Madness into Fiction...

Yes -- I am still alive!!!!

2009-04-07T21:33:49Z

I promise that I haven't crawled in a hole and died......but I have fallen off the edge of the earth a bit......basically I got a job teaching "wonderful" 7th graders.....everyday is an adventure! Seriously it is. Oh the stories that I could tell you! Yet no matter how bad my kids act....I still do love 'em.

Aside from that, I honestly have no life......I just wanted to let everyone know that I am alive!!!!

Foolish Pride -- Chapter Ten

2008-07-05T05:01:22Z

Title: Foolish Pride

Chapter: 10

Links to other chapters: One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine

Rating: PG -13

Summary: With help from his best friend, Zac realizes that he is in love with Nikki. And with her help, he makes Nikki see it as well.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Nikki, Zac, or anything else related, including Hairspray (but Kaitlin, the Ellis' and Kent are my own creation).

AN: This chapter was going to be a lot longer, but there would have been way too much going on in the chapter. So I split it into two ~ so enjoy and please leave lots of loving!!!! Sorry I've been gone for so long, but life got in the way, as did superheroes.....men in tights.....*sigh*.....anyways......enjoy!!!

Chapter 10:

RING!!! RING!!!

Kaitlin reached for her cell phone and answered it half asleep. “Hello?” she asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes. It was early the next morning. Way too early. After Josh’s game the night before they had all gone out to a late dinner and stayed up into the wee hours of the morning watching movies.

“Oh thank God! Kaitlin!” a voice yelled from the other end of the phone line. “We need your help!”

The girl on the other end of the phone of Cammy Davis, one of Kaitlin’s former band mates from a little over a year ago when she was actually in a band. Kaitlin squinted at the alarm clock by her bed as Josh mumbled something in bed next to her. “It’s 6:45 am, Cammy. What is so important?” she asked sitting up in bed.

“She fucking ditched us! She ditched us for another group!”

“WHAT!”

Kaitlin’s scream caused Josh to sit up straight in bed. “What? What’s wrong?” he asked in a daze. Kaitlin motioned from him to be quiet while she listened to what Cammy told her what was going on. All Josh could hear was Cammy practically screaming into the phone.

“Ok, ok. Calm down Cammy. Buy me an hour and I will be there. I don’t live far from there.”

“Thank you Kaitlin! You’re the best! I don’t see why you ever quit in the first place.”

Kaitlin smiled slightly. “Don’t worry about it. It’s the past. I’ll be there soon.”

She hung up the phone and looked at Josh. “What’s up?” he asked.

“Valerie ditched the group just before they were to start recording. So, Cammy called me. I could have told you that Valerie would have done something like this. She was always after something bigger and better.”

“So are you back in?”

Kaitlin smiled and nodded.

“Are you giving up acting?”

She sighed. “If this works out then yes. Its what mom would have wanted.”

Josh smiled and kissed her lips. “You better get going then. They need you at the studio.”

Kaitlin kissed his lips one last time before hopping out of bed and quickly getting ready before heading out the apartment in a mad dash to the North Hollywood Recording studio.
~~~~~~~~~
“Where’s Kaitlin?” Zac asked as he walked into the living room later that morning after waking up late. Nikki was currently getting ready to go out with Amanda and Brittany for the day.

“Cammy called her this morning in a panic. Valerie dumped the group for a better deal.” Josh said from the couch where he sat playing a video game before leaving for his afternoon basketball practice.

“Let me guess. They wanted Kaitlin back right?”

Josh nodded.

“She shouldn’t have gone.” Zac said. “They treated her like shit.”

“But she put her blood, sweat and tears in that group. And I think there is more to the story that we don’t know about…”

“What do you mean?”

“When Cammy was talking to Kaitlin earlier on the phone, I caught part of the conversation with her mention something about Kaitlin quitting instead of being asked to leave.”

Zac looked at Josh like he had gone crazy. “You’ve got to be kidding. Like you said she loved that band so much.”

Josh shrugged his shoulders. “Who the hell knows? I gave up a long time ago trying to figure her out at times. I just love her for who she is. She is one of a kind.”

“No doubt about that,” Zac said in agreement. “But then again so is Nikki.”

Josh laughed. “You’ve got it bad man,” he said standing up so that he could leave for basketball practice.

“And is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all,” josh said with a smile. “I have it just as bad for Kaitlin.”
~~~~~~~~~

The next few days seemed to fly by for Nikki. She was having so much fun spending time with both Zac and Kaitlin, even though much of Kaitlin’s time was now taken up by recording sessions. So Nikki’s days were spent shopping with Amanda, while her nights were spent watching movies or cuddling with Zac. She couldn’t remember a time that she had been so happy. She wasn’t looking forward to going home on the third.

She loved waking up in Zac’s arms with him holding her close and his face buried in her hair. One thing that she was very happy about was the face that he hadn’t pressured her about having sex. She was just self-conscious about her body when it came to things like that. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her body because she did. It was just the fact that she wasn’t the typical leggy Hollywood starlet. And she didn’t want Zac to be turned off by her body.

But that was the least of her concerns at the moment. For some odd reason, Zac was on edge about Vanessa ever since she had shown up at the apartment and kissed him a few days ago. Perhaps Kaitlin could shed come light on the subject for her.

“Hey Kaitlin can I ask you a question?”

It was New Year’s Eve and she, Kaitlin and Amanda were all going to go shopping for New Year’s Eve outfits.

Kaitlin looked up as Nikki sat down on the couch next to her. She had been reading a book while Nikki was finishing up getting ready. Zac and Josh were out shooting hoops with Elijah.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Do you know why Zac has been on edge lately?”

“Besides because of Vanessa, nope not at all.”

“But why?”

Kaitlin sighed. “Let me put it to you this way. You know Elusions, the band I’m in right?”

Nikki nodded.

“A lot of shit went down a little over a year ago and I left because of someone like Vanessa. Well this bitch ended up using the band to make it to improved things then left them behind. I see a lot of that in Vanessa. Zac can see it too. And he’ll be damned if he let’s her fuck up anything in his life any more so then it already is.”

“What’s wrong in his life?” Nikki asked suddenly concerned.

“Don’t worry Nikki. You have nothing to worry about, but let’s just see. He has Disney up his ass, along with Vanessa, and then he worries about me and my damn blood sugar, which he shouldn’t and then you’re on the other side of the country. Believe me the boy is a wreck at times!”

Nikki couldn’t help but smile.
~~~~~~~~~
“How was shopping?” Zac asked as Kaitlin, Nikki and Amanda all walked into the apartment later that afternoon. He, Josh and Elijah were taking turnings playing the Xbox. They had gotten done shooting hoops a little over an hour ago.

“Pretty good,” Nikki said holding up four shopping bags.

“Your boy here is gonna make it big someday, Kaitlin,” Elijah said. “He won every game on the court.”

Kaitlin smiled as she sat down on Josh’s lap. “I sure hope so,” she said as she kissed his cheek. “The next Steve Nash.”

“He’s good, but not that good!”

Everyone laughed.

“Well if you gents will excuse us,” Amanda said pulling Nikki and Kaitlin towards Kaitlin’s bedroom. “We must get ready for tonight.”
Zac winked at Nikki as she left the room.

“You have it bad for her,” Elijah said turning to look at his friend.

“No I don’t.”

“Yeah you do. All you talk about is Nikki – you know that it drives Kaitlin insane sometimes. So that means she takes it out on me.” Josh added.

“Like you can talk.” Zac said looking at his best friend. “You were the same way when you and Kaitlin first got together.”

“I just wish someone would look at me like that.”

Zac and Josh turned to look at Elijah. “Dude tell her how you feel!” Zac said. “You are Amanda’s date tonight aren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“Then tell her!” Zac and Josh said at the same time.
~~~~~~~~~

The plans for New Year’s Eve were simple – dinner, then going by some of Josh’s friends then off to the beach to ring in the New Year. Everything up until going to the party by Josh’s friends was great. That was also when the evening took a turn for the worse.
Amanda and Elijah decided to catch a movie instead of going to the party. Zac took that as a good sign that Elijah was about to tell Amanda that he liked her. That left everyone else for the party. And for some reason, Kaitlin didn’t have a good feeling about the party.

“I just have to show up,” Josh said as the group walked through the house. “Then we can head to the beach.”

Kaitlin nodded and then looked over at Nikki, who seemed to be feeling the same way.

Something wasn’t right.

At first, the party was fine. Josh introduced Kaitlin to his teammates, while Zac and Nikki on the other hand became wallflowers. They didn’t know anyone nor did they really want to cause a scene since all the hoopla about High School Musical hadn’t died down yet – but Zac doubted that this was the crowd for that. But he did notice a few girls looking at him, but no one approached him. After what seemed like forever, he noticed a new group of people enter the party. And he spotted Vanessa and Ashley among the people in that group.

‘What the hell’ he thought.

He needed to find Kaitlin because he wasn’t ready for Nikki and Vanessa to meet face to face yet. That was the real reason he had been on edge the past few days. There was no telling what Vanessa would do. He pulled out his cell phone, dialed Kaitlin’s number for a text message and typed in the single letter ‘V’.

“Come on baby,” he said, turning his back towards where Vanessa and Ashley where. “Let’s get some air.”

Kaitlin felt her phone vibrate in her pocket at the same time she saw Zac and Nikki head towards the backyard. She took out her phone and read the message. “Fuck,” she whispered.

“What?” josh asked looking down at her. She showed him the text message. He immediately knew and understood the situation.

“Sorry guys,” he said turning to look at his teammates. “But we’ve gotta go.”

By that time, Kaitlin had already taken off in the direction that Nikki and Zac had gone. But she didn’t get far.

“Kaitlin!” Vanessa called out, spotting her. Kaitlin stopped dead in her tracks and forced a fake smile.

“Hey Vanessa! Hey Ashley!” she said turning towards the two girls. “What are you doing here?”

“Some of Ashley’s friends go to USC and invited us to the party.”

“Same here,” Kaitlin said with her same fake smile.

“So is Zac here?”

“Some where. Not sure where,” Kaitlin said, looking around for Josh. She needed an exit.

“Let’s go see if he is outside,” Ashley suggested.

Kaitlin shrugged her shoulders and followed them outside. With a quick glance, she saw Josh following them. Zac saw them all walk outside as well, as he pulled Nikki around a corner so that he could watch what was going on.

“Zac what is going on?” Nikki asked.

“Vanessa’s here. And I’m pretty sure she’ll cause a scene if she sees me here. She has Kaitlin cornered right now.”

Nikki didn’t say anything. She wasn’t sure if she should or not – sooner or alter she knew that they would have to meet.
From the corner, they watched the situation deteriorate.

“I don’t see him anywhere.” Kaitlin said looking around the yard. She turned back to look at Vanessa. Ashley had disappeared back into the house.

“Look here,” Vanessa said getting directly in her face. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but if you are the one who took Zac away from me it will be the worse mistake of your life.”

“What if I was? Not a fucking thing you can do about it is there?” Kaitlin spat right back at her.

“So are you telling me you’re the reason Zac dumped me?”

“Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not. But he’s a hell of a lot happier without you. That I do know.”

