A Changed Life Read online

I have to go Bailey, Simon is waiting for me.” I took a moment to steady my breathing, listening to Bailey’s revelations were not easy. I checked my make-up and left to find Simon.

  As I made my way back into the great room, I was blocked by Michael. Goosebumps lined my skin as I looked up into his eyes.

  “Happy Birthday, Nicolette.” He reached for my hand, but I quickly pulled it away. I tried to step aside, but there he stood preventing me from moving …AGAIN! Panic set in, I was looking around for Simon, why wasn’t he here?

  “Nicolette it’s ok... I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Michael, the last time you said that to me, I ended up with a sprained wrist. Please let me pass.”

  “I don’t want any trouble, Nicolette. I was already here having dinner with some friends, and then I saw you. I figured I would say hi, nothing more.”

  “Michael, I’m not about to get into an argument with you, especially on a night which has been so fantastic. Please stop sending me gifts, the love notes, and just leave me alone! Stop using my friends to get to me. Yes, I know all about it, and what you and your pal Seth did to Bailey. You are such an asshole! If this harassment doesn’t stop, I will tell my parents.”

  His lips twitched, as if I telling him off was getting him excited. “Nicolette, if you felt I was harassing you, then why hasn’t your fire breathing father paid me a visit yet? I think you like the attention I’m giving you, and that’s why you haven’t told anyone yet, including your precious boyfriend. How is Simon these days?” Michael gritted his teeth while saying Simon’s name.

  “Leave Simon out of this Michael, and leave me alone.”

  “I can’t leave Simon out of this Nicolette, not when he is the one standing in my way to you. I love you, and I want you. Why are you fighting it? You soon will realize he is not right for you, and you will come to me.” Fighting the inevitable Nicolette, is just going to make me want you more. I’ll play it your way—for now.”

  Shocked I said, “Michael, you are out of your mind if you think I am going to be yours, and leave Simon. It will never happen for us Michael, you need to accept that.”

  Michael pulled me into his chest while gripping my arms. He wasn’t hurting me, but strong enough to get his message across. With determined eyes, Michael slammed his mouth down on my lips, as I struggled to get free. Anger fueled my emotions; I slapped him hard across his cheek, and stinging my hand in the process. Michael jerked his head back, as if he enjoyed what I just did. “I love you Nicolette. I will see you soon.” He turned and left me standing there. My mind was in a fog as reality kicked in to what just happened. My hand was throbbing from slapping him and I remained frozen to my spot until Bailey led me back into the bathroom. My lipstick had been smeared over my lips. I was beginning to shake, but tried to get my body under control. This can’t be happening, not tonight.

  “Oh my god, Nicolette. What the hell was that? When you didn’t follow me out, Simon asked me to come find you. Are you ok? And what did Michael want?”

  “Not now, Bailey!” I was curt with her. I wasn’t going to cry, not on my birthday. I double checked myself in the mirror and told Bailey to forget what she had just witnessed. I was not going to allow Michael to ruin my birthday or my time with Simon. I had to get back to him and I had already been away from him for far too long. Finally finding Simon, I saw him pacing near the dance floor with Sam and Jameson. Alexis was in a lip lock with Jimmy.

  “There you are! Where have you been?” Simon was practically shouting at me, but then lowered his voice. Reaching his arms out to me, I walked right into him and ran my hands up his back. Letting out my breath, and closing my eyes, just his touch alone was soothing me. Lifting my chin so I could look up at him. “No more girl talks tonight, okay?”

  Gazing into his eyes, “I’m sorry I took so long, can we dance?” Without another word spoken, he led me onto the dance floor, where we stayed until the party ended. “Thank you for the best birthday ever Simon.”

  “You are most welcome, Nicolette. I love you, and I am so happy I got to share your special day with you.” His hands stroked my arms and down, leading down to my waist and holding me tight.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

  “No, not really, but you can now” I teased him.

  Always the gentleman, my amazing boyfriend walked me to my door.

