Modern English

Series: Scenes From an Italian Restaurant

Title: Modern English

Author: Carla

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Nicole/Carmen

Disclaimers: Series title inspired by the always excellent Billy Joel song of the same. I do not own Popular nor any of the charachters from that show. I do own my imagination. Songs by Billy Joel and Kristen Hall are used without permission but much gratitude.

Archiving: My stuff such as it is may be found at www.realmoftheshadow.com/carla.htm. My deepest thanks to Kim for saving my flights of fancy from oblivion.

Feedback: Feedback the good the bad and the ugly may be sent to me either onlist or at cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

A/N: It's a week before final exams and almost two till graduation. This fic takes place a few days after the events of Never, Never. As usual this has not been betaed so any and all mistakes are mine and mine alone. Like Nic says later on in the story "Give credit where credit is due."

"Mr. Rinaldi"

"Yes Brooke"

"About the assignment you just handed out I wanted to make sure I understood it correctly. You want us to find a song lyric and…"

"Song lyrics are for all intents and purposes modern day poetry. Think about it how many times have you listened to a song on the radio or CD and thought to yourself, "Wow this is beautiful. Whomever wrote this really `gets' my life, `gets' me." I want you to have fun with this assignment but I also want you to be honest, analyze your reactions to whichever song you choose, and think about why the lyrics speak to you. We'll spend our last week in class reading our choices aloud your analysis is of course confidential. Lyrics and the actual assignment are due on my desk by Monday. Be prepared to recite your chosen lyric in front of the class without musical accompaniment."

The bell rang signaling the end of class and Brooke began shoving her notebook into her bag.

"I hate touchy feelie shit like this you know." She directed her comment to Nicole who stood patiently by her desk smiling down at her.

"It's not that bad. He didn't say you had to pick something with deep soul level meaning, though I bet that's what he's hoping we'll do."

"And how voyeuristic is that?"

"True but" Nicole shrugged "look at the man. Terminal loser, he's got to get his jollies somehow. Think of it this way we could be doing this assignment for Claw and you just know It would be reading every word in class in the hopes of making people squirm. At least Mr. Rinaldi is only making us read our choice of lyric to the class."

"When put that way I can appreciate the assignment as it is I guess."

The two cheerleaders walked down the school corridor and outside to the parking lot.

"What are your plans for tonight?"

"Carm and I are going out to dinner then a movie, want to come with?"

"Sure where and when?"

"Cary still out of town?"

"He doesn't come back till tomorrow."

"You miss him huh?"

"Tons you're lucky at least Carmen lives in the same city you can see her everyday."

"I know I am. I'd say invite Spam and Marcy but I don't think another happy couple in your face is what you want or need tonight."

"No let's just do something the three of us."

"Pick you up?"

"Say at around seven."

