A Changed Life Read online

  “It still hurts, Nicolette, and her family is torn apart because of her death. I heard her parents are divorcing, and her brother Tommy transferred out of school and moved back east.”

  Talking about Michael, and then Jennifer put a wall between us, or that’s how it felt for me. Simon, brooding where he sat, I placed my hand on top of his. “Are you speaking to me?”

  He sighs. “Of course I’m speaking to you. I’m just upset that this happened to you.”

  “I’m already over it, Simon. How about this for a cover story? You took me surfing, and a hard wave crashed into us, and I went flying into the surf twisting my wrist.”

  “I’m impressed, but the truth is always better, babe.”

  “Not this time. My fib will win out and besides, Alexis and Bailey will love it!”

  Leaving the Juice Bar, Simon was calmer, and we took the motorcycle ride he promised. We stopped by the beach, and watched the sunset slowly set on the ocean. Our hands were linked all awhile his thumb caressing my knuckles. I felt so safe with Simon, and all I wanted to do was kiss him. All though we talked he still seemed tense. He had shared his personal pain with me, and it was time for me to share a story with him.

  “Simon, you’re not the only one who had some misfortune your junior year.”

  “What did you say, Nicolette?” My words dragged him out of his haze, he was finally attentive and wanted to hear what I had to say.

  “I had a boyfriend last year. His name is Jason. He was the star of our school’s football team and very popular. The football team was slated to win the championship, and dating him gave me some notoriety. It wasn’t like I was this shy wall flower in school, but I had my own friends. We hung at coffee houses, museums, that sort of thing. Jason’s group consisted of cheerleaders and football players. The weekend plans were always a party at someone’s house and of course, filled with kegs of beer.

  One night, I skipped the usual keg party and stayed home. My parents were out with friends, and I was home alone. A very drunk Jason ended up on my doorstep, how he even got to my house was a miracle. I had let him in and he immediately was all over me. He was kissing me, his hands feeling me up. I pushed him off, and I went to the kitchen to make him coffee.

  When I returned, he was on the couch with his legs hanging over the edge, and I thought he passed out. Feigning being asleep, he grabbed and flipped me onto my back. He began to press himself into me. At first I thought he was joking around, and I was trying to wiggle out from under him. He began to hold me down to the point where it was beginning to hurt. I screamed at him to get off of me, and he wouldn’t budge. He kept calling me a cock tease and telling me it was time to give it up. Jason had never talked to me that way before that night.

  I didn’t even hear the door slam, and that’s when my father grabbed Jason by the neck and began choking the life out of him. Relieved that I was ok, my mother then separated my father from Jason. Dad had him in a choke hold, never seeing my father that way, kind of scared me. My mother called his parents, and they picked Jason up. His parent’s apologized, and took him home.”

  Giving me a hug, “I wish that hadn’t happened to you, Nicolette. He sounds like a real douche bag.”

  “He was being stupid, and he didn’t hurt me. After that night Jason and I broke up, and he never bothered me again. I survived the rumor mill at school. I was the girl that got dumped by the football captain!

  “I guess that explains the inquisition your father put me through when I met him.”

  “Who knows what brought that on, but they have always been protective of me.”

  “If I had a sister, I would probably be the same way.”

  “With everything I have said about Michael, are we ok?”

  “Yes, we are more than ok. Please Nicolette, stay away from him from now on?”

  “I promise Simon. I doubt I will be running into him anytime soon.”

  We left the beach shortly after the sun had set. Simon lifted me off of his bike and right into his arms. Wrapping his arms around me he kissed the top of my head, down my cheek and on to my neck. My boyfriend can kiss! Lots of naughty thoughts were racing through my mind with every kiss he placed on me. I craned my neck up to give Simon, one last kiss and then said goodnight.

  “Can I drive you to school tomorrow?” Simon, asked me.

  Surprising me, “Don’t you usually run in the morning?”

  “I think I can push it off until lunch.”

  “I would love for you to drive me to school.”

