GUITAR PICKS & PENCILS | on hiatus

Chapter 7.

"I love rock 'n roll,

So come and take your time

And dance with me."

-- I Love Rock 'n Roll (JOAN JETT)

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The pressure of Nick's lips on hers was soft and warm. Like the brush of a breeze. But not to Ren, she stared, horrified, into Nick's closed lashes and when he finally pulled back, a choked gasp escaped her lungs -- mostly because she hadn't been breathing. She looked up at him to say something and to her surprise, found the same look of shock registered in his face. Nick was gaping. Eyes wide. He dropped his hands from her shoulders.

"Sorry," he mumbled, face burning red like his hair. He repeated the word again but Ren just stared stupidly at him. Behind them, she noticed the two girls from school. They were gawking, open-mouthed and circle-eyed, looking like Edvard Munch's The Scream. At least she knew where the shriek came from now...

Nick turned around and saw them too -- just in time to catch them wrenching out their iPhones, working their thumbs at the speed of lightning. Quickly, he took Ren's hand and pulled her away with him towards the bus stops. She was still too stunned to let go. But once they were at the fortunately empty bust stop, she pulled her hand away.

"What the hell was that!" she half-screamed at him.

"I'm sorry," Nick said. "I honestly don't know what happened. It just ... came out."

"That was so stupid, Nick! What were you thinking?"

"I know I freaked you out and I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to--" Nick reached out to gently touch her shoulder but Ren moved away from him.

"Don't," she said. "Please."

Nick retracted his hand, clearly hurt and as a melodrama script  would have it, rain began to splatter around them.

"At least come in a little, would you?" he said, waving her into the bus stop. "You're getting wet."

It was partially the hurt in his voice that made Ren move albeit reluctantly. She perched coldly onto a seat and stared out at the rain pouring onto road. They were reduced to silence.

Ren fumed. The kiss kept replaying in her mind, mocking her over and over again. Why, why, why did Nick have to do that? Her mind reeled as she recalled the soft press of his lips on hers. She knew exactly what that kiss meant and now it raised so many questions.

How long had he been feeling this way?

Why hadn't she known?

And worse of all, what happens now? As she struggled to get her thoughts in order, she failed to realise that despite everything she felt ... disgust and defilement weren't included. After an aching minute of silence, Nick sat down beside her.

"Ren," he began. "I'm really sorry."

"I know," she replied after a long, deep breath. She forced herself to look at him but it felt like meeting a stranger's eyes. It was so awkward that she wanted to run away like the time Joey wanted to walk her to class. But the moment she set her gaze on his face, the feeling dissolved somehow.

Was it because she was too familiar with him? She struggled to get her question out:

"Why would you do something like that, Nick?"

"I-- I really don't know," Nick said. He was looking searchingly into her face for an indication of something ... of forgiveness, maybe. Or compassion. Anything that said they were still okay. The rain around them began to fall more drastically.  "If it's okay with you, let's just forget it."

"It is not that easy, Nick!"

"Don't say that, Ren."

"That was not just a kiss," Ren said, feeling the emotions bubbling once again. "I know what it meant and you know what it meant. Don't you understand, Nick? Things will change between us."

"Things don't have to change," Nick bartered.

"You know it will," Ren retorted.

"That's why I'm asking we forget it, Ren."

"I told you it's not easy to!"

"Chill, Ren ... just calm down and be reasonable for a sec--"

"Stop patronising me!" Ren snapped so fiercely it stunned the both of them. It was the first time she had used that tone against a friend. Nick, especially, was a first. "Just fucking don't," she said, softer this time, but still as fierce.

Then, if things couldn't get any more worse, a dark blue Ford pulled up at the bus stop with a honk of the horn.

With their anger distracted, both Ren and Nick watched the passenger window roll down. Joey Reid grinned cheerfully at them.

"H-hey!" he gushed. "It's lifting really heavily so can I give you a rain?" He yelled through the pouring wall of water at Ren. Beside him, the driver of the car shook his head sympathetically. Joey pulled a face when he realised what he said. "I mean, it's raining really heavily so would you like a ride home?"

"A ride? Oh, er, thanks, Joey," Ren said, awkwardly. "That's really kind of you but Nick and I were just getting the bus together." She didn't know why she said that so she looked at Nick for some kind of approval. Instead, she found his face stoic and cold. This frightened Ren a little. For the first time, she was unable to read him.

"The offer's for the both of you," Joey said, still smiling. He pointed at the driver. "Sid's cool. Right, Sid?"

"Yeah, yeah, come on in," said Joey's friend, gesturing them into the car.

Ren took a breath. "Nick?" she turned to him.

"You go on," he said, coolly. His tone was careful and structured. "I need to pick up my sister so I'm taking the bus."

For a while, Ren was confused. Emmy, Nick's sister, never needed picking up before. Then she realised Nick was testing her, trying to make her choose between him and Joey. That bastard! She felt a reddish heat travelling to her face. Nick was manipulative, yes, but never with his friends. If he had the gall to do this to her, then--

Ren grabbed her bag. One step too far, she thought to herself. She was going to quit his mind game before it started. 

"See you tomorrow then," she said, trying to make herself sound casual. Then, she opened the car door, eyeing Nick purposely as she slid in. He remained composed which irritated her even more.

"You sure about this, man?" Joey yelled out of the car at Nick. "Sid's down with it, you know?"

"Definitely. You take her home safe now."

"Will do!" Joey flashed him a thumbs-up and wound up the window. Then, the Ford moved and drove off in the bleak rain. To hell with Nikolai Hahn, Ren thought to herself as the bus stop faded in the rear view mirror. She distracted herself with thoughts of other things to calm herself. Like, the Ford's zesty lemon scent...

...and the back of Joey Reid's head.

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thisstory © tehgoldfish'12

A/N: Hello!

Thank you every pony for the supportive response to the ... revival, of this story. I write to give people (like you!) a good time with my stories so I'm really happy whenever I see comments and votes alike expressing so. It's an acknowledgement of "job done!" so do like Beyounce and "if you liked it, then you shoulda put a vote on it".

I'm kidding. I'm honestly not fishing for votes / comments because they'll come when they come.

Lastly! If you noticed, this chapter is dedicated to HaleyyElizabeth. If you also noticed, I finally have a lovely book cover. If you haven't put one and one two-gether (haha, numeral pun) yet-- she's the one who made it for me, hence the dedication. Thank you so much!

Right then.

Tootles for now!