A Changed Life Page 5

  I just hugged my mother and cried. My dad was always the one I leaned on, but not tonight. I couldn’t look at him right now.

  “Shh. It’s okay baby.” She was stroking my hair trying to calm me down. “Nicolette, please come sit with me on the bed.”

  I hugged my pillow and sobbed again, before I could speak to my mom.

  “Daddy humiliated me in front of Simon! His behavior was over the top and for what? Because, I came home late, it was only seven o’clock!”

  “Nicolette, did you ever think that maybe dad was just being dad? You never had a problem with your father being protective before. He is just behaving like he always has and for some reason, today he has humiliated you? Please…explain to me what he has done that was so wrong?”

  “Mom, you don’t get it. You and daddy want me to meet new friends and love California, and love my new life, so when something good happens to me like meeting Simon, he completely acts like my warden. He embarrassed me tonight, plain and simple. You’re right. He usually is my protector, but today was different. I truly like Simon, but after the way dad treated him, he may not want to see me again.”

  “If Simon is all that you say he is, then give him the benefit of the doubt before you decide he won’t see you again. As for your father…talk to him. He loves you with all his heart. Give him a bit of a learning curve when it comes to his only daughter; dating, growing up, and quite possibly falling in love.”

  I looked at my mom, “Is that what this is? Am I’m falling in love with Simon Paulson?”

  My mom smiled warmly, “Sweetheart, you tell me.”

  I hugged my mom with a fierce grip.

  “We shall see. Thanks, Mom, you’re right. I’ll go talk to Daddy.”

  “Did I actually hear my daughter admit that I was right?”

  “Yes, and please don’t let it go to your head.”

  Mom looked like she just won the lottery. “Your father is in his office when you are ready to talk to him.”

  I ran downstairs to talk to my father and he opened the door, extending his arms out to me. Knowing my father, he was probably pacing his office and waiting for me to talk with him.

  “I’m sorry, Daddy, but you kind of surprised me. I didn’t know what to think of it.”

  “Nicolette, the last thing I want to do is upset you, but I love you and I just don’t want you to be moving too fast. We are far from what we are used to and as much as I want you to meet people, and make connections, I’m trying to remain protective of you.”

  “I get that, Dad, I have always known that, but I’m not a little kid. I’m almost eighteen and you raised me right. I’m trying to adjust to this new life and Simon may be a part of it. Please trust me, Daddy.” I hugged my dad, and said good night.

  I learned a lot from Simon today, with some pretty heavy information he disclosed to me. I just took it all in but then a meet and greet with my father and he’s off running for the hills. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but I still would have been happier if he would have kissed me good night. Gracie was right. I do have a terrible habit when it comes to over thinking things.

  I was giving myself a headache and decided to squash my negative thoughts. Simon likes me that much is clear. I know it and feel it every time he kisses me. His obvious physical reaction when he touches me excites us both. Nope, not getting myself upset over this. Big deal? My dad asked some questions, this won’t even matter by tomorrow, I hope.

  Arriving at school with a few minutes to spare, I jump out of my car and run for my first class. I make it to Calculus less than two minutes before the bell rings. Not looking forward to listening to my teacher drone on for the next ninety minutes but, had I gotten enough sleep the night before, I wouldn’t be so cranky this morning. Without falling asleep, I made it through my very boring class. With the sound of the bell, I was so ready to get some coffee and take a moment to myself.

  I had a fifteen minute break before my next class, so I sat down under an enormous palm tree on the quad and drank my coffee. I had my head down looking over my notes for my next class when Michael walks out from behind the tree, startling me. What the hell?

  “Hey! What are you doing sneaking up from behind me? And better yet, why are you here?” Putting his hands up to me as if he’s surrendering.

  “Relax princess; I just wanted to say hi.”

  “Uh…Michael, you do realize where you are?” Michael sits down across from me and it looks like he is enjoying himself at my expense.