Suddenly Kaitlin’s face felt an immense stinging pain. Vanessa had slapped her across the face. Both Josh and Zac saw that slap and immediately ran out to intervene with Nikki close behind Zac. There was no telling what Kaitlin would do.

“YOU BITCH!!” Kaitlin yelled at Vanessa while Josh restrained Kaitlin from getting any closer to Vanessa while Zac stood inbetween them. “YOU UNGRATEFUL SELFISH BITCH!!”

“Come on baby,” Josh calmly said to Kaitlin as he held her. “Let’s go.”

Without saying another word, Josh led Kaitlin back into the house and towards the car with Nikki following them. She was grateful that Vanessa had paid no attention to her at all. That left Vanessa and Zac alone.

“What the hell was that for?” he demanded.

Vanessa didn’t say anything.

“Seriously Vanessa, you need to grow up. And I’m not dating Kaitlin. She’s my sister for crying out loud.”

“Sister? You don’t have a sister.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me. But then again you never cared to know about any of it anyways,” he said turning and walking away from her. “Good bye Vanessa.”

My new crush....is the Suns new draft pick!!!

2008-06-27T14:35:10Z

OMG!!! So last night was the NBA draft and all....and my man Derrick Rose went #1 baby!!!! Hell yeah!!!! But it is who my Phoenix Suns drafted at number 15 who I am now smitten with....and here he is!!!!!

Isn't he just yummy???? His name is Robin Lopez. He is 7 foot tall -- which is good for me since I am damn near 6 foot tall -- and he has a twin brother! He went to Stanford University {yayayaya for the PAC-10} and he is hell hottttttt...mimics Jeff Dunham here.....and best of all, he now plays for my Phoenix Suns!!!

Hell I thought he was hot before the Suns drafted him. Now this is even better!!!!!!

But as the guys on ESPN said last night, that last time the Suns drafted someone at No. 15 in the draft is was a Canadian by the name of...yup you guessed it....Steve Nash.

ROCK ON!!!!!

Randomness dos

2008-06-26T04:38:44Z

Jimmy wanted me to update LJ --- I guess he was bored and wanted something to read. So here it is. So why not some quotes about fate and destiny.....

Fate

   Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. - Marcus Aurelius

We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.    Joseph Campbell

    Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her. But once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game. - Voltaire

    Men are not prisoners of Fate, but only prisoners of their own minds. - Franklin Roosevelt

    Many men would take the death sentence without a whimper to escape the life sentence which Fate carries in her hand. - T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia)

     We may become the makers of our fate when we have ceased to pose as its prophets. - Sir Karl Popper

    How a person masters his fate is more important than what his fate is. - Karl Wilhelm von Humboldt

Destiny

    As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time. - Denis Waitley

    A soul without a high aim is like a ship without a rudder. - Eileen Caddy

    Control your destiny or somebody else will. - Jack Welch

    I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. - Henry David Thoreau

Every individual has a place to fill in the world and it important in some respect whether he chooses to be or not. - Nathaniel Hawthorne

         You are the master of your own destiny. Use your strengths well. They are the keys to your destiny and your success in life. Once you know yourself and take action to realize your dreams, you can unlock the doors to your own potential. - Neil Somerville

    You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try. - Beverly Sills

    We must look for ways to be an active force in our own lives. We must take charge of our own destinies, design a life of substance and truly begin to live our dreams. - Les (Lester Louis) Brown

    Take control of your destiny. Believe in yourself. Ignore those who try to discourage you. Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits. Don't give up and don't give in. - Wanda Carter

    Let us follow our destiny, ebb and flow. Whatever may happen, we master fortune by accepting it. - Virgil

    It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped. - Anthony Robbins

    The highest destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule. - Albert Einstein

    One meets his destiny often in the road he takes to avoid it. - French Proverb

    You are what your deep driving desire is; As your deep driving desire is, so is your will; As your will is so is your deed; As your deed is so is your destiny. - Maitri Upanishads

    Ideals are like stars: you will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you reach your destiny. - Carl Schurz

    As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time. - Denis Waitley

    Our destiny changes with our thought; we shall become what we wish to become, do what we wish to do, when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire. - Orison Swett Marden

    Sow a thought and you reap an act;
    Sow an act and you reap a habit;
    Sow a habit and you reap a character;
    Sow a character and you reap a destiny.
    - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welp I am off to bed. I have to be at work at the butt crack of dawn, literally.......night!!!!!

Secret Invasion.....WTF!?!?!?!?!

2008-06-06T07:22:33Z

Seriously.....Marvel comics has pissed me off.....grrrrr....

Like I was so excited about reading about the Secret Invasion and what not then low and behold Iron Man is supposedly an effing alien!!!!! WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I seriously slammed my head on the table in On the Border when I read that! I was like he's my fav!!!!!! UGGGGGGGGG I have to wait until next month to find out for sure. But I want to cry!!!!!!

Realizations and Sadness

2008-06-02T15:27:20Z

A few days ago my best friend, Danielle and I embarked on a journey - designing, writing and probably publishing at some point, our own comic book. Both of us truly believe that this is what we're meant to do with our lives. She told me that she used to draw in comic book panels when she was younger. As for me, it was comic books that first got me started writing. Plus when I write a story I think of it in comic book terms.

Crazy I know, but true.

So we've told our paretns and gotten responses we weren't excepting. The first thing my dad asked me was what it was about -- I was floored and so was Danielle.

This is a good thing.

But its also said for me. The one person I want to tell isn't around for me to do so. God, I miss my Muz. A week from tomorrow marks six months since she's been gone. I miss her everyday.

For those who don't know, my Muz was my mother's mom, my grandma and my best friend. She died from a stroke last Decemeber. She was the final hit that my family sustained last year -- in Feb we lost my dad's father -- I miss him dearly as well. Then while I was at that funeral in Arizona, I found out my surrogate grandmother from work had died. Then in July we lost our dog of 13 years, followed by my mom's oldest sister from Alzheimer's in November then less then a month later my Muz. It was awful - worst year of my life. Hell, I even gave Muz's eulogy.

So while I'm loving this comic book, its also a bit sad because I can't tell my Muz about it. But as Danielle told me yesterday, she does know about it and she is proud.

Randomness....

2008-05-30T06:01:24Z

You know there has been a lot of shit going on lately....people I thought I knew, I don't seem to know anymore. Who the hell knows what is going on. Perhaps I just need a break from it all.......perhaps some alone time should do the trick. Well that or take Kiki for long ass walks.

Maybe dad will take the road trip with me in July to Glacier National Park...that would be awesome!!!!!

Quick Update

2008-05-24T05:29:39Z

Just so that everyone doesn't think that I have fallen off the planet.....here is an update!!!! yayayayayaya!!!!!

To make a long story short, I have gone back to my love of comic books.....which has taken up most of my time. I highly suggest reading the story lines in the Marvel Universe from the Civil War to Captain America's death to the Secret Invasion (which is currently going on).

Welp I am off to bed. More later

*gone to dork out*

Movies, Taco Bell and Walmart at 1 am....

2008-05-09T07:00:03Z

Ok so tonight, Danielle, Jimmy and I went to see Iron Man. It was good -- actually better than I thought it was going to be. Plus the fact that I got to see a trailer for the new Indy movie made it so much better!!! *melts in a puddle on the floor then quickly picks herself back up* Jimmy and Danielle had to hold me down in my seat when the trailer came on!!!!

Other than Jimmy saying orgasm (which was a shock in itself), the movie was uneventful - except the true nature of the comic book dork inside of me came out. I knew what S.H.I.E.L.D. was!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Oh and I tried to rape an Indy poster in the hallway of the movie theater and at Walmart.....

After scarfing some Taco Bell it was off to Wally World. Well the one we first went to was like on lock down or something...it was freaky! But then again this is Memphis! Shit like that always happens here......you'd have to live here to understand. So of to the Collierville Wally World......cracking jokes about people from work the entire time.....then when we get there, we notice that only in Memphis is the retirement home next to the funeral home......so that they can just wheel them on over. It was horrible! But then again we can be at times.

We were laughing so hard, we swore that the greeter thought we were drunk or something. Or atleast I was! Oh well.

Welp ya'll I'm out.....work calls early in the morning. Peace love n Oranges!!!!

Musicfest Day Three

2008-05-05T06:50:01Z

So today was an interesting day....I actually got sleep!!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!

So drag my ass out of bed and walk Kiki, my dog, because I've been ignoring her all weekend long and she deserved a walk dammit! After the walk and getting ready, Danielle and I end up at the mall for some shopping before going downtown for the rest of Musicfest. Got some CDs and stuff and found out that we did meet the lead singer of Simple Plan last night -- but not one of the guitarists.

After shopping and a late lunch we finally get to Musicfest and fight the crowds, drunks and mud to listen to Finger Eleven.....they were ok......

But all in all this weekend ROCKED!!!!! Learned that I like some new groups and that Mikey Way is just as hot as his brother Gerard. So Danielle can have Gerard and I will take his brother (for those who don't know - Gerard Way is the lead singer of My Chemical Romance and Mikey is his brother who is the lead guitarist).

I will have pictures sometime this week. I am getting them developed tomorrow. Oh! I remembered some quotes from this weekend!!!

"Are you gonna kill anyone?" ~ Preston, Danielle's cousin, to me.
"Hun?" - me
"Ya know the Suns are outta the playoffs and all."

"For those who don't know....Mikey broke a string!` Clap for that shit!!!" ~ Gerard Way during MCR's performance on Friday (Danielle told me this for I was sick in the car).

On that note -- I am out.

Musicfest Day Two

2008-05-04T07:03:42Z

Ok so today was day two of my crazy ass weekend....let's have a recap thus far shall we.......

rain
sick
missing MCR

There we go that was Friday. Today was better (but sucky because no MCR). Ok still tired as hell, since this morning my sister graduated from college and I went to that ceremony and spent some time with her and the family before going back to Beale Street, I was like I am gonna be so tired all night long!!!

I do eventually wake up. I see three bands tonight.....Simple Plan, Seether and Disturbed. All of which kicked ass!!!!! Yes there was mud and lots of it, but as the sign said -- its not Memphis in May without the rain! Anyways, when Simple Plan was done playing, they said that they would be out by this one tent afterwards to hand out with whoever. I was like hell yeah!!!! So I dragged Danielle through the crowds and the mud to meet Simple Plan -- they were all soooooo nice!!! The only one who wasn't there was the lead singer - I think his name is David -- but we got autographs and pictures (which will be up soon!).

But it is late and I am tired.....I'm out

Musicfest Day One

2008-05-03T07:20:14Z

Ok so every year in Memphis during May its a big celebration for the entire month called Memphis in May -- the big even is called the Beale Street Musicfest which is always the first weekend. And I have never been before. So when I got the entire weekend off plus My Chemical Romance was coming, I was like hell yeah I am going!! Well.....

It always rains during musicfest....and day was no exception. It poured. Or in the words of Allie, "the things we do for music" as we were waiting in the rain -- pouring rain -- for MCR -- I ended up getting sick and went back to my car early and missed MCR....but I did find two new bands that I like!!! So it was a good night.