  “You are so beautiful Nicolette. He cupped my face and gazed into my eyes. I love you. I’m going to make you very happy.”

  “You already have.”

  His kisses lingered for a bit more, and then he shoved me gently through the door. “In you go. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Without another word, he turned and sprinted to his car.

  Tomorrow I was going to spend time with Uncle Jack, and then finally talk to my parents about Michael.

  The days that followed after seeing Nicolette at her party were hard for me. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep, and when I do manage to close my eyes, all I dream about is her. I thought I was going to stop breathing when I saw her across the room. She hadn’t seen me watching her, and then when I finally came face to face with her, she was scared. She has me all twisted like no other girl I have ever known.

  “Come on man, you need to let this go already!” Seth shouted, and breaking me from my dazed thoughts. Nothing you have done since July has made any sense. You are one of the most popular guys at our frat house. You can have a different girl in your bed every night if you wanted to. What is the big fucking deal about this up tight chick from Chicago?”

  “She’s not like anyone I have ever known before. I can’t let her go.”

  “You are seriously beginning to freak me out man.”

  “Why are you here, Seth? I don’t need this shit from you. I have heard all the lectures and reasoning from my father, I don’t need it from my friend too.”

  “Michael, it’s because I’m your friend that I am here to help you. You have been warned by your father, her parents, and let’s not forget Simon, her boyfriend.” Seth enunciates the word boyfriend very slowly. “You need to let this obsession go that you have with this girl. No good will come from it Michael, don’t you see that? She doesn’t want you, hey I know that may be difficult to comprehend, but it’s the truth. Get a grip and let it go.”

  Holding my head now to drown out his voice, Seth doesn’t know what the hell he is talking about. I look up at Seth. “All I need is more time with her. I need to make her realize we can be good together.”

  “Michael, do you need a reminder on what happened the last time you tried to talk with her? You nearly broke her hand. You are out of control Michael, please listen to me.”

  “Seriously? Exaggerate much? For the last time, all I did was reach for her hand. All I wanted to do was talk with her for a few minutes, Nicolette was the one that over reacted, but yet I get blamed.”

  “I never meant to even cause the slightest hurt to her Seth, and you damn well should know it!” Shouted Michael. “I lost control for a brief moment, something I won’t do again.”

  “Are you sure about that, Michael? Remember, I was there when you spiraled out of control last time, I don’t know if I can go through that again.”

  “Not this again! No one is asking for your help, Seth. What happened to Jennifer was not my fucking fault. I am so tired of beating a dead horse. You talk about me letting shit go, what about you Seth? To even mention her to me is messed up.”

  “I’m not talking about Jennifer and her accident Michael… I’m talking about the events that happened after her death. You were out of control man; I covered for you more times than I can count with your father. Please Michael, I am asking you as your best friend to let this girl go. It’s not worth it man. The next time you go off of the edge, I may not be there to pull you back.”

  Opening the door to show Seth what I think of his advice. “Get the fuck out Seth! This conversation is over.”

  “NO!” shouted Seth, “it’s not”. Seth trying on
e more time to get through to him, “Come on Michael, let’s go for a run, and clear our heads?” Grabbing Seth by the throat, Michael screamed.

  “I said, get out! And don’t come back here.”

  “You are making a mistake, one that will not end well for you.”

  “My only mistake was inviting you today. I don’t need or want your help.” Slamming the door on his friend, Seth walked away with the realization that helping Michael was way beyond his depth. He had no idea how to get through to his friend.

  I had the best day with Uncle Jack. We took the city of Los Angeles by storm. Uncle Jack’s favorite part was visiting the Hollywood walk of fame. He snapped picture after picture of famous blocks of actors and actresses that he loved.

  My dad and I had driven Uncle Jack to the airport, and I tried my best not to cry when we said yet another goodbye. “Today was amazing Uncle Jack.” I begin to choke up and a lone tear falls down my cheek.