  “Paranoid much? Nicolette, I was here on another matter, and I simply saw you and just thought it would be nice to say hello, but clearly I was wrong. Now that I have done that, I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing, before I interrupted you.” He begins to get up to walk away, and now I’m feeling like a total bitch on the way I talked to him. “Hey Michael”, he turns to me. “Sorry, didn’t mean to jump down your throat, rough morning.”

  “Apology accepted. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

  I look at my phone, “Yeah, but only a few, and then I have to get to my next class.”

  “Did you receive the flowers I sent you?”

  “I did. Thank you, although I’m curious to why you would send me flowers in the first place.”

  “It’s a peace offering. I get that I was a total jerk the last time we were together, so what better way to apologize to a girl, then to say it with flowers. Waving his hands in front of me, Hey! Where did you go just now?”

  Shaking my head, “sorry I was just curious about something. Michael, can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure, anything you want.”

  “Why are you coming on so strong?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “Well, we really don’t know each other that well. When we met at your father’s party, you were pretty insistent on me having a drink with you. You got mad when you thought I stood you up. You have been sending me texts and sent me flowers yesterday. Now you show up at my school. Michael…I’m”

  “Relax Nicolette, I like you. I don’t see the problem here.”

  “I’m flattered, but I’m not interested. I have feelings for someone else.”

  “Simon Paulson, is he the one you that you are into?” he calmly asks.

  “Michael, I honestly don’t think that’s any of your business.”

  “It is my business if he’s the one standing in my way.”

  “Michael, the only person standing in your way, is me. I decide who I spend my time with. I certainly don’t appreciate being lied too; making me believe you asked my parents’ permission to take me out.”

  “Nicolette, I was only playing with you. It doesn’t change how I feel. Can we just start over, and let me take you out? I promise you will have fun.”

  “I don’t think we should go out Michael.”

  “Why not? One date is all I ask.”

  Why can’t Michael take the hint? I like Simon. He is the one I want. I just need Simon to tell me that he wants me too.

  “We don’t have anything in common, Michael. You’re in college and probably can get any girl of your choosing. You don’t need to be hanging out with a high school girl.”

  “Nicolette, again with the high school crap? So I like a senior in high school, it’s no big deal. Is it too much for you to believe that I just like you and all I’m asking for is a chance to take you out? Think about it, and give me a call.” He leans in and kisses me on my cheek, before I can answer him, he turns and walks away. The bell rings, Oh shit! I’m late. I grab my stuff and run to my next class.

  I couldn’t believe what I just witnessed between Michael and Nicolette. I wanted to punch something, and his face was my intended target. What the hell does he think he is doing? Michael is still trying to take my girl out from under me after I have warned him over and over again to back off. I cursed at myself because I knew I had no right to be mad especially after how I left her last night. I don’t actually have any claim to her, and that
was entirely my fault for not making her mine sooner. I guess I thought she already knew. I have to tell Nicolette how I feel about her, but first I have to handle Michael.

  “What are you doing here, St. Clair?”

  “Hey, Simon. Lovely to see you too!”

  “I told you to stay away from Nicolette. She’s off limits.”

  “Why, because you said so? I think based on the conversation I just had with Nicolette, she is single and very available. Again, she’s fair game, and if I want to pursue her, I will.”

  “Not if my fist has anything to say about it. You will not see her again, Michael.”

  “Be careful, Simon. You don’t want to go there again with me.”

  I feel my anger rising through every fiber of my body, and I wanted to kick his ass all over this campus. I go to strike at him and suddenly, my hand is being pulled back by Sam.

  “Dude, chill the hell out. He’s not worth it, Simon.”

  “Stay out of it, Sam, this is between us.”

  “Yeah, Sam, I think Simon can fight his own battles, don’t you think?”

  “Stay away from her man. I’m not going to tell you again.”

  “Sure, Simon, whatever you say.” Michael laughed as he stepped into his Mercedes and drove off.