So here are some lessons learned so far.......

Get sleep!!! I'm currently running on 4 hours.....
Make sure you are not claustrophobic.......I think I am a bit and that was why I ended up "sick"
Take an extra set of "dry" clothes in case of rain. Lucky me, I used to live out of my car when I was going to school and working so I had extra clothes!! They were mismatched, but dry!!
We call it Memphis in Mud for a reason.....gloshes are your friend!!
Leave your cell phone in the car if there is a single cloud in the sky. Mine almost got water logged!!!
Hat hair is your friend!!!
Getting soaking wet is your friend and I enjoyed it.

Other than that day one was ok - I missed MCR, but Danielle got to see them. But there still are two more days to go!!!

Foolish Pride -- Chapter Nine

2008-05-01T05:04:45Z

Title: Foolish Pride

Chapter: 9

Links to other chapters: One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight

Rating: PG -13

Summary: With help from his best friend, Zac realizes that he is in love with Nikki. And with her help, he makes Nikki see it as well.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Nikki, Zac, or anything else related, including Hairspray (but Kaitlin, the Ellis' and Kent are my own creation).

AN: Over the last week I have handwritten 13 pages to this story! This chapter was going to be a lot longer, but there would have been way too much going on in the chapter. So I split it into two ~ so enjoy and please leave lots of loving!!!!

Chapter Nine:

The Christmas holidays had come and gone without much fanfare. Kaitlin had managed to avoid lunch with Vanessa and Ashley before Christmas by saying that she wasn’t feeling good and was going back home a few days early to see the doctor. It wasn’t a lie, but wasn’t the entire truth either.

The biggest thing that was different was that everyone was worried about Kaitlin – from what she ate to whether or not she had taken her insulin shot. Frankly, it was driving her insane. She knew that she had to take it to live. And more often then not she had ended up in screaming matches with her parents or brothers over it. She told them to just leave her along about it and that she wasn’t stupid. Eventually they let up a bit. But they did get upset with her when she threatened death by pixie stix, even though she was joking about it.

“Seriously when you do get here?” Kaitlin asked Nikki on the phone as she drove back to her house after spending sometime with Josh and his family on Christmas Eve. “Your boyfriend is driving me insane!”

Nikki laughed. “He’s just worried. That’s all. You scared all of us.”

Kaitlin sighed as she pulled into the driveway. “It wasn’t my fault I didn’t know the signs of being diabetic! I thought it was a cold. Now what day do you get here?”

“The 28th.”

“And he thinks you are flying in when…?”

“On the 30th.”

“Perfect. I’ll make sure to at least have the apartment in some orderly fashion. But I can’t promise anything.”

“That’s fine. What’s your cover for getting out to the apartment without Zac asking questions?”

“That Josh and I are going to meet for lunch then go shopping for some things for the apartment.”

“Sounds like you have this all figured out.”

“If it involves surprising me, I’m all for it. Especially if it is one Mr. Zac Efron, who hates surprises.”

Nikki couldn’t help but smile – four more days and she’ll be in California. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Zac’s face.
~~~~~~

“Ok that’s the last one,” Zac said as he set the last box down in the living room of the apartment. He collapsed onto the couch next to Josh. Kaitlin stood over them. It was two days after Christmas as well as moving day for Kaitlin and Zac. The day before had been spent packing up the moving van with Josh’s help and the better part of the morning and afternoon had been spent unloading it down in LA.

“This is no time to rest!” she scowled. She knew that Nikki would be there in less than 24 hours! She had to get the apartment in some sort of fashion or Zac would kill her. “We’ve gotta unpack!”

“You’re the girl.” Josh said with his eyes closed. “You unpack. I have a game tomorrow. I need to rest.”

“Yeah you unpack.” Zac echoed his best friend’s comment.

Kaitlin rolled her eyes, stormed into her bedroom and slammed the door.

“Has she eaten anything today?” Josh asked a few minutes later.

“I doubt it.”

“No wonder she’s pissed,” Josh said getting up off the couch. “Do you have anything she can eat so she doesn’t pass out on us?”

“Mom sent some granola bars or something like that plus Kaitlin’s stash of emergency candy is in her purse along with her glucose tablets if she’s really low.” Zac said stretching out on the couch.

Josh grabbed a few granola bars, a bottle of water and Kaitlin’s emergency skittles out of her purse and headed towards her bedroom. Zac drifted off to sleep, shocked that josh wasn’t yelled at by Kaitlin, since she had yelled at almost everyone the past week at one point or another when her blood sugar got too low.
~~~~~~
A while later, Zac was woken up by a knocking on the door. Grumpily he rolled off the couch to answer the door. “Yes?” he asked slumping against the doorframe as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

“Hey,” a familiar voice said.

Zac’s eyes grew wide as they focused on Vanessa who was standing in front of him holding a plant. “I thought that I would bring you a
house warming gift.”

“Thanks,” he said taking the plant from her. “Wanna come in for a second? The place is a mess.”

“Sure.”

Zac let her into the apartment. “Sit where ever,” he said walking into the kitchen area and setting the plant down on the counter. “Want something to drink?”

“No I’m fine,” she said sitting down on the couch.

He nodded as he grabbed himself a bottle of water and joined her on the couch. “How was your Christmas?”

“Pretty good. Just spent it with the family.”

“Same here. So who told you I was moving to LA?”

“Lucas,” she said moving closer to him. “I’m glad you did.”

She reached out and took a hold of his hand. She smiled when he didn’t pull away. He simply looked at her. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“Let’s try again baby,” she asked. “Please. Now that you’re in LA, it will be easier.”

She moved even closer to him.

“There was never an us to begin with,” he said pulling away.

“That’s not what you told me a few months ago.”

In a swift move, Vanessa captured Zac in a deep kiss. He tried to pull out of her grasp, but her nails where digging into his arms.

“Hey Zac have you seen my tips?” Kaitlin asked coming out of her bedroom. “This one is…”

When Vanessa heard Kaitlin’s voice she quickly broke the kiss and stood up. “I…I didn’t know that anyone else was here,” she said standing up and heading for the door. “Sorry.”

“…dull,” Kaitlin said quietly finishing her statement as she slipped her insulin pen into her pocket before Vanessa walked past her. She was still weary of certain people knowing.

As Vanessa passed by Kaitlin, she threw her an ugly glance.

“What the hell was that?” Kaitlin asked looking at Zac, who sat on the couch with a bewildered look on his face as well.

“I have no idea,” he said looking up at her. “But I bet that she thinks we’re together.”

“Great,” Kaitlin said rolling her eyes. “That’s all I fucking need. Another bitch on my case for nothing! Wait until I tell Nikki. She’s gonna laugh her butt off!”
~~~~~~~~

For the rest of the day, Kaitlin unpacked as much as she could of the apartment. Josh had managed to help her get most of her room in order before having to leave for basketball practice. After that, she tackled the kitchen, which was little to nothing. Then she helped Zac with his room, since she knew he wouldn’t do it.

“Excited about seeing Nikki in a few days?” she asked as she helped him finish unpacking his room the next morning.

Zac nodded and smiled. God, how he missed Nikki. He couldn’t wait to hold her close at night again. Those few nights of holding her during filming had been heaven. Kaitlin couldn’t help but smiled as well. She was so glad that Zac was finally happy. “Well I’m off to go have lunch with Josh before going shopping for stuff for the living room and kitchen,” she said standing up. It wasn’t necessarily a lie – she was going to go shopping with Nikki.

“So I guess I get to wait for the cable guy?” Zac asked. Kaitlin nodded.

“How’d I get so lucky?”

“You said you would if I helped you unpack,” she said leaving his room. He began to empty out the last of his boxes when he heard Kaitlin yell bye and that she’d be back before Josh’s game that night.

~~~~~~~~~

“You know it sucks being short,” Nikki said as she and Kaitlin put her luggage into the back of Kaitlin’s Touareg. “It took forever to get my luggage!”

“That is why it pays to have a tall boyfriend.” Kaitlin said shutting the back hatch.

“True,” Nikki said as they got into the car. “Speaking of boyfriends, did Vanessa actually show up at the apartment yesterday?”

Kaitlin nodded. “I’m pretty sure she thinks that Zac and I are together after I walked out of my room.”

Nikki laughed. “Wait until she finds out the truth.”

Kaitlin laughed as well as she drove out of the airport parking garage.

~~~~~~~~~

After making a stop at a Target for a few things, it was off to a grocery store for some food for the apartment. Kaitlin apologized several times to Nikki for having her come on the errands with her. Nikki assured it that it was fine, especially since there was no food at the apartment and they both knew Zac got cranky without this morning cereal.

“Three kinds of cereal?” Nikki asked as Kaitlin put three different boxes into the cart.

Kaitlin nodded. “Zac likes Kasahi, Josh likes Frosted Mini Wheat, since I know he’ll be over often, and I like Lucky Charms even though I shouldn’t be eating them."

“Because of being Diabetic?”

She nodded again.

“Is it hard?” Nikki asked.

Kaitlin shrugged her shoulders. “It can be especially with everyone wanting to make sure I remember my shots after I eat or if I checked my sugar levels.”

“You know they are just worried about you. You scared us all a few weeks ago. If I hadn’t of been coming out now, I would have been on the first flight out.”

“I didn’t mean to be put into the hospital,” Kaitlin said looking away.

“Just don’t do it again!”

Kaitlin laughed. “Believe me I never want to go into a Diabetic Coma again!”

“Now have you ate today?” Nikki asked in a joking manner.

“A little.”

“Good. Now hurry up and finish shopping! I’m starving and you need to eat!”
~~~~~~~~~

“Oh thank God you are home!” Zac said from the couch as he heard the door open, thinking Kaitlin was back from her errands and lunch with Josh. He had been dozing on the couch, waiting for the cable guy to get there. “I’m starving and the cable guy isn’t here!”

“How about a Nikki special?”

Zac quickly sat up. That voice hadn’t been Kaitlin’s. “Nikki!” he said jumping off the couch at the sight of his girlfriend. He swept her into a tight hug before kissing her. “How? When?” he asked after the kiss.

“Kaitlin’s idea to come out a few days early. She thought of it when she was in New York a few weeks ago.” Nikki said.

“Where is Kaitlin anyways?”

“I could use some help here!”

Zac and Nikki turned to look at Kaitlin, who was standing in the doorway, holding all the grocery bags. They each took a few from her.

“You didn’t have to bring them all in at once,” Zac said setting the bags down on the counter.

“You don’t help mom, so what makes you think that you’d help me?” she asked looking at her brother as she added her bags to the pile on the counter.

“Because he’s hungry and you have the food,” Nikki said laughing.

“Yeah what she said!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kaitlin jumped up and down, screaming with delight. Josh had just ignited an awesome play that resulted in a dunk at the other end as the USC Trojans took the lead against the Washington Huskies later that night.

“Is she always like this?” Nikki asked.

“Only when Josh is playing or she is watching the Phoenix Suns.”

“And when I really want to embarrass my brother in front of his girlfriend,” Kaitlin said without looking at them. Nikki laughed a bit and Zac just shook his head.

