Scars [An Exclamation Point Fan Fiction]

PART 23

The show starts and Danny and Paul are the last ones performing. I'm watching them perform when Dave, one of the video guys, comes up to me. "Hey Nikki we need you for something." I follow him to a dressing room.

"What do you need?" I ask.

"We're making a video for tomorrow, like they normally do for the finale and we need you in it too."

"Why me? Don't you want their family?"

"We have their family. We think adding you is good too."

"Ok, I'll do it."

Dave tapes me telling them how proud I am of them, how much I love them, and stuff like that. We finish, and I walk out right as they finish their song. Paul walks me back to my room after the show. After we say good night and I walk into the room Lyndsay attacks me with questions.

"So you stayed with Paul in his room last night?" She asks raising an eyebrow.

I roll my eyes. "It's not what you think Lynds. We were watching a movie, and I fell asleep. I was upset about what had happened at the restaurant and he comforted me."

"So you guys didn't do anything?"

"No we didn't. I don't plan on it for a while either."

"Why not?"

I tell her a shortend version of what I told Paul.

"Oh wow. I'm so sorry." She says. "I had no idea.'

"Its ok, no one does. I'm not exactly proud of myself."

"But you won't, even if you love him?"

"I do love him, I trust him, I just don't know if I'm ready yet."

"Has he ever talked about it?"

"No. He knows about what happened too. He asked if I was a virgin sometime last week."

"How did he react?"

"He didn't really have time to react. I started crying and he held me. He told me what happened wasn't my fault."

"You're lucky you have him. He's perfect for you." Lyndsay says smiling at me.

"I know." I say smiling back.

We crawl into our beds after. I grab my phone off the night stand and text Paul.

"I don't know if I've told you lately, but thank you being the best thing to happen in my life. Good night. I love you. XO."

He texts back not even a minute later.

"You don't have to tell me all the time, I already know. :) I love you too. Good night beautiful. XO."

I smile and put my phone down, and fall asleep.

The next day preperation are being made for the finale. I go and work on my piece more. I try the leap again, and this time I stick the landing. I smile to myself and finish the routine. I hear clapping, and cheering. I turn around and see four of my favorite guys: Lyle, Connor, Drew, and Brady. I run up and hug each of them.

"Oh my gosh what are you doing here?" I say.

"We came to see you!" Connor says.

"Paul told us you'd probably be here." Brady says.

"What happened to your cheek?" Drew asks.

I put my hand on the bruise. "One of Paul's fans didn't like me, so she threw a cup at me."

"I was hoping you'd gotten into a fight. " Lyle says, faking disappointment.

"You should see the cup. I think my face dented it." I say.

The guys laugh.

"Let's go get lunch and catch up!" Lyle says. "We've got a lot to talk about."

The five of us find a small sandwich place and sit down for lunch.

"So what's new?" I say.

Connor's face lights up. "I got a girlfriend!" He says. "She's awesome. We met at the restaurant, while we were on break from playing."

"Aaw Connor that's awesome! What does she look like?" I ask.

He pulls out his phone and shows me a picture of a pretty girl with long blonde hair, and bright blue eyes.

"Her name's Grace. She's super smart too. She's studying to be a vet." Connor says.

"My turn!" Drew says. "I'm starting school. It's just at the community college, but I want to do Music Therapy."

"Wow Drew that's incredible." I grab his hand and squeeze. "I'm so proud of you." I look at Lyle. "Ok Lyle your turn."

"I got into Juliard." He says. "I start classes the beginning of January."

"Lyle that's amazing! That's your dream!" I say.

"Yeah, it just sucks. The band has to break up." Lyle says dropping his head.

"Did y'all replace me?" I ask.

"No Drew's been singing. He's actually good. Who would've known!" Connor says.

Drew punches him in the arm. "Shut up."

I laugh, "How long are you guys staying?" I ask.

"We're not. We drove up here to come visit, and we gotta head out in a coulpe hours. It's a long drive back to Texas." Lyle says.

Brady speaks up for the first time "You guys mind if I talk to Nik alone for a minute." The boys nod and Brady hands them the keys to his car. "I miss you Nik. It's been so long."

"I know. I'll be home in a couple days though, but I'll have to leave again. I have an audition the beggining of January."

"Wait EDGE sent you a letter?" He asks enthusiastically.

"Yeah they did- Wait how'd you know about that?"

"I'm the one that sent in the videos. I told them they needed you."

"Brady. I love you. You're the best!" I say hugging him.

"Anything for my baby sister." He says smiling at me. Suddenly Brady gets serious. "Are you ready to testify in a few weeks?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. "I think so. I'm just so scared Brady. What if he gets out of going to jail, and he comes after me?"

"Nikki that won't happen. There's proof about what he did. He's not getting away with it. All you have to do is tell the truth, and not look at him."

"Are you going to be there too?"

"Yeah. I'm testifying. I have to tell them about when you told me, and the bruises I saw." His face pales.

"You ok Brady?" I ask taking his hand.

"Yeah, reliving that day is just really hard."

"The day after your graduation party." I sigh. "Have you talked Meghan recently?" Meghan is Brady's ex girlfriend. They dated all of high school, and she broke up with him after she found out he od'd

"Yeah. She heard about what happened and forgave me. We're possibly getting back together." He smiles at me. "She misses you. She wants to have a girls day-whatever that is- with you when you get back."

I smile. "I'll be home Saturday or Sunday. Tell her we'll hang out then."

Brady stands up and hugs me. "I'd better get going before they trash the car. I'll see you soon Nik." He kisses my head then walks out the door.