The Big V Wattys2016

Blog #32:

Ricky: "I could ask you the same question bro. You fuckin her, too?!" he asked, with his hands in the air.
Ant: "What? You know me better than that, bro. I'm just gonna stay out of it because it's not even my business. B, LaLa said for me to come over here and to not leave until you were ready. I'll be waiting in the car."

Finally I remembered LaLa said if I took too long, she'd send Ant to come get me. I guess she wasn't playing. A wave of relief went through my body as I heard the downstairs door slam.

B: "It's not even like that." I said, getting up and walking over to the make up station.
Ricky: "Tell me what it's like then- matter of fact, since you have your event to get ready for, I guess I'ma dip and just meet you and your date there." he said, grabbing his jacket off the floor.
B: "Save yourself the trouble and don't even bother coming. I see that you what I want- not what I need. Don't ruin this for me, Ricky."
Ricky: "Don't forget about Karma, because she aint forgot about you." he said leaving out the room.

I shrugged my shoulders and got back to what I was doing before being rudely interrupted. I quickly tried to salvage the bit of make-up I had yet to ruin as best as I could, so it could at least last me until I got to the venue.

I mentally went over a checklist of everything I needed for the event.

Wallet? Check.
Heels? Check.
Perfume? Check.
Make-up bag? Check.

Grabbing everything else in a scurry, I quickly reevaluated the last couple of hours and cringed at the thought of how wrong I did Nick.

I wiped away an involuntary tear, accompanied by the sound of a honking horn. I looked out the window to see an impatient Ant waiting in the driver's seat.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my duffle bag and phone and locked the door before leaving the house.

The feeling of being outside put me in a better and brighter mood, so when I got in passenger's seat and slammed the door, I promised myself to not think about the past couple of hours.

--------------------------------------------

LaLa: "Where the hell have you been?!" she yelled as I walked into the dressing rooms upstairs.

I laughed as girls rushing to get dressed passed me by. Everybody neglected to say hi but wanted something.

Jenna: "B, you have bobby pins?"
B: "Not for you." I said, sitting my duffle bag at the seat with a name tag on it, marked B.
LaLa: "That was rude!" she said laughing. Jenna rolled her eyes and walked away.
B: "Anyways, what have you done for the past couple of hours?"
LaLa: "What happened to your make-up? And don't question me- I've been productive. I could ask you the same thing, and judging from the smell of cologne and the messy make-up, I have an idea." she said, finishing her bun. I quickly changed the subject.
B: "Where's your dress?"
LaLa: "Don't change the subject, but let me help you with that." she said, grabbing the eyebrow pencil.

She turned my chair around to face her and without protest I let her fix my makeup.

LaLa: "I'm not putting on my dress yet because I'm about to help bring in cases of red wine and don't want to risk it." She grabbed my lipstick from behind me.
B: "Oh okay. You heard from Amy?"
LaLa: "Yeah she should be here shortly. She said she's coming early to formally introduce us to her date, Marcus."
B: "He's a cutie- tall, handsome and got something going for him."
LaLa: "Yeah I can't believe she feels like we judge her. Breaks my heart; I'm gonna text her about it."
B: "I'd just leave it alone- she has a real winner, there's nothing to address."
LaLa: "You're right."

"LaLa, we need you!" A manly voice yelled from outside the door.

LaLa: "Those are probably the cases of wine. Want to help bring them in?"
B: "Sure. Is my makeup done?"
LaLa: "Yes girl. Come on."

We walked outside to the parking lot, where a big rusty and white truck was waiting. We got to the back of it and at least 20 cases of wine were in there, and only 8 ladies were helping.

"Be careful ladies!" the event manager yelled.

After I walked back out for my second case and grabbed it off the truck, I felt a hand grab my hip. I turned around slowly and was greeted by a familiar smile.

"I can help you with that." Nick smiled. He grabbed the case from my arms.

After we finished with the cases, he asked if we could talk outside. I wanted to make up an excuse not to because of how guilty I was feeling, but instead spoke before thinking and ended up saying okay.

B: "So wassup?" I asked, with my arms crossed at my chest.
Nick: "I apologize for slamming the door in your face. What we have is real- so I know you'll choose me, therefore I have no worries. I should've said this before, but every part of me trusts you. I know you confused and so am I, but in relationships we supposed to lean on each other so that's what I'ma do."
B: "What's making you say this all of a sudden?"
Nick: "I had a conversation with my mom and she gave me some insight." He licked his lips and looked off into the distance, like he was partially distracted.
B: "You're really a mommy's boy." I smiled. "But I appreciate that- um I gotta go can we continue this another time?"

I couldn't smile in his face any longer and pretend to be something I'm not. These relationships got so ugly and by trying to keep people, I lost myself in the process. I'm not a fake person and I truly have the best intentions- my actions just don't show that.

Nick: "Well I have something really important to tell you."
B: "I'm sorry I can't deal with it right now. The Winter Royale starts in 2 hours. Thank you for your help, though." I said kissing his cheek.

I started to walk away, and after stepping on the pavement, I thought about his previous statements. He opened his car door.