“OOO!!!! RUN!!!!!!!!” Kaitlin yelled out all of the sudden. Josh had stolen the ball and scored an easy lay-up. “YESSSS!!!!”

Zac and Nikki broke out in laughter.

AN #2: The death by pixie stix comment is a running joke between me and my best friend Danielle, who is a Diabetic. It really won't kill a Diabetic...just raise their blood sugar really high. She says it would take a lot to do that.

Seriously.......get over it

2008-04-29T05:08:15Z

For the last few weeks a lot has been building up inside of me. The only one who really knows all the shit that I’ve dealt with is Danielle – duh she’s my BFF. Anyways, she deals with the same shit……the fucking hypocritical customers at work as well as our boss. Seriously I have more education then most of the people who go in there and shop! Oh for those who don’t know, I work in customer service at a grocery store. I sure as hell don’t get paid enough for the shit I put up with.

I seriously need to get this job in Florida so that I can move away from Tennessee!!!! ARG!!!! This state has caused me nothing but stress!!! I do love some of the people I’ve met here such as my sorority sisters, Helmsman buddies and some of my coworkers. But seriously this state has caused me nothing but stress and anxiety….

Now for the other thing that is causing me stress….my fucking parents. Seriously I am 26 years old and they still treat me like I’m 15. Yes I may act like it at times, but who doesn’t. and yes I still live at home, but I’m trying to find a job so that I can get the hell out. But they do nothing but harp on me about my weight and pulling at my hair. Yes I pull out my hair – its an anxiety thing…..

They say they are worried about me being in my room so much and sleeping so much….A) If I’m in my room or I say that I am sleeping doesn’t mean that I am sleeping…usually my ass is on my computer. B) I AM NOT DEPRESSED!!! I just don’t want to fucking be harped on for every little fucking thing I do. And if I don't make my weight this month so fucking be it -- I'm over it and at least I am trying......who in their right mind walks 7.5 miles for the fun of it?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Ok I feel a bit better. Besides my little sister is about to get the receiveing end of their bitching since she graduates with her second degree (like me last year) on Saturday. She says that she’ll have a “real job” before me, but whatever….we shall see.

So please keep praying I get the new job in Florida so that I can get my effing sanity back!

Song of the Moment:
Critical Acclaim by Avenged Sevenfold

Shh be quiet, you might piss somebody off
Like me motherfucker, you've been at it for too long
While you feed off others insecurities
You stand in front of me and bite the hand that feeds

(Self-righteousness is wearing thin)
Lies inside your head your bestfriend
(Heart bleeds but not for fellow man)
Broken glass, your fake reflection

I've had enough its time for something real
Don't respect the words you're speaking
Gone too far, a clone

So how does it feel to know that someones kid in the heart of america
Has blood on their hands, fighting to defend your rights
So you can maintain the lifestyle that insults this family's existance
Well, where I'm from we have a special salute we aim high in the air
Towards all those pompous assholes who spend their days pointing fingers

Fuck you

Shh be quiet, you might piss somebody off
Like the heartbeat of this country when antagonized too long
I'll be damned if you count me in as part of your generous hypocrisy
Collecting enemies

(Tabloid gossip queen, worthless man)
There's no need for us to bury you
(Selfish agenda, once again)
Right this way, you've dug your own grave

I've had enough its time for something real
Don't respect the words you're speaking
Gone too far, a clone

All the way from the east to the west
We've got this high society looking down on this very foundation
Constantly reminding us that our actions are the cause of all their problems
Pointing the fingers in every direction
Blaming their own nation for who wins elections
They've never contributed a fucking thing to the country they love to criticize

Excuse the obscene, ignore the untrue
Depictions we see, try and get through
Admitting mistakes can't hurt
I'm not the last but I sure ain't the first

Shh be quiet, you might piss somebody off

(Self-righteousness is wearing thin)
Lies inside your head your bestfriend
(Heart bleeds but not for fellow man)
Broken glass, your fake reflection

I've had enough its time for something real
Don't respect these words you speak
You've gone too far, a clone

That's about it......so for now I am out.......

Random quotes I found

2008-04-27T05:39:03Z

Here are two random quotes I found that were pretty funny that either me or my friends had said....

"You know watching AE we could pull this murder off!" - Leslie about our ex boyfriends....
"Or Court TV!!" - Danielle

"I don’t see how you can call something that weighs 3 lbs a stud." - Jeff Dunham, a comedian
"Well if something else was three pounds then damnnnnn...." - Danielle......I swear our minds are always in the gutter!

Morganology

2008-04-27T04:12:03Z

I took this from speechless1021 who had seen it on</a></b></a>belladonna77 lj and figured, " What the heck seems interesting enough :)"
So I took it as well!!!

Let others know a little more about yourself, repost this with your name followed by "ology".

TECHNOLOGY
Q. What is the wallpaper on your computer?

A random wallpaper that was on my computer -- its pretty

Q. How many televisions do you have in your house?
5

BIOLOGY
Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
ambidextrous - but mainly right

Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
nope

Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
charcoal

Q. Have you ever been knocked out?
close but not totally like when i fell down my stairs and busted my head

BULLSHITOLOGY
Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Heck No!

Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
NO!!!!

Q. What color do you think looks best on you?
Blue

Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item?
probably but I'm not sure

DAREOLOGY
Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
Sure why not.

Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
No.

Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000
no

Q. Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
depends on the magazine.....

Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Sure!

Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
Not a chance

DUMBOLOGY
Q. What is in your left pocket?
Nothing. I don't have a left pocket right now

Q. Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
HELL NO!!!

Q. Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
Both!

Q. Do you sit or stand in the shower?
Stand

Q. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?
too damn many -- I lost count

LASTOLOGY

Q. Last person who texted you?
My dad

Q. Last person who called you?
Danielle

Q. Last person you hugged?
Danielle

FAVORITOLOGY
Q. Number?
14

Q. Season?
Winter

Q. Color?
Blue

CURRENTOLOGY
Q. Missing someone?
Yes - my Muz, Grandpa, Vernie, Aunt Gretchen, Grandma Anne and Aunt Jane......

Q. Mood?
Tired

Q. Listening to?
Kiki breathe heavily after her walk.

Q. Watching?
Nothing

Q. Worrying About?
If I'm gonna get the job in Florida or not

Q. Wearing?
Black shorts and a KD tshirt

RANDOMOLOGY
Q. First place you went this morning?
Bathroom

Q. What can you not wait to do?
MOVE THE HELL OUTTA MY HOUSEEE

Q. Do you smile often?
I try to

Q. Are you a friendly person?
Yes

Milestones -- Zikki 250th Thread Story

2008-04-25T18:47:43Z

Title: Milestones

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Who can own someone else????

AN: HAPPY 250TH!!!!!! Sorry if this isn't the best....but I suck at one shots!

There were certain days that Zac Efron would never forget. He called them his milestones. And over the last six years, most of the milestones in his life included another individual – Nikki Blonsky.

His Nikki.

The first milestone he shared with Nikki was filming the movie, Hairspray. That was where they first met and fell in love. But at that time, their love for each other was keep quiet and feelings silent until much later.

Which lead to the second milestone – the MOD kiss. It had been several months since they had last spent any considerable time with each other. But that didn’t mean he didn’t think about Nikki each day and wish that it were her instead of Vanessa Hudgens lying next to him in bed at night.

The question on MOD had come out of right field. But he meant what he said – he would date Nikki in a heartbeat. Perhaps that why he agreed to kiss her on live TV. But as soon as their lips meat, Zac knew he had to have Nikki in his life. He was happiest with her.

“What the hell was that kiss for?” she had asked him as they rode back to the hotel. Amanda and Elijah were in a different car.

It took him a second to come up with an answer. “Because I…I want you to be my girl,” he finally stumbled out with.

It was the look on Nikki’s face that he remembered the most. Her stern look quickly melted into a smile as she softly kissed his lips. “I’d like that,” she whispered as she lay her head on his shoulder for the rest of the trip to the hotel.

After that, all the milestones seemed to run together. From the press junkets to promotional stuff for Hairspray to the world premieres of the movie, Zac was floating on cloud nine. He loved being able to spend time with Nikki and he also found that he couldn’t keep his hands off her.

While they had time to get to know each other on a more intimate level all thanks to the Hairspray promotional tour, all good things must come to an end sometime. Zac was needed back in LA for filming and Nikki was needed at home. And at the same time, rumors about Zanessa came forth again, especially after the nude photos of Vanessa had hit the Internet. But that which does not kill you only makes you stronger. And stronger it made the relationship between Zac and Nikki.

They had been through rumors, separations of countries at times, even the occasional fights – with even better make-ups and even the scrutiny of others who didn’t think that Nikki was good for Zac’s career. Yet, they proved them all wrong.

This led to one of the biggest milestones in Zac’s life with Nikki – the night he asked her to marry him in May 2012.

It had started off as any ordinary day in NYC. Zac was the first awake as normal. He smiled down at Nikki, who lay asleep in his arms. He couldn’t wait until that night. Nikki’s tenure as Tracey in the Broadway show of Hairspray was ending that night, with no other projects in the near future. And it couldn’t come at a better time. He had been planning this night for several months.

While he had gone over different ideas for how he was going to propose to her, nothing he planned seemed right except for one thing. It had to be perfect. So perhaps just improvising would be the best thing. That had been how they had always done it for the last five years that they had been together. But no matter what, he couldn’t wait for that night.

The day had gone by way too fast for Zac’s liking. Nikki had left mid afternoon to get ready for the show that night, leaving him to ponder what he was actually going to say to her when he did get down on one knee. Just thinking about that made him a nervous wreck. In fact, he was so nervous that he almost forgot to bring Nikki’s ring with him that night. But once he saw her on stage that night as Tracey Turnblad for the umpteenth time, all her nerves seemed to end. It was like falling in love with her all over again.

“You ok baby?” Nikki asked later that night as they rode home from the theater back to Nikki’s apartment. “You’ve been lost in your own world since we got in the car.”

“I’m fine,” he said smiling at her as he pulled her close to him. She snuggled into the small of his shoulder. He softly kissed the top of her head as he glanced out the window. They were almost back to the apartment that was near Central Park. That was when it dawned on him. “I’m in the mood for a walk. We haven’t taken a walk at night in a while. How about it? Want to join me?”

Nikki nodded in agreement as Zac asked the driver to pull over near the park. A few minutes later, Zac and Nikki were walking through the park hand in hand. The butterflies had begun turning in Zac’s stomach again.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Nikki said looking up at the stars as they walked.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Zac said smiling at her. Even in the dark, he could tell that she was blushing. He knew that it was now or never. He suddenly stopped walking, pulled Nikki close to him and kissed her full on the lips. “I love you,” he whispered after the kiss.

“I know,” she whispered back.

Zac took a deep breath as he fumbled for the ring in his pocket. He finally got a hold of it. “I just wanted to make sure you knew that,” he said slowly moving towards the ground. Nikki gasped when she realized what he was doing.

“Nicole Margaret Blonsky, will you marry me?” he asked looking up at her as he held her hand.

