Chapter 5: Some Things Never Change

When I got into my bus (that I shared with Frankie, I babysat him sorta),I was extremely hungry, I hadn't eaten since breakfast because I ran from lunch. I had to be at the concert at 5:30, it started at 7 and it was 4:45. So, I decided to get a quick bowl of cereal and then changed quickly. I grabbed my purse and ran to the bus we were taking to the concert. We don't take all three buses, it takes a lot of gas. I got halfway across the parking lot and then a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Robin?", I asked totally surprised.
"Yeah, I told my dad I wanted to go to Paris. He was totally up to it.", he said reaching to give me a hug.
"That is cool, but I have to the concert. You could come if you are allowed.", I asked hoping he would say yes.
"Sure let me tell my dad.", he said running to a navy blue car in the airport parking lot.

How he found me I have no idea, maybe I am being stalked. Oh well, he is so nice and not to mention cute.

"Yeah, I can", he said out of breath from running back to me.
"Let's go get into the bus.", I said running or the bus that had just started up.
"Whoa, that is a lot of running, I am going to pass out.", said Robin as he reached into his pocket and pulled out an inhaler.
"You have asthma?"
"Yes, so did my mom."
"Did?", I asked wishing I hadn't.
"She died a couple years ago."
"Oh.", I said so sorry I asked that. Should I tell him about my dad. It depends how his mom died I might tell him later.

When we got on the bus Nick came over to me and told me to follow him to his room. I told Robin to talk to Joe or something. When we got to Nick's room, that he shared with Kevin and Joe, he seemed mad.

"How did that guy get here?", he asked starring me down.
"I told him where we would be.", I said knowing I didn't tell him what airport we would be at.
"Oh, but you just met him. Where does he even live?"
"Utah."
"Oh, o.k. then."
"Don't let him hurt you or I will have to pound him.", said Nick jokingly.
"I won't, no guy could hurt me.", I said.

That was such a lie. The only guy I was vulnerable to in this point of my life was Nick. He could tell me anything and I would believe it, but Nick didn't use that to his advantage. That is one of the reasons he is my best friend.

"I care for you.", he said giving me a hug.
"I know.", I said heading for the door.

On the way to the concert I really didn't talk to anyone. Robin was talking to Kevin and Joe, Nick was playing pictionary with Frankie, and everyone else was in either the front of the bus or in the van that the equipment is being dropped off with. This gave me time to have a daydream with out missing anything. I decided to think of when I had my first boyfriend in the fourth grade. It was the kind of boyfriend you play with at recess and sit with at the lunch table.

"I really like you Ivy.", said the young boy who I forget his name.
"It is Ivory not Ivy.", I said kind of mad.
"Well, I still like you."
"Then you would not have told Mitchie that you like her.", I said crying.

Then Nick comes up, 3rd and 4th grade were combined, and started to defend me.

"Back off slime ball, she is my girlfriend.", said a young Nick.
"I am?", I said very confused.
"She doesn't even like you, you are ugly.", said that boy.
"Nick is not ugly, he is my best friend and no one can compare to him.", I said kicking sand in the boys face.
"Come on.", Nick said seeing the teacher coming over he grabbed my hand and we ran.

I remember that we ran and ran, when ran through the hole in the fence and into the woods. I remember Nick was crying because he didn't want my mom to be mad at me. When the principal found us he took us to his office and called our parents, well, my parent and his mom and dad.

"We are going to die.", he turns to me and said.
"No we are not, I will tell them that you were just helping me.", I said as our parents came into the room.

They took us out to the car telling us we were sent home for running off the property. I didn't get in trouble, my mom was nice like that, but I never found out if Nick did. The next day I gave Nick a note that told hi how much I loved him for helping me and always being my friend. I wonder if he still has that note? I would like to read it.

Just then the bus stopped and Rob grabbed my hand.

"We are here.", he told me helping me up.
"Wow, already?", I said stretching my arms out.
"Yeah.", Nick said coming up behind me.
"Wow, this is beautiful.", I said stepping out of the bus.
"Yeah.", said Robin putting his arm around me.

Just then Nick tripped and dropped his pop. I ran over and helped him leaving Robin there watching.

"Are you o.k?", I asked helping Nick up.
"Yeah.", he said brushing his pants off.
"Good"
"You are always there for me.", he said looking into my eyes.
"You are always there for me, I am just returning the favor.", I said as Robin grabbed my hand and we walked to the car that would drive us to the stage.

Nick was always there for me wasn't he, I am so lucky to have a friend like him. I wish I could tell him what I think I feel for him, but I have Robin, and he would never feel the same way. We are just friends and that is all it will ever be