  What an exhausting day! I didn’t see mom or dad when I went in, but that’s a relief. I wasn’t in the mood for any more talks today. I went to my room, blasted my stereo and took a lavender bath. Before going to sleep, I checked my phone and Simon had texted me a heart image with a good night message. I was relieved that I didn’t see any missed calls or texts from Michael.

  I can’t believe I woke up before my alarm, maybe it’s because Simon is picking me up for school. I plan to have a fabulous day. I went into the kitchen, and Simon was already here, and sitting at the breakfast nook with my mom.

  “Good morning, Nicolette,” winking at me.

  “Good morning, Simon,” I replied back. Oh that sexy smile, I just wanted to haul my body into is. “I didn’t expect to see you sitting in my kitchen.”

  “So is it a good surprise or bad surprise?”

  “Good surprise, how can it not be?”

  “Good morning, honey. How did you sleep?” Mom interrupted my flirting with Simon.

  “Good and my wrist is much better.”

  “Good to hear. Just keep it wrapped for one more day. I need to run, I’m late. Have a great day Nicolette… Simon.” Mom gave me a quick hug and left for work.

  “Now that the coast is clear, Can I properly say hello, and kiss you?”

  “Yes, you may. I thought you forgot.”

  “No chance of that happening, babe.”

  Simon stood up and cupped my face with his hands, he tenderly kissed me. Groaning between kisses, I felt a surge of electricity flow through my body. I so badly wanted to touch him and run my fingers up and under his shirt. Ugh…remembering we had to leave for school, he pulled back, and winked at me.

  Arriving at school, we joined Alexis, Bailey and Sam on the quad before going to our first class.

  Looking around, “Where’s Jameson?” asked Simon.

  “He took a mental health day, and said he was going to the spa,” replied Sam.

  “It’s only October and he already needs a spa day?” asked Simon.

  Bailey chimed in and explained why our friend needed a day to himself.

  “After we left your house, we went dancing at the club downtown. Jameson ran into an ex-boyfriend, who happened to be dancing with some guy who Jameson likes. The exes got into a fight, and then we left.”

  “Did anyone talk to Jameson on Sunday?” asked Simon.

  “Yeah, I did.” Alexis had explained that Jameson was sulking, but they met up and went shopping. We had a blast! Jameson exercised his American express card while my visa got a work out. Don’t laugh Simon, he was heartbroken.”

  “Oh I’m sure…extremely sad while shopping on Rodeo Drive. I’ll call him later.”

  Walking hand in hand, Simon, walked me to Calculus. Pulling me into him, he whispered something naughty in my ear, making me blush crimson as he left a chaste kiss on my neck. My boyfriend was quite the tease. I watched him sprint off until he disappeared out of sight.

  Dropping my back pack off in my locker, I saw one long stemmed rose taped to the front of it. How romantic of Simon to leave this for me. As I opened my locker, a note fell out. What the…It wasn’t from Simon, it was from Michael. How did he manage to do this?

  Looking over my shoulder, I scan the near empty hallway for any sign of Michael. How could he get this rose and note to me? And why even take the chance after yesterday? I threw the rose away, but kept the note. I shoved the note in my purse and went to meet the gang f
or lunch.

  Watching me walk over, Simon stood up and grabbed my food tray for me.

  “Hey I’m not helpless, you know. I can carry my own lunch tray.”

  “I get that. I just want to be a gentleman and help my girlfriend out.”

  “You never did say how you hurt your wrist?” Asked Bailey.

  “Surfing accident. My incredible instructor over here let me slip off my board resulting in this.” I lifted my wrist. Simon laughed at my explanation.

  “It’s funny how I don’t remember it happening the way you’re describing.”

  “Oh Nicolette, you’re such a city girl, blaming your boyfriend for your poor surfing skills.”

  Simon’s squeezed my shoulder, I was giggling. The girls rolled their eyes at us.

  “You know, you truly are nauseating, said Alexis. This is my fourth year at this school, I’m alone, and you’re here how long? And you have the hottest boyfriend already!”

  “Now don’t be a hater Alexis. I told you I would fix you up with a guy from my track team,” said Simon.

