Co-written with Jessy19, and with special editing help from Lorelei here is the resubmission of Chapter One.
Me: Hey lover I miss you.
Silence as usual. He told me not to call him. Last time I did, coach warned him: "pay attention! Next time I'll take that thing away." A reply came back almost immediately.
Nick (bro): Um ... sis you texted the wrong Nick again.
Me: Oops sorry bro.
I tried again: Nick? Honey, are you there? I miss you.
More silence. Thinking about how long I should wait, I received a response.
Nick (bf): Hey baby. I'm right here. Where are those pictures we talked about?
Me: No pictures!
Nick (bf): Come on baby, how about just one?
Me: No way! How do I know you won't share it with the whole football team?
Nick (bf): Is that the way you see me? :(
Me: No, you're right, give me some time to think about it.
Nick (bf): Don't think. Just do it. Can't wait to see your sexy body.
Me: Like you haven't already seen all of me
Nick (bf): Yeah, but I like to keep that image close to me.
Me: In your dreams.
Nick (bf): Not just dreams. I want the real thing; what do you expect, I'm a guy.
I laughed and put my phone up in my purse. My boyfriend of six months, Nick, had been pressing me to send him naughty pictures. I was always hesitant about sending anything intimate to anyone, especially images. It was just ... public, and I am a private person.
That day at noon I met my friend Kate in the student lounge -- with a concession stand, tables, and chairs. I was looking forward to seeing Kate for a quiet conversation over lunch. Most people like us sat on the comfortable chairs, slightly elevated from the cafeteria. She munched on an apple with peanut butter; I had packed a sandwich and Pringles. We had some catching up to do, with all the time I had been spending with Nick.
"I think I'm going to send Nick those naked pics," I blurted out.
Kate stopped chewing on her apple, looked around for eavesdroppers and stared at me. "You're not serious, are you? Vanessa, how many times do I have to tell you this is a bad idea? Did you not listen when I told you what happened to me when my jerk ex-boyfriend put my private glamor shots on the internet for the whole world to see?
I shrugged shyly. " I'm considering it. It's just that...".
"What? Oh, Nick, I'm yours, whenever you want me" She said mocking me.
I playfully slapped her arm. "Shut up. I do not talk like that."
"Uh yeah you do. It's like you lose your wits, turn off your brain ...."
My attention drifted away from her. Nick. My Nick was collecting a crowd across the way. Tall, blonde hair and big blue eyes, he always collected an entourage. I narrowed my eyes when I realized he was talking to Julie Naylor and Misty Thompson. Those two girls were on the cheerleading squad and trailed Nick like dogs in heat.
Realizing I was not listening, Kate stopped talking, frowned and crossed her arms. She then turned to see where I was glaring, only to hear me say: "Those two sluts are always hanging around my Nick!"
Kate sighed. "Vanessa ... better get used to it if you are going to date football player. You must know that half of the girls in this college are after Nick. And the two of you are such an odd couple."
I looked over again towards Nick's direction and cringed. It looked to me he was shamelessly flirting with Julie and Misty. " I got to go now." I stood up and Kate straightened.
"Uh oh. Don't tell me you are going to go start something; actually, that just might be fun. Life has been boring lately. Yea, a catfight! You and I should be able to hold our own. I would just love to pull those hair extenders right out..."
I scoffed. "they are not worth my time. I'm just going to talk to my man; shoo them away."
Kate shook her head. "Oh boy."
I walked slowly towards my boyfriend. Nick's face turned red when he saw me coming towards him, quickly standing up straight and smiling. I approached directly and wrapped my arms around him. "Hey honey," I said loudly, knowing that Julie and Misty heard me.
"Hey baby," he whispered in my ear.
"Julie. Misty you all know Vanessa," Nick said introducing me. I did not like the fact that he didn't mention I was his girlfriend.
"Hi, I'm his girlfriend," I said proudly.
Julie and Misty both gave me dirty looks and fake smiles. "Nice to meet you," they spoke almost in unison.
Taking my boyfriend's hand in mine, I tried to whisk him off: "Let's go hang out for a while; I don't have a class for an hour."
Nick resisted and began to fidget. "Um I'd love to babe but..."
"He's got to go to practice and we're late to cheer. Since we are heading out that way, why don't you come along with us?" Julie Naylor declared with a sinister smirk. It wasn't a question, and she wasn't expecting me to agree.
"Uh ... yeah," Nick replied hesitantly. Nick's you know how it goes expression and ". "Uh sorry babe, I got to go. I'll call you later," didn't make me feel better.
My ears were hot and cheeks probably turning red. Silent anger whispered in my ear: "I can't believe him! He has some nerve!'
Misty giggled and Julie tossed her long blonde hair back. "Ok, let's go."
With that, he took off with the two bimbos leaving me all alone.
Kate was now standing close behind me. "He left huh. That was weak. Didn't even give you a second thought."
I turned to face her. "Can you believe those two? Why don't they just get naked, bend over and beg for it right here in the cafeteria!"
Kate raised a brow. "Don't give them any ideas. I think Nick would like that a little too much." Her expression changed when she saw my furled brow. Holding my hands and looking me in the eyes, she murmured in a low voice: " C'mon, don't let them get to you; they're not worth it. Take a deep breath. Let's walk before your next class."
By the time of my last period of the day I felt better. I headed home. Kate came along with me. She liked to come over because my mom was a great cook and Kate was tired of eating Lean Cuisine meals. Kate had the luxury of being able to live on campus, to where I had to still live at home. Three years now. Maybe I hung around Nick to experience college life.
We got to my house a few minutes later. I was happy it was Thursday because I only had lab on Friday mornings. It's like I became a different person on weekends. The highlight was going to watch the football games and cheer Nick on. Kate rarely joined me. She wasn't into the scene.
We passed my just turned eighteen-year-old brother Nick playing Call of Duty. We heard the gunshots from outside on the front porch.
"Hey! Turn it down, will you?" I snapped.
Nick saw us and grabbed the remote. He had a towel loosely draped over his lap which had become partly unraveled. My brother Nick stared at Kate and then at me. The gold specs of his hazel eyes focused on me though. His wet black hair was a mess. His boxer shorts and a t-shirt were laying on the floor, slightly out of reach. He hadn't expected me to bring a friend.
I had forgotten he was on one of his many school breaks throughout the year. During the summer he apprenticed in Dad's construction business. He was good with his hands. He valued his mind over muscle but had no plans to attend college.
"Sorry," he said as the volume was turned down.
"Hey Nicky, now that you're legal, come see me." Kate pronounced: " It's time for real sex ed. I'm not talking about books or school stuff."
"Kate!" I frowned and "Don't get any ideas, little brother!" I barked.
Nick turned red. I couldn't believe my friend! She could be a little too blunt sometimes. Kate and I would have talk about my brother. Kate opened her mouth to say something then closed it.
"We're going to be up in my room," I said. I hooked his skivvies with a toe, flipping them is his direction. "Next time make sure you're at least wearing these!"
Yes, it was frustrating having a boyfriend named Nick and a brother named Nick. It wasn't sexy calling out Nick's name during love making since it sometimes made me think I was moaning for my own flesh and blood. But my little brother looked nothing like my Nick thank goodness for that.