June 23, 1997
How exciting was this? My sixteenth birthday was in two days. I would finally be sixteen. The big 1-6. I finally get to drive legally [If only I could pass that stupid driver’s test. I mean do I really have to know what a crosswalk is?]. I had been waiting for this day since…forever. My mom was going all out. She was throwing me the biggest ‘Sweet Sixteen’ birthday bash my neighborhood had ever seen before.
And the best part of it, I finally get to see my man. Justin and the rest of the guys had promised that they were coming home for my birthday. That’s what I was really looking forward to. Having a slow dance, to our favorite song, with my boyfriend on my birthday, couldn‘t be more perfect. I haven’t seen Justin in months. We talk on the phone at least three times a week. But it’s not the same as holding him in my arms, or kissing his beautiful pink lips. Just thinking about it, causes shivers to run up and down my spine, and my heart to beat faster.
Oh, life was oh so sweet.
“Nikki, telephone!” I heard the sound of my mother’s voice, coming from downstairs.
“Coming!” I yelled back.
Turning off my radio, I practically ran down the stairs, trying not trip and break something on my face, that would cause me to cancel this party. I was expecting a call from Justin today. That had to be him.
As soon as I reached the kitchen, my mother handed me the phone. As she walked away, I heard her mumble something about me showing that kind of enthusiasm for cleaning my room. I just shook my head, and placed the phone to my ear. “Hello?” I said trying to hide the excitement in my voice, because I haven’t talked to Justin in two whole days.
“What’s wrong with you, Booger?” I heard the person say.
My face went from excited to sour when I heard my brother’s annoying voice on the other side of the phone.
“Oh, it’s just you.” I responded. And there goes my excitement.
I swear, I never knew anybody who could bring down a mood just by breathing. And I remembered that I had an annoying older brother, who spends his life trying to ruin mine.
“Who were you expecting?” He asked, before answering his own question. “Oh, you were expecting Curly? Well, sorry to shit on your hopes, but it’s just me. Your big brother. The one that has known you all of your life. The one who had to baby-sit your whining, cry-baby ass. The one who’s helped to change your nasty, stinky diapers…”
You see…
“What do you want, Chris?” I cut him off, angrily. He was, of course being his normal, irritating self. He knew how exactly to piss me off.
“What did I tell you about giving me the attitude?” He said.
I sighed heavily. “Ok, I’m hanging up now.” I said about to press the talk button on the phone.
“Ok,” I heard him say. “Look, I need to talk to you.” He waited a beat, before, “there have been some changes made.”
Changes?! “Good or bad changes?!” I asked nervously. What kind of changes could he possibly be talking about?
“Well, I’m sorry, Booger, but we won’t be able to make it to your party.”
OK, that was a bad change. “What?!” This couldn’t be happening. “What do you mean you won’t be able to make it to my party?”
“What, you don’t understand? You want me to say it to you in another language. We-o…can’t-o…make-o…it-o…to-o…your-o…party-o.”
I sighed heavily. This time, annoyed, very annoyed. I swear if this fool wasn’t on the other side of the world, I would kick his ass. “Chris, stop being a jerk. Why can’t you guys come? I was really looking forward to this. You guys promised.” And when things don‘t go your way….whine.
“No, you were actually looking forward to sucking face with Curly, but we’re not going to get into that right now. Because I’m your older brother and it’s disgusting.” -insert eye roll here- “It’s just too much to do in our schedule. And we can’t take the time off. Not right now, anyway.”
I groaned inward, feeling my heart sinking further into my chest. “This can not be happening.”
“I’m sorry, Booger.”
I sucked in a deep breath and composed myself. I needed to speak with my boyfriend. Here this from him. “Where is Justin?”
“He’s busy right now.”
“Oh.” Great, just…great.
“See! I knew that’s all you cared about.”
“Bite me, Chris!” I threatened him. This was not going the way I had planned. At all. “I can’t believe that you guys are going to miss my party.” Again, when things don‘t go your way….whine.
