"And as soon as Nick ran into Kevin, i swear i thought it would be instant death for him. You know how Kev gets in rehearsel. Mr. Tyrant. Needless to say, Nick ran. Faster than ive ever seen him run. It was just hilarious." Kayla listened as AJ kept talking, lost in thought. They were in the car on the way back from a visit from Dr. Marjorie, the doctor Fatima had set her up with. It had been a month since AJ proposed to her and since then, he had taken over the task of driving Kayla every week. That wasnt all that he had done for her. Almost like before, he had been by her side nearly every second.
As she stared out the window and listened to his stories, she could hear the laughter in his voice and was glad that he was keeping her up on what was going on in his life. At the same time, the stories made her sad. As he was telling her, she could see the scene playing in her mind. She knew the exact look on Kevins face when he was upset and frustated. She could see the playfulness in Nicks eyes turn to a mock look of terror as he spotted Kevin giving him the "death look", as it was dubbed by the guys. It made her sad because she was supposed to be there, not just watching, but dancing with them. She hadnt been able to go to the studio to watch them, afraid she would break down in tears.
Things at the doctors had gone the same as it had gone everytime she went. There was always that false sense of hope, which Kayla wanted so much to just hold onto. Sadly though, she didnt want to let herself even think she would regain feeling in the lower half of her body. Dr. Marjorie had always been optimistic with her, saying that in cases like hers it was only a matter of time. The swelling, she said, had gone down considerably. The one thing that Dr. Marjorie also said on every visit was this: "Although the swelling has gone down, there is still a chance you may not regain full feeling again. I am going to try my best to get you back on your feet as soon as i can."
Kayla's thoughts were interrupted by AJs voice. "Kay? Whats the matter? You alright?" She turned to face him and smiled. "Yeah hun, i was just thinking." She paused not sure she wanted to tell him her thoughts, it would only make him feel bad. Without thinking, she blurted out. "AJ, what do you think? Do you think that i will dance again?" The look in his eyes told her that her question had caught him offguard. She immediately regretted asking him and apologized. "AJ, Im sorry. You dont have to answer that." She was surprised as AJ pulled into a parking lot and shut off the engine. He looked her straight in the eye and she felt like he could see her soul.
"Baby, I have never said that i could see into the future and never have i wanted to as much as i do now. If i could trade places with you, i would do it in a second. I know this isnt answering your question, but since the day i met you i made a vow to myself to never let anything hurt you. I was going to protect you, keep you safe. That day in the hallway of the rehearsel studio, you were there. I knew it then, i wanted to be with you. Always. I wish i could take all your pain away. You are strong. Stronger than i think i would be. In my heart, you will walk again. I can feel it and i will be there for you every step of the way. After that, we will let things come as they will. As we have always said, We've got tonight. Lets not think farther ahead than that."
She listened to his words as she felt his arms surround her. Kayla let her head lay back to rest on his shoulder. Simply she said, "AJ, i love you." She felt him move a bit and he started the car. She must have been tired because the next thing she remembered was AJ nudging her softly. "Kay, baby, your home." Once inside her apartment, she said her goodnights to AJ and put on her pajamas, intent on an early night in bed. She had just settled on the couch to watch a movie before bed when the doorbell rang.
With ease, she maneuvered herself into her chair and wheeled to the door. The bell rang again and she called out. "Im coming. Who is it?" There was silence on the other side of the door and then she heard a soft voice. "Its...Its uh, Nick." She was definately taken by surprise as she opened the door and sure enough Nicks tall blond frame stood in her doorway. "Chels not home. Shes at her moms for the night. She didnt tell you?" She saw that he was looking down at the floor as he said, "Yeah i knew she was not here. I, um, kinda wanted to talk to you. Can i come in for a couple minutes?"
Still somewhat in shock that Nick wanted to talk to her, she moved aside so he could come in. She watched as he walked into her living room and let himself fall onto the couch. She followed him into the room and pulled herself into the chair next to the couch. She stared at him for a second, then looked down at her hands. She wasnt sure if she should say something first or wait for him to talk. She honestly didnt know why he had to talk to her and was half afraid he would yell at her again. Still staring at her hands, she heard him begin to talk.
"Kayla, I, uh, i wanna apologize for how ive acted toward you lately. Ive been an asshole." She bit back every urge she had to agree with him, even though he was trying to apologize. That was one thing she had never expected from him. "I was wrong to say those things to you in the hospital, but i was hurt and worried about AJ. You know that. Do you think we can go back to being friends again?" She looked at him to see him staring straight at her. His eyes pleading with her so hard that she almost had to laugh. He looked like a puppy who had just lost his family. Smiling, she said, "Of course, Nick. Ive missed you. And even though i didnt like it at the time, your words were what helped me to stop feeling the way i was. You brought AJ and I closer together. Now, dont ever try anything like that again, you dork. Or I'll get Chel after you. Wait, she already is." Kayla watched the sly smile spread across his face and laughed.