B: "Nick?" I asked, turning around.
Nick: "Wassup?"
B: "Am I gonna see you later tonight?"
Nick: "Of course. Could never let you down." he said, getting in the car.

---------------------------------------

Ms. Perkins: "Thirty minutes until show time ladies!" she yelled.
LaLa: "I look so good I could marry me." she laughed, looking in the mirror.

Her long black gown encrusted with sequins graced the floor, drawing your eyes to her black puffy heels.

I piped her head a little before taking pictures of her for the gram outside the venue, quickly getting back to the dressing room to reapply my lipgloss and touch up my curls.

"You look fine!" LaLa exclaimed, walking over to my station.

I smiled as the photographer walked in and took pictures of all the girls- LaLa and I included.

Amy walked in just in time to be included in the photos- but she wasn't alone. The four of us took a picture before she formally introduced her new boo, Marcus. He was admittedly fine, with a deep voice and a nice grey and black suit to compliment Amy's outfit.

"Nice to meet you." LaLa and I told Marcus. "A pleasure ladies." he responded. They left to get a glass of wine while we prepared to greet reporters and photographers.

Reporter: "You pledged this year, yes?" A reporter asked, preparing to write down my response.
B: "Yes, how'd you know?"
Reporter: "Oh darling, I know everything- it's my job. And your name?"
B: "You know everything but not my name?"
Reporter: "There's a first time for everything."
B: "You can call me B."
Reporter: "Nice, B. How do you like the Winter Royale, the biggest event of the season?"
B: "It's very interesting and fun to see everyone come out and support us and contribute to this fun night."
Reporter: "Is there any drama that you feel could spoil the event for you?"
Kasey: "That'll be all, Mary." she said, pulling me away from the old lady's trap. "Don't ever talk to her again- she's looking for gossip, nothing positive."
B: "For someone with a name from the bible she doesn't sound so holy."

I walked to my position on the stairs and was hoping to see Joseph below me, since his donations and presence alone would be greatly appreciated. Then I began to think about working for The Game again- a thought that hadn't crossed my mind in a while.

Ms. Perkins: "The doors are about to open and we're walking down the steps in 15 minutes, so everyone get in their positions. The same way we rehearsed!" she yelled before leaving.

My phone vibrated, and to see Nick's name across my screen gave me happiness and anxiety at the same time.

Meet me in the parking lot, the text read. I excused myself from the line of girls on their way upstairs and ran out the back- in heels.

I walked outside to see him leaning on his same car, in the same spot from hours before. But this time he was all dressed up and his friend J was in the passenger's seat, with the windows rolled up.

Nick: "Can I say what I have to say now?"
B: "Save it until after the Winter Royale, please? I promise I won't ask you to wait again, but we're about to get started." He readjusted his face. "Can you come in so you can greet me at the bottom of the staircase?"
Nick: "No problem." He walked in behind me, grabbing my ass on the way in.

The doors opened, letting everyone in and LaLa and Ant talked for a little by the entrance before she reclaimed her spot on the stairs.

Standing high enough up the steps, I could see Nick and his friend J sit by the windowsill, by the entrance. I smiled and waved as he smiled back before continuing his conversation with J.

Looking down, I saw many familiar faces, including Tommy, Kasey, Vanessa, Amy, Joseph, and worst of all- Nick the Tic.

Names started to get called and I mentally prepared myself, which I had a lot of time for since LaLa and I were last.

Kasey's face was filled with excitement as she walked down the staircase, across from Ashley.

"Now Presenting, B ___."

Hearing my name was my cue. I walked along the left side of the banister- just as Ms. Perkins instructed.

"Now Presenting, Latavia ____."

LaLa walked along the right side of the staircase, smiling for the crowd of sponsors and friends below. She gently grabbed the left side of her black, sequin-encrusted gown, being careful to not fall in front of all those cameras and over 2000 people.

Everything was going fine aside from my heart racing and toes going numb. I pulled my hair behind my right ear delicately, seeing smiles plastered on everyone's faces. I reminded myself to smile and watch my step. Amy and Ant greeted LaLa and I at the bottom. When I looked back at the windowsill, he was gone. Nick was gone.

May our guests find their way to the ball room for some five star dining, champagne and music." the man said over the microphone.

I went to follow the crowd to the right of the staircase, into the ballroom.

Amy and I were joined at the arm when Marcus offered to get us both a glass of wine. I continued to look around for Nick, and still no luck.

Amy: "I'm sure he just went to the bathroom."
B: "Maybe you're right. You okay?" She seemed bothered.
Amy: "No, I'm not."
B: "Well cheer up, this is our night."
Amy: "Well look whose coming over here."

It was James with the girl we saw him chase after. What made him show up, and who invited him? I rose an eyebrow as he got closer, with a smirk plastered on his face and a hand at the hip of his blonde bimbo.

James: "Wassup Ames. So nice to see you here."
Amy: "Yeah well I can't say the same." She looked around for Marcus, who was taking forever.
James: "I don't want to cause trouble. Lemme formally introduce my fiancé, Lena."
Lena: "We're getting married!" she boasted, holding out her hand to reveal a big and pricey diamond.

The tears in Amy's eyes were visible, but quickly pushed away at Marcus' late arrival.

