Jessica drove down the dark side street, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She had foolishly chosen to wear a pair of tight flared jeans and a form fitting white sweater despite the fact that she knew it would irritate her bruised skin. She was used to practically living in her soft sweats which didn�t bother her sensitive skin.

The outfit she wore now was courtesy of her mother who refused to be embarrassed by her �street rags� as she referred to them. Her mother had bought a slew of trendy, expensive clothes for Jessica lest there be a chance they had to been seen together in public. Somehow though, that chance had never arisen.

At the time, Jessica had felt it appropriate to dress nicely for her meeting with Nick, but now, she only felt foolish. It bothered her that she cared so much about his opinion and impressing him.

As the familiar beach came into view, the queasiness in her stomach resurfaced. Her heart began beating two-fold and her mind began racing. What should I say to him?

She cut the engine, parking her car by the curb. For a few minutes, she sat silently in the car, working up the courage to even open the door and set foot outside.

With a deep, reassuring breath, she placed her hand upon the handle, ready to open the door. Suddenly, her body froze and she was unable to move. She couldn�t even think for a few seconds as her hand remained poised upon the handle. What am I doing here? Why did I even ask him to meet me? she questioned herself. Closing her eyes, Jessica began rubbing her temples in slow, methodical circles. He can�t help me. No one can, she told herself glumly.

She shifted her gaze to the window, staring lifelessly out at the vast waters before her. Her mind was suddenly transported back to the first night she had met Nick on the beach. A tingle raced up her spine as she remembered the feeling of his strong, powerful arms around her. Jessica remembered that in those few seconds, she had felt so protected and so safe from the outside world.

It suddenly dawned on her that that was the reason she was here. Talking to Nick made her feel safe, strange as it sounded. His voice had this incredible soothing ability which somehow miraculously seemed to make everything hurt a little less.

Nick stood nervously at the foot of the shore, pacing back and forth. An impending sense of disappointment clutched at his heart as his stomach did flip flops. She�s not going to show, was all he could think.

Nick stood there, desperately hoping that he was wrong and that she would show up after all. He had to see her. Phone calls were no longer enough for him. He wanted to see her face when he spoke and see the expression in her eyes when she answered.

A bemused expression played upon Nick�s face as he remembered the first time he had met Rianna. He had been nervous and excited but it was nothing at all like this. In fact, Nick was certain he had never felt like this before.

He let out a loud sigh, thrusting his hands into his pockets. He continued pacing, glancing at his watch every so often. He didn�t want to believe that she wasn�t going to show. He couldn�t. She had sounded so adamant on the phone - desperate almost.

As Nick stood there, his mind began to reel. He thought back to all his conversations with Jessica. Every time he�d spoken with her, there had been something distant in her voice. Almost as if there was something she wasn�t telling him. He noticed it from the beginning, but refrained from saying anything because he didn�t want to alienate her. He wanted Jessica to trust him. So far she hadn�t opened up to him despite the fact that Nick was hoping she would.

Suddenly, Nick�s thoughts were interrupted by the noise of feet shuffling in the sand. His heart sped up as he felt her gaze upon his back. He turned slowly and sucked in his breath as he caught sight of her standing barely five feet away from him.

Jessica stood uncertainly, her face bathed in moonlight. Her blue eyes were wide and even from where Nick was standing, they seemed to sparkle. There was still that unmistakable sadness in them though which she tried so hard to hide. Even so, she was absolutely breathtaking. Her beautiful blonde tresses framed her face like something of a halo as they rustled in the wind. Nick couldn�t help but notice the way she carried herself with unmistakable poise and grace.

Minutes passed by as the two of them stood completely silent, eying one another surreptitiously. Time slowed to a standstill and the two seemed perfectly complacent gazing at one another. Words were not spoken for what they were both feeling at that moment was inexpressible.

�I�m glad you came,� Nick finally whispered, breaking the silence.

Jessica merely nodded, unable to find her voice. She was glad she had come too.