She nodded yes as tears spilled from her eyes. Zac smiled as he slipped the engagement ring he had bought her onto her finger – a 3 stone diamond ring with an antique setting – before standing up and kissing her deeply on the lips.

“Zac there is something else you need to know,” Nikki said after their kiss.

“What’s that?” he asked, with a smile never leaving his face.

“I’m pregnant.”

Zac looked at Nikki in shock. “Preg…pregnant???” he said stumbling over his words a bit.

She nodded yes. “Three weeks along. I just found out today.”

He hugged Nikki again. He couldn’t believe it. This had to be one of the best days of his life.
~~~~

The next few months flew by for both Zac and Nikki. He convinced her to move out to LA with him where he had another surprise for her – a house that he had bought for them to start a new life in not far from LA in the Hollywood Hills. So, between fixing up the new house, planning a small but prefect wedding and getting ready for the baby, Zac and Nikki were both busy.

And they didn’t want it any other way.

Three months after Zac had proposed to Nikki, they were married in a small wedding on the beaches of St. Thomas. Only the families and close friends from the movie Hairspray were there. Zac had to admit that it was perfect in every way. And Nikki was absolutely glowing that day.

While his wedding to Nikki had been a milestone, it was what took place in February 2013, which had to be the biggest milestone of all - the birth of Hayden Alexander Zachary Efron.

Zac watched, as Nikki held Hayden in her arms and the world suddenly seemed perfect. He had a beautiful wife and a healthy son. What more could he ask for?

“Come here daddy,” Nikki said looking over at her husband. “Hold your son.”

Zac smiled as he stood up from his chair and walked over to his wife’s hospital bed. She smiled at him before handing him their newborn son. Sitting there holding Hayden, Zac realized that this was the greatest milestone of all in his life thus far.

Job Interview

2008-04-22T01:50:48Z

Well tomorrow I leave for Florida for a job interview with a newspaper down there. And if all goes how I want it to go -- I really want this damn job -- then hopefully I will be moving away from Memphis and all the damn chaos here!!!! So keep your fingers crossed and wish me good luck!!!!!!

Guide to Happiness in Hollywood - Step Three

2008-04-21T05:19:54Z

Title: Guide to Happiness in Hollywood
Chapter: Step Three: Epiphany

Links to Other Chapters: 1 2

Rating: PG for now. May go up in the future.

Summary: The series of steps that Zac goes through in his relationship with Nikki.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Nikki, Zac, or anything else related, including Hairspray. How can you own a person anyways??? That’s just awful!

AN: Thanks to all the love for the first two chapters...sorry this chapter is a short one, again.....I promise that they will get longer!!!!!
</b>
Step Three: Epiphany

Zac slowly opened his eyes to find himself sitting in an upright position. He quickly realized that he had fallen asleep while watching a movie with Nikki. A soft mumble came from his lap. He glanced down to see Nikki snuggled against his thigh, sleeping soundly. She looked so cute and he couldn’t help but smile.

The longer he sat there and watched her sleep, the more he wished that filming wasn’t ending in the next week. This film had truly changed his life.

He had rediscovered himself and made friends that would hopefully last a lifetime. Above all, of this he had fallen in love. he wasn’t expecting it or even was looking for it – hell, he was already dating someone else. But this he couldn’t help. He had fallen in love with Nikki and there was no denying it. he knew it was wrong since he was with Vanessa, but Nikki had unexpectedly won his heart over the course of the last few months. He wasn’t quite sure how or why, but who could deny love?

No, he knew exactly why he had fallen in love. Nikki was one of a kind – sweet, loving, genuine but also she told it who it was. At first, they had become friends, then best friends and now he was in love with her.

He gently brushed a loose strain of hair from her face and sighed. he was so in love with her that he wanted to shout it from the rooftops of Toronto or even pull a Tom Cruise and announce it on Oprah. But he knew that he couldn’t.

There were several reason why he couldn’t. First, there was the issue of Vanessa. Deep down he did love her, but he knew that she wasn’t the one for him. Second there was the issue of Disney. He and Vanessa were Disney’s golden “it” couple – he was the teenage heartthrob and she was the typical skinny Hollywood starlet on his arm. He hated it. he hated being someone who he wasn’t.

When he was with Nikki, he could be himself and he loved that. she was the type of girl he really needed. A girl who loved him for him and not his status. But he knew that it wasn’t that easy.

Zac sighed as he picked up Nikki’s hand and entwined his fingers with hers as he fell back asleep with only thoughts of dating her on his mind.

Foolish Pride - Chapter 8

2008-04-17T20:06:58Z

Title: Foolish Pride

Chapter: 8

Links to other chapters: One Two Three Four Five Six Seven

Rating: PG -13

Summary: With help from his best friend, Zac realizes that he is in love with Nikki. And with her help, he makes Nikki see it as well.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Nikki, Zac, or anything else related, including Hairspray (but Kaitlin, the Ellis' and Kent are my own creation).

AN: Enjoy!!!!

Chapter Eight:

Josh sat in the ER waiting room running his fingers through his hair. It had been almost an hour since Kaitlin had passed out at LAX and was rushed by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He knew nothing about how she was doing or what had even happened since he wasn’t immediate family. All he had been told as the paramedics took her away was that she was being taken to Cedars-Sinai. So, that was where he went.

He immediately called the Efrons to tell them what happened. When he told Starla, she flipped out and said that she, David and Dylan would be there as soon as possible. She also told him that Zac was already on his way down like planned and should be there anytime.

After he got off the phone with Starla, Josh called Zac to let him know what had happened.

“Hey man, what’s up?” Zac asked as he answered Josh’s call.

“How far are you out of LA?”

“I’m just leaving Santa Barbara, so like a hour or so depending on traffic. But it’s a Saturday so it shouldn’t be too bad. Why?”

“Instead of meeting Kaitlin and I at the new apartment this afternoon, I need you to meet us somewhere else.”

“Sure, but why?”

“Zac…” Josh said trailing off, not wanting to tell his best friend that his sister was in the hospital. He knew that he had to though. “Kaitlin was taken to Cedars-Sinai.”

Zac didn’t say a word as Josh explained what had happened from the time that Kaitlin met him in the terminal to passing out to being rushed to the hospital.

“Do you know what is wrong with her?” he finally asked.

“No,” Josh said. “They won’t tell me anything because I’m not family. Your parents and Dylan are on their way down, and your mom suggested I tell you. She sounded pretty upset about it, so I thought it best to not argue with her.”

Zac took a deep breath to calm himself down. He could fell his heart beginning to race as Josh told him about Kaitlin being taken to the hospital. “I’ll be there soon. If you find out anything call me.”

“Alright man.” Josh said.

The call ended and Josh suddenly felt the enormity of the situation. Kaitlin was in the hospital for God only knows why and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. He wish that someone else were there with him to keep his mind occupied. This had to be one of the worst days of his life.

~~~~~~

From the time that Zac had heard that Kaitlin was in the hospital to when he arrived in the parking lot of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, he had to pull over at least twice to calm himself down. He had never had panic attacks before, but now he was. He knew that he should have made Kaitlin go to the doctor sooner!

When he was almost to the hospital, he realized that he hadn’t of called Nikki to tell her what was going on. Maybe she could calm him down some more before he went into the hospital.

“Hello?” Nikki asked answering the phone.

“Hey Nik,” Zac said in a worried voice. Nikki immediately noticed it. after talking on the phone so much, she had learned his different voice tones for different reasons. The last time that she had heard this tone of voice was during the Thanksgiving break after Kaitlin had gotten in fights with almost everyone it seemed from what Zac had told her.

“What’s wrong?” she immediately asked.

“Kaitlin’s been admitted to the hospital. She passed out at the airport when Josh was picking her up this morning.”

“Oh my God.” Nikki breathed. “Do you know what is wrong?”

“No. I just got here and my parents are on their way down. I feel that I should have made her go to the doctor last month when she wasn’t feeling good! Maybe then she wouldn’t be in the ER right now.”

Nikki could tell how worried he was about Kaitlin. She was worried about her too. But when she saw her yesterday she looked fine. “Zac, I’m sure that she will be fine. Where are you now?”

“At the hospital. I just got here. I still haven’t gotten out of my car.”

“Get your skinny butt in there and see how your sister is doing! Then call me and tell me.”

Zac smiled to himself. He wished that she were there with him instead of in New York. He could really do with a Nikki hug.

“All right Nik,” he finally said. “when I learn something, I’ll call you. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Josh glanced up at the clock on the wall. It had been almost an hour and a half since he had talked to Zac and he still knew nothing. He needed some fresh air.

He walked outside and sighed deeply as he ran his hand along the back of his neck. Josh had called his coach to tell him what was going on and even voluntarily said the he’d run extra lines for missing practice that morning and whatever else for missing practice. But his coach had understood. He simply said that he’d better be there for the game the next day, even though he wouldn’t be starting. He could live with that. It was only one game and as far as he was concerned, Kaitlin was more important at the moment.

“Found out anything yet?” Zac asked walking up to him.

Josh looked wearily at his best friend and shook his head no. “All they tell me is that they are still running tests on her. I swear they are giving me the run around because I’m not immediate family.”

“Well I am, so let’s go see what we can find out.”

Josh nodded as they walked back inside. Even then, they didn’t have to wait long to find out what was wrong with Kaitlin.

“You’re the one who came with Kaitlin Efron, correct?” a nurse asked walking towards Josh and Zac. Josh nodded.

“How is she?” Zac asked.

“And you are?” the nurse asked.

“Her brother.” Zac quickly said. “What’s wrong with her?”

“Please both of you come with me.”

Josh and Zac didn’t say anything else as they followed the nurse through the ER and into the main part of the hospital.

“Ms. Efron has been admitted for observation,” the nurse said after they had passed through the ER.

“Observation?” Zac asked looking at the nurse in shock.

The nurse nodded as she led them into a hospital room. There Kaitlin lay in the bed, hooked up to various machines. There a doctor stood near her, checking her vital signs.

“Thank you,” the doctor said turning to look at the nurse. She nodded and left the room, leaving Josh and Zac with the doctor. “Please sit,” the doctor then said motioning to two chairs on the other side of Kaitlin’s bed. Josh took the closest one to Kaitlin while Zac sat next to him.

“Doctor...” Zac began to ask. But stopped because he didn’t know the doctor’s name.

“Dr. Robins,” the doctor said.

“Dr. Robins, what’s wrong with my sister?” he then asked.

“Basically her pancreas has stopped producing insulin thus leading to an extremely high amount of glucose or sugar in her blood that isn’t being used by the body.”

“But she’s not diabetic.” Josh said.

“That might have been the case, but she is now. We’re not sure why some people develop it later in life, but Kaitlin has.”

“Is she going to be ok?” Josh asked.

“Hopefully, but she still isn’t out of the woods yet.” Dr. Robins said.

“How come?” Zac asked.

“She’s in a diabetic coma.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“She’s in a coma?” Nikki asked confused.

“Yeah,” Zac said rubbing his temples. “Something called Diabetic ketoacidosis. Don’t ask me to explain it – it was confusing enough just listening to it. all I know is that they are trying to get her blood sugar levels back to where they should be.”

“Will she be ok?” Nikki asked on the verge of tears.