Marcus: "Here are your drinks ladies. Sorry it took so long. Amy, you okay?"
Amy: "Yeah my contacts are acting up, excuse me." she walked away in a hurry and out the doors of the ballroom. I chased after her.

Outside the doors was Nick the Tic, smoking a Black and Mild.

Amy: "He so full of shit. Can't believe I was ever interested in him."
B: "I know you're upset so let me walk you upstairs to one of the offices so you can calm down and get yourself together."
Amy: "No it's okay, you go. I know you have appearances to make. Go find Nick, I'll find my way. Which office?"
B: "The third door to the left of the staircase. Here are the keys. I'll check on you in 20 minutes." I pulled the keys from my clutch.

Out the corner of my eye I could see Nick the Tic eyeing us in his usually creepy and agitating stance.

Nick: "I could help you find your way."
B: "Actually you can take that shit outside- you can't smoke in here."
Nick: "Okay, relax."
Amy: "Go, I'll be okay." she said walking up the steps.

When I went back in the ballroom, Nick was still standing there. Nobody can make my skin crawl the way he does.

A photographer stopped me and asked to take my picture, and when I sat down to call Nick's phone, someone stepped in front of me. They smelled like Giorgio Armani and so it didn't surprise me to see Joseph in an expensive suit, looking better than ever.

Joseph: "Hi, how are you?"
B: "I'm okay. How's your life?"
Joseph: "Stressful without you in it."
B: "I see you're all dressed up. You don't have to flex for me, Joseph."
Joseph: "Every time I go out, you know I gotta show out." I laughed at his corny jokes- he never failed to make me laugh.
B: "I'm not working for you again." I said with a faint smile.

We stared at each other before I realized I was on Nick's voicemail.

"Where are you? I hate not having you next to me. Just call me back." I whispered before hanging up.

Joseph: "You okay? You seem distracted."
B: "I'm great. Just who I was looking for." I said standing up as Kasey grabbed my arm.
Kasey: "Excuse me but can I borrow her for a second?"
Joseph: "Sure."

Kasey quickly dragged me out of the ballroom by the arm without saying a word. She shut the doors behind the crowd of people. "We have a problem." she said, sweating bullets.

LaLa came from out of the ballroom, being dragged by Ant. Kasey rushed to shut the door again, and now we were at the bottom of the staircase.

B: "What's going on?"
LaLa: "Yeah, I'm confused- is everything okay?"
Kasey: "Tell them."
LaLa: "Tell me what, what's she talking about?" she addressed Ant, walking over to him. "You're scaring me."
Ant: "Will yall just calm down? Quit with the dramatics, Kasey. Let's hurry before this gets out of hand." I scanned the room.
B: "Where's Nick?"

Then I heard glass break.

The sounds of voices clashed with thumps and ruckus like someone was having a wrestling match. It was an out of body experience as I walked in the office door, to see Nick and Ricky on top of each other throwing punches.

LaLa: "Get them off of each other!"
Kasey: "Oh my God, let me shut the door before the press gets a hold of this."
B: "You're kidding me. My whole reputation is riding on this and yall in here fighting?"

Tommy held back Ricky and Marcus held back Nick.

Ricky: "Man get the fuck off me!"
LaLa: "Just let him go."
B: "Let him go?! Look at him he's drunk!"
Kasey: "Lower your voices! There are over 2,000 sponsors and guests in the room across the hall!"
LaLa: "Don't act like you're holier than thou because we all know what you get into."
Kasey: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ricky: "I guess we both don't know her like we thought we did."
Nick: "Fuck is this clown talkin about?"
B: "Nick shut up I can't deal with that right now."

I walked over to Ricky. He had on an all white suit and a fresh cut, but reeked of alcohol and weed. He had a cut to his right cheek and was fighting to loosen from Tommy's grip.

B: "Why are you here?"
Ricky: "Oh my bad, you didn't want me to come, right? Why don't you tell Pretty Boy Nick why?"
B: "This not the place right now."
Nick: "What's he talking about? Yo you're delusional. And for you to tell me to shut up B- I been trying to talk to you all day! And in front of him?"

I sat down in one of the chairs to catch my breath.

LaLa: "I don't see why yall two are arguing! You just fucked today, so don't act like yall enemies because Ricky here."
B: "LaLa!"
Nick: "I haven't had sex with B in 2 weeks."
Ricky: "Karma." he laughed, drinking from a bottle of liquor.
Nick: "Man I'm outta here."  he said walking toward the door.

Ant: "LaLa!"
LaLa: "Oops." she said puzzled.
Ant: "Listen man, don't leave. Talk it out."
Kasey: "Actually he can leave. Yall need to take that somewhere else."
LaLa: "Why is it that you think you better than everybody?"
Kasey: "I'm sorry did I do something to upset you?"
LaLa: "We know you have syphilis bitch and you slept with me without saying something!"
Kasey: "You're the only person I've slept with in the past couple of months and I just got my results back- I'm clean."
B: "So whose papers were in that box, and whose positive for syphilis?"
Kasey: "Ashley! You were in my closet?!"
Ricky: "You thought you played me Nick but the whole time she played us both."
Nick: "No nigga, just you."
Ricky: "Really? That's not what she was saying while I was hitting it from the back a few hours ago."