The two of them sat and talked for a little while until the phone rang. Picking it up, Kayla was glad to hear AJs voice on the other end. "Tell Bone that im keeping an eye his girl for him." Laughing, Kayla smacked Nick away from the phone. What she heard on the other end sent her further into hysterics. "WHAT? Tell that blonde Casanova that he has his own girl and to lay off of mine. I can whoop his ass the next time i see him." She had tears of laughter streaming down her cheeks as she answered them both. "Oh God, you guys are killing me!"
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Nick was laughing almost as hard as she was. As he tried to catch his breath, she saw him look at his watch. "Wow, Kay. I didnt think it was this late. I told Rok id be at his house by eleven." He stood up and Kayla told AJ she would be right back. She got into her wheelchair and followed Nick to the door. "Thank you Kayla, for forgiving me. I'm sorry i was such a jerk." Kayla motioned for him to bend down to her level and she wrapped her arms around his chest in a bear hug. "No Nick. Thank you. For making me see how selfish i was acting. I dont know what would have happened if you hadnt done that and i hope i never know. You were my wake up call. I wont forget that."
Nick stood up and listened as Kayla continued. "Now i have to say good night Nick. My man is waiting for me and you know he hates to be kept waiting." They both laughed and said their goodnights to each other. "Night Kay. Tell Chel to call me as soon as she gets home. And,..." He paused for a second. "Its good to have you to talk to again." Kayla watched as he walked to the door and was now standing in the hallway. "Night Nick. I will and Im glad too. I have somebody that i can beat at video games again." She laughed as Nick stuck her tongue out at her and Kayla rolled her eyes as she shut the door. She made her way back to the living room and reached for the phone.
AJ sat and waited for Kayla to get back to the phone. He thought about the question that she had asked him earlier that day. He hadnt known what to say to her. He had wanted to tell her that she would be able to dance again. He would have given anything to be able to bring her that kind of happiness, but he didnt want to lie to her. Thats one thing he would never do. He knew there was a chance that she would regain feeling in her legs, but from then it would be a struggle to learn to walk again. There was one thing he was sure of, she was not going to go through it alone.
"Im back, did ya miss me?" He smiled at the sound of her voice and how happy she sounded. "Of course i did. The question is...did you miss me even with the BABE of the Backstreet Boys sitting in your living room?" He could hear her laughing as she struggled to give him an answer. "Eh, he's ok. I like that other one. The one with the tattoos and the shades. Whats his name? Something like, JJ??" It was his turn to laugh. "Oh so i rate over the blonde? Woohoo!!!!!" "Now dont go getting a swelled head Mr. Cool. I may like that JJ guy, but my heart belongs to someone else. Some one sweet and romantic, not too bad looking either." Curiously, he answered, "Yeah and who is that?" "His name is Alex but his friends call him AJ."
The two spent the next hour on the phone, talking about nothing and everything. They had these midnight phone calls alot. AJ still regretted not having Kayla move in with him. He had thought about it after he proposed to her but he didnt think it would be fair when he was away on tour. He decided it was better if she stayed at her apartment for now, no matter how much it killed him being away from her. They were about to say their good nights and hang up when Kayla cried out in pain.
Instantly concerned, he asked her. "Baby, you alright?" There was silence on the other end which made AJs concern grow more. "Kayla? Whats wrong?" Still there was no answer and he was about to hang up and drive to her apartment when he heard a soft, shaky voice answer. "AJ...Its...Im allright..." "Kayla what happened?" "I...there was...a pain...it hurt so much...it went...up my leg...AJ, i felt pain in my leg...AJ, i need you here...can you....." She didnt have to finish her question. He was already pulling on a pair of pants and shoes. "Im on my way."
He heard her hang up and threw the phone down. He swallowed hard and wondered if he imagined her saying it. He grabbed the keys to the truck and ran out the door. He could barely focus as he made his way to Kaylas apartment. He didnt know what to expect when he got there and he was lost in thought as he drove. What did this mean? What lay in store the next couple of days? He didnt have answers but he knew as he pulled into her apartments parking lot that everything would be allright. As he got out of the car, he looked up at the sky. He saw a shooting star and quickly made a wish. Its going to be all right, he thought as ran up the stairs. Everything is gonna be all right.
Get your own Free Home Page