  “Oh my sweet girl, no tears. I promise to bring Aunt Sara the next time I visit, and hopefully it will be soon. I will never forget today, I love you Nickel.”

  “Neither will I.” My father had stayed back until I finished my goodbye with Uncle Jack. Wiping my tears, I turned and waited in the car. Dad shook his brother’s hand, and waved him off. My heart ached as we drove away from the airport. I didn’t take my eyes off the mirror until Uncle Jack was out of sight. My thoughts returned back to my last day in Chicago when I had to do this. Daddy rubbed my shoulders to calm me.

  “Nicolette, you’ll see him again soon. I guess there is only one way to make you feel better.” I looked at my dad wondering what the heck he was going on about. “Ice cream cures all heartache”. I laughed out loud, and dad smiled along with me. “I’m in the mood for a banana split, care to share one with me?”

  “Um…no way! I’m getting my own.” And just like that, I felt so much better. I was wondering if this was the right time to bring up Michael. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday with Simon, and our friends planning my party, to a surprise visit from Uncle Jack. No, telling my father now would only sour his good mood. Waiting another day would not matter.

  My week was going to be easy, and short with Thanksgiving approaching. Alexis, Bailey, and I took advantage of early holiday sales, and went shopping on our half day.

  “Alexis, you bought out the entire store.” I said to her, as she was piling her dad’s credit card receipts. Did you seriously need those jeans in every color?”

  “Yes I did. A woman needs options, and more options equal more outfits.” Giggled Alexis.

  “What does Jimmy like you in?” I couldn’t help but tease her.

  “Nothing” she replied! My mouth dropped open.

  “I thought that would get your attention Nicolette. Bailey already knows.”

  Trying to keep my voice down. “Oh my god Alexis! You slept with Jimmy.”

  “Yes, and it was hot as hell, too. My man has moves. I can’t believe you haven’t done the deed with Simon yet? You two can’t keep your hands off each other.”

  The thought of making love with Simon gets me all heated inside my belly. “It hasn’t gotten that far yet, but I have been seriously considering it.”

  “All I know is that being with Jimmy has been great, and I have you thank for it.”

  “Me… why me Alexis?”

  “It was you Nicolette, who encouraged me to take a chance, and I am so happy I did. Jimmy is amazing, I think I’m in love.”

  “Was it your first time?” My curious mind had to know.

  “No, it wasn’t, but it felt like it was. My first experience was awful, and painful. I foolishly slept with a stupid jock, who will remain nameless. It happened, and it was over in just under three minutes. It’s a memory I don’t like to revisit, but with Jimmy, it was different. One night we were together. It wasn’t planned, and when one thing led to another, it just happened. It felt right to be with someone that I actually enjoy being with, and now my feelings for Jimmy run deeper than I could have ever imagined.”

  “That sounds incredible Alexis. Thank you for sharing that with me. I guess I understand why you hesitated to date Jimmy in the beginning, with him being an athlete.”

  “That may have played a part in it Nicolette, but Simon was right about me. I was being a snob, and I never was willing to give Jimmy a fair shot.”

  “That may be, but Simon shouldn’t have hurt your feelings, I’m sorry for that.”

  “He apologized to me on the same day. Did you know that? It’s totally fine, and now I too have an amazing boyfriend.”

  With Alexis dropped off and sated from shopping all day, Bailey and I were on our own. “Nicolette, can we talk about Michael?”

  “Before I tell you about Michael, please tell me about Seth?”

  “He’s not a bad guy Nicolette. I think he was caught in the middle between Michael, and me. I think he felt at the time he was doing his friend a favor without knowing Michael’s reasons behind it. I didn’t know either, but I always had an unpleasant feeling about it. That’s the real reason why we never made it to the party. I never gave Seth the opportunity to dump me, I did it first. Seth has been calling me every day to apologize, but if he is anything like Michael then I don’t want to see him anymore.”

  “I’m sorry you were hurt Bailey. Falling for a guy is hard enough, but falling for the wrong guy is the worst. What I am about to tell you Bailey, you have to promise me that you will not say anything to anyone, not even Alexis. Can I trust you with my secret?”