Nick charged at Ricky and broke the liquior bottle that was in Ricky's hand.

B: "Oh my God someone stop them!"
Marcus: "Yall one crazy ass group of 'friends'."
Ricky: "And Nick, did you tell her?" he asked, as Ant and Tommy pulled Nick off Ricky.

B: "Tell me what?"
Ricky: "The other day it wasn't really his Mom's birthday."
Nick: "You want another black eye? Keep talking."
B: "Nick what's he talking about?"
Nick: "I guess you not the only one that keeps secrets." he said walking out the office door.

As Nick walked out, in came Vanessa claiming she was looking for the bathroom.

Vanessa: "Oh, I'm sorry wrong room."
Marcus: "Vanessa?"
Vanessa: "Marcus- how do you know them?"
LaLa: "Wait yall know each other?"

I was so sick of drama that I chased behind Nick and followed him out back to the parking lot. A part of me wanted to save our relationship.

B: "Nick please slow down! The glass cut your hand." I yelled, watching the blood get all over his jacket.

Nick: "Don't act like you care, you never cared! You out here fuckin other niggas but I was just saying how I'm in love with you and trust you, thinking I'm stating facts. But really, you just a fraud!"
B: "I understand I messed up but you're bleeding everywhere, please slow down."

After 10 minutes of going back and forth, Nick finally calmed down enough to sit in the backseat and let me help him with his hand.

B: "Nick, I want you. I need you."
Nick: "I want you, too."
B: "Can we please start over? I'm B." I said laughing.
Nick: "Nice to meet you, B. I'm Nick."
B: "Before we start over, what was it you wanted to tell me earlier?"
Nick: "Ricky was right. It wasn't my mom's birthday."
B: "I knew it. You were cheating on me?!"

Nick: "Here you go, trying to flip it around. I never cheated on you. I was really with my
mom- she has cancer, B. I took her to the nail salon that day to get her mind off of it. Her chemotherapy has been giving her hell and I didn't know how to tell you and I'm sorry." he said crying.

The first time I'd seen Nick cry, and I'm partly the cause of it. I hugged him until he couldn't cry anymore.

Nick: "I'm transferring, B. I need to be closer to my mom and help her when she gets sick. My sister's too busy with Princess and I'm too far. That's what I've been trying to tell you all day, and the reason I asked the questions I did during our game of 21 questions. Or 5, really." he chuckled.

B: "When are you leaving?" I asked, tearing up.
Nick: "Tomorrow morning."
B: "Okay well your mom's place isn't that far-"
Nick: "It's not going to work. You're broken and left me to pick up the pieces. Look at me, B. I'm fighting and crying for you. I think it's best if we go our separate ways."
B: "Well I wish you the best and I hope your mom will be okay."
Nick: "I could say the same for you."

---------------------------------------
3 weeks later

I finally caught her in the café, sitting at a table all by herself. Sipping on coffee, she looked peaceful for the first time in 3 weeks. Then again, I haven't seen her in 3 weeks.

After 3 long weeks of avoiding my presence, calls and texts, I finally had the chance to confront her.

B: "Why have you been avoiding me?"
Amy: "I have to get to class." she said getting up and gathering her books. But she forgot one.
B: "I think you need this." she reached to grab for it but I pulled away.
Amy: "Please don't do this right now, I have an exam."
B: "Talk to me for 20 minutes and it's all yours." I suggested.
Amy: "Fine. Keep the book." She walked away from the table.
B: "What did I do to you that was so horrible?!" I asked, following her out the café.
Amy: "The Winter Royale. What happened?"
B: "A lot, why?"
Amy: "What did you say to me before you went back into the ballroom?"

I had a flashback.

Amy: "No it's okay, you go. I know you have appearances to make. Go find Nick, I'll find my way. Which office?"
B: "The third door to the left of the staircase. Here are the keys. I'll check on you in 20 minutes." I pulled the keys from my clutch.

B: "Okay so I forgot. I'm sorry- I kind of got caught up in my own problems. Doesn't mean you have to completely shut me out."
Amy: "I was raped, B. And when I told the dean who did it, he turned me away."
B: "W- When?"
Amy: "The night of The Winter Royale. And he'll get away with it- he's popular, athletic."
B: "I'll be with you through the whole process. Do all I can to help- I had no idea and I'm so sorry that happened to you." I wrapped my arms around her.
Amy: "LaLa told me about that night. It's okay, it really isn't your fault. I just want someone to blame and the person who's responsible doesn't have to take any responsibility." she cried, breaking down on bench across from the café.
B: "Who is it."
Amy: "B.."
B: "Who? With LaLa and I, you have nothing to be afraid of."
Amy: "It was Nick."

After a lot of thinking, I'm going to write another The Big V book. Rape, cheating and more secrets- how did Vanessa know Marcus and where does B go from here? Leave feedback and votes; thanks so much to everyone that enjoys my story and sends me their support. This book was fun to write, but now I'm going to focus on Eat: A Lyrical Miracle. Thanks again! 😇💗

P.S.: There are two Nicks and so no, I'm not going to specify which. That's up to you to infer.