“Well, I’m sorry. But look, I can’t talk long. I only called to be the bearer of the bad news. But we hope you have fun. Happy Birthday, Booger.”
“Thanks.” I said in a babyish tone.
“Give mom the phone.” He told me.
I didn‘t even have it in me to retort back to my brother‘s attitude. “Yeah, ok.”
“Bye, Booger.”
I smacked my lips together, trying to hold back the tears. “Bye.” I reluctantly took the phone away from my ear. “MOM, phone!” I yelled and placed the phone down on the counter. I then stomped my way out of the kitchen and upstairs to my bed room.
That was just my luck.
Life sucked…
--
June 25, 1997
Today was the day of my party. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, right? WRONG! I was freaking miserable. I should have cancelled the party, but I already gave out the invitations, and people were on their way. I still really didn’t want to go through with it, because the one thing that I wanted for my birthday, I couldn’t have. So, I just want to sit here, in my room, and stare out my window until I see Justin walking up my driveway.
How pathetic am I?
“What is the birthday girl doing sitting up here?” I heard a voice behind me.
I turned my head around, and saw my sister, Molly, as she stood leaned up against the frame of my bedroom door. “Oh, hey, Molly.” I said despondently.
She walked over to my bed, and sat down on it. “Nik, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.” I said distantly, tearing my attention away from her and began to stare out the window again.
“Come on, tell me.” She reached out and rubbed my shoulder. “Does this have anything to do with Justin and the guys not being able to make it to your party?” I said nothing, but that was word enough. “Nikki, I know that you are disappointed, but mom went through a lot of trouble to give you your perfect sweet sixteen birthday party.”
I turned back to look at my sister. “But it’s not perfect, Molly. I want him to be here, but he’s not.” I whined. “That’s the only thing I wanted for my birthday.” I looked down at my hands that were placed in my lap.
Again, she reached over to push a few of the loose waves of my hair behind my shoulder. “I know, Nik, but what can you do? It just wasn‘t meant to be.”
You’re not helping, Molly.
I let out an exasperated sigh, and turned my attention back out of the window. “I know.”
I then heard Molly let out a mournful sigh. “Look, like I said, mom went through a lot to give you this party. So, please try not to be a spoiled brat, and come downstairs. Your guests are starting to arrive.” She gave my shoulder a squeeze one last time, before she stood up from my bed. “It’s going to get better, Nikki. I promise.” She said before proceeding to leave my room.
Yeah, promises hadn’t quite been on my side, as of late.
Still looking out of my window, another sigh fell from my lips. Molly was right. My mom did go through a lot of trouble to throw me this party. And I really didn’t want to seem ungrateful.
Standing up from my spot, I straightened my hot pink outfit and hair, and walked out of my room.
--
The party itself wasn’t all that bad. For the most part, I was actually having a really good time. I was still a little bummed at the fact that I wouldn’t be spending my sixteenth birthday with my boyfriend. But I had to do what I had to do.
“So, where is this boyfriend of yours, Nikki?” Ashlee Jenks, one of my good friends and teammate asked, we stood in the middle of the dance floor, dancing to This Is How We Do It by Montel Jordan.
Of course she had to go and bring him up.
“Uh,” I cleared my throat, “he and my brother couldn’t make it. They are still touring overseas.”
“That is so awesome.” Tanya Harding, my school’s head cheerleader and another good friend, squealed squeezing my shoulders. “I wish I had boyfriend who was in a band. But no, I’m stuck with Brad freaking Tinsley. Who won‘t even dance with me at a birthday party.”
I playfully rolled my eyes, looking over at Brad, who was standing off in the corner with all the other too cool to dance guys.
Yeah it was great. Having a boyfriend for half the year and not knowing where he is or what he’s doing the other half…that’s…that’s fantastic.
The party had been going on for a few hours, before it had been time for me to cut my cake, and open my gifts. I guess they were next best thing to Justin. I know. I know. I should just stop thinking about it. But I couldn’t help it. It was all I could think about. I just really missed him.
But of course in traditional birthday fashion, it was time to sing Happy Birthday.