"Okay see you then."

~~~~~

"How many?"

"Three non-smoking please."

"This way."

The three cheerleaders followed the host to their table.

"Your server will be with you shortly ladies. Enjoy your meal."

"Have you been here before."

"It's one of Nikki's favorites."

"So what do you recommend Nic?"

"Anything really I've never had a bad meal here."

"Except that one time when they made your stuff so spicy you couldn't close your mouth. Remember that you had to see her Brooke, she turned bright red, sweat broke out on her forehead and upper lip she looked like a guppy fighting for air."

"Go ahead make fun of me see if I care." Nicole pouted then smiled widely as her lover grabbed her hand.

"Make it up to you later okay?"

"Alright."

"You two are so cute together. I still can't believe you managed to keep this whole thing on the DL for so long."

"It wasn't that hard. People see what the want and expect to see and I never did or said anything to correct your hideously gross assumptions now did I?"

"No, no you didn't but I am glad that you finally told me." Brooke sipped from her glass of water before continuing. "Sam is too Carmen. You know I think she had a harder time processing the whole thing than I did; of course I'm not sure if that's because it's Nic or what."

"I know. I think it has more to do with my not having come out to her when she came out to me. She told me months before she started seeing Marcy and well…you know she knows how to hold a grudge."

"Do I ever." Brooke rolled her eyes.

"Are you ladies ready to order?"

"Oh um sure Carm you go first sweetheart."

"I'll have the chicken saag, are we sharing?" at the other girls' nods Carmen continued. "Medium spicy please. Oh and could we start with an order of vegetable samosa also."

"I'll have the chicken biryani and – Brooke should I order for you?"

"Sure."

"And an order of saag paneer, medium spicy on everything."

"Breads?"

"One garlic naan and one order of poori. Oh and some raita too please."

"Anything to drink."

"I'll have a mango lassi." At the look on Brooke's face Nicole explained. "Sort of like an Indian milkshake thing try one."

"Okay make that two." The waiter scribbled down their order.

"I'll have a chai tea."

"Would you like that iced or hot?"

"Iced please."

"Thank you ladies. I'll be back with you drinks shortly."

"So Nikki was telling me about your English assignment sounds pretty neat to me."

"It's not so bad I guess. Do you think we have to use the whole song I mean what if its just some of the lyrics that really hit home? If we only need to use some of it then I think I found the song for me otherwise its back to the drawing board."

"Some is probably fine I mean how long is the average poem anyway." Carmen said as the waiter placed their drinks in front of them. "Thank you."

"Good point. Now what's this drink called again?"

"Mango lassi, its yogurt mixed with mango pieces and juice and then whipped. Try it you'll love it" Nicole took a sip. "I promise."

Brooke took a sip. "Oh my god this is good. Cary would like this. He's got a bit of a sweet tooth and he loves mangoes." Brooke took another sip. "Do you know how to make these Carmen?"

"Not off the top of my head but you could figure it out or better yet look it up online."

"True. I'll have to remember to do that."

"So Brookie what song?"

"Seeds of a Lifetime by a woman named Kristen Hall."

"Let's hear it."

"I'll lend you the CD it's in my car remind me. What about you?"

Nicole began to recite, softly, from memory.

// In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along //

Nicole turned sideways in her seat to look at Carmen directly as she continued.

// I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self-defense //

// And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose //

With one hand Nic reached up to stroke the side of her lover's face.

// But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break //

Taking Nicole's smaller hand in hers' Carmen laced their fingers together and brought their hands to her lips.

// And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows //

// So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break //

// And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows //

"That's beautiful Nic who wrote it?"

"Billy Joel." Brooke snorted.

"What!" Nicole feigned indignation. "You never figured me to be such a cornball, I know. Tell and I'll deny it with every fiber of my being."

"Excuse me ladies." The waiter interrupted.

Conversation ceased as the young man placed their dishes on the table and then refilled their water glasses.

"Enjoy."

"So what's what again?"

Carmen pointed to each dish as she spoke. "Chicken saag AKA chicken in a spicy spinach and cream sauce. Chicken biryani needs no explanation as you can see. And finally paneer saag or home made cheese in a spicy spinach and cream sauce."

"If it's too spicy use some of the raita to cool it down." Nicole indicated a small dish with a mixture of yogurt and cucumbers in it. "Dig in."

The three girls chatted and ate for more than an hour. The conversation flowed easily as they talked about their upcoming graduation, plans for the summer which movies they wanted to see books to read and places to go before leaving for college.

"Have you told your dad yet about living with Cary?"

"Not really no."

"What does that mean?"

"Means I tried to tell him the other day but when I brought the subject up he promptly began extolling the virtues of the single sex floors in the dorms."

"Say does that mean Sam has to live on a coed floor when she goes to Columbia?" Carmen asked. "Seriously you think it'll be a problem you not living on campus."

"He's so over protective it drives me crazy but I'm hoping that once he sees where I'll be living he'll change his tune. That and the fact that it will be cheaper in the long run since Cary's parents aren't making us pay rent."

"That ought to do the trick I've yet to meet the parental who didn't like the idea of saving money. Even my mother and she can spend it as fast as she can make