Blog #32:

Ricky: "I could ask you the same question bro. You fuckin her, too?!" he asked, with his hands in the air.
Ant: "What? You know me better than that, bro. I'm just gonna stay out of it because it's not even my business. B, LaLa said for me to come over here and to not leave until you were ready. I'll be waiting in the car."

Finally I remembered LaLa said if I took too long, she'd send Ant to come get me. I guess she wasn't playing. A wave of relief went through my body as I heard the downstairs door slam.

B: "It's not even like that." I said, getting up and walking over to the make up station.
Ricky: "Tell me what it's like then- matter of fact, since you have your event to get ready for, I guess I'ma dip and just meet you and your date there." he said, grabbing his jacket off the floor.
B: "Save yourself the trouble and don't even bother coming. I see that you what I want- not what I need. Don't ruin this for me, Ricky."
Ricky: "Don't forget about Karma, because she aint forgot about you." he said leaving out the room.

I shrugged my shoulders and got back to what I was doing before being rudely interrupted. I quickly tried to salvage the bit of make-up I had yet to ruin as best as I could, so it could at least last me until I got to the venue.

I mentally went over a checklist of everything I needed for the event.

Wallet? Check.
Heels? Check.
Perfume? Check.
Make-up bag? Check.

Grabbing everything else in a scurry, I quickly reevaluated the last couple of hours and cringed at the thought of how wrong I did Nick.

I wiped away an involuntary tear, accompanied by the sound of a honking horn. I looked out the window to see an impatient Ant waiting in the driver's seat.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my duffle bag and phone and locked the door before leaving the house.

The feeling of being outside put me in a better and brighter mood, so when I got in passenger's seat and slammed the door, I promised myself to not think about the past couple of hours.

--------------------------------------------

LaLa: "Where the hell have you been?!" she yelled as I walked into the dressing rooms upstairs.

I laughed as girls rushing to get dressed passed me by. Everybody neglected to say hi but wanted something.

Jenna: "B, you have bobby pins?"
B: "Not for you." I said, sitting my duffle bag at the seat with a name tag on it, marked B.
LaLa: "That was rude!" she said laughing. Jenna rolled her eyes and walked away.
B: "Anyways, what have you done for the past couple of hours?"
LaLa: "What happened to your make-up? And don't question me- I've been productive. I could ask you the same thing, and judging from the smell of cologne and the messy make-up, I have an idea." she said, finishing her bun. I quickly changed the subject.
B: "Where's your dress?"
LaLa: "Don't change the subject, but let me help you with that." she said, grabbing the eyebrow pencil.

She turned my chair around to face her and without protest I let her fix my makeup.

LaLa: "I'm not putting on my dress yet because I'm about to help bring in cases of red wine and don't want to risk it." She grabbed my lipstick from behind me.
B: "Oh okay. You heard from Amy?"
LaLa: "Yeah she should be here shortly. She said she's coming early to formally introduce us to her date, Marcus."
B: "He's a cutie- tall, handsome and got something going for him."
LaLa: "Yeah I can't believe she feels like we judge her. Breaks my heart; I'm gonna text her about it."
B: "I'd just leave it alone- she has a real winner, there's nothing to address."
LaLa: "You're right."

"LaLa, we need you!" A manly voice yelled from outside the door.

LaLa: "Those are probably the cases of wine. Want to help bring them in?"
B: "Sure. Is my makeup done?"
LaLa: "Yes girl. Come on."

We walked outside to the parking lot, where a big rusty and white truck was waiting. We got to the back of it and at least 20 cases of wine were in there, and only 8 ladies were helping.

"Be careful ladies!" the event manager yelled.

After I walked back out for my second case and grabbed it off the truck, I felt a hand grab my hip. I turned around slowly and was greeted by a familiar smile.

"I can help you with that." Nick smiled. He grabbed the case from my arms.

After we finished with the cases, he asked if we could talk outside. I wanted to make up an excuse not to because of how guilty I was feeling, but instead spoke before thinking and ended up saying okay.

B: "So wassup?" I asked, with my arms crossed at my chest.
Nick: "I apologize for slamming the door in your face. What we have is real- so I know you'll choose me, therefore I have no worries. I should've said this before, but every part of me trusts you. I know you confused and so am I, but in relationships we supposed to lean on each other so that's what I'ma do."
B: "What's making you say this all of a sudden?"
Nick: "I had a conversation with my mom and she gave me some insight." He licked his lips and looked off into the distance, like he was partially distracted.
B: "You're really a mommy's boy." I smiled. "But I appreciate that- um I gotta go can we continue this another time?"

I couldn't smile in his face any longer and pretend to be something I'm not. These relationships got so ugly and by trying to keep people, I lost myself in the process. I'm not a fake person and I truly have the best intentions- my actions just don't show that.

Nick: "Well I have something really important to tell you."
B: "I'm sorry I can't deal with it right now. The Winter Royale starts in 2 hours. Thank you for your help, though." I said kissing his cheek.

I started to walk away, and after stepping on the pavement, I thought about his previous statements. He opened his car door.