  “Sam… what the hell man! I didn’t need your help back there. I can handle Michael just fine on my own. The son of a bitch was with Nicolette, Again! He doesn’t get it, she’s my girlfriend!”

  “Does she know that dude?”

  “Know what?”

  “That’s she’s your girlfriend? What the hell do I know, man, I’m not even seeing anyone at the moment. If I had a girl like Nicolette, I would let her know who she belongs to, but since you are too much of an ass to tell her how you feel, St. Clair’s right, she’s available.”

  “The hell she is Sam! I love her.” Oh shit! Did I just say that out loud?

  “What was that, Simon? I don’t think I heard you; you what?”

  “Shut up, Sam. I love her and I’m telling you straight, fucking St. Clair is not going to get another girl of mine. I’m going to tell Nicolette exactly how I feel about her today.”

  “Good for you man, but you need to relax when it comes to Michael. He is the only one that can get under your skin, and you let him every time.”

  “I love her, Sam.” I should have told her already, you’re right, I am an ass.”

  “Hey girls will do that to you, so go get your girl and talk to her.”

  “Believe me Sam, I want to. I want to hold her in my arms so much right now, and pour my heart out to her. I’m not ready to yet. I’m going to blow off my next class and go run the track for a while.” I need to clear my head before talking to her, I will see her at lunch to straighten things out with her. I finish my four miles, and grab a shower. I text Nicolette, but get no response. I walk up to the quad to find Alexis and Bailey at their table minus Nicolette. “Hey, do you know where Nicolette is?”

  “She texted me that she was skipping lunch to go to the library.” replied Bailey.

  “On the second day of school? Come on, Bailey. Where is she?”

  “I don’t know Simon; here I’ll show you the text.” I read the text and sure enough, Bailey was telling the truth.

  “Ok, thanks. I’ll check the library and try to find her. I walked around the library and no sign of Nicolette. Where is she? Feeling frustrated that she’s not answering my messages; I guess I have to wait to see her in English class.

  Tapping my fingers on my desk… still no sign of Nicolette. The final bell rings and our teacher closes the door. What the hell? Where could she be? Frustrated now, I grab my back pack and walk out. I call over my shoulder that I’m feeling sick.

  Checking the parking lot, I don’t see her car. Thinking she just skipped all together, I do the same. I pull my bike out and head to Nicolette’s house. If she won’t answer her phone, then she is going to answer her door. I pull into her driveway and happy to see that she’s home. I park my bike and Nicolette is walking toward me. With her hands across her chest, she looks upset. I walk over to her and say hi.

  “Hi, what are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same thing, but we both know we should be in English right now. I didn’t think you were the type of girl that cuts school, and on the second day.”

  “I’m not, but I didn’t want to be there today, so I went to the nurse and told her I was sick.”

  “Wow! Great minds think alike, because I told Mr. Simpson that I was sick too.”

  Now I’m smiling.

  “Hey, do you want to take a ride with me, so we can talk?”

  “Can’t we talk here?” I asked Simon.

  “Sure, we can.”

  We walked around back and sat under the gazebo.

  “You missed lunch today, and you didn’t respond to any of my messages.”

  “I know, and that was wrong for me to do that. After last night, I thought maybe you wouldn’t want to see me anymore, so I thought it would be easier to avoid you. I’m sorry for that. That was a foolish thing to do, and childish.”

  “You’re right it was, but I forgive you. I also don’t blame you. Can I do what I wanted to do last night before your father interrupted me?”

  “What’s that…” before I can say another word, Simon pulls me onto his lap and kisses me. I hold him closer to me and enjoy his lips on mine. Simon breaks our kiss and holds my face, stroking his thumbs across my cheeks.

  “Nicolette, I want you to be my girlfriend. I care about you, and I think you care about me too. Am I wrong?”