  “Oh yeah, I remember. Jimmy? Really, Simon? Have you seen the car that Jimmy drives?” Simon leaned in to my ear and whispered, “What did I tell you, superficial?”

  “What was that Simon?”

  “Nothing princess, I have to go and work out with my lowly teammates that don’t meet your car standards. I’ll see you later Nicolette. I’ll text you when I’m done, ok?”

  “I can’t wait.” Before leaving, Simon lifted me into his arms and slammed his mouth down onto mine. I loved how he kissed me, and he gave me one more on my nose before jogging away.

  “What was that about? Am I a snob?” I felt bad for Alexis. My friend doubted herself. I would have to remember to remind Simon that he had hurt her feelings.

  "It's no crime for liking certain things," said Alexis.

  “No, it isn’t, but you need to take people for who they are and not what they have.” “Where did you hear that from? A Hallmark card?” snickered Alexis.

  Answering her a little snippy, “I guess I was raised differently, and not a Hallmark card, but my uncle Jack. Ugh…sorry. Alexis, ignore what Simon said. You are perfect the way you are.”

  “I’ll think about going out with Jimmy, and besides his body is smokin’ hot.”

  “Yup…that’s the girl I love.” We all laughed.

  “Ok! Good to hear we have your love life straightened out Alexis, now can we change subject already?” asked Bailey.

  “We have covered boyfriends, surfing accidents, snob girls that like expensive cars, winking at her sister, now onto my news.”

  “I met a guy a while back, and I just recently bumped into him again a few weeks ago. We started talking, and he has asked me to a college party this weekend!” Squealed Bailey.

  “Wow that’s impressive, who is he?” asked Alexis.

  “His name is Seth. Remember we talked to him at the St. Clair’s party?”

  “Oh yeah, he was cute, I’m so happy for you Bailey.” Alexis gave her sister a gigantic hug.

  “I’m happy for you too Bailey,” but inside I was cringing. If my memory is right, he is a friend of Michael’s and this could complicate things if he and Bailey get serious.

  “What college does he attend?” I already knew the answer, but I wasn’t sure if Bailey had known the connection her guy had with Michael.

  “He goes to Stanford, and the party will be at his fraternity house.”

  “Oh my god, I am so excited! What am I going to wear?” Alexis was bouncing up and down.

  “I did tell him that I would only go, if I could bring my two best friends with me. Please say yes girls.”

  “You can count me in” Alexis replied.

  “Nicolette, what do you say? Please come to the party with us?”

  “I can’t go Bailey. My parents are not going to let me attend a college party.”

  “You can just say you’re sleeping over at our house, and they won’t know.”

  “Well I will know and what about Simon? I don’t think he would appreciate me going to a college party surrounded by other guys.”

  For the next twenty minutes, Bailey just continued to beg me, and I repeatedly told her no. Hopefully she would get the hint, because I can’t tell them about Michael. For the rest of the week, I kept avoiding Bailey. By Friday, I think she was just annoyed with me. I didn’t change my mind nor mention it to Simon.

  In order to avoid Bailey, I skipped lunch to go meet Simon at the track. Bailey spotted me as I was crossing the quad.

  “Hey wait up.” shouted Bailey. I turned to acknowledge her.

  “Glad I caught you. This was in front of your locker.”

  Bailey handed me a wrapped box with a note attached to it.

  “It’s not mine, must be a mistake,”

  “Well it has your name on it,” Bailey had said. I took it and placed it in my backpack.

  “Have you changed your mind about the party? Please join us Nicolette. I already have a date lined up for Alexis, and I’ll be with Seth.”

  “Ok Bailey, you win. Simon and I will see you at the party.”

  “You have to come on your own, Nicolette.”

  “Why?” I asked Bailey. I had my suspicions about Bailey and her intentions, but I just wasn’t sure. I didn’t want to believe Bailey would be fooled by Seth into setting me up. I just had an awful feeling Michael was behind this.

  “I’ll ask you one more time, Bailey. Why is it so important for me to attend this party, and why can’t I bring Simon?”