“Ok, everyone, it’s now time to sing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl.” My mom, grabbed a mic and announced telling the DJ to turn off the music. Everyone simmered down, and got quiet. “Nikki, come over here.” She called out to me, and I walked over to her.
Since my party was held outside, in our huge backyard, my mom had set up a table, that was decorated with streamers and Happy Birthday banners, in all my favorite colors. And most importantly, the top of the table was decorated with all my birthday presents.
My mom had me stand behind the table as she prepared to give her speech. Please Lord, don’t let her embarrass me. Just don’t let her embarrass me…
That would be the icing on a fantastic birthday.
“Nicole, sweetheart,” my mom began, speaking into the mic again, “this is a very special day for you. I just can’t believe that you are finally sixteen.” I saw that her dark eyes were rimmed with tears. “It only felt like yesterday, when the doctor placed you in my arms, and you looked up at me with those big brown eyes.”
Oh, crap! She started bringing up the baby stuff. That was really never a good way to go. She was really trying to embarrass me in front of all of my friends.
I looked over and saw Molly give mom a look. She immediately realized what she was doing and stopped. Thank God, for my sister. She was a lifesaver.
“Anyway,” she dabbed the corner of her eyes with a napkin to catch her tears before they fell, “you know I love you, and Happy Birthday, sweetie. So let’s sing.” She looked to my guests before she began the count down. “One…two…three…”
The room fell silent.
What the hell? I thought they were supposed be singing to me now. What, they can’t remember the words to Happy Birthday?
All of a sudden, not even a second later, I heard a harmonized version of Happy Birthday. I had no idea where it was coming from. My eyes had then begun their search around for the faces that matched the voices. I looked to my mom, and she just shrugged her shoulders. I then looked over to Molly, and she did the same thing, before giving me a sly smirk. What is going on here?
“Oh my GOD!” I shrieked when I finally recognized the five guys making their way outside to my backyard. They were carrying my red and white birthday cake and singing me Happy Birthday. I couldn’t believe it. They were here. They were really here. They made it to my birthday.
There was no way to describe how I was feeling now.
Looking back over at my mother, she had the most excited look on her face.
My eyes then turned their attention back to the guys as they continued to sing Happy Birthday. They finally reached me and then placed the cake on the empty spot on the table.
Justin separated himself from the group, and walked around the table, over to me. My heart raced a hundred miles a minute when he grabbed my hand, kissed it, and sang his solo part to me. I loved listening to him sing. I could have died right then and there.
I could hear all of the girls coo at the scene. I knew that they were so jealous right now. So jealous.
As soon as they finished singing, everyone clapped and cheered.
Justin let my hand go, and embraced me in a tight hug. “Happy Birthday, baby girl.” He whispered in my ear, and then placed a kiss on my cheek.
I never felt this happy ever in my life before.
--
“So, were you surprised?” Justin asked me as we slow danced to Dru Hill’s Never Make a Promise. My arms around secured around his neck, and his hands gripped my hips.
I smiled wide at him. “Surprised, I think shocked is more appropriate.” He then smiled back at me, kissing me. My heart just fluttered. “I thought you guys couldn’t make it. Chris called to tell me.”
“Yeah, well, that was part of the plan.” He shrugged, smirking.
Huh?! “Plan? What plan?” What were those boys up to?
“To surprise you, girl. We didn’t want you to know that we were coming. We have a few days off, thanks to my mom.” He explained, smiling, before planting another kiss on my neck. I gave a little squeal.
Those sneaky little bastards. How could they make me feel miserable like that? “So, your plan was to make me feel depressed at my own party?”
“Uh…basically.” He said sarcastically. And in a reaction, I stopped dancing, and playfully punched him in his left upper arm. “Ouch! You weren’t going to be miserable for long. Are you miserable now?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“You’ve got a mean right jab, girl.” He said, still rubbing the sore spot on his arm.
See, they all needed to know that I was not the one to be picked with.
“So, I’ve been told.” I feigned innocence. He just rolled his gorgeous crystal eyes at me.