  My head is spinning now, Simon is here telling me he wants me and only me. I am such an idiot! If I would have just talked to him today, all my misery that I put myself through could have been avoided. “No Simon, you’re not wrong. I would love to be your girlfriend.”

  He wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly to his chest. He smells amazing with the mix of his body wash and cologne. I was still on Simon’s lap as he kept me close to him. “I’m sorry about my dad last night and all of the questions.”

  “It’s no big deal. I should have called you when I got home, if I had maybe today could have been avoided.”

  “Simon...sorry it’s my phone, it could be my mom checking in.” I look at the number, and it’s Michael calling me. Not wanting Simon to see it, I quickly hit the ignore button. Simon loosens his hold and shifts me off of him. He stands up, running his fingers through his hair.

  “Michael, right?”

  “Yes, it’s him.”

  Simon re-joins me on the couch and holds my two hands. “Nicolette, again If I would have been honest with you, than we could have avoided all of this confusion today. I’m sorry to make you doubt my feelings for you. I wanted to talk to you today at school, and when I thought I was ready to do that, I saw you talking to Michael. I stayed behind until you left and then confronted him. He’s all about playing games, especially with me Nicolette, he needs to know that you are unavailable.”

  “Simon, I told him that I wasn’t interested in him, but he asked me out anyway. I didn’t say yes to him, he just asked me to think about it and to call him.”

  “Well, you are not going to call him, and if he comes anywhere near you, I need to know about it, okay?”

  “What is it between you and him? Why do you hate each other so much? Whatever it is, you can trust me Simon; you do know that?”

  “Of course I do, baby. I just don’t trust Michael, and I want you to stay away from him. I swear Nicolette, he comes around again; you need to tell me.”

  “Simon, you’re starting to scare me.”

  “Listen, I have history with Michael, and it’s a long and messed up one. I don’t want to discuss it right now.”

  “Simon, I have only seen Michael a few times since meeting him on the Fourth of July. He texted me a few times and sent flowers to the house. Today was the first time seeing him since the beach club party.”

  “Nicolett
e, that’s way too much. He’s a jerk, and he needs to get the hint that you are not interested in him. I almost punched Michael today, but Sam stopped me before I could.”

  “Tell me why you dislike him so much?”

  “Can’t you just agree not to see him and leave it at that?”

  “Not until you give me a valid enough reason.”

  Simon pulled me into his chest and slammed his lips onto mine. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through him. Simon calmed with each kiss he placed on my lips. No words spoken… just soft and gentle touches.

  “I have to go baby, I’ll call you later.”

  Simon left me sitting there as he walked out of my yard and toward his motorcycle. I ran my fingers across my swollen lips, and totally not understanding why he just got up and left. His kisses were amazing and a good way to silence my questions. I went inside and went straight up to my room to text Bailey. I asked her to stop by on her way home from school.

  Jumping up and down, Bailey couldn’t contain herself. “Yay! You two are finally official! I am so happy for you. Oh I can’t wait to tell Alexis, let me call her right now, she’s shopping with Jameson and he’s going to freak.”

  “Bailey, slow down. This is not why I asked you over.”

  “Come on, Nicolette, this is big news.”

  “Bailey, you can tweet your heart out later about it, right now I want to ask you something.”

  “Ok, what’s up?”

  “Why does Simon and Michael hate each other?”

  Bailey, dropped her smile.

  “Come on Bailey, do you know the reason?”

  “Yes, I know. Everyone knows, Nicolette, but it’s not something we talk about. I shouldn’t have even mentioned it to you yesterday. It’s none of my business and you were right to call me out on it.”

  “Ok, so it’s about Jennifer, Simon’s girlfriend who died, right?”

  “Ugh! Come on Nicolette, if you want to know ask Simon.”

  “I can’t Bailey, whatever it is, he doesn’t want to talk about it and he practically shoved his tongue down my throat earlier to halt my questions. Not that I minded of course, I love it. Anyway, that’s beside the point. What’s the story?”