�So how are you handling being all by yourself?� MyKenna asked into the phone to Dakota; who was home alone. MyKenna was back in school in England, Aaron was in New York, and Nickolas was in Los Angeles with the guys.
�It sucks,� Dakota said. �I have nothing to do and no one to talk to. All I�ve been doing since Nick left is missing him and going over the script.�
�When are you going to Seattle?�
�The 16th.�
�Oh.�
�I�ve been thinking about going out to L.A. to surprise Nicky. I really want to be with him on Valentine�s Day.�
�Who wouldn�t want to be with him on Valentine�s Day or any other day?� They laughed.
�He�s mine so just back off.�
�I�m happy with Aaron so don�t worry about anything.�
�I ain�t.�
�That�s good.�
�I just miss him a lot for some reason. I never missed him this much, ya know. I don�t know what�s wrong with me.�
�It�s probably because it�s Valentine�s soon and that�s like the most romantic day of the year.�
�I guess so.�
�And you and Nick are in love and it would be wrong if you weren�t together.�
�I guess so.�
�So go and surprise him in L.A. for Valentine�s.�
�I guess I could do that.�
�You can do that. You have the money to surprise Nick in any part of the country any time ya want to.�
�Ok you do have a point.�
�I always do.�
�So much confidence.� MyKenna laughed. �But you�re right. I should just go to L.A. and see Nicky.�
�Yes.�
�Or I could go to England and see you.�
�That�d be even better, but if you really miss Nick then you should be with him. Especially on Valentine�s Day.�
�Yeah.�
�So are you going to?�
�Most likely.�
�Well ya should. He�ll be extremely happy to see you.�
�Ya think so.�
�I know so.�
�Are you and Aaron going to be seeing each other on Valentine�s?�
�Most likely not considering he�s in New York and I�m in England.�
�Then why don�t you go surprise him in New York.�
�Yeah right. I can�t go anywhere until I save up my money for my next trip.�
�Oh.�
�Yeah.�
�What if I suggest sending ya the money so you can go see Aaron?�
�I would say that is very nice, but I can�t accept.�
�Why not? I�m offering.�
�I know, but it wouldn�t be right.�
�Why? Because you�ll have to pay me back?�
�That and you shouldn�t have to do things for me.�
�Well I want to and you won�t have to pay me back. Just think of it as a late Christmas present or an early birthday gift.�
�I don�t know, Kota. I�ll have to think about it.�
�What�s to think about? Your best friend is offering to send you to New York at no charge.�
�I know that, but I just don�t know.�
�Fine then. Don�t think I never offered you anything.�
�Alright.�
�So how�s school going?�
�Good. I�m almost done thank God.�
�Then what are you going to do?�
�I don�t know. I was talking to my parents about letting me move to America.�
�What�d they say?�
�We�ll talk about it after you graduate.�
�Well you�re going to be 19 so I don�t think there is much they can do about ya moving to another country for a great start at your career.�
�I don�t think they thought of it that way. I�ll have to mention my career choice to them.�
�And also mention your age. As long as you�re over the age of 18 you can start making your own choices by yourself.�
�Yeah.�
�But you still have to know what your parents think about it and let them know that everything is going to be ok.�
�I told them that.�
�That�s good.�
�Hey I got to go. I have some homework I have to get done yet.�
�Alright.�
�Go visit Nick and I�ll call ya about your oh so generous offer.�
�Ok. You have my cell number.�
�Of course. I�ll talk ya later though.�
�Ok, later.� Dakota heard a click come from the other end and hung up the phone. She stood there a moment then went upstairs to pack.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dakota walked out of the airport just as her phone rang. Before getting it out she hailed a taxi and put her stuff in the trunk. She climbed in the back and rooted for her phone. She got it out and looked at the number to see who was calling. She started dialing the number, as the driver looked at her.
�Where are ya headed, Miss?�
�Um, the Marriott on Rio Grande.� He smiled.
�Ok.� She grinned and put the phone to her ear.
�Hello?� came MyKenna�s voice.
�Hey,� Dakota said. �What�d ya want?�
�Well I was thinking about your offer?�
�Really?�
�Yeah.�
�And what did ya decide? Are you going to go to New York to see Aaron?�
�Yeah. I think I miss him as much as you miss Nick.�
�Right.�
�Seriously.�
�I believe you.�
�I�m glad.�
�When are you going to go? That way I can send ya the money.�
�Let�s see�when�s Valentine�s Day? Monday?�
�Yeah.�
�I was thinking either Sunday or first thing Monday my time.�
�Ok.�
�What do you think?�
�Depends on how soon ya want to see him and how bad.�
�Right.�
�How much do you want to see him?�
�Pretty much.�
�Ok then, the sooner the better.�
�Yeah.�
�Why don�t ya leave tomorrow after school then? I can send ya the money when I get to the hotel.�
�Why? Where are you?�
�In L.A. on my way to see Nicky Gene.� Dakota smiled.
�He�s going to be so happy.�
�I hope so.�
�He will be.�
�And then next Friday I go to Seattle and get to spend a few months with Paul Walker. It�s going to be so fun.�
�And you�re so lucky.�
�Aren�t I?� They laughed. �So what ya doing?�
�Nothing, just finishing up my homework.�
�That sucks.�
�Yeah, but thankfully it�s my last year and I won�t have to put up with it anymore.�
�And then you can go on and make some big bucks.�
�Hopefully.�
�You will, because you�re a very smart girl and big businesses will try and snatch ya up.�
�Just like big directors are trying to snatch you up.�
�Nope; not yet.�
�It�ll happen.�
�It doesn�t matter to me, because I am doing something I love.�
�That�s good.�
�Yes it is.�
�Well I�m going to let ya go so I can finish my homework here.�
�Alrighty.�
�I will talk to ya later then.�
�Ok. Call me when ya get the money so I know.�
�I will.�
�Ok.�
�Bye.�
�Bye.� Dakota heard a click and turned off her phone. She sighed and looked out the window, as anticipation of seeing Nickolas took over her.
CHAPTER 3