I finally got to get a full look at my boyfriend, and I quickly realized that he looked a little different. “Uh, this is completely off the subject, but what’s up the hair?” I asked about his newly died bleached blonde ‘do.
He chuckled lightly, before rubbing his hand through his blonde curls. “Something new I’m trying. You like it?”
Like it? I love it. Damn, my man is so sexy.
“I love it, Justin.” I said before leaning forward, wrapping my arms around his neck again.
He just wrapped his strong arms around my waist, and hugged me back. God, I missed this. I laid my head on his chest, inhaling his scent. Damn, he smelled so good too.
“I missed you, Nikki.” He said placing a kiss on top of my head.
“I missed you too, Justin.” I said continuing to keep my head on his chest.
“Oh, before I forget.” Justin begun, as I lifted my head up. “I want to give you your birthday present.” He unwrapped his arms from my waist.
I sighed. “Justin, you didn’t have to get me anything. You being here is gift enough.” I told him. And that’s the truth. Him being here was the only gift, I wanted.
He looked into my eyes. “Well, I still wanted to get you something.” He said reaching into his back pocket and pulled out a rectangular shaped box, that was wrapped in pink birthday wrapping paper. He then handed it over to me. I reluctantly took the box from his hands, and questioned him with my eyes. “Open it.”
OK. I looked at Justin, then back down at the gift. I anxiously tore the wrapping off, and opened up the blue, velvet box. My eyes almost fell out of my head, as my heart completely melted. I had never in my life gotten such a beautiful gift before. “Oh, my God, Justin.” I looked back up at him, and he had the cheesiest grin on his face.
“You like it?” He asked me.
Of course. “I love it, Justin.” I picked up the gold heart shaped pendent necklace.
“Here.” He took the necklace from my grip, and turned me around. I heard him unclasp the necklace, before placing it around my neck. I lifted my hair out of the way, so he can clasp it back together. I let my hair fall back into place as I turned back around. “You look beautiful.” He smiled, removing a piece of my hair, that had fallen to my face, out of the way. He then leaned forward, and placed a sweet and gentle kiss upon my lips. Did I happened to mention that I missed those perfect lips?
“Ok, enough with all this kissy-face crap.” Justin and I broke the kiss, turning to my brother. “Let’s get this party started for real.” He said signaling the DJ and the music changed over to Hypnotized by the infamous Notorious B.I.G.
This was the best birthday party I’ve ever had.
Happy Sweet Sixteenth to me.
--
Two Days Later…
Taking in a deep breath, I flipped through another page of the magazine that I was currently reading. Kelly, Joey’s girlfriend, sat in front of me, also flipping. She was sitting on the edge of my bed, flipping through the channels on my television, trying to find something good to watch.
“I swear, all of these channels, and nothing to watch.” She exasperated, settling on MTV, tossing the remote beside her.
Ignoring her comment, I let out another huge sigh, noisily flipping another page of my magazine.
“Ok, what’s wrong?” She asked, turning around to look at me.
I looked up in her mocha-colored eyes. “What makes you think that something is wrong?”
She shrugged her shoulders and peered her eyes toward me. “I don’t know…maybe because that’s your sixth sigh in a span of,” she looked down at her watch, “three minutes.”
OK, maybe there was something on my mind.
I closed and tossed the magazine to the side. I pulled myself toward Kelly, sitting Indian style. “Ok, maybe there is something.”
“What?” She looked over at me.
“I have to ask you something important. But you have to promise me not to freak out.”
“Ok,” she said placing her hands in her laps.
I know she was going to freak out. Just watch.
“Ok,” I cleared my throat. “When did you,” I had begun, taking another deep breath, “when did you know that you were…ready?”
“Ready for what?” She asked looking at me very confused.
“You know?” I gave her a look like she should have known what I was talking about.
She shrugged her shoulders. “Nikki, I have absolutely know idea…Oh my God.” I watched her chocolate eyes light up, as she finally caught on to what I was asking. “Nikki, are you thinking about,” she stopped and looked around my room, making sure the coast was clear, “having sex?” She whispered.
