Chapter 8

“Yeah,” Samantha replied, as she took off the wrapping paper and opened the present. Inside, were diamond heart-shaped earrings.

“God damn!” Megan, said as she looked at the earrings. “Oops sorry Ryan,” she said, as she ruffled his hair. ” Those must be like one carat each earring!” she exclaimed.

“Let me see!” Ryan said, as he leaned over to look in the box. “Wow, I think are the prettiest earrings I’ve ever seen!”

Samantha was still staring down at the gift from Nick, not believing that he had sent her something so nice.

She finally looked up, seeing a very pissed look on Jake’s face. “Yeah Meg, they are really beautiful,” she stammered, “Did you see what Jake got me?” Samantha asked, as she went to show her the locket.

“And look, it has our picture inside,” Samantha said, as she opened it up to show Meg.

“That’s very nice,” Meg said, as Jake turned his head around to look at them.

“Yeah, just nice. Not big ass diamond earrings, but I worked all semester to buy it,” he snapped, hurt that he had been shown up.

“Daddy didn’t give you the money to buy it?” asked Megan as Jake gave her a weird look and she shut up, “Of course you worked for it.”

“Well I love it…. it’s the best present I ever got.” Samantha said, as she kissed his cheek. “I’m never taking it off.”

Jake seemed to relax a little. “I’m sorry I can’t afford diamonds,” he said, as she shook her head no.

“I’m not. The earrings are beautiful, but I know a lot of hard work and thought went into your gift. Don’t be disappointed, because I’m not,” she said, as she smiled at him.

Jake was beaming now. “So Megan, what did you get from Samantha for Christmas?” Jake asked.

Megan was about to tell him about the New Year’s Eve concert, when Samantha interrupted her. “I haven’t given it to her yet, it’s just girl stuff. You wouldn’t be interested,” Samantha said, as she gave Megan a look letting her know to keep her mouth shut.

“Oh, okay,” Jake replied.

Ryan turned off his video game, saying he was going to go outside to play.

“Oh, look what’s coming on TV, ‘It’s a wonderful life’” Samantha said.

“Ugh, I’ve seen this movie about a thousand times Samantha,” Megan whined.

“C’mon, it will he fun. It isn’t really Christmas until you’ve watched ‘It’s a wonderful life.’ Sit down here,” she said, patting the seat on the couch next to her.

Megan sat down, and her, Samantha and Jake were getting ready for the movie. Samantha looked over at Jake and he returned her look as they fell into a kiss.

“Alright, there will be none of that, or I’m sitting in between you two,” Megan said, as they just smiled at her and went to watching the movie.

Samantha and Megan pulled up to the Orlando Arena at about two’oclock on New Years Eve and found a parking space. Megan opened her car door, ready to get out when she looked at Samantha who was sitting there holding the steering wheel with her seat belt still on.

“Sam, you okay? What’s wrong?” Megan asked, as she shut her door back and turned around to look at her best friend better.

“Yeah I’m fine. I just feel a little guilty about lying to Jake and all,” she said, as she undid her seat belt.

“Yeah well, you were right, he just would have gotten jealous. And anyway, what’s the big deal? We told him we’re having a girls night, and we are. We just never said the place. So it’s only a tiny white lie,” Megan said.

“That’s true,” Samantha said, as she grabbed her mom’s cell phone and turned it off. Her mom had told her to take it, just in case, since her car had been acting up recently. “I don’t think we want Jake calling, do we?” Samantha asked.

“Nope, we have other men to talk to,” Megan said, as she began to giggle.

“Oh lord, there’s that giggling again. I dunno Meg, for some reason, I’m like a little nervous to see Nick. I don’t know why,” Samantha said, as she put the phone in her purse, and gathered up her things.

“Well I can see that, you haven’t seen him in a while, and now he knows all of your deepest darkest secrets,” Megan joked.

“How do you know that?” Samantha asked, as she laughed at her.

“Well I figure you must be telling someone about what you and Jake are doing late at night,” Megan said, as she grinned over at Samantha.

“We aren’t doing anything, thank you very much, now let’s go and see your moony pie,” Samantha said teasing her, as she made kissy faces at Megan.

“Dude, do NOT call Brian moony pie when we see him. I will KILL you,” Megan said, as she shooke her finger at her.

“I would never,” Samantha said, as she looked at her, pretending to be insulted.

After a few run-ins with security, Samantha finally just called Nick’s cell phone from hers so he would come and get them at the front of the arena.

“Damn, you would think they were the president or something, the way these security guards are acting,” Megan pointed out as Samantha shook her head in agreement.

“For real,” Samantha said, as she heard Nick running up to them calling her name. She turned around and looked at him, and all of the nervousness she had been feeling for the past ten minutes or so faded as she ran into his arms and hugged him.

“Hey!” she said, as she leaned back to look him over. “You look good! How have you been? What’s up?” she said, the questions coming out of her mouth so fast, she didn’t even know what she was saying.

“I’m fine, you now that. I just talked to you for two hours last night! You look good too! And you must be Megan,” Nick said, as he stuck out his hand, “I’ve heard a lot about you…. it’s been a while…. damn you’ve changed.. you look.. half way decent..”

“Same smartass huh? Yeah… All good I hope,” Megan finally stuttered out, as she smiled at him. “Sorry I just can’t believe I’m actually meeting you, Nick Carter. You’re not the same Nick Carter I remember from school.”

“Don’t sweat it, I’m just a regular guy, just like I always was.. I have many faults, just ask Samanthamy here,” he said as he looked down at her grinning. “Let me go introduce you to the guys, follow me,” Nick said, as he and Samantha walked arm and arm down the corridor to the backstage area.

Nick made the introductions around and they all joked about how they had heard about one another through Nick. Samantha was happy, they all seemed very nice.

Nick looked over at Megan, who looked a little disappointed. “Megan, I’m sorry your moony pie brought his girlfriend,” Nick said, as Samantha covered his mouth to shut him up. Megan’s eyes were as big as saucers, as she looked over at Samantha who just whistled innocently. Megan mouthed the words “you’re dead” to her, as Samantha grinned.