“She should be,” Zac said. “But since she was just diagnosed they want to monitor her until she regains consciousness and maybe a day or two after that.”

“How long until that happens?”

“Who knows,” he said sighing. “I wish you were here Nikki.”

“I wish I was too. You sound like you need a hug.”

He chuckled. “Yeah I could do with a Nikki special.”

“A Nikki special hun?” she said. “And what would that be?”

“A great big hug and several kisses to follow.”

“That sounds great, but I will be there in a few weeks.”

“Not soon enough.”

“Agreed,” she said. “but you better get back in there and check on your parents.”

“Yeah Dr. Robins was talking with them when I left to call you. But I better get going before some paparazzi catches on that I’m here.”

“And if they do, at least smile. Those pictures from the Billboard Music Awards are awful! You looked miserable.”

“I was with Vanessa and not you. I was miserable.”

“Zac….”

He sighed. He knew what that tone of voice from Nikki meant. It meant suck it up and deal with it. If he had to be seen with Vanessa in public, it was all right with Nikki as long as no lovey dovey stuff went down. Besides, he had to do it because of Disney. “Ok, ok you win,” he said. “Love you baby.”

“Love you too. And call me as soon as Kaitlin wakes up!”

He told her that he would as he ended the call and walked back into the hospital. He found that Dr. Robins had left after explaining what was going on to David and Starla, while Josh and Dylan had gone to find everyone something to drink. And of course, there was no change in Kaitlin.

“I’m going to take your mother outside,” David said to his oldest son. “You’re going to stay here right?”

Zac nodded yes to his father as he watched his parents silently leave the room. He sat down next to Kaitlin’s bedside and just looked at her. he remembered all too well the last time that she had been unconscious in a hospital bed, but she looked far worse then. that time she had cuts and bruises all over her face and arms as well as her knee in a sling. He was scared that she might never wake up and that he would have to go to yet another funeral. Her parents’ funeral had been hard enough to endure, but loosing his best friend would be a nightmare.

She had woken up that time and she would wake up this time as well.

“Kat,” he whispered reaching out and taking a hold of her hand. “you’ve gotta wake up. We still have too much to do – movies to make, funny dances for you to make up and basketball games to go and see. We all need you…”

~~~~~~~~~

After a few more hours of sitting in silence with no change in Kaitlin, it was time to leave for the night. Starla wearily went, much to her displeasure. She just didn’t want to leave Kaitlin’s side. She was as much her daughter as Zac and Dylan were her sons. David felt the same way, but knew that it was best if they let Kaitlin be for a while and they would be back first thing in the morning to check on her. Dr. Robins also promised to call if there was any change at all.

“Call me if anything changes,” Josh said hugging Starla tightly. “I have a game tomorrow afternoon, so I won’t be able to come until afterwards.”

Starla nodded and hugged Josh tightly. She was so thankful that he had been there when Kaitlin had her seizure.

After leaving the hospital, Starla and David went to get the family something to eat, while Zac and Dylan headed over to the new apartment. Zac figured that moving in boxes was a way to keep everyone’s mind off Kaitlin. But even that was hard.

For the rest of the night, very little was said between the family. Zac and Dylan both heard their mother crying to their father behind closed doors and that brought both of them to the verge of tears. They hated to see their mother cry.

Zac didn’t call Nikki again that night, even though he wanted to. But he did send her a message saying that Kaitlin was still in a coma. She responded quickly with an ok and I love you. He smiled as he tried to go to sleep that night. he and Dylan were camping out in the living room, while their parents slept in Kaitlin’s new room, since her new bed had already been delivered.

Just as he was falling asleep, Kaitlin’s cell phone began to ring.

“Hello?” he asked picking it up.

“Zac?” a confused voice asked on the other end.

“Yeah,” he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“it’s Vanessa. Why are you answering Kaitlin’s cell phone?”

He cringed. He wasn’t sure if he should tell Vanessa or not about Kaitlin being in the hospital. He decided against it. “she left it at home. She’s out with Josh.”

“oh, that’s ok. I just wanted to see if we were still on for lunch and shopping in a few days. Just tell her I called please.”

“Sure,” he said hanging up the phone on her. he didn’t care if it was rude or not. He turned Kaitlin’s phone off and tried to get back to sleep, but ended up lying there and starring at the ceiling. Something weird was going on. Why was Vanessa suddenly being nice to Kaitlin?

~~~~

Bright and early the next morning, the Efrons were back at the hospital. Even then, there was no change in Kaitlin. Dr. Robins reassured them that her blood sugar levels were leveling out and that she had done wonderfully overnight, responding to all the IV fluids that had to be pumped into her body. He also said that it was only a matter of time before she should come around.

For most of the day, the family sat by and waited, each taking turns sitting by her bedside while the others walked around the hospital.

“Come on,” Zac said to Dylan around noon. “Let’s go for a walk and get Kaitlin some flowers or something.”

Dylan nodded as the two brothers left their mother in the room with Kaitlin. Their father was outside talking to Kaitlin’s uncles, who lived in England and Germany, on the phone. Starla watched her sons leave before turning her attention back to Kaitlin. She gently brushed some of the hair out of her face.

“Mommy I don’t wanna be a cheerleader. I wanna play softball,” someone mumbled.

Starla turned to look at Kaitlin again. “Kaitlin?” she asked.

“I wanna play softball mommy!”

Starla knew that voice was Kaitlin’s! she reached for the buzzer for the nurse and pushed it.

“You can play softball baby,” she said taking a hold of Kaitlin’s hand and beginning to cry. “You can have anything you want.”

