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Chapter 20
After removing my shoes and stepping into what I think was sand, we walked for a bout two minutes. I almost fell when I stepped on a rock, so I was now cluching onto Nick's hand for my life. I heard people whispering. Oh Great. What is this? Nick let go of my hand and went around to untie the bandana. As the bandana lifted, light peered into my eyes. Nick had set up tables and chairs on the beach. The first thing I could do was hug Nick. I turned around and lunged at him. "Thank you so much!" I said almost choking him to death. I kissed his cheek and turned around to see trees in the background filled with white lights. There was a little makeshift stage where I saw AJ spinning some c.d's. He waved to me and blew me a kiss. I laughed and looked around at the tables. I scanned past my mother and Sammy when I saw 4 of my best friends from Pennsylvania. I jogged over to Lauren, Steph, Steve, and Ryan and hugged them tightly. I felt a tear slide down my face when I hugged Steve. It was weird. He hurt me and in an instant I could forget about it. We talked for a little while until Nick pulled me away from my friends. Steph gave me a knowing look and whispered to Lauren. I can only imagine what she was saying. Nick led me over to one of the lit trees. I began to fiddle with one of the lights on the trees when I noticed Nick standing there uncomfortably. I looked up at him. "Nick?" I asked. His bright blue gaze met mine. "What's wrong?" He looked directly into my eyes. I felt something there for a second. I have no idea what it was but it was like a shock or something. I felt the shock in my heart. I jumped a little as Nick dug through the right pocket to his pants.
"Linds, I know we've only been friends for about 3 months, but I think you and I are as close as I am with Brian even though I've known him for like 9 years." He smiled as he said this and pulled out a box that looked like it was the perfect size for a ring. "I think we're gonna be friends for a long time and I want you to have this." Nick finished as he held the box out to me. I smiled at him and opened the box. There were two rings inside. I gasped and removed both rings. I picked one up. It was a thick gold band. Almost wedding ring like. It said Lindsay on it. To the left of the inscription was a dark green stone and to the right of it was an opal stone. These were my favorite stones. On the other side of the ring was a little anchor drawn into the ring. I looked up at Nick and grabbed his right hand. I slid the ring onto his middle finger. "I take it you know what these are." Nick said smiling.
"Of course I do. I have always wanted a promise ring, but no one ever cared enough to get one for me." I said looking into his eyes. I looked at the other ring in my hand. It read Nickolas. He knew I loved how his whole name was spelt. The same stones appeared on the ring, but instead of an anchor there was a star. I smiled widely as Nick took the ring from my hand and slid it on my right middle finger. We held hands for a moment and I we both reached out for hugs. "Thank you so much, Nick. It means a lot." I said hugging him tightly. Then we heard a chorus of 'Awwww'. We let go and turned to see Brian, AJ, Kevin, and Howie.
"So, Frack, you finally gave her the ring." AJ said walking over to Nick. We didn't notice, but Nick and I were holding hands. AJ put his arm around him and looked over at me. "He has been talking about those rings for a month now. God, he can be annoying!" AJ said removing his sunglasses. Brian walked over to my side and put his arm around me.
"Can we tell her now?" Brian asked sounding like a little school girl. I laughed and then raised an eyebrow. Nick nodded. "Ok, I wanna tell her." Brian pulled my hand away from Nick's hand and spoke with a smile across his face. "Lou was trying to find a group for you to tour with. He came up with a brilliant idea along with the nudging of Nick and myself to have you tour with us. It was a good idea since we're leaving as soon as Nicky Boy graduates." Brian said looking into my eyes. I smiled and hugged them all tightly.
"This is like the best day of my life. " I said jogging over to my family. I told them the news. My mom agreed to the arrangement considering school would be over. My mom pulled me aside.
"Lindsay, what is going on with you and Nick?" she said after I showed her the ring.
"Nothing. Why?" I asked.
"Well you guys are really close and he bought you promise rings and..."
"MOM! We're just good friends. We really connect somehow. I can't explain it. Give me a break, you pull me away from my home and I made a new friend. Sorry if I'm happy." I said as I walked over to Lauren and Steph.
"What's up?" Steph asked. I shook my head as if saying 'nothing'. "Yo Linds, you know that d.j. up there?" I nodded. "He's HOT! Hook a sister up!" she said smiling like an innocent girl.
"I'll see what I can do." I said smiling.
"What's going on with you and blondie over there?" Lauren asked nodding towards Nick, Brian, and some girl with long brown hair. I had no idea who she was.
"Nothing. We're good friends." I said simply. Lauren picked up my hand and looked at the ring.
"Holy shit! Good friends?! I'm good friends with a bunch of guys and they don't get me stuff like this." Lauren said while she turned the ring around my finger to get a good look at it.
"Well, Lauren, you're different. You little ho-bag!" I said laughing. We talked about how Nick got everyone to fly down here. He couldn't get in touch with my dad for some reason. We were in the middle of talking when Steve pulled me aside. We talked about things going on lately. We walked along the beach. In the distance, I saw a tall blonde guy walking with a shorter brunette chick. I blinked and recognized Nick's head. I smiled and looked a little closer. All of a sudden they kissed. DEEPLY. Then they fell onto the sand. Just as they fell, I fell onto the sand. For some reason it hurt. I didn't know why. We are only friends. Nick can date who he wants. Steve kept talking and sat down beside me. He noticed I wasn't paying attention to a word he was saying and put his arm around me. He slid his hand to my waist. I was a little too preoccupied with what was happening with Nick to care that Steve's hand was on me. Steve and I have always been close, but this was different. We always kept our distance and he was breaking down that wall. A tear slid down my cheek as I leaned my head against Steve's shoulder. I closed my eyes and we sat there. He recited a simple poem he wrote for me back in Pennsylvania. He gave it to me for Christmas last year.
"You know how I feel,
You know that I care,
So I hope Lindsay,
You know I'll always be there." I smiled as he said those words. We always
wrote each other poetry. Simple, cheesy stuff, but it was sweet. I heard
someone call my name. I looked up to see Nick in front of me with lipstick
on his lips. He had a surprised look on his face. As did I. First of all,
that shade of red looked horrible on him and he was just rolling around with
some girl. I looked up at him and saw some hurt in his eyes. I closed my
eyes and moved closer to Steve ignoring the look I received from Nick. I
heard the sand move and thought Nick left. I sighed.
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