Chapter 2
I woke up and we were once again back at Cassy's apartment. Joe carried me to my room and gently placed me on my bed. He whispered something on his way out, but I was half asleep and didn't hear him. I barely got any sleep after that, because I kept dreaming of the events with Ryan that had just transpired. I'd wake up crying, scared out of my mind, or I'd be verging on hyperventilating. Needless to say, that was a horrible night.
At noon the next day, I got the will to get out of bed. My boxes of belongings were sitting inside my door, and I heard Cassy singing to herself in her room. I began to unpack my boxes, and there was a knock at the door. Cassy answered it, while I continued to unpack. I heard some shuffling, and Cassy went back to her room. Nick appeared in my doorway, smiling brightly at me.
He walked over to me, leaned down, and kissed the top of my head. I hadn't showered yet, and I was still in the pajamas that I'd been in with Ryan. I was sure I smelled like tears, sweat, and grass from falling off the ladder, but I didn't care. I tensed up when Nick sat down next to me, wanting so badly to scream at him with everything I had. My anger disappeared when he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to him. I could smell his cologne, and I closed my eyes, forgetting why I'd even been mad at him in the first place.
"You have no idea how much I missed you, Cinderella. Joe said that you'd have something we should talk about. Is...are you...is everything alright?" Nick asked me, his voice sincere and full of concern.
I told him everything that I'd gone through, and he held me. He apologized for not being there, as well as not answering his phone. When I was all done Nick wrapped his arms around me and rocked back and forth slowly, kissing my tear-stained cheek. He truly was amazing, and I was glad that he was there for me.
We sat together for a while and he helped me finish unpacking. Suddenly, Nick got quiet, and I could feel the tension in the room. I turned to him, asking what was wrong. He walked over to me and took my hand, lightly rubbing his thumb against it, sending chills up my spine. He sighed loudly, and looked in my eyes.
"Ali...I hate to have to tell you this, especially after everything that you just went through...but...we...we're uhm..we're going on...on tour." he said, giving me a look put an undescribable pain in my heart.
