The Artist: A Dricki Fic

Chapter 10

September 21st 2012...

"Is that the last of them?" Lauren asked as she took the bag from Nicki that contained the last of her items and Nicki nodded.

"This feels so weird," Nicki said as she looked at the home that she had lived in for the last couple of years. "This is all happening so quickly and I don't know how to feel,"

"It's been a long time coming," Lauren said. "You didn't make this decision overnight. And even if you did, it's not about you anymore. You've got another person to consider,"

Nicki sighed. "Do you think I should tell him?" she asked as they got into the car, ready to make the last drive of the day to her place.

"Do you want your parents to find out through him?" Lauren asked her back with a raised brow and Nicki bit her lip, remembering that she had yet to break the news to her parents. At the moment Lauren was the only other person that knew and for now she liked it that way, but she knew it was a ticking time bomb and she would have to address it with them soon. She just felt it was better she dealt with one problem at a time.

"You're right." She sighed. "I haven't even worked out how I'm gonna tell them."

"Well you're speaking to Derrick tonight, I think it's best you either tell them tonight or tomorrow. And I know that sounds like its going to be a lot to deal with at once but its better done now," Lauren explained to her. "At the end of the day you've got your own place now, you can be there and shut everyone else out if you so please,"

Nicki just listened as she spoke. Again she was right. It didn't make sense to hold onto this for any longer than she already had, it would only be avoiding the inevitable...

Pulling into the car park Lauren parked her car in the guest space next to Nickis. They got out of the car and began the process of taking out the few items they had picked up.

"I really love this place," Lauren complimented the apartment once again.

"I love it too. And I still can't believe it's mine. Like he didn't even just rent it for me," she said as she took a seat on the couch.

"That's what comes with dating a man with money sis. And I know Derrick was pretty well off, but this," she said as she looked around again. "This is where the money resides." Nicki laughed at her friend's dramatic nature. "And you baby trapped him."

"Stop, it was an accident," she said, trying to justify it.

"I know I know, but it was a good one." She took a seat next to her and sighed. "When does he come back?" she asked.

"In a couple of weeks. Feels like forever. I don't even know how I went so long without seeing him because now I want him around all the time," she said, picking up the cushion and lightly hugging it.

"That was you bottling your feelings. It was easy to avoid him when you were trying to convince yourself he was a burden in your life. Now you've really accepted who he is and what he means to you, it's tough. I'm happy for you though, I haven't seen you like this in a long time,"

"Thank you," she said with a smile. It was true, she was in a great place...

-

"Hey babe," Derrick said as he walked into the living room and went to give her a kiss but she lightly pushed him away. He sighed. "How long are you gonna keep being like this? I come in from work every day trying to move on from a petty argument and you won't let up. Why?" he asked.

She looked up at him and observed his stance. It was true, he had really tried to fix it but it was all a little too late. "Derrick, I'm done." she said softly.