  “Absolutely Nicolette, you can trust me, and I promise not to let you down again.”

  “Michael has been stalking me for months now. I have been receiving letters, gifts, flowers and he always seems to know where I am. I hate to ask you this Bailey, but the few times I received packages at school, were you involved in that?” Bailey didn’t hesitate to deny it. She emphatically said she wasn’t behind it. I knew my friend was telling me the truth.

  “If you weren’t the one, than how did Michael manage to get the packages to me?”

  “Nicolette, wake up! Michael has connections, and knows many people. For all we know, he could have had the delivery company drop off the packages, and pay a random student to deliver them to your locker.”

  “I have repeatedly tried telling Michael that I am not interested and to back off. He seems to know my every move, and always has a reason to why he is there.”

  “Your birthday party for example?”

  “Exactly! I know it was at a public place, but to be there on the night of my birthday party, is way too convenient.”

  “Nicolette, you need to tell your parents what’s going on, and you need to do it soon. I have a bad feeling about this.”

  “I will. I’m just trying to find the right time to tell them.” Bailey’s words were flooding my mind, as I tossed and turned all night. I was still extremely nervous about talking to my parents about Michael. I don’t understand why I’m finding it difficult to talk to them. They have always protected me, and I trust them unconditionally, but yet when it comes to this, I can’t do it.

  I don’t care what they have said in the past, my parents are so invested with their work out here, and with Mr. St. Clair. They have worked incredibly hard, and I don’t want to be the one to come between that. I have done that once already, and it just caused them so much stress.

  “Good morning honey and Happy Thanksgiving… our first in California.” Mom was smiling, and she was so happy. Mom and dad had finished their songs for John, and the movie score they were working on for Paramount. The release date for, “Never Surrender” was Christmas Day. Everyone would hear the beautiful music my parents had composed. It would pain me to spoil this for them. I remained quiet and decided to wait.

  Gracie and mom prepared a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Dad had carved the turkey with pride, his favorite thing to do other than watch football. Simon had joined us; his parents’ were out of town visiting with his brothers. I felt
guilty that Simon stayed behind for me, but he didn’t want to miss our first holiday together. We joined our hands in prayer, and my father always gave a beautiful blessing. I silently prayed that I could resolve my problems with Michael, without anyone getting hurt. Simon and my father watched football, while I helped in the kitchen. The Broncos were winning, and Simon was cheering them on.

  “Thank you so much for sharing Thanksgiving with me, Simon.”

  “There was no place I would rather be than with you, Nicolette. I love you so much, and I want to share all of our holidays together. How about over Christmas vacation, we go up to Big Bear to do some skiing?”

  “I would love that Simon, but I have a problem with your plans.”

  “Whatever it is babe, I can fix it.”

  “I don’t know how to ski.” Simon took me into his arms and laughed with me.

  “I guess Chicago girls don’t ski?” Simon playfully winked at me. He promised he would be patient, and we would practice on the beginner trails first.

  Pacing in my room, I had about had it with all the continuous texts that I was receiving from Michael. Ugh! Why can’t he leave me alone? Finding my courage, I’m an adult now, perfectly capable of making my own decisions, and I have decided to handle Michael on my own. Causing my parents’ and Simon unnecessary stress was not an option. I would try my hardest to shield them from any pain. I was ready to deal Michael once and for all. I was about to send him a text when my phone rang. It was a number I didn’t recognize, but answered it anyway.

  “Nicolette, this is Seth McCarter, I’m a friend of Bailey’s.”

  “Yeah right! A friend of Bailey’s, don’t you mean, Michael?” I couldn’t help the sarcasm in my voice. “I know who you are, why are you calling me?”

  “I need to see you Nicolette. Can we meet today? How about the Juice Bar? Do you know the place?”

  “Yes. I do, but why do you need to see me Seth? You don’t even know me, and what can you possibly say to me that I want to hear?”