Nikki Shay & Co.

Chapter 20

Oh the horror. The horror of seeing one too many girls throw up thirty minutes before curtains.

Margaret regurgitated a Starbucks refresher and an orange or two ten feet away from the stage. To make it all worse, Berzerk by Eminem started playing in the auditorium, but at least it was the clean version.

Brianna and Gene looked horrible, most of were no better. Everything was going wrong.

Brianna's angry face suddenly softened.

"Nikki, go entertain the audience, tell them a little about what's going on now, what the play is about, who your character is. Just don't give them too much information." I didn't move. "You're the only one who is actually ready. We don't need anything happening to you or your costume. Now go, just don't trip or anything."

I slowly walked around the puddle of puke a janitor had finally started to clean up. When I got in front of the curtain, the lights seemed brighter than normal. I could still see the audience though, half of it was full. After a few seconds, they started looking at me.

"Well hello parents, friends, family and other guests, I am Nikki Shay," I was thankful that there was a portable microphone attached to my costume.

"It's thirty minutes until the play will begin. However, just about every horrible event that could happen to the cast and crew had happened, including a puking incident. I also hope you don't mind the music. Obviously, someone doesn't know how to pick music for this type of event."

"The directors have sent me out to tell you about the play." I gave them a synopsis of the play and details about some characters, such as mine. Then another rap song came on.

"It seems like you all do not mind the music, but I do," I smiled as I glared at the boy in the sound booth. He put his hands up in defense and turned on a different song. During which, I saw Ben setting down placeholders for teachers and administrators in the front row.

I quickly realized that the song was Latch by Disclosure.

"And now I will do an interpretative dance with my good friend, Ben **Foster." I waved at Ben to get on the stage.

"What's going on?" Ben asked once he reached me.

"Very spur of the moment. I want to dance." Ben grabbed my waist with one hand and my hand with his other and started dancing with me once the lyrics came on. I followed his lead. I smiled at the look that he gave me. There was something about the look that a really liked.

Surprisingly, we did very well, since the audience clapped once the song was over.

I looked up at the clock in the back of the auditorium and noticed that there were 8 minutes until curtain.

"I hope you all like the play," I smiled as I walked backstage. Ben went back to putting the placeholders down. Gene talked at me when I got backstage. Not to me, at me.

"Great job, now make sure that you don't get pit stains on your costume and get back over here. One minute, go." Then she stalked off to talk at other people.

--

"I've decided to pick Gweneth and Tanya for the last round." The two girls smiled great fully.

"But King Adam, I thought that you loved me! Give me one more chance, please! Tell me why I didn't make it to the last round! I just don't understand. I love you so much and I know you love me!" I (Holly) got down onto my knees at King Adams feet.

"Please my king, please allow me to be your queen! I will do whatever you want me to do! I will do anything for you!"

"Guards, have her taken away. I think a day in the dungeon will do her good." The two guards picked me up by my arms and started to drag me away. I started to kick and scream.

"May violence come upon you for not accepting my love!" I yelled at him in a low voice. He looked at my face quite freaked out. The guards pulled me to the backstage where my screams could still be heard, thanks to someone in the sounds booth.

"Good job Nik, just two more scenes for you," Gene told me.

"How many scenes are left overall?" I promise I only knew how many scenes Holly was in.

"There are 9 more scenes left."

"Can you wake me up when it's time for me to go up then?"

"I guess so." I went off to find a nice comfy chair."

--

After the play was over, Nick and I went to go find Mom. I was still laughing in the back of my head about Holly accidentally killing herself when she tried to make a poison to kill the king.

When we found my mom, she was talking to this man. She had a big smile on her face. I vaguely remember her saying that she was bringing the man that she was dating to the play.

He was tall and tan with grey eyes and brown hair. He had some facial hair too.

"Guys, this is Mom's boyfriend, Giovanni, but likes to be called Gio! He's really funny!" Felicia told us. Me and Nick greeted the man, but Nick seemed pretty hesitant.

"I thought you were lying about dating again," I whispered into Mom's ear. She smiled as a response.

We went out to eat at TGI Fridays via Gio's black SUV. Dinner was nice. Gio was very nice and funny. He loved the play as well.

Once at home, Mom pulled me and Nick into her room.

"I need to tell you both something about Giovanni, but don't get mad," she whispered. We nodded our heads. "Well, he's your father. I -"

"Wait what!" Nick yelled. Mom told him to pipe down. "You're saying that you are dating the man you left us so many years ago? How stupid are you? all he's going to do is leave us again!" And with that, Nick stomped out of her room.

"Nicholas Shay, don't you dare talk to me like that! Come back here!" Nicks response was to stomp up to his room. Mom ran out and chased after him. I followed behind.

Felicia grabbed me as I started to go upstairs. I could hear them yelling.

"What happened?"

"Mom just told us that Gio is me and Nicks dad and then Nick got mad." Felicia looked shocked. She followed me upstairs.

When we got up there, Mom had slapped Nick. It sounded very painful. I'd never seen Mom so mad.

"Get the f*ck out of my house, now!"

A/N:

(I think this was short)

Well, I've introduced Nikki's dad now. We only have a few more chapters left (maybe 6 to 10). In the next chapter, the aftermath of the play and Giovanni coming to town will happen. Have a nice day!

**I have no idea what Bens last name is