I chuckled nodding my head, because there was no one in the house besides the two of us. “Maybe. I just want to know when you and Joey were ready.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Joey and I are waiting to get married to have sex.” She flat out lied to me.
“Liar.” I scolded her. “As I recall, I caught you and Joey two Christmas’s ago in a hall clos…”
She cut me off. “Ok, Nikki.” She sighed, and fully turned herself toward me. “The truth is that Joey and I waited ‘til we were in love.” She grabbed a pillow from beside, and hugged it close to her body. Again, she peered her eyes toward me. “Nikki, is Justin pressuring you…”
I cut her off shaking my head profusely. “God, no! Justin would never do anything like that. I haven’t even talked to him about this. Actually, you’re the first person I’ve ever told that I was thinking about doing it.” I answered honestly.
Kelly sighed heavily. “Nikki, I’m going to be very honest with you. Sex is very tricky. Sex changes people. I know that you might feel and think that you’re ready, but take it from somebody who’s been there, once you have sex, that’s it. You can’t take it back. I don’t want you four, five years down the line, regretting your decision.”
I nodded, understanding where she was coming from. “Yeah, I was just…I had been thinking about this for a long time. Most of the girls at my school aren’t virgins, and I just…”
Kelly cut me off. “Oh, Nikki, don’t be a follower.” She scolded me, and I just sighed heavily.
“Never mind.” I said, reaching over and picking up my magazine, but she hastily grabbed it from my grasp and sat it next to her.
“Nikki, I know what it feels like to be pressured into doing something you’re not ready for…” I was about to protest, but she cut me off, “and I didn’t say that Justin is pressuring you. I’m just saying that I was sixteen once to, you know? And now that I look back on it, I do think that maybe I should have waited a little longer. Or at least until I was mature enough to handle what comes after.”
“But don’t you love Joey?”
“Of course I do. I love Joey with all of my heart. I could never imagine my life without him. But it’s hard, Nikki. Once you give yourself to a man, you give yourself. All of yourself. Your body, your mind, your heart, your…soul. Everything, Nikki. And I know that you are in love with Justin, but maybe you should think about this a little further before jumping into rash decisions.”
I sighed heavily, letting everything that Kelly said, sink in. “Ok.”
She reached over and patted me on my knee. “I know that I’m not your sister, but as your friend, I’m here. For whatever you decide to do.”
I gave Kelly a small smile. “Thanks, Kel.”
“No, problem.” She smirked, before looking down at her watch. “So, you wanna see what the boys are up to? Because I am so bored.” She dramatically breathed, falling forward onto my bed.
Yep, her and Joey belonged together. Two weirdos in love. I could practically see a slow, very dramatic montage of their entire relationship, set to Jewel music in my head.
“Get up, loser.” I gently patted her head. “Let’s go.”
She snapped up quickly. “Oh, thank God.”
And then I eyed her suspiciously. “Should I be offended that you’re so quick to get away from me?”
She shook her head. “It’s not you. It’s the boredom.” Again, very dramatic Kelly.
She and Joey will be very happy together.
Within fifteen minutes Kelly and I arrived at the Nsync house. We searched every where for them. They weren’t rehearsing. They weren’t playing video games. But as soon as we got to the backyard, we found them outside, playing a game of three on three. It was Lance, Joey and Chris versus Justin, JC, and Trace.
Ugh, I couldn’t believe that he was here. I know that he’s Justin best friend since the womb, but seriously? Why was he here?
Yeah, as you can tell I don’t like Mr. Trace dick face Ayala. And the feeling is pretty much mutual. I actually tried to like him, when we first met, but he proved how much of a jerk he is, by being a disgusting, boyfriend stealing, hog.
I never thought there would be anyone that I despised more than my brother. Then Trace’s mom’s doctor announced it was a boy.
My attention was then swayed, as I watched Justin shoot a jump shot and the ball swooshed into the net. I loved watching him play basketball, as much as I loved watching him run around in a tank top and baby blue basketball shorts.
I swallowed hard, trying to get the image of a sweaty Justin out of my head.