B: "Nick?" I asked, turning around.
Nick: "Wassup?"
B: "Am I gonna see you later tonight?"
Nick: "Of course. Could never let you down." he said, getting in the car.

---------------------------------------

Ms. Perkins: "Thirty minutes until show time ladies!" she yelled.
LaLa: "I look so good I could marry me." she laughed, looking in the mirror.

Her long black gown encrusted with sequins graced the floor, drawing your eyes to her black puffy heels.

I piped her head a little before taking pictures of her for the gram outside the venue, quickly getting back to the dressing room to reapply my lipgloss and touch up my curls.

"You look fine!" LaLa exclaimed, walking over to my station.

I smiled as the photographer walked in and took pictures of all the girls- LaLa and I included.

Amy walked in just in time to be included in the photos- but she wasn't alone. The four of us took a picture before she formally introduced her new boo, Marcus. He was admittedly fine, with a deep voice and a nice grey and black suit to compliment Amy's outfit.

"Nice to meet you." LaLa and I told Marcus. "A pleasure ladies." he responded. They left to get a glass of wine while we prepared to greet reporters and photographers.

Reporter: "You pledged this year, yes?" A reporter asked, preparing to write down my response.
B: "Yes, how'd you know?"
Reporter: "Oh darling, I know everything- it's my job. And your name?"
B: "You know everything but not my name?"
Reporter: "There's a first time for everything."
B: "You can call me B."
Reporter: "Nice, B. How do you like the Winter Royale, the biggest event of the season?"
B: "It's very interesting and fun to see everyone come out and support us and contribute to this fun night."
Reporter: "Is there any drama that you feel could spoil the event for you?"
Kasey: "That'll be all, Mary." she said, pulling me away from the old lady's trap. "Don't ever talk to her again- she's looking for gossip, nothing positive."
B: "For someone with a name from the bible she doesn't sound so holy."

I walked to my position on the stairs and was hoping to see Joseph below me, since his donations and presence alone would be greatly appreciated. Then I began to think about working for The Game again- a thought that hadn't crossed my mind in a while.

Ms. Perkins: "The doors are about to open and we're walking down the steps in 15 minutes, so everyone get in their positions. The same way we rehearsed!" she yelled before leaving.

My phone vibrated, and to see Nick's name across my screen gave me happiness and anxiety at the same time.

Meet me in the parking lot, the text read. I excused myself from the line of girls on their way upstairs and ran out the back- in heels.

I walked outside to see him leaning on his same car, in the same spot from hours before. But this time he was all dressed up and his friend J was in the passenger's seat, with the windows rolled up.

Nick: "Can I say what I have to say now?"
B: "Save it until after the Winter Royale, please? I promise I won't ask you to wait again, but we're about to get started." He readjusted his face. "Can you come in so you can greet me at the bottom of the staircase?"
Nick: "No problem." He walked in behind me, grabbing my ass on the way in.

The doors opened, letting everyone in and LaLa and Ant talked for a little by the entrance before she reclaimed her spot on the stairs.

Standing high enough up the steps, I could see Nick and his friend J sit by the windowsill, by the entrance. I smiled and waved as he smiled back before continuing his conversation with J.

Looking down, I saw many familiar faces, including Tommy, Kasey, Vanessa, Amy, Joseph, and worst of all- Nick the Tic.

Names started to get called and I mentally prepared myself, which I had a lot of time for since LaLa and I were last.

Kasey's face was filled with excitement as she walked down the staircase, across from Ashley.

"Now Presenting, B ___."

Hearing my name was my cue. I walked along the left side of the banister- just as Ms. Perkins instructed.

"Now Presenting, Latavia ____."

LaLa walked along the right side of the staircase, smiling for the crowd of sponsors and friends below. She gently grabbed the left side of her black, sequin-encrusted gown, being careful to not fall in front of all those cameras and over 2000 people.

Everything was going fine aside from my heart racing and toes going numb. I pulled my hair behind my right ear delicately, seeing smiles plastered on everyone's faces. I reminded myself to smile and watch my step. Amy and Ant greeted LaLa and I at the bottom. When I looked back at the windowsill, he was gone. Nick was gone.

May our guests find their way to the ball room for some five star dining, champagne and music." the man said over the microphone.

I went to follow the crowd to the right of the staircase, into the ballroom.

Amy and I were joined at the arm when Marcus offered to get us both a glass of wine. I continued to look around for Nick, and still no luck.

Amy: "I'm sure he just went to the bathroom."
B: "Maybe you're right. You okay?" She seemed bothered.
Amy: "No, I'm not."
B: "Well cheer up, this is our night."
Amy: "Well look whose coming over here."

It was James with the girl we saw him chase after. What made him show up, and who invited him? I rose an eyebrow as he got closer, with a smirk plastered on his face and a hand at the hip of his blonde bimbo.

James: "Wassup Ames. So nice to see you here."
Amy: "Yeah well I can't say the same." She looked around for Marcus, who was taking forever.
James: "I don't want to cause trouble. Lemme formally introduce my fiancé, Lena."
Lena: "We're getting married!" she boasted, holding out her hand to reveal a big and pricey diamond.

The tears in Amy's eyes were visible, but quickly pushed away at Marcus' late arrival.

