Free A Changed Life by Mary Wasowski Page B

go before I take you somewhere more private.” Giggling at him, I turn and make my way through the crowd.

    “I have to say dude, you surprised me back there with your restraint. I thought St. Clair was going down.”
    “Sam, I’m not about to hit Michael, especially at Nicolette’s house, and in front of her parents. Michael is just trying to get a rise out of me. Knowing he would be here tonight, I promised Nicolette that I wouldn’t allow him to ruin our night. Sam, I won’t be so easily blinded again, he’s not getting another girl of mine.”
    “Hey man, I didn’t mean to bring up the past.”
    “You didn’t Sam, but I meant what I said about Michael. This time I see him coming and I will make sure he stays away from Nicolette.”
    “Don’t hit me for saying this, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. Jennifer was cheating on you, and would it matter who it was that she was cheating with?”
    “What the fuck Sam? You are supposed to my best friend, whose side are you on?”
    “Yours man, I always have your back, but Simon you have carried this for long enough now. You hate Michael for taking your girl, but you never talk about Jennifer and her part in all of this.”
    “I have tried to hate her Sam for cheating on me, but where will that get me? She’s dead, and why talk about something that I can’t change?”
    “Then why continue to hate Michael? They are both to blame for what happened that night. He knew you and Jennifer were together, so to go after her like that, yeah absolutely he was wrong. Her decisions that night led to her death, and you can’t carry that blame any more. I was there with you after she died, and I know the mental beating you put yourself through, you need to let it go.”
    “I have Sam, I truly have. I love Nicolette. I can’t explain it, but I was meant to be on that beach that day. I never felt this way about Jennifer, like the way I feel for Nicolette. This is real Sam, and I’m going to let Nicolette know how I feel about her. Come on this is a party, let’s have a good time. I need to find my girl.”

    With one last look in the mirror, I take in my appearance. Running my finger over my slightly swollen lips from Simon kissing me. Damn he can drive me wild with his tongue. Time to go find my guy. I make my way back to Simon, only to be stopped by Michael.
    ”Hey beautiful.”
    Stepping back, “Michael, please don’t call me that.” I try to move pass him and he blocks my way. Raising my voice, “What are you doing?”
    “Can we sit and talk for a few minutes?”
    “No, we can’t. Michael, I have to get back to the party.” Trying to walk around him, he blocks me once again with his body. Looking around for someone to come to my rescue, I guess I’m on my own. “What do want from me Michael? Planting fisted hands on my hip. I am done playing this game with you!”
    “I want you, Nicolette. I have wanted you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I usually get what I want.” Oh my god! Did he just say that?
    Pointing my finger right into his chest, “Sorry to burst your bubble, but you won’t be getting me. I have a boyfriend and he is exactly what I want. Now. Please. Move!” I say through gritted teeth.
    Blocking me again, “We’re not done talking, Nicolette.”
    “Yes, we are!” Pushing past Michael who is still trying to block my way, suddenly grabs my wrist, pulling me back toward him. I wince in pain as my wrist twists. Anger and adrenaline giving me the courage to swing around and knee him directly in the balls. That did it, and Michael goes down holding his crotch and whimpering in pain.
    I look down at my wrist which is beginning to swell. Standing over Michael, “Don’t you ever touch me again you bastard. I have had enough of this shit, Stay. Away. From Me !”
    I leave Michael still knelt down in a fetal position. I go to my bedroom to grab a sweater so I can cover up my arm. I can’t have Simon or my parents see this right now. I