Slowly Kaitlin’s eyes opened and readjusted to the light. “Mommy?” she asked turning to look at Starla. “Where am I?”

~~~~~~~~~

Zac and Dylan walked back into Kaitlin’s room a while later. They had raided the gift shop and bought her some flowers, balloons, and a stuffed tiger. “Look what we got for…” Zac stopped short of finishing when he sat Kaitlin sitting up in bed smiling at him and Dylan.

“KAITLIN!!” both he and Dylan said at the same time. The rushed over to her bedside and pushed their parents out of the way so that they could hug her.

“When did you wake up?” Dylan asked.

“A few minutes ago,” she said.

Zac didn’t say anything but smile at her and silently thanked God that she was all right. “Here you go sis,” he said holding out the stuffed tiger for her.

“A tiger?” she asked taking it from him.

“It was either that or a kitty,” Dylan said chiming in. “And since you’re a fighter, we thought that a tiger would do.”

Everyone laughed.

The day had suddenly gotten brighter.

My favorite time of year......NBA PLAYOFFS BABY!!!!!!

2008-04-17T17:33:46Z

Seriously this is when the real season begins....West vs West and East vs East and there can only be one! Like I've said before my March madness begins in March and ends in June. Bring it on baby!!!!!

My Memphis Tigers made the championship game this year and sadly lost....but that is over and done with! We got one of the top point guards in the nation coming to Memphis to replace Rose. So I look forward to next year. But now is the time that my Suns start the playoffs....and what better way then against the San Antonio Spurs.

Who will ever forget what happened last season in game 4.....I sure won't. I WAS PISSED!!!!! For those of you who don't know, here's the video below....

But this year things have changed......MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

We have Grant Hill and SHAQ!!!! And we won the season series against San Antonio much in thanks to this man......and this play.....

The Suns have been 20-5 since Shaq arrived.......hmmmmm I wonder.....oh well! I guess we shall see on Saturday!!!

BRING IT ON!!!!!!!

Foolish Pride - Chapter Seven

2008-04-16T14:52:11Z

Title: Foolish Pride

Chapter: 7

Links to other chapters: One Two Three Four Five Six

Rating: PG -13

Summary: With help from his best friend, Zac realizes that he is in love with Nikki. And with her help, he makes Nikki see it as well.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Nikki, Zac, or anything else related, including Hairspray (but Kaitlin, the Ellis' and Kent are my own creation).

AN: Ok I had thought about combining chapters 7 and 8 because so many people were worried about Kaitlin....but I decided against it. I am sorry!!! So enjoy this one, please!!! I wrote most of it on little to no sleep.

Chapter Seven:

Zac slowly ran his fingers through Nikki’s hair as she slept against his chest. He savored every moment that he had left with her.
Filming had wrapped that day and everyone was slated to leave the next morning. Kaitlin had already left Toronto the day before, since she had a modeling gig in Phoenix the upcoming week and she wanted to spend a few days with Josh before hand in Los Angeles. That had given Zac some alone time with Nikki.

He turned and looked at the clock next to the bed – 2 a.m. He sighed as he kept on running his fingers through Nikki’s hair. Six more hours of alone time, six more hours to hold her close and savor being in her presence.

Earlier that night, she surprised him by convincing her mother that she needed to help Zac pack for his trip home, since they had already packed all of their stuff. Then she had told her mother that she was going to stay with Amanda that night for one last girls movie night – and then she had asked Amanda to cover for her if her mother asked. Of course, Amanda had agreed to help out. Nikki was grateful that she and Amanda had grown so close during filming.

So being their last night together, Zac wanted nothing to bother them, but he wanted it to be special. He knew that he wouldn’t pressure Nikki to do anything she didn’t want to. But God, how he wanted to. Yet hopefully, if things went how he wanted them to, he and Nikki would have time for the in the future. Why rush things now when they could be so much better in the future?

Just kissing her, holding her and being with her made him feel complete and happy with himself. And that was exactly what they had done all night long. They had ordered a pizza, watched Cinderella, for shits and giggles and eventually Nikki had fallen asleep in his arms. She had fallen asleep while watching movies with him and the others before, but this time it was just cute! She was curled tightly against him to keep warm and looked so content while she slept. What he wouldn’t give to be able to watch her sleep every night.

The last few months had been amazing. He was so glad that he had taken the role of Link Larkin. And he, like Link, was now a changed man – he had found his Tracy. He hoped that it was for the better. He knew that he was happier. Everyone close to him could tell that he was changed, especially Kaitlin. She thought that he and Nikki made a great couple! He was even thrilled that both his sister and his girlfriend had become good friends as well. So all in all the last few months had been great!

In his arms, Nikki moved slighty. Zac smiled as he felt her lips kiss his collarbone as she readjusted herself against his chest. He softly kissed the top of her head.

“Zac?” she asked looking up at him in the dark, with sleepiness in her voice.

“Yeah baby?”

“Have you slept at all?”

“Naw.”

“Why?”

He didn’t say anything.

“Zac?”

“I like watching you sleep,” he quietly said. “You’re cute when you sleep.”

He felt Nikki smile against his chest as she snuggled close to him. He pulled the blanket around them since he could feel the goose bumps on Nikki’s arms. “Better baby?” he asked. She nodded.

They lay there for a few more minutes in silence. Nikki wanted to tell Zac that she loved him, but she was scared that it might drive him away because of the situation that he was still in with Vanessa. Little did she know that he wanted to tell her the same thing. While he knew that he basically had told her that he loved her a few weeks ago when they had first talked about the Vanessa situation when he promised her with all his heart that nothing would come between them, this was different. This was the actual three words – ‘I love you’ – which was a big step for a relationship that was so new. It wasn’t that he didn’t feel that way about Nikki; it was just that it scared him about how he felt. These feelings had come on so fast. But he was pretty damn sure that he loved Nikki.

“Nik,” he gently said wanting to see if she was still awake.

“Hmm?”

“I love you,” he whispered into her ear as he kissed her neck. “I mean it with all my heart.”

“I love you too,” she said turning and looking into his eyes in the dark.

And in the darkness, their lips found each other and they sealed it with a deep kiss, filled with love, passion and nothing, hopefully nothing, would ever come between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You think he decided to end things with you because of that backup dancer?” Ashley asked turning to look at her best friend.

“That’s the only thing that makes sense!” Vanessa said turning to look at her in the face. “She’s with him filming Hairspray, she was
with us in the first movie and she’s gonna be back for the second one too!”

“I thought that they grew up together or something.” Ashley asked, trying to put two and two together. “I always thought that Kaitlin was nice.”

“As did I,” Vanessa said as she broke the glass in a framed picture of her and Zac. “But if she is the one who stole Zac from me, she will pay.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the weeks that followed leaving Toronto, everyone was busy getting ready for the holidays. Nikki was spending time with her friends and family back in New York as well as being reacquainted with not filming. Zac was doing the same thing as well – except he was also mentally preparing himself for filming the second High School Musical movie in February. He had managed to avoid Vanessa and all of the Zanessa hoopla for the time being. He was surprised that she hadn’t really called him or anything since he had gotten back to California. But he did know that he would have to be seen with her sooner or later in public, especially since he and Kaitlin had decided that it would be best if they moved down to LA – but that wouldn’t be until January. They still had to find a place to live and they wanted to wait until after the holidays.

Kaitlin was probably the one who was the busiest one of all. The week following filming she had a modeling shoot for a local magazine ad in Phoenix then another one back in San Diego before she left for New York City to visit her grandfather, like she had done every Christmas since her parents died.

The hardest thing for both Nikki and Zac was adjusting to not being with each other. But they found ways around that. They talked to each other daily and texted constantly. Kaitlin was surprised when Zac hadn’t asked to go with her to NYC.

“She’s coming out in January for a few days after we move anyways.” Zac had told her before she left. “Besides this is your time with your Grandpa.”

“Well I will make sure to give Nikki an extra big hug for you when I have lunch with her.”

Zac smiled as he hugged Kaitlin good-bye.

Next was Starla’s turn to say goodbye Kaitlin. She had come down to LA with Zac to bring Kaitlin to the airport and to see the apartment that her children would be sharing the next month. “Now remember if you start to feel sick again, call home and we can change your ticket easily.”

“I know mom,” Kaitlin said hugging her. “But I’ve felt fine since Thanksgiving. Plus I am going to the doctor when I get home anyways.”

Starla nodded as she and Zac watched Kaitlin turn and walk into the terminal at LAX. “Do you really think she is feeling better?” Starla asked her son.

Zac sighed. “She’s acting like it and looks like it, but I’m not sure,” he said getting back into the car with his mom. “But let me show you the apartment that Kaitlin and I are going to share.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kaitlin loved NYC at Christmas time. She remembered coming to NYC with her parents when they were alive to see her grandparents on both sides of the family, who had all moved back there after her parents had gotten married. It was great because on Christmas Eve, they celebrated with one set of grandparents then the next day would be with the other set. Then her parents always took her ice-skating at Rockefeller Center.

To keep tradition alive after her parents died, as soon as school was out for winter break, the Efrons would put her on a plane and send her out to NYC for a few days before Christmas so that she could celebrate with her grandparents. Sadly, since then, she had lost both of her mother’s parents as well as Grandma McGregor. So all she had left was her Pawpaw McGregor. Yet, as along as he was alive, then she would come out to NYC to see him.

Kaitlin loved her Pawpaw dearly and he loved her just as much, if not more. She was his sweetpea – his only granddaughter from his only daughter. And she loved being the only girl. They talked weekly on the phone, sometimes twice a week like when she was in Toronto filming. He always told her just how proud of her he was and that even if she didn’t make it in Hollywood like Zac seemed to be doing, she would always be a star in his eyes.

She always hated to leave him after her visits, especially after her grandma had died. She constantly asked him to move out to California to be closer to her, since both of her uncles were currently living overseas. But he always insisted that he was fine where he was.

So here she was on her last full day in NYC and what better way to end it then ice skating at Rockefeller Center.

“There you are!” a voice said from behind her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Kaitlin turned around from her spot overlooking the ice skating rink. Nikki stood behind her with a smile on her face. The two girls hugged tightly then headed down to the rink.

Since her Pawpaw was too old to come watch her skate, let alone skate with her, Kaitlin decided on the next best thing – her new best friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After many falls, slips and laughs, the two girls decided to call it quits on ice skating and grab something to eat in the underground concourse.

“So when do you leave?” Nikki asked as they ate.

“Tomorrow morning. Josh is picking me up then Zac is meeting us in LA so that we can move some stuff into our new apartment before Christmas. Then we would stay a few nights there, go to a few of Josh’s games" before heading back home for Christmas.”

“Will Josh be able to go home as well?”

“He has a few games in Las Vegas, but then he will.”

Nikki was about to say something, when Kaitlin’s cell phone rang. She looked at the caller id and then up at Nikki with a look of confusion on her face.

“Who is it?” Nikki asked.

“Vanessa.” Kaitlin said before putting the phone up to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hey Kaitlin, it’s Vanessa.”

“Hey Vanessa, what’s up?”

“I was just seeing if you were going to be in LA for a few days before Christmas.”

“Yeah. From tomorrow to Wednesday or Thursday. Why?”

“I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out some before the holidays and before filming begins for High School Musical 2.”

Nikki could tell by the look on Kaitlin’s face that something was going on. She knew about Vanessa and Zac and all that went with it. but why was Kaitlin being dragged into it?

“I’ll call you when I get back to LA and we’ll figure out a time to hang out,” Kaitlin said trying to get off the phone.

“Sounds good!” Vanessa said. “Bye!”

“Bye.”

Kaitlin hung up and looked at Nikki. “That was the weirdest conversation I have ever had with her.”

“Why?” Nikki asked.

“Because I think she is up to something.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kaitlin slowly walked towards the concourse exit at LAX where Josh was meeting her in the terminal. Ever since she had gotten off the plane, she wasn’t feeling well again. She even had to stop one time to empty what meager contents were in her stomach. She was feeling like she had in November again, but this time much worse.

“Hey baby,” josh said pulling her close as she exited the concourse into the main terminal. He gently kissed her cheek. “How was NYC and Pawpaw?”

“Fine,” she gently said, curling against his shoulder.

“You ok?” he asked as they walked towards the baggage claim. He knew that she had been sick in November and she had sworn up and down to him that she was fine. But right now, she looked like she was sick again.

She shook her head no. “I just need to sit down,” she said.

“Ok,” Josh said leading her over to some benches near the baggage claim. “You sit here, while I get your luggage.”

He helped her down onto the bench. “Did you take your blue suitcases?”

She nodded yes.

“Alright baby,” he said kissing her lips. “I’ll be right over there.”

She nodded again as he walked off. But as she sat there, she felt her body tense up and begin to shake along with her teeth beginning to chatter. She tried to call for Josh but couldn’t. she was clenching the bottom of the bench so tightly that her knuckles were turning white as she tried to hold herself up right.

“Miss are you alright?” a woman asked Kaitlin.

She tried to respond, but found that she still couldn’t. her teeth were clenched too tightly together. Instead, she began to slip off the bench towards the ground as darkness surrounded her.

“OH MY GOD!!! SOMEONE HELP!!” the woman yelled as she knelt down by Kaitlin. “She’s passed out!!! SOMEONE HELP!!”

Josh turned towards the screams and saw a crowd gathering around the bench where he had left Kaitlin not but a minute or so ago. He quickly pushed his way through the crowd.

“What happened?” Josh frantically asked, kneeling next Kaitlin and the woman who had tried to help her.

“I think she had a seizure or something!”

Josh could tell that Kaitlin had a pulse and was breathing. It was a shallow breathing, but it was breathing nonetheless.

“SOMEONE CALL 911!!!”

My shitty day among other things.....

2008-04-15T05:54:49Z

So today was one of the shittiest days that I have had in a long time. Nothing went right, customers bitched left and right, I felt like shit and I had yet another panic attack -- well not so much a panic attack, but ended up crying about my Muz, which I haven't done in a long time.