Marcus: "Here are your drinks ladies. Sorry it took so long. Amy, you okay?"
Amy: "Yeah my contacts are acting up, excuse me." she walked away in a hurry and out the doors of the ballroom. I chased after her.

Outside the doors was Nick the Tic, smoking a Black and Mild.

Amy: "He so full of shit. Can't believe I was ever interested in him."
B: "I know you're upset so let me walk you upstairs to one of the offices so you can calm down and get yourself together."
Amy: "No it's okay, you go. I know you have appearances to make. Go find Nick, I'll find my way. Which office?"
B: "The third door to the left of the staircase. Here are the keys. I'll check on you in 20 minutes." I pulled the keys from my clutch.

Out the corner of my eye I could see Nick the Tic eyeing us in his usually creepy and agitating stance.

Nick: "I could help you find your way."
B: "Actually you can take that shit outside- you can't smoke in here."
Nick: "Okay, relax."
Amy: "Go, I'll be okay." she said walking up the steps.

When I went back in the ballroom, Nick was still standing there. Nobody can make my skin crawl the way he does.

A photographer stopped me and asked to take my picture, and when I sat down to call Nick's phone, someone stepped in front of me. They smelled like Giorgio Armani and so it didn't surprise me to see Joseph in an expensive suit, looking better than ever.

Joseph: "Hi, how are you?"
B: "I'm okay. How's your life?"
Joseph: "Stressful without you in it."
B: "I see you're all dressed up. You don't have to flex for me, Joseph."
Joseph: "Every time I go out, you know I gotta show out." I laughed at his corny jokes- he never failed to make me laugh.
B: "I'm not working for you again." I said with a faint smile.

We stared at each other before I realized I was on Nick's voicemail.

"Where are you? I hate not having you next to me. Just call me back." I whispered before hanging up.

Joseph: "You okay? You seem distracted."
B: "I'm great. Just who I was looking for." I said standing up as Kasey grabbed my arm.
Kasey: "Excuse me but can I borrow her for a second?"
Joseph: "Sure."

Kasey quickly dragged me out of the ballroom by the arm without saying a word. She shut the doors behind the crowd of people. "We have a problem." she said, sweating bullets.

LaLa came from out of the ballroom, being dragged by Ant. Kasey rushed to shut the door again, and now we were at the bottom of the staircase.

B: "What's going on?"
LaLa: "Yeah, I'm confused- is everything okay?"
Kasey: "Tell them."
LaLa: "Tell me what, what's she talking about?" she addressed Ant, walking over to him. "You're scaring me."
Ant: "Will yall just calm down? Quit with the dramatics, Kasey. Let's hurry before this gets out of hand." I scanned the room.
B: "Where's Nick?"

Then I heard glass break.

The sounds of voices clashed with thumps and ruckus like someone was having a wrestling match. It was an out of body experience as I walked in the office door, to see Nick and Ricky on top of each other throwing punches.

LaLa: "Get them off of each other!"
Kasey: "Oh my God, let me shut the door before the press gets a hold of this."
B: "You're kidding me. My whole reputation is riding on this and yall in here fighting?"

Tommy held back Ricky and Marcus held back Nick.

Ricky: "Man get the fuck off me!"
LaLa: "Just let him go."
B: "Let him go?! Look at him he's drunk!"
Kasey: "Lower your voices! There are over 2,000 sponsors and guests in the room across the hall!"
LaLa: "Don't act like you're holier than thou because we all know what you get into."
Kasey: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ricky: "I guess we both don't know her like we thought we did."
Nick: "Fuck is this clown talkin about?"
B: "Nick shut up I can't deal with that right now."

I walked over to Ricky. He had on an all white suit and a fresh cut, but reeked of alcohol and weed. He had a cut to his right cheek and was fighting to loosen from Tommy's grip.

B: "Why are you here?"
Ricky: "Oh my bad, you didn't want me to come, right? Why don't you tell Pretty Boy Nick why?"
B: "This not the place right now."
Nick: "What's he talking about? Yo you're delusional. And for you to tell me to shut up B- I been trying to talk to you all day! And in front of him?"

I sat down in one of the chairs to catch my breath.

LaLa: "I don't see why yall two are arguing! You just fucked today, so don't act like yall enemies because Ricky here."
B: "LaLa!"
Nick: "I haven't had sex with B in 2 weeks."
Ricky: "Karma." he laughed, drinking from a bottle of liquor.
Nick: "Man I'm outta here."  he said walking toward the door.

Ant: "LaLa!"
LaLa: "Oops." she said puzzled.
Ant: "Listen man, don't leave. Talk it out."
Kasey: "Actually he can leave. Yall need to take that somewhere else."
LaLa: "Why is it that you think you better than everybody?"
Kasey: "I'm sorry did I do something to upset you?"
LaLa: "We know you have syphilis bitch and you slept with me without saying something!"
Kasey: "You're the only person I've slept with in the past couple of months and I just got my results back- I'm clean."
B: "So whose papers were in that box, and whose positive for syphilis?"
Kasey: "Ashley! You were in my closet?!"
Ricky: "You thought you played me Nick but the whole time she played us both."
Nick: "No nigga, just you."
Ricky: "Really? That's not what she was saying while I was hitting it from the back a few hours ago."

