the frickin’ hell are you guys thinking?” They just looked at her. “Out of everything that happened today why did this have to happen? I can’t believe you guys would do this.” She walked to the refrigerator. “I thought…I don’t remember what I thought.” She got the pan of lasagna and looked at them. “You better tell Alex and Lil.”

“Why?” Charisma asked.

“Because they have to know.” She put some lasagna on a plate and put it in the microwave. “If you don’t tell them I will.”

“No!” they said simultaneously.

“And why not? If you don’t someone has to.”

“You can’t, Lon,” Charisma said.

“I am not living with what I just saw between you two.”

“You don’t have to,” Alexander said standing at the doorway and they all looked to see him and Lillie. “I can’t believe what we just heard.”

“Alex, I just…”

“I know, Lon. Don’t apologize.” He looked at Howard. “You’re supposed to be my best friend.”

“I am,” Howard said.

“Bullshit. If you were you wouldn’t have touched my girl.”

“Alex, please,” Charisma pleaded.

“Don’t, Charisma. When you told me you were in love with two other guys I didn’t think my best friend would be one of them. Boy was I wrong. Who’s the other? Is it Nick?” She just looked at him as Valondra looked at her. “Damn it, it is.”

“No,” Valondra said. “He is mine.” They just looked at her. “My best friend is in love with my fiancée. That’s just great.”

“Howie, why?” Lillie wanted to know. “I asked you personally if it was true and you said no. Why did you lie to me?”

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” Howard said.

“But you hurt me more this way. I trusted you and you lied to me. I hate you both.” She ran upstairs and they heard her door slam shut.

“I didn’t think my day could get any shittier,” Valondra said as the microwave beeped. “I’m just worrying about Nick right now.” She got a glass of milk and took the food from the microwave. “This is your problem and I’m staying out of it.” She walked from the kitchen and five seconds later walked back in. “I forgot a fork and the rolls. Nicky hates eating lasagna without his rolls.” She got them off the counter and walked back out.

“Alex, please listen…” Charisma began.

“I have nothing to say to either of you right now,” Alexander said opening the back door. “Don’t even…” He didn’t finish as he went out and slammed the door shut.

“Excuse me,” Charisma said and running upstairs. Howard heard her door slam shut and then went out the back door slamming it shut.

The others sat in the parlor, looking at one another, then Kevin asked, “Is everything alright in there, Lon?”

“Huh?” Valondra asked. “Just peachy.” She smiled then whispered in Nickolas’ ear.

“Really?” Nickolas asked.

“Yeah.”

“Wow!” Valondra nodded as the others looked at them.