Basically my day went like this.....went to bed about 2 am, got up at 7:30 am, went to work from 8:30 to 4:30ish where I was bitched out about random stuff from lottery being down to not having mini bottles of water (I'm like WTF) -- oh well atleast I don't have to work the next two days!!! That is the only good thing about today.

So when I get home, I go to bed......and slept from 5 to 8:30 when Danielle called me and wanted to go walking. I didn't think that my stomach could handle 5 miles -- so we went to Walmart instead. Then Leslie called Danielle and we had to go invade her house because her boyfriend had broken up with her and she had no idea why....

I swear its the fact that there is a full moon

Now most of my friends on LJ are writers like me. And if ya'll understand anything about writing, its that most of it comes from the heart. But I think that my Muz's eulogy was the best thing that I have ever written in my life. I know that she would have been proud of me.....(I posted it below)

Last month, Muz had asked after Gretchen’s funeral, who was going to deliver the eulogy at her funeral when the time came. I said I would. She said to make sure that it was a good one. But what I wonder now is if she knew that something was going to happen soon. Anyways, I hope that this does her justice…

In a blink of an eye, everything around us can change. That’s what happened to Muz. She was a wonderful friend to many. A precious mother to her four daughters. But to her grandchildren, she was our Muz. She was the ideal grandmother – spoil the grandchildren then send them home to their parents. She was also more then that – if we needed her for anything, she was there – Soccer practices. Doctors appointments. Basketball games. Or even just for a ear to listen to our problems. She was there.

Because of her unyielding love, the passage from 1 Corn. 13, suits her the best: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Each of us – may it be family or friend – carries a part of Muz with us. A special memory or gift that we’ll cherish forever and never forget. None of us wanted Muz to leave us so soon and we may think that its unfair. But there is a reason to everything. Our destines were laid out for us by a power greater than any one Earth.

God had a reason for calling Muz home so soon. Eventually we will see her again. Just like her favorite Elton John song, ‘The Circle of Life’ says -- It's the wheel of fortune/It's the leap of faith/It's the band of hope/Till we find our place/On the path unwinding/In the Circle, the Circle of Life.

With that....I;m going to bed......farewell and goodnight. I need to think of a plot for a 250th Zikki fic......peace love n oranges!

Foolish Pride - Chapter Six

2008-04-14T06:07:28Z

Title: Foolish Pride

Chapter: 6

Links to other chapters: One Two Three Four Five

Rating: PG for now. May go up in the future. There is some mild language in this chapter. Just a warning!

Summary: With help from his best friend, Zac realizes that he is in love with Nikki. And with her help, he makes Nikki see it as well.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Nikki, Zac, or anything else related, including Hairspray (but Kaitlin, the Ellis' and Kent are my own creation).

AN: Enjoy this chapter please!!!! And just to clear things up -- Kaitlin is Zac's sister through adoption after her real parents died. But they have known each other since Kaitlin was born 16 days after Zac was.

Chapter Six:

Between her and Nikki’s birthdays and filming, Kaitlin had never been so tired in her life. Whatever bug she had gotten around her birthday had managed to stick with her over the next few weeks.

At times, she felt fine and other times she felt like she was going to pass out. She had even noticed that she had begun to eat more and was always thirsty, but seemed to be loosing weight. She knew that she had to put a charade on that everything was fine or several people around the set, mainly Zac or Nikki, would flip out if they found out she was still sick. Then if Zac found out, he would call their mother and that was the last thing that Kaitlin needed.

Besides, she wanted Zac to be able to spend as much time as he could with Nikki since there was less than a month of filming left.
“I still can’t believe that you carried out my birthday cake and didn’t drop it,” Nikki said as she lay against Zac’s chest. They were spending some time with each other in his room after watching a movie. Her 18th birthday, which had been the week prior, had been one of the best nights of her life.

“Impressive, I know,” he said running his fingers though her long hair. “You must have heard some stories from Kaitlin.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Other than when you were younger, you were notorious for tripping over your own shadow.” Nikki said with a smile on her face.
“I’m gonna kill her,” he said under his breath. But Nikki still managed to hear it.
“I think it was a cute story,” she said turning over so that she could look into his deep blue eyes. She leaned up and kissed his lips softly. “Does that make it better?”

He nodded. “A bit, but I was thinking something more like this,” he said pulling her close and kissing her deeply on the lips. She kissed just as hard back as she gently pressed her tongue against his lips asking to be let in. and what had started as a simple kiss quickly turned into a full fledged make out session.

As they kissed, Zac couldn’t help but dread being separated from Nikki once filming was finished. He loved just being able to hold her, kiss her and be near her. They had talked about his situation with Disney and she said that she understood that they had to be discrete about their relationship for a while, but Zac couldn’t tell if she was hurt or not about it. Having Nikki feel hurt or any less important was the last thing that he wanted. She was far too precious to him.

“I just wish it could always be like this,” Nikki softly said a while later as she lay against Zac’s chest again. He had his arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

“Me too, Nik,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. “But I promise, we’ll make this work.”
She lifted her head up and looked at him. “Promise?”

He smiled at her as he felt himself melt into her beautiful brown eyes. “Promise. I know it will be hard and odd for a while, but I think dating you is the start of a pretty awesome adventure.”

Nikki laughed. “That was so cheesy!”

“But it worked,” he said with a smile. “It got you to laugh.”

“Yeah it did.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“How much stuff did you buy?” Zac asked as he struggled to put Kaitlin’s suitcase in the back of the van that was taking him, Kaitlin and Nikki to the airport. Filming was taking a few days off for the Thanksgiving holiday. Nikki’s mother had left a few days earlier so that she could get everything ready for Thanksgiving back in New York for Nikki’s family, while Zac and Kaitlin were going back to California.

“Those are Christmas presents!”

Zac rolled his eyes. “What about everything else?”

“That’s going home next week!” Kaitlin said still fuming behind him.

“Women,” he muttered under his breath.

“I heard that!” she said stomping her foot. “And it’s not like you didn’t but a lot either!”

“But nothing like you!” he said putting her second suitcase in the van.

She threw him a nasty look as she climbed into the van.

“What’s up with her?” Nikki asked coming up behind him.

“I have no idea,” he said wrapping his around arm Nikki’s shoulder. Her pulled her into his shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
He inhaled the sweet scent of her shampoo – vanilla and raspberries. “I’ll miss you, Nik,” he whispered.

“Me too, but its only for a few days,” she said smiling up at him.

“I know,” he said winking at her before leaning down for a goodbye kiss.

“Do I get another one of those at the airport?” she asked before getting into the van.

“Of course.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zac watched as Kaitlin downed her fifth bottle of water in the last hour. They hadn’t even been in the air for an hour of their flight. And that didn’t even include the two bottles of water from the airport. “I’ve never seen you drink this much,” he said taking out his iPod ear buds. “Not even during long dance rehearsals.”

“I’m just thirsty, that’s all,” she said snapping at him. “Why does it even matter?”

He didn’t say anything to her as she put in her iPod ear buds, turned up the volume and began to stare out the window. He caught a quick glance of what song she was listening to on her iPod – Dark Light by H.I.M. – which meant something was bugging her. There were a few bands that Kaitlin listened to when she was upset or in a mood and H.I.M. was one of them. On the other hand, it did seem that Kaitlin had developed an attitude problem the last few days. Plus she did look like she had lost some weight, but he knew that she
was eating like she normally did, if not more.

What was going on?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nikki slowly looked around her bedroom, taking it all in. it had been so long since she had been back at home in New York. Everything that had gone on in the past few months was so surreal for her – filming a movie, let alone Hairspray. Then dating a wonderful guy, who just happened to be hot as can be as well.

But even though Zac was beautiful as could be on the outside, she knew that the person he was on the inside was by far better.

She lay down on her bed and starred up at the ceiling as the thoughts of the last few weeks ran through her head. Her birthday had been the best yet. Then the weeks that followed were even better. Watching movies and cuddling with Zac was wonderful but kissing him was even better.

When they had first started dating, she had been worried that he’s pressure her into sex – but she had been very wrong. He admitted that he had been with Vanessa, but after a while, their relationship was nothing but a charade. She had asked him why he was still linked to her. His answer was simple, but complex – it was in his contract with Disney.

“So basically through the second High School Musical movie, we have to act like we are together,” Zac explained to her one night about him and Vanessa and what had happened when he went to LA in October.

“Oh,” was all that she could say.

“But that doesn’t mean you’re any less my girl,” he said pulling her close to him. “Vanessa knows how I feel about her and I promise you that nothing will come between you and I.”

“Promise?” she asked looking deep into his deep blue eyes.

“With all my heart.”

Nikki hoped that he wasn’t lying to her – for crying out loud, he had basically told her that he loved her! Then again, she couldn’t fathom how he must feel being contractually obligated to someone while your heart belonged to someone else. And she’s be damned if anyone messed things up between her and Zac while they were at least trying to date in secret.

Having to keep their relationship a secret didn’t bother her right now, just as long as Zac was happy then she was happy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kaitlin slowly opened her eyes as she heard her bedroom door open then close. The next thing she knew was that someone or something heavy had pounced on her.

“Come on sleepyhead!” Dylan said, sitting on top of her. “Are you gonna sleep all day??”

“YES!” she yelled at her pulling her clovers back over her head.

“Tough!” he said beginning to tickle her. “Mom said to get up. You have to help her go grocery shopping for Thanksgiving Dinner
tomorrow night.”

“FINE!” she yelled pushing him off her. “But stay out of my room!”

“What is your major malfunction?” he asked, standing up and leaving her room.

“OUT!!!”

Zac stood outside Kaitlin’s bedroom door as Dylan came out. “What was that all about?” he asked as his little brother walked into the hallway.

“Mom just told me to get Kaitlin up so that they could go grocery shopping like they had for the last three years together. I think mom is still worried that Kaitlin isn’t feeling like she is part of the family.”

“Wouldn’t you if you lost your parents when you were 15?” Zac asked as they walked down the stairs.

“Yeah, but I think something is really wrong with Kaitlin. She usually always stays up and plays Xbox with us during the holidays and stuff, but last night when you two got home, she went straight to bed.”

“We did have a long flight and drive home.”

“That hasn’t stopped you before.”

“True.”

“Mom and dad are even worried about her. They can tell that she’s lost weight. She and mom got in a screaming fight last night after dinner about it.”

“They did?” Zac asked confused. He didn’t remember any fight.

Dylan nodded. “You were on the phone or something. But yeah, I think mom was crying about it or something. Just don’t mention it to her,” he said as they walked into the kitchen. Zac nodded in agreement.

Starla sat in the kitchen reading the newspaper. The brothers both told their mother good morning as they began to make themselves some cereal. Not five minutes later, Kaitlin walked into the kitchen, grabbed a bowl, made herself some cereal and sat down with Zac and Dylan. They both looked at her as she ate.

“What?” she asked.

Zac just looked at her and motioned towards their mother. She quickly got the hint.

“I’m sorry about last night, mom,” Kaitlin said a few minutes later.

Starla looked over at her adoptive daughter. “It’s fine Kaitlin. Your dad and I are just worried that’s all.”

“I’m just tired that’s all,” she said forcing a smile.

“I’m worried too Kat,” Zac added.

Kaitlin sighed. “Ok look I go to the doctor next month anyways after I visit Pawpaw in New York. I’ll talk to him then.”

“If you feel worse, I want you to go sooner.” Starla said.

Kaitlin smiled and nodded. “I promise I will mom.”

“Good,” she said setting the newspaper down. “Now let’s get going to the store. Boys are you sure that you don’t want to go?”

“We’re fine,” Dylan and Zac said at the same time.

Starla and Kaitlin laughed before leaving to go grocery shopping.

After they left, Zac wasn’t entirely convinced that something else wasn’t really wrong with Kaitlin.

Thunderstorms, Quotes and "Lost"

2008-04-11T06:36:35Z

It's Thursday!!! Well now it's Friday -- but ya'll know what I mean......So here are some more quotes from James!!!!

There was a thunderstorm outside and Ms. Judy and I were watching it when James walked outside. The wind was blowing so hard that I was getting wet. So I said, "I'm going inside because I'm getting wet." And James turns and looks at me and says "Don't let any single guys hear that...."

I was like WTF....I WISH!!!!

Ok Here are his other quotes.

"If you take a Bratz doll and a stripper you get Christina Ricci."

"Any good manager shuts up and minds his own business."

"If a ninja's purpose is to move in and out of places in silence, is their wife satisfied during sex?"

Sorry for not having more....that was all......

I've also decided to have a song of the week.....and I would put a youtube video and the lyrics of it here. So this week's song is "Lost" by Avenged Sevenfold (A7X).....so enjoy!!

Lyrics:

Centuries pass and still the same
War in our blood, some things never change
Fighting for land and personal gain
better your life, justify our pain
The end is knocking
The end is knocking

We've all been lost for most of this life
(lost for most of this life)
Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us
And I know that most of us just ain't right
(most of us just ain't right)
Following the wrong steps, being led by pride

How many lives will we take
How many hearts destined to break
Nowhere to run, can't escape
Full of ourselves, tied to our fate
The end is knocking
The end is knocking, yeah

We've all been lost for most of this life
(lost for most of this life)
Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us
And I know that most of us just ain't right
(most of us just ain't right)
Following the wrong steps, being led by pride

With peace of mind so hard to find
We're dwelling on the drastic signs
Another way to numb our mind
And as you close your eyes tonight
and pray for a better life
you'll see it flying helplessly away

We've all been lost for most of this life
(lost for most of this life)
Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us
And I know that most of us just ain't right
(most of us just ain't right)
Following the wrong steps, being led by pride...

Yeah that is like AMAZING!!!!! Well I'm off to bed to listen to the thunderstorm outside. NIGHT!!!