She led the way in silence, not really knowing what to say. She just figured since he was the one who wanted to talk, he would be the one to initiate conversation. They reached the park shortly after where she sat down on a swing and began to swing lightly. �So, um, you wanted to talk?� He nodded, and took the swing beside her. �Well, I should start off by asking you something. When we kissed last night� did you, ya know, feel anything?� She sighed, remembering the conversation her and Brandon had on the phone that night.
~Flashback~
�Uh-uh, babe. What else?! He kissed you, didn�t he?� She groaned. �You�re as bad as Adriana! Yes, he did. And it was unbelievable.�
~End Flashback~
She fiddled with her ring and nodded. �Yeah� I did. Did, um, you?� He let out a breath of relief. �Yeah, I definitely did. And it was amazing.� She sighed. �So what does this mean?� He ran a hand over his tired face. �I�m not sure. But I�ve been thinking, and I know it seems everything would be against us, me being on tour, and you skating� so, I don�t see how it could work, but I can�t get you outta my mind� and I don�t wanna just ignore this gut feeling I have about you��
She looked up at him. �Well, we don�t have to just forget what happened last night� I mean, I only met you yesterday, and things have been moving way too fast� But, we could still ya know, keep in touch or something�� He nodded, smiling. �Yeah. I�d like that. I�d like that, a lot. You can keep me up to date on your skating, and whether you do that jump of yours or not.� She nodded, beginning to feel better about the whole situation. �Ok, as long as you keep me informed of what�s happening in pop-star land.� He laughed. �Deal.� She felt her pager going off, from inside her purse, and she reached in and saw it was her mother and she sighed. �Lemme guess. You�ve gotta go.� She nodded. �I�m sorry. You�ve got my number and e-mail, so I�ll talk to you again?� He smiled. �Count on it.� She smiled and got up and walked off. He sighed and leaned his head back. �Oh, you�d better count on it, Nicole. Cuz I haven�t felt this feeling in a looong time and I�m not just gonna forget about it.�
~*8 months later*~
�Nicole, get ready. This is big. You can do the jump, ok? Don�t space out. It could cost you everything we�ve worked so hard for.� Nicole nodded as she listened to Alex. Tonight determined whether or not she went to the Olympics or not. And even though, she wanted it more than anything, there was something inside her telling her to purposely screw up and forget all about skating. She loved to skate, but she wanted to go back and go to college and become a photographer, and travel around the world. She wanted to just do skating on the side. She remembered having the similar conversation with JC a few nights before�
�JC, what if this isn�t what I want? I mean, I love skating, but I don�t love this life that comes with it. I- I want to go back to college and become a photographer that gets to see the world.� He didn�t say anything for a few minutes. She laughed slightly. �I�m sorry, I�m totally boring the heck outta you, aren�t I?� His voice came out, soft and wistful. �No. You�re not. Nicole, if� you want to become a photographer, then I think you should. You� you could come travel with us. We�ve got a world tour coming up� And I know we wouldn�t mind having you. I know I�d like you to come. I mean, I�d get to see you again�� She smiled. �You have no idea how much I want to see you�� He grinned. �Then, do what you think you should do. Whatever you decide, at least know I�ll be backing you up 100%.�
She shook her head, and looked over at her mother and Naomi sitting in the stands. Her mother looked anxious and Naomi looked flat out bored. Nicole wondered what it�d be like to leave and start a new life. Her life. And in that moment, she knew what she had to do. She stepped out onto the ice, and did her routine perfectly, and then came her jump. She could just see her mother holding her breath, and Alex clenching her fists. It�s stuff like this she�d miss, when she left. She smiled, and did her jump, flawlessly, and finished her routine, beaming. She skated over to Alex, who engulfed her in a big hug. �You did it! Oh, Nicole, I knew you could!� She smiled. �Well, I gotta go out with a bang ya know?�
He looked at her confused, but she saw Adriana and Brandon and they ran over to her. �AGGH! Go Nic! I knew you could do it!!!� She smiled at her excited friends. �So did I. It just took some prodding and a good friend to help me realize it.� Her mother came down, beaming and smiling. �Oh, Nicole! I�m so proud of you! And I know you�re father is, too.� Nicole�s smile faltered a bit, at the mention of her father, but Alex grabbed her arm and pulled her away. �I want to know what you meant, by that last remark. Going out with a bang? Where do you think you�re going?� Nicole took a deep breath. �It�s over, Alex. No more of this.�
She gestured to the arena. �No more skating, unless I want to. Not because someone tells me to.� He glared at her. �Is this what that boyfriend of yours has been filling your head with?� She looked at him surprised. He sneered. �Oh, yes. I know all about him. I�ve heard the phone calls, I�ve seen you two, when he just so happens to show up here.� She glared at him. �You were SPYING on me? What gives you the right? I expected this out of my mother, or Naomi, but YOU? You�re nothing but my coach! Get out of my way and leave me alone.� He smirked. �I take it your mother doesn�t know, does she? Well, she�s gonna know by the end of the night, trust me.� She stormed away, and grabbed Brandon and Adriana and pulled them outside.
�Whoa! Nicole! Where�s the fire?� She sat down, feeling tears brimming in her eyes. �I told Alex I wanted to leave and he said he was gonna tell mom� Dammit! All I want is to live my OWN life, ya know? And ya know what?! That�s what I plan to do! I�m getting the next flight out to NYC and meet up with JC there. And NO ONE can stop me.� Adriana looked at her shocked. �Whoa. Nikki, is� is this what you truly want?� Nicole nodded, fiercely. �More than anything.� Adriana sighed. �What if it doesn�t work out between you and JC?� Nicole sighed. �What are you talking about? We�re only friends. He told me if I wanted to become a photographer, and see the world, then I could go with him and his group to see the world. That�s all. It�s strictly platonic.� Brandon smiled. �Have fun, sweetie. And don�t forget to call us. Everyday, hear me?!� She nodded and hugged him. �Luv you guys.� She hugged Adriana and smiled. �I�d better get going. I�ll see you guys.� Brandon and Adriana watched her sprint down the street and she looked at him. �Think she�ll be alright?� He nodded. �She�s gonna be just fine.�
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