CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN ~ New Friends Arrive
The next morning to everyone's surprise, the boys made it to the studio by 8:45 as none of them wanted to stay late again that day. Jacob had rescheduled his date with Nicole for later on that evening, and Ikaika had rescheduled his plans with Malia for the next day. Ashley was the first one out of the van, followed by Jacob, Trevor, Mike, Erik, Bryan, Ikaika, Malia, Paul, and then a strange blonde girl that neither Rach nor Nicole had seen before.
"Nic, Rach, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Carrah," Paul introduced. "I didn't even know she was coming. She surprised me last night at the house!"
"It's very nice to meet you," Nicole said politely anxious to get to make some new friends.
"We've heard a lot of wonderful things about you," Rach replied.
"It's nice meeting the two of you as well. Paul has spoke very highly of both of you in letters and on the phone. Nicole, your Ashley's sister correct?"
"Twin sister and proud of it," Nicole beamed causing everyone to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"Your so damn cute!" Jacob smiled as he walked over and tried to inconspicuously put his arm around her waist.
"Underwood, get your filthy paws off of Ashley's sister," Tyjuan joked as he walked out of the studio, proud to see that the boys had made it on time. "Alright, I need to work with you guys a lot today, so lets get going!"
"Nikki, I have some things to do in my office for Lou. Would you and Carrah like to take the van and go to the mall or something and then we could meet up for lunch?"
"That sounds good to me," Nicole agreed. "As long as Carrah is up to it?"
"Wonderful! I love to shop!"
"That ain't no lie," Paul mumbled as he walked in the door with Jacob. "Luv ya Care!"
"See ya baby!"
Rachel gave Nicole directions to the nearest mall, and then threw her the extra set of keys that she had for the van. "We'll meet for lunch around 12:30 at T.G.I.Fridays?"
"We'll see ya there," Nicole waved out the window as she sped out down the road.
"Do you think we perhaps should have invited Malia?" Carrah asked trying to sound as if she wanted Malia to be there.
"Um, Malia and I didn't get off on the best foot, and we definately aren't the best of friends."
"So, I'm not the only one huh?" Carrah asked a sense of relief in her voice.
Nicole looked at Carrah and both girls started laughing. "Nope your not the only one. We kind of got in a little fight yesterday."
"Ah, that's what Paul was talking about! He was very proud of you if it makes you feel any better. He says he wishes he could slug her one, but he won't cause she's a girl."
"She's not a happy camper. She doesn't try in the least to be friendly, and she obviously is not here to try to make new friends."
"Well, I'm glad you and Rachel are so friendly," Carrah smiled. "I was really worried about coming here to visit Paul and not having anyone to hang out with during his scheduled practice time."
"I came to visit Ash, and I just haven't left yet," Nicole explained as she pulled into the mall parking lot. "The guys are all really nice, and I like being close to my brother."
"Are you also Jacob's girlfriend?"
"Um, no, not yet anyways," Nicole said shyly secretly wishing that she was. "I'm working on him still, but I think perhaps he's starting to open up a bit more around me."
"Whatever your doing your doing it right," Carrah assured. "I saw the way he looked at you and it definately wasn't the way a guy who hates you would look at ya."
The girls went into the mall and looked around for a few hours while they filled in time before they could meet Rachel for lunch. Nicole bought a new pair of flared pants and top for her date with Jacob later that night, and Carrah bought a few things to take back to her family as souvenirs. As 12:00 came around they decided to head on over to T.G.I.Fridays to meet Rachel. Nicole and Carrah sat talking for a few minutes before a waiter came over and took their beverage orders while they waited. When Rachel arrived she saw Nicole and headed over to the table to take a seat. "It's going to be another long day," Rachel sighed as she took her seat.
"Jacob, and the guys aren't going to have to work late again tonight are they?" Nicole asked disappointment coming through in her voice.
"No, I just mean that no matter how fast time may pass, it still seems to be taking forever. Malia is still sitting in the hall waiting for Ikaika to finish and she has done nothing but complain since she got there this morning. I swear I'm going to smack her across the face if she doesn't smarten up soon."
Carrah laughed, "Please, let Nicole do the honours. It seems to me that she dislikes her more then any of us!"
"That is for sure," Nicole smiled. "She sends chills down my spine everytime she speaks."
The waiter came over and took the food orders not long after Rachel arrived and the girls enjoyed their meals over quiet conversation. When they had finished they all went back to the studio where they met up with the guys who were finishing up their rehersals for that day. Trevor ran from the building and threw his arms around Nicole when he saw her walking up.
"What the heck is that for Trev?"
"Protect me from that awful Malia," he shrieked as everyone else laughed.
The boys all crammed into the van while Carrah got in the car with Rachel and Nicole so that she could go back to their house with them, and help Nikki get ready for her first official date with Jacob later on that night.