�Let�s walk,� Nick suggested softly. Jessica nodded and soon the two fell into step along side one another. They walked along the shore, in silence, enjoying one another�s company and the light spray of the surf. Nick watched Jessica from the corner of his eyes as they walked. He could tell that she was distraught. �Are you alright?� he asked stopping. His voice was soft and gentle.

�I�m fine,� she muttered looking past Nick at the waves. She looked next at the at the sand, then at the moon. She looked anywhere and everywhere but into his eyes.

�Why did you ask me to meet you here then?� he questioned.

Unable to answer, Jessica remained silent. Nervously shifting her weight from foot to foot, she tried desperately to avoid Nick�s inquisitive stare. She could feel his eyes penetrating her soul.

�I guess I was lonely,� she finally managed to whisper. �I just wanted someone to talk to,� she added meekly. Finally mustering up enough courage, she managed to tear her eyes from the ground and look at Nick. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes settled upon his face. To her surprise, Nick�s expression was not one of pity, but one of concern and understanding.

�I�m glad you called then,� Nick returned softly looking into her eyes. In her eyes, he saw just how unbearably lonely she really was.

Nick inadvertently let out a sigh he had been suppressing for some time now. All he wanted to do was help her. He wanted to pull her close and never let her go. At that very moment, Nick felt as though he would gladly do anything and everything in his power to ease her pain. He would go to great lengths just to make some of that sadness in her eyes disappear.

�So, what did you want to talk about?� Nick asked cautiously, snapping himself from his trance.

�Nothing in particular really,� she murmured, lying once again. She had been foolish to think that she could ever talk to him or anyone for that matter about her mother. No one would understand or be able to help her. Not now, not ever.

Nick could feel his fingers clench as he instinctively balled them into fists. He let out another frustrated sigh. How was he ever going to help her if she didn�t let him in?

�Do you ever wish you could back in time to a moment when you were truly happy and had no worries at all?� Jessica asked suddenly. As the words escaped her mouth, Jessica�s mind began reeling and she was quickly transported back to Christmas morning almost 16 years ago. She saw herself flanked on either side by her parents, eagerly tearing at her presents. There had been hugs, smiles, excitement and choruses of �I Love You� and �Merry Christmas.� She couldn�t remember ever being so happy in her life. Even though it was years ago, Jessica still remembered that moment as though it were yesterday.

The sadness in Jessica�s eyes as she innocently asked Nick, tore at his heart. �Sure I do,� he finally managed, forcing a contrived smile. Her question brought back memories of Rianna and how things had been between the two of them when they had first starting dating. They had been so happy, so carefree. All they cared about was being with each other. It was as if when they were alone together, all life�s problems seemed to fade into the background. Nothing existed except the two of them.

There was another bout of silence, but not an uncomfortable one this time. A tiny, complacent smile played upon Jessica�s face. Her life was so confusing right now, and it was nice to know for a change that someone understood her.

With a nod of his head, Nick gestured for them to continue walking. The pair set off together into the black night, each glad that at least for tonight they didn�t have to be alone. Tonight, they had each other.

Around 2 am, Jessica and Nick finally decided they should head home. Time had flown by as they had discussed everything they could think of. Nick had even managed to send Jessica into a fit of giggles while recounting some of his crazy childhood antics.

Now as Nick walked Jessica to her car, he almost wished the night would never end. �When am I going to see you again?� he asked quietly, with anxious eyes.

�Soon. I�ll call you,� she promised.

They stood awkwardly, each unwilling to part from the other, but realizing that they had to. They remained silent, each unsure of how to say goodbye.

�Goodnight Nick. Thanks for everything,� she whispered sincerely. There were so many other things that she wanted to tell Nick, but was too afraid to. She had never felt this way before and it scared her tremendously.

Before getting into her car, she stared into Nick�s eyes as of to etch them into her memory forever. With a sigh, she somehow miraculously managed to turn away from him and get into her car.

Within seconds, she was gone, off speeding into the pitch black darkness, and once again, Nick was left all alone.

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