She found Nick's pajama pants that she loved so much and slipped them on, then went to the closet to find a t-shirt of his, pulling out "Grababootie and Pinch". Any other day she'd have giggled at the shirt, but not this afternoon- the day had been too long, too stressful.
She flopped onto the bed and pushed play on the answering machine. A message from her mom and one from Cobi and then a long pause. She looked at the machine, wondering if something was wrong with it. Then she heard a clicking noise like someone turning something on, and then Ja Rule, "Where would I be without my baby? The thought alone might break me and I don't wanna go crazy, but every thug needs a lady. You'll forever be a part of me, mind, body and soul, ain't no "I" in "we". When you cry, who wipes your tears? When you scared, who's telling you there's nothin' to fear? Girl, I'll always be there, when you need a shoulder to lean on. Never hesitate knowing you can call on your soul mate... You complete me.. and I would die if you ain't with me.. so babygirl, put it on me." ("Put it on Me", Ja Rule)
As soon as the answering machine clicked off, she reached for the phone and dialed Nick's cell phone, desparately hoping he'd be able to pick up.
~~
Nick heard his phone ringing and began searching through the piles of clothes and towels and random stuff he'd tossed all over his room the night before when searching for another of Jourdin's letters to read. He finally found it, "Hello?"
"Hey.."
"Boo! Oh my god.. I miss you so much." He was so glad to hear the sound of her voice, they hadn't talked in two days and he was nearly crazy from missing her. "How was school?"
The question alone was enough to make her want to cry. She'd thought all day that she should have just gone with him. They could be together right now. "It was awful! I was there all fucking day- from 8 this morning 'til 5.. my professors suck ass.. the classes are horrible... I've already got homework... this is going to be the worst yet.. I just know it.. but I have to do well or I'll lose my honors status..." Before she finished speaking the tears began to spill over, the stress of the day becoming too much for her.
Nick hurt, listening to her cry. He wanted to be able to hold her, kiss away her tears. "I'm sorry, Boo." He didn't know what else to say.
"I need you so bad right now." Jourdin whispered, wanting nothing more than to be able to cuddle up with him and hear him say everything was going to be fine.
"I wish I could be there. I'll listen all night to you, though.. I can do that." he said, softly, trying to reassure her with his voice.
Jourdin sighed heavily, "This is just going to be so hard. These are my last classes... this is the stuff I HAVE to know for my degree.. it's going to be alot of really hard work."
"Boo, you are the smartest person I know... I know you can do this."
Jourdin sniffled, "Thanks, babyboy."
Nick couldn't help but smile again, he'd needed to hear her call him that. "Just think... it might be hard, but it'll be worth it.. and you can take a break pretty soon and come see me.. and I'll make you forget all about school."
"I should have just gone with you." she said.
"What?" Nick was shocked she'd say that.
"I'd be with you right now.. and not here crying over some stupid classes." She said, getting up to go find some tissues.
"I wish you could be here, no, I wish I could be there... so you could stay in school, but we'd still be together."
"I am doing the right thing, aren't I?"
"Yes. And I am very proud of you."
Jourdin lay back down. "Thank you. And thanks for the message on the machine, I needed that."
Nick chuckled, "I figured you'd know who it was from."
"Why would somone else call me up and play our 'song'?" she asked.
"Exactly. AJ was gettin' on my case about the that other day, he says we need a better song."
"Tell him to fuck off, we like it just fine."
"That's pretty much what I did."
"Good." Jourdin rolled over on the bed to grab Nick's pillow and pushed aside the clothes she'd been wearing earlier. "Oh hey- have you checked your e-mail yet today?"
"No... do I need to?" he asked as he crossed the room to turn on his computer.
"I sent you a picture this morning." Jourdin said, wondering what his reaction would be.
"Of?"
"Me.. before I went to school today. I was having a cute day."
"Everyday is a cute day for you." he replied, quickly logging into his mail and clicking on new messages. "Uhh.. naughty school girl?" he asked, reading the subject line.
Jourdin laughed, "Just open it."
Nick waited as the picture showed up and there was Jourdin- wearing one his oxford shirts tied up at her waist, a short plaid skirt, black boots and her long hair plaited into braids, holding her bookbag with a not-so-innocent smile on her lips. He felt his heart beat faster, "You.. uh.. went to school like that?"
"Sure did."
"Think you could, uh, bring that outfit when you come visit me?" he asked, still staring at the picture.
"Yes, sir" Jourdin giggled. "I had six guys try to pick me up today.. I just don't know why..."
"I've got a pretty good idea" Nick said, then asked, "You said 'no', right?"
"Of course. They can look all they want, but only my baby boy gets to touch." she replied.
"You have no idea how badly I want to touch you right now." Nick breathed, looking at his watch. They'd have enough time...
Jourdin had the same idea, "So why don't you tell me..."