For You
Chapter 2: *Unwanted Flashback*
(c) 2000
The N.C. Daily Dreamer  

*Nick* 

"Explain to me why we're going to a resturant to meet her?" I said annoyed. We were gathered in a meeting room at Jive Records going over tour dates. 

"Her manager slash mother suggested it," Kevin answered tapping his pencil on the table. 

"I thought tonight we were allowed to chill!" I complained. 

"Stop whinning, Nick! Who knows! You might like her! She's your age!" AJ replied. 

"Yeah, right!"

"What's her name, again?" Brian asked curiously. 

"Um... Shelby. Shelby something. I don't remember what Dan said," Howie responded ruffling through the papers before him. 

Shelby. Shelby Cholson. God, I missed her. I broke my promise to her. I only called and wrote a few times. She probably doesn't even remember. We were only thirteen, and I'd known her since I was seven. I never got the courage to ask her to be my girlfriend. I was too shy even though she was the only girl I ever really could talk to without stuttering. I pulled my wallet from my shorts and flipped to the pictures. The very last picture was of Shelby and me at my going away party she threw for me. She was the only frined of mine who came. I smiled a little as I stared at the photo. We were standing under a palm tree giving each other bunny ears. That day was so clear in my memory. I remember when I had to actually leave her. I felt so horrible. Here I was leaving my actual best friend for a music group. I would've called and wrote more often, but we were so busy. Lame excuse. I know, but it's the truth. 

-Flashback- 

"I don't want you to leave." She started to cry and it broke my heart. 

"I'll call and write. I promise!" I asured her. 

"Promise?" Shelby sniffled wipping her eyes quickly. We were in her bedroom exchanging things to remember each other by.

"Cross my heart." I made an "x" over my heart with my finger, and she smiled a little.

"Why do you have to leave, though? I'm going to miss you so much!" she sobbed. I held me arms out and she fell into them. 

"I'm going to miss you, too. I'll never forget you. I mean it!" I hugged her tightly.  Shelby pulled back and opened a drawer on her night stand. She held a silver metal ring out to me. It was her favorite ring that had her name engraved on the inside.

"Shel, I can't take this! It's your favorite ring," I protested closing her hand.

"Nicky, take it! Please!" She gave me her puppy dog eyes and I couldn't resist. 

"All right. Here." I pulled a silver necklace with a small star on it from my pocket. On the back of the tiny star was my initals. NC. 

"Nick, it's beautiful! Thank you!" 

"You're welcome," I smiled as my mom called my name. Shelby looked at me with tears flowing down her cheeks.  "Seven more minutes, mom. Please!"

"All right!" she said.

"I have to go now," I sighed putting the ring on my pinky because that was the only finger it fit on.

"I know," she murmered. "Can you put the necklace on me?" 

"Yeah." I took it from her hand and Shelby held her long dark blond hair up as I clasped it.

"Thanks." She looked down at the floor as more tears came. 

"I'll be back. I'll see you again." I hugged her lightly looking out her window at the dark night. 

"Nick?" she gazed up at me. 

"Yeah," I chocked out. Her pensive face was killing me. 

"Sing me to sleep," Shelby whispered. 

"Okay." She laid back ont eh bed and closed her eyes.  I decided to sing the song we wrote together about our friendship. By the time I hit the second chorus, she was fast asleep. I kissed her left cheek softly and slowly walked out of the room.

-End Flashback- 

"Yo, Nick! We can leave now!" Brian said waving a hand in my face. 

"Oh, uh, sorry." I blushed gathering the papers infront of me, glancing at my right pinky. The ring was still there. I never took it off. 

"You, okay? You were in like another world!"

"Yeah. I'm fine. See you at seven thirty," I stated shoving my billfold back in my pocket. 

"Yeah, sure!" Brian waved as I walked out of room.   I threw my tour folder in the back of my Durango and drove off. I wondered if Shelby still lived here. I haven't seen her in seven years, so probably not, but I never could muster up the self-reliance to find her. Probably never would.

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