  “Seth has a friend he wants you to meet. I already told him that you would go.”

  “Oh my god! Bailey! How could you do that to me?”

  “What is your problem, Nicolette? No one says you have to do anything with the guy. All you have to do is hang out with us, and this way everyone is matched up. You don’t want me to look like a liar to Seth, now do you?”

  “I don’t care how you look, Bailey. What you did is not acceptable. Friends don’t deceive one another. You lied to me, and I can’t be friends with liars.”

  “Nicolette! You can’t be serious? You won’t be my friend because I want you to come to a party with me?”

  “No Bailey, that’s not it. You hid the real reason why you wanted me to go to the party, and I don’t play games with people, especially my friends. Friends don’t lie to each other, and that’s exactly what you did. I have to go.”

  “Come on, Nicolette. I’m sorry? I didn’t think this was a big deal.”

  Not going to the track, I turned away and ran to my car. I needed time to think. I was angry with Bailey, how could she do this to me?

  Curiosity got the better of me, and I had to see what was in the box. I read the note, it said…

  I shakily opened the box and found a necklace with a heart on it. I threw it down on the floor of my car and gripped my steering wheel. Why is he doing this to me? And how is he able to get these deliveries to my locker? I don’t know what to do. Should I tell my parents or Simon?

  “Hey Baby.”

  “Oh my god, Simon! You scared me.” Simon put his hands up and laughed.

  “Sorry I didn’t mean to. Wait for me while I grab a quick shower?”

  “Sure no problem. I’ll just do some homework while I wait.”

  “I’ll try to hurry, love. See you soon.” Simon quickly kissed me and ran back to the gym.

  Thank god Simon didn’t notice the box. I’m going to have to think about what I was going to do, and I put everything away and waited for Simon to come back. I glanced over to my rear view mirror and saw Michael watching me from his car.

  I knew that was his Mercedes, but I just sat there frozen, not knowing what to do. I put my head down and when I looked up again, Michael was gone.

  The following week was quiet, and I didn’t see or hear from Michael. I never told anyone about seeing Michael, especially Simon. I just wanted to forget about it. My parents were nearly finished with the score to Para
mount’s new movie. The two songs they wrote with John are phenomenal. I honestly didn’t want to cause them stress or reasons to end their working relationship with Mr. St. Clair.

  Bailey hadn’t talked to me at all this week, and I didn’t hear from Alexis either. I was beginning to believe that Simon was right about them being superficial friends. How could I have been wrong about them?

  “Hey there beautiful.” Jameson wrapped his arm around my shoulder, asking me why I looked sad.

  “I’m ok Jameson, I was wondering where the girls are? I haven’t seen them much this week.”

  “Well Bailey is not here today, and our friend Alexis is watching Jimmy run at the track as we speak.”

  “No way, I thought she didn’t like him?”

  “I guess she must have changed her mind, because she has been there every day this week.”

  “I’m happy for her, and that explains her absence, but where’s Bailey?”

  “I haven’t seen my BFF either, but you know how it is, Nicolette. Boyfriends take up all your time.”

  “Good to know Jameson, but I still try to have a life even though I’m with Simon.”

  “I guess his ears must be ringing because here he comes now. Come on Nicolette, let’s make him jealous, and put your hand on my leg.”

  “You are terrible Jameson. What a flirt you are.”

  “Not too terrible honey and I’m still single.”

  “Hey now… hands off my girl.” Simon and Jameson were laughing

  “Hey baby, come here.” That was all I needed to hear. I folded myself into his arms, and Simon kissed me with his usual sexiness.

  “So let’s talk about this weekend. How we are celebrating your birthday?”

  “Quiet, Simon, I thought it was just going to be us.” I didn’t tell Simon my plans, but I was ready to be with him and my birthday would be the perfect night.

  “Did I hear you right? I didn’t know it was your birthday this weekend?” Jameson nearly shrieked with excitement.

  “Yes, my birthday is tomorrow, and I would appreciate it if you kept it to yourself.”

  “Why, pretty girl? Birthdays are meant to be celebrated.”