Nick charged at Ricky and broke the liquior bottle that was in Ricky's hand.

B: "Oh my God someone stop them!"
Marcus: "Yall one crazy ass group of 'friends'."
Ricky: "And Nick, did you tell her?" he asked, as Ant and Tommy pulled Nick off Ricky.

B: "Tell me what?"
Ricky: "The other day it wasn't really his Mom's birthday."
Nick: "You want another black eye? Keep talking."
B: "Nick what's he talking about?"
Nick: "I guess you not the only one that keeps secrets." he said walking out the office door.

As Nick walked out, in came Vanessa claiming she was looking for the bathroom.

Vanessa: "Oh, I'm sorry wrong room."
Marcus: "Vanessa?"
Vanessa: "Marcus- how do you know them?"
LaLa: "Wait yall know each other?"

I was so sick of drama that I chased behind Nick and followed him out back to the parking lot. A part of me wanted to save our relationship.

B: "Nick please slow down! The glass cut your hand." I yelled, watching the blood get all over his jacket.

Nick: "Don't act like you care, you never cared! You out here fuckin other niggas but I was just saying how I'm in love with you and trust you, thinking I'm stating facts. But really, you just a fraud!"
B: "I understand I messed up but you're bleeding everywhere, please slow down."

After 10 minutes of going back and forth, Nick finally calmed down enough to sit in the backseat and let me help him with his hand.

B: "Nick, I want you. I need you."
Nick: "I want you, too."
B: "Can we please start over? I'm B." I said laughing.
Nick: "Nice to meet you, B. I'm Nick."
B: "Before we start over, what was it you wanted to tell me earlier?"
Nick: "Ricky was right. It wasn't my mom's birthday."
B: "I knew it. You were cheating on me?!"

Nick: "Here you go, trying to flip it around. I never cheated on you. I was really with my
mom- she has cancer, B. I took her to the nail salon that day to get her mind off of it. Her chemotherapy has been giving her hell and I didn't know how to tell you and I'm sorry." he said crying.

The first time I'd seen Nick cry, and I'm partly the cause of it. I hugged him until he couldn't cry anymore.

Nick: "I'm transferring, B. I need to be closer to my mom and help her when she gets sick. My sister's too busy with Princess and I'm too far. That's what I've been trying to tell you all day, and the reason I asked the questions I did during our game of 21 questions. Or 5, really." he chuckled.

B: "When are you leaving?" I asked, tearing up.
Nick: "Tomorrow morning."
B: "Okay well your mom's place isn't that far-"
Nick: "It's not going to work. You're broken and left me to pick up the pieces. Look at me, B. I'm fighting and crying for you. I think it's best if we go our separate ways."
B: "Well I wish you the best and I hope your mom will be okay."
Nick: "I could say the same for you."

---------------------------------------
3 weeks later

I finally caught her in the café, sitting at a table all by herself. Sipping on coffee, she looked peaceful for the first time in 3 weeks. Then again, I haven't seen her in 3 weeks.

After 3 long weeks of avoiding my presence, calls and texts, I finally had the chance to confront her.

B: "Why have you been avoiding me?"
Amy: "I have to get to class." she said getting up and gathering her books. But she forgot one.
B: "I think you need this." she reached to grab for it but I pulled away.
Amy: "Please don't do this right now, I have an exam."
B: "Talk to me for 20 minutes and it's all yours." I suggested.
Amy: "Fine. Keep the book." She walked away from the table.
B: "What did I do to you that was so horrible?!" I asked, following her out the café.
Amy: "The Winter Royale. What happened?"
B: "A lot, why?"
Amy: "What did you say to me before you went back into the ballroom?"

I had a flashback.

Amy: "No it's okay, you go. I know you have appearances to make. Go find Nick, I'll find my way. Which office?"
B: "The third door to the left of the staircase. Here are the keys. I'll check on you in 20 minutes." I pulled the keys from my clutch.

B: "Okay so I forgot. I'm sorry- I kind of got caught up in my own problems. Doesn't mean you have to completely shut me out."
Amy: "I was raped, B. And when I told the dean who did it, he turned me away."
B: "W- When?"
Amy: "The night of The Winter Royale. And he'll get away with it- he's popular, athletic."
B: "I'll be with you through the whole process. Do all I can to help- I had no idea and I'm so sorry that happened to you." I wrapped my arms around her.
Amy: "LaLa told me about that night. It's okay, it really isn't your fault. I just want someone to blame and the person who's responsible doesn't have to take any responsibility." she cried, breaking down on bench across from the café.
B: "Who is it."
Amy: "B.."
B: "Who? With LaLa and I, you have nothing to be afraid of."
Amy: "It was Nick."

After a lot of thinking, I'm going to write another The Big V book. Rape, cheating and more secrets- how did Vanessa know Marcus and where does B go from here? Leave feedback and votes; thanks so much to everyone that enjoys my story and sends me their support. This book was fun to write, but now I'm going to focus on Eat: A Lyrical Miracle. Thanks again! 😇💗

P.S.: There are two Nicks and so no, I'm not going to specify which. That's up to you to infer.