Scars [An Exclamation Point Fan Fiction]

PART 20

After Saturday, things start getting better. Paul and I are closer than we have been. And my bruises are almost gone. Wednesday comes, and the Top 4's theme this week is, Dedicated. They have to pick a song and dedicate it to someone special. Danny and Paul of course won't tell me what it is. They perform first tonight. They're doing a mashup. Danny's song is dedicated to the fans, and their families. Paul's is, of course, dedicated to me. Everyone in the audience and backsatge awes, when Paul says the song is for me. The song Just The Way You Are, starts and Danny sings first. The song slows down, and becomes Ne-Yo's Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself). Paul looks straight into the camera and sings, I can see the pain behind your eyes, It’s been there for some while. I just wanna be the one to remind you what it is to smile. Yea I would like to show you what true love can really do. The song goes back and forth between the two songs. They finish and get a standing ovation from all four judges. Demi Lovato is one of the judges and she speaks first.

"I loved the song choices. I think they were perfect together. You guys have amazing chemistry and emotion put into your songs each week." She pats Simon's shoulder. "As much as I hate saying this, because I want Chris to win, I think you boys could win this."

The audience cheers. I miss the rest of the judges feedback when I have to go get ready for my performance. After the show is over I catch up with Danny.

"You guys did great tonight." I say hugging him.

"Thanks Nik. You're dancing was pretty great too."

I smile. "Where's Paul?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since our performance." Danny looks around backstage. "Maybe he's in our room. You can come with me."

Danny and I walk to their room. We walk in and Paul is passed out in his bed.

"He's been working so hard to make his song perfect for you this week." Danny whispers. "He wanted you to have something special from him."

I can't help but smile at what Danny says. I walk over to his bed and kiss his forehead. I turn to walk out the door before Danny softly calls my name. He waves me over to chair by his bed.

"You know he's crazy about you right?" He whispers. I come and sit in the chair.

I smile. "Yea I know."

"The day you guys met, when you had your dance recital, he would not stop talking about this beautiful girl he met."

I blush. "You're lying."

"Nope I'm not. He was obsessed with you.Even though you had Nate."

I nod and look at my hands in my lap.

"Sorry I probably shouldn't bring him up."

"No it's fine. I'm actually going to court soon. My brother convinced my parents that they needed to press charges, even though I was against it."

"Why were you against it?"

"I was afraid he'd come after me. Brady told me this was the best thing to do. It would keep him away from me."  Paul softly snores in the background.

"When's the court date?"

"January eighteenth."

"Are you going to testify?"

"I have to." I sigh. "I wish I didn't. I'm so afraid he'll give me that look, that sends me overboard, and I'll do something to get him released."

"What's the look?"

I can see Nate's face, almost perfectly. "He looks at me, straight in the eyes. But it's more like he's looking though me. His eyes go almost black, and he's smirking. That was the look he had when he hit me sometimes too."

Danny takes my hands. "Paul and I will be there for you if you need us. We'll sit right where you can see us, and avoid looking at Nate."

I smile. "Thank you Danny." I reach over and hug him. "I better get going, and let you get some sleep too."

"Good night Nikki. I'll tell Paul you came and said good night."

"Thanks Danny. Night." I wave and walk out the door.