Chapter Seven
"You can't stop me now, You can't hold me down, You can't keep me here, I'm on my way, I made it this far now, And I'm not burning out, no matter what you say; I'm not afraid..."-Yellowcard
They both pulled away and looked at the door. Nicole�s shoulders instantly slumped. �Mom, what are you doing here?� She glared at them. �It�s my house, isn�t it? And you are not going anywhere. Good. You�re packed. We�re leaving in an hour for Sweden.�

�SWEDEN?! What the hell for?!??� she shouted back at her mother. �Alex said it would be a learning experience to go and skate in Sweden. They have some of the best trainers and professionals there that will help your skating. Now let�s get a move on.� She glared at JC and walked out. Nicole looked down and walked over to the window and stared out. He walked behind her and touched her shoulder. �Nic�� he said softly. She sighed. �Please. Don�t. I need to do this on my own. Your flight leaves the same time as my mother�s, I�ll have made my choice by then.� He nods. �Ok. You take your time, alright?� She nodded, wordlessly. He took her hands in his and turned her to face him. He smiled and lifted her chin and kissed her cheek. �In case I don�t see you again.� She forced a smile and turned back around and he walked out.

�NICOLE! It�s time to leave! Hurry it up and get down here!� Nicole sighed. She picked up her things and walked downstairs to where her mother and Naomi were waiting impatiently. �Are you ready?� her mother asked. Nicole simply nodded. �Then let�s go. We do have a flight to catch.�

~At airport~

�Last call for Flight 229 to New York!� Nicole�s head shot up and looked at her sister who was in the gift shop looking around. She turned to her mom and gave her a hug. Her mom looked surprised. �What was that for?� Nicole shrugged. �Sweden was a really good idea.� Her mom smiled, satisfied. �I knew it.� Nicole smiled. �I�ll be back, I gotta hit the bathroom, before we take off.� Her mom gave a nod of acknowledgement and went back to reading her magazine. Nicole slung her bag over her shoulder and took off running as fast as she could. �Well, this is it. Bye Mom. Naomi.� She ran to the gate just as they were about to close it. �Wait! Don�t go!� The woman looked at her and smiled warmly. �Well, you�re just in time.� Nicole breathed a sigh of relief. �My friend has my ticket. And I think he�s already on the plane��

�No he�s not.� She turned around and saw JC standing there, smiling. She grinned, and he handed the woman the two tickets and grabbed Nicole and took off running down the terminal. They got on the plane and sat down and he looked at her. �For a minute there, I didn�t think you were gonna come.� She closed her eyes. �I almost didn�t.� He nodded. �I�m glad you did.� He took her hand in his and held it tightly.

~2 hrs. later~

�We�ll now be making our decent to New York City, we hope you�ve had a nice flight.� Nicole stirred and opened her eyes slowly. She saw JC asleep next to her and she smiled at the peaceful expression on his face. She saw her hand tucked under his arm, as if protecting her from something. She nudged his shoulder and he awoke. �Hmm?� She laughed. �We�re here.� He groaned and stretched. �Are we?� She nodded. �Yeah.�

~At airport~

Nicole yawned as she walked along the busy NYC airport. JC put his hand on the small of her back and led her through the bustle of people. She looked up at him and chuckled. �Sunglasses inside? That�s a new one.� He smiled. �I don�t exactly wanna get recognized.� She nodded and kept walking. �Where am I going?� He laughed. �Don�t worry, just walk. I�ve got a car out here somewhere.� She nodded and followed him outside to the car. �Oooh, nice.� He chuckled and walked over to her side and opened the door. �Milady.� He bowed. She laughed and got in. �Thank you, sir.� He winked and shut the door and jogged around to his side, got in, and sped off. She rolled the window down and leaned out taking in the city.

She rolls the window down
And she talks over the sound
Of the cars that pass us by
And I don�t know why
But she�s changed my mind

Would you look at her as she looks at me
She�s got me thinkin� bout her constantly
But she don�t know how I feel
And as she carries on without a doubt
I wonder if she�s figured out
I�m crazy for this girl


JC smiled at her and sighed to himself. �God, she looks so beautiful, wind blowing through her blond hair, sun illuminating her face. Why can�t I just tell her how I feel?� �When do we leave? Ya know, to somewhere else?� she asked suddenly. �Tomorrow. We catch a plane over to Europe. That cool?� She nodded, eagerly. �Yeah!�

She was the one to hold me
The night the sky fell down
And what was I thinkin� when
The world didn�t end
Why didn�t I know what I know now

And right now
Face to face all my fears
Pushed aside and right now
I�m ready to spend
The rest of my life with you

Crazy for this girl�


~At hotel~

�And this is Joey, Justin, Lance, and Chris. Guys this is Nicole.� JC finished. Nicole gave a small smile and a little wave. Justin grinned. �So. You�re Nicole. JC�s told us a lot about you. And I mean, A LOT.� JC shot him a warning look and Justin just grinned as if nothing bad had been said. Nicole raised her eyebrows. �Really? Nothing, bad I hope.� Joey shook his head, smiling. �No, no, no. Nothing bad. Nothing bad at all.� He leaned back, looking amused. They all knew how bad JC had it for this girl. She cocked an eyebrow. �What�s he been saying?� Lance laughed. �Oh, just that you were a skater, and stuff�� She smiled sweetly and sat down next to him. �What stuff?� Lance coughed. �Well, that you� ah wanted to be a photographer.� She nodded. �Oh. Well. Yeah, I do.� Joey reached over and grabbed a coke. �So, Nicole. You single?� Chris hit him. �Joey. Ignore him. He�s got issues.� Nicole smiled, amused. �Yeah, I am.�

�Not for long.� Justin coughed under his breath. She looked at him and he smiled innocently. JC stood up. �Well. Ya know what? It�s late, and we have an early flight tomorrow, so if you�ll excuse us, we�re gonna go.� He glared at Justin and looked at Nicole inquisitively. She nodded. �It was nice to meet all of you guys. Thanks again for letting me come on tour with ya�ll.� Chris waved. �We�re happy you came. You can keep Danielle company, since she�s coming with us this time around.� Nicole looked confused, until Lance added, �His girlfriend.� Nicole nodded in realization. �Oh. Well, I�ll see you guys tomorrow.� She smiled brightly and walked out, with JC in tow.

Eight
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