Nicole spent the whole week preparing for her trip to New York, she and Grace agreed to meet in New York then after the party, they would go to Boston together, Nicole wanted to visit Grace's school and all, she already knew it would be fun, her mother had looked happy when she told her she was going to New York, maybe because that was the first time she has ever said that, she hardly travel except from the trips she went when she was married to Rafael, this would be her first time of leaving Florida since their divorce, by Wednesday, Nicole had everything ready, she choose to travel a day before the main event to enable her rest, currently, she sat in her room going over everything that she has put in place, not for the actual party but after it with Grace, she hasn't spoken to Aron since after that day they went in search of a good place for the exhibition, she felt bad but like Grace said, she didn't really know him that much to be so trusting, not that she still didn't think he was a good person, she just decided they weren't that close yet and she didn't know much about him just yet to think herself safe in his presence, she would call him soon anyway, she has to know if he had made his choice but for now, her phone rang and she got up from where she sat to get it, it was Grace, she picked up with a smile.
"Hey, Grace,"
"Hi, Nicole, I saw your call, I was in class,"
"I figured, I wanted to ask if there is anything you wanted me to bring along,"
"I am sorry Nicole, but I don't think I can make it to New York on Friday, I have a very important class that day that I can't skip, I am so sorry, I didn't even think this would happen,"
Grace said. Nicole felt disappointed, but she understood. Grace's academy was more important.
"It's okay, Grace, I will just get alone and I am still coming to Boston after that."
"Oh, really? God, I felt so bad knowing that you had hope that I will come with you,"
"It's okay, Grace, I can go alone, just do well with school,"
"Of course, I will, I have to go now,"
"Alright girl, see you soon,"
"You, too,"
Grace said and the call ended, Nicole sat in her bed contemplating whether she should still go or just stay back in Florida, she already told her parents she was leaving, she didn't want to have to tell them that she canceled because her friend wasn't going anymore, what about Lucas, she already promised him that she will show up, he might not notice if she came or not because of the important people that would be present there but she gave her words and she didn't want to back out.
"I am going,"
She told herself firmly.
****
Nicole looked around the huge room feeling out of place, she wasn't used to these kinds of huge events and coming alone made it even worst, she wished Grace had come with her but her studies were more important, she would still go and see her in Boston after she leaves New York, that part of the plan didn't change.
"Oh my God, you are one of the Evans twins right?"
Nicole heard a lady exclaim, she didn't like the thought that someone might have recognized her, she smiled at the lady and wanted to leave when she stopped here
"Which of the twin are you? Gosh, I can't believe I am meeting you here, whichever one of the twins you are, I am a huge fan of both of you, my husband is too,"
"Aha, thanks,"
"Yeah, can I get a photo please?"
"Huh, sure,"
Nicole replied smiling awkwardly as the lady gave her phone to someone who took photos of them, after that, she left that place and went to sit in a more calm and less crowded place, she looked around for faces she knew but there was none, she decided she wasn't going to stay long.
"Nicole? It's you,"
She heard a familiar voice call, she turned to see Aron waving at her, he looked dashing in a tuxedo, she always knew he was good looking but he looked better right now, she didn't even know he knew Lucas and that he would be in attendance today.
"Hi, Aron,"
She said getting up to hug him.
"I didn't know you are in New York,"
"Yeah, I had a few businesses to take care of here, and Lucas is a friend so I decided to drop by, you look gorgeous by the way,"
"Thank you, you look good too,"
"So, are you alone?"
He asked sitting next to her, she suddenly felt less alone.
"Not anymore, now that you are here, Grace was supposed to come with me but she had class, I came alone instead,"
"Oh, Lucas must be important seeing that you ditched your shy anti-social facade to come here,"
"Not really, I have only met him once but he is a nice guy and he personally invited me so I couldn't turn him down, and besides, it's high time I dropped that don't you think?"
"Yes, I think so, not gonna lie, it's a pleasure to meet you here, I was just thinking of leaving when I saw you but now I can stay,"
"I was going to leave early too, let's stay and not be lonely,"
Nicole said, he smiled at her, God his smile was beautiful.
"I didn't hear from you about the exhibition again Aron,"
Nicole said.
"We will talk about it after the party, meanwhile, I am going to get us something to drink, wait for me okay?"
"Sure, thank you,"
She said and he left, she felt lonely again but knew it won't last, she was grateful she met him here, at least he was someone she could talk to, she felt bad for trying to avoid him and decided that she won't do that again, instead, she will try to get to know him better...