And speaking of sweaty…
I hadn’t realized that someone had broken away from the game, running up to me, and bombarding me into a hug.
“Nikki!” The sound of JC’s high pitched squeal rang through my ears.
“Ugh, Jace, you’re all sweaty.” I whined, trying to break away from his bear hug. For a skinny guy, he was strong as hell.
And then he looked back at me. “Then I’ve accomplished what I wanted.” He cheesed hard, and I couldn’t help, but giggle at him.
“Ok, well can you let me go now?” I patted his damp arm. Ugh…
He shook his head fervently. “Nope.” He reached down -with an arm around my waist- and grabbed my ankles.
I squealed loudly, as I was lifted up into the air, and over JC’s shoulder.
“JC, put me down!” I screeched, flailing about.
“Nope.” He repeated, before running around the entire court. “My prize, ladies and gentlemen!” He screamed, still running with me in tow. “This is what a real champion looks like.”
“Joshua Scott Chasez, if you don’t put me down right now, I’m gonna…”
“You’re gonna do what?” Or course I couldn’t finish my threat, when he cut me off, stopping in his tracks.
“I’m gonna…” I tried to think of something that I could do him. Something seriously painful. “I’m gonna kick you in the balls.” I threatened.
“Ha!” He chuckled. “You, my dear, have been incapacitated, and your feet barely reach by stomach.”
Damn! He was right. Damn this stupid short gene.
The next thing we heard was the sound of someone clearing their throat.
“JC, I think you may have been mistaken, because I believe that is my prize.”
I knew that voice better than anyone. And could we stop calling me a prize here? I am a person with feelings.
“Justin?” I struggled to turn, but JC still had a death grip around my waist.
I then saw a pair of white Jordan’s approaching me. I looked up, through a mess of my hair (I would choose to let my unruly curls run lose today), and saw those baby blue basketball shorts and that tank top. He had the orange basketball tucked under his right arm and that half grin plastered on his face.
“A little help here?” I begged my boyfriend, as I, again, tried to wiggle free. But JC wouldn’t budge.
Justin slowly approached me, and I then I felt his strong hands push my hair out of my face. Finally, clarity. And instead of helping, like I asked, he just planted a kiss onto my lips. I mean, not that I’m complaining or anything, but I was still stuck in a death grip over here.
“I don’t know,” he shrugged, “I think I like you this way.”
Really???
Ok, since my boyfriend was being no help, I was gonna have to resort to something worse than threats.
Far worse…
I was going to…beg.
“JC,” I whined, “please put me down.” I weakly used my fist to hit his back. “Please, please, please…”
Both Justin and JC broke out into laughter, before JC sighed heavily. “Fine, ya big baby.” He pulled me down, and I landed in his arms bridal style.
That caught me off guard. I totally expected him to put down on my feet. Not that way. Man, JC’s strong. I mean, really strong.
I looked at JC, before he turned around. “She’s all yours.” He smiled, before passing me off to Justin’s arms.
So, was I a basketball now?
“Hi.” He smiled, once I was settled in his arms.
And now being passed off as a basketball had become irrelevant. “Hi.”
He finally settled me back to my feet, before wrapping his arms around my waist. I did the same to his neck. He leaned down, and as soon as our lips touched, a chorus of groans broke out. But we just ignored the childish guys and Kelly.
“Get a room.” Lance’s deep voice practically bounced of the back board.
“Hey, Curly, I thought we had this talk about you keeping your hands off the little sister when the great one was present.” And at the sound of my brother’s voice, Justin deepened our kiss.
“Really? J, we’re supposed to playing a game here. Not to suck face with the nag.” Trace spat out, before he let out an, “oww. What the hell was that for?”
“That’s for calling my sister a nag, dick.” I knew my brother was good for something. “The only person who can call her names around here is me.” And now I take that back. Why did he have to go and ruin our bonding moment?
Reluctantly, I pulled away from Justin and looked over at Trace. I gave Justin one last peck before I made my way over to douche bag senior and douche bag junior.
“You’re in trouble now.” Both Chris and Trace told each other.
I walked up to Trace, who now had the ball in his hand, and snatched it from his grip. “Fine, you wanna play? Let’s play.”
Trace broke out into a mocking laughter. “Really? You want to play with us? Why don’t you go and join Kelly over there on the sidelines, sweet heart?” He snatched the ball back from me. “We could always you an extra cheerleader.”
“Don’t bring me in this!” I heard Kelly scream, from her spot on Joey’s lap.
I gave Trace a small smirk, before retaining the ball once again, from his tiny, little fingers. I turned to Justin, who just smirked and nodded his head. I looked at Trace one last time, before shooting a jump shot and watching the orange ball sink right into the net, with precision.
“Oooooh.” All the guys, except Trace, echoed loudly.
“She schooled you, baby.” JC teased in Trace’s face, before running away laughing. But not before slapping me a high five, once he passed by.
I looked at Trace, and he looked flabbergasted. Showed him right for a chauvinistic pig.
“What you gotta say now?” Taunting was always fun with the other person who so deserved it.
A pair of strong arms wrap themselves around my shoulders. “I told you, Trace. My girl is good.” Justin kissed me on the cheek.
Trace said nothing and just walked away. As the guys continued to laugh and mock him, he just threw up his middle finger, before slamming the glass door.
“You and Trace are going to be the death of each other.” Justin chuckled, once I turned in his arms.
“He started it. He was being a pig.” And he was. Trace is just a short, retarded, piece of turd.
Justin kissed me again.
And again.
And again.
“Good God, not this again.” Chris screeched, before walking up to us and gagging loudly.
And out of reaction, I turned and jumped onto my brother’s back. Since he wasn’t expecting it, I was able to get him in a choke hold. I had two fingers, pulling his nostrils upward and the other hand was pulling hard on handful of his newly growing dreads.
He screamed out in pain, trying to get free. Justin, and the guys doubled over with laughter.
“Let me go, Booger.” Chris screamed, again, like the little girl he is. Now he knows that not a way to get what he wants. Insulting his attacker like that.
I tugged harder and, again, he screamed. “Say Uncle!”
“Never.” He screeched.
JC and Justin were pretty much rolling on the basketball court, dying of laughter.
“I said say Uncle!” I tugged even harder.
“Uncle!” He screamed. I knew he would see it my way. “Uncle! I said Uncle!”
“Now, I want you to never call me Booger again.” I’ve hated that name since I was two, and I never wanted to hear it again.
“You’re kidding me?” He snorted, and I tugged harder. “Ahhhhh…ok, ok.”
“Say it.” I tugged once more. “Say I will never call you Booger again.” I demanded. He said nothing. I tugged harder. “Say it.”
“Ok, fine! I will never call you Booger again.” He yelled to the high Heavens.
And I let go, jumping down from his back, and punched his arm for good measure. “Now was that so hard?”
If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now.
--
Later that evening, Justin and I found ourselves sprawled out on a blanket on the empty basketball court. The night sky was filled with tiny stars, the sound of crickets chirped the air, and a warm summer night’s breeze brushed across our skin.
After another game of ball, the guys had squeezed in a quick two hour rehearsal. Kelly cooked dinner [I’m not much of a cook. I literally burn water.]. And after dinner, the guys ended up watching a couple of guy movies, before challenging each other to a game of NFL Madden. Justin played one game and quit. He then grabbed a blanket and brought me outside.
And so, we had been laying here quietly for the past ten minutes. My head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, and his arm wrapped around my waist.
I so could get used to this.
“What are you thinking about?” His question brought me out of my thoughts.
“You.” I answered honestly. “And how perfect this is.”
He sighed heavily. “I know. I was thinking the same thing. It just sucks that I leave day after tomorrow. I wish we could stay like this forever.”
I didn’t really want to think about him leaving right now. “Yeah, sucks being an understatement.” I felt his body shake with a small chuckle. “We should make the best of the time that we have now.”
He looked down at me. “Doing what?”
I bit my lip, taking in a deep breath, calming my nerves. I quickly sat up and straddled his lap. I leaned forward and pulled him into a kiss. I guess I caught him off guard, because his lips fumbled and awkwardly bumped against mine. But he immediately found his rhythm. As his tongue sweetly caressed mine, he sat up, and wrapped his arms around my waist. His thick, calloused fingers ran underneath my shirt, trailing up my spine.
I shivered.
I couldn’t believe that this was happening. I knew I was ready for this. Justin meant the world to me. And I love him so much. I couldn’t picture this happening with anyone else.
He groaned when my fingers pulled at the blonde curls on the nape of his neck. I sucked in a deep breath at the feeling of him down there. The basketball shorts were definitely giving much away.
Ok, so may be I’m a little nervous now.
But he was the one to pull away first. We sat there, looking at each other, trying to catch our breaths. His large hands, reached up, and brushed my hair out of my face.
“Are you sure?” He whispered softly.
I swallowed down the fear and nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”
He cupped my face and pulled me forward to resume our kissing. Before I knew it, his lips were making a slow descend down my neck, nipping at places. I moaned softly once his lips connected to he sensitive flesh behind my ear. My itching fingers reached down and grabbed the hem of his tank top. But as I went to pull it off of him, he once again pulled away.
“Wait,” he said breathlessly, “stop. This isn’t right.”
I looked him in his eyes, trying read them. I thought he wanted to also. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks.
The pang of rejection sat in the pit of my stomach. And let me tell you that hurts like a mother…
“No. No.” He must’ve read the fear in my eyes. “It’s not that I don’t want to. Believe me, I do.” The way he said that, caused me to smile. “But not like this.” He gestured to the area around us. “Our first time has to be special. You know, candles,” he kissed me, “slow music,” another kiss, “just the two of us,” another kiss, “and maybe a few rose petals.” He placed one last kiss on my lips that lingered a bit. “Not on a concrete ground, with mosquitoes and your brother about twenty feet away.” He pointed behind him to the house where we could hear laughter.
Crap, I had forgotten about the creep. Even when he’s not around, he was a major cock block. But Justin was right. It shouldn’t happen like this. And besides the whole location and unwanted people, we weren’t fully prepared.
“I do, though,” he reached up and ran his fingers through my curls, “want to spend my last night with you. So, how about I come over. I supply the pizza and you supply the movie. And nothing too girly.”
I raised an eyebrow in his direction. “Does it look like I watch girly movies?”
He smiled wide. “Shit, I almost forgot who I was talking to.”
“Haha.” I mocked, before playfully slapping him in his arm. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He pulled into another kiss.
“Yo,” Justin and I broke to see Joey standing at the back door, “you guys need to get in here now. Lance is totally kicking Trace’s ass in this game. And you know how much Lance sucks at video games. It looks like Trace is about to cry.”
I quickly hopped off of Justin’s lap. “I’ve so got to see this.” I ran up to the back door.
“Don’t worry I won’t tell Chris about the little situation that walked in on.” Joey teased.
“Shut up.” I shoved him into the door, before breezing past him.
“Yo, you coming?” I heard him ask Justin.
“Yeah, just give me a minute.” I heard him yell back.
I giggled to myself, knowing why Justin needed to take a minute, before heading off into the game room.
Chapter End Notes:
-Alright. Next chapter down. So, sorry for the late update.
-So, it was Nikki's 16th birthday. The guys decided to surprise her and flew across the world to serenade her.
-Again, I love writing the dynamic between Nikki and Chris. They are funny together. And Nikki has another enemy in Justin's hometown best friend, Trace. I wonder how they're going to continue to interact with each other. Since their dislike for each other is mutual.
-And uh-oh, Nikki is ready to take that next step. Is it wise? Hmm, I guess you'll have to wait and see.
-Thanks so much for the reviews. I appreciate each and every one of them. You guys are great.
-Nikki's birthday necklace http://www.shoplindasstuff.com/pics/2011-01-14/445.JPG
LOTS OF LOVE,
-Rina
Incomplete
jrtsnubianboricuaqueen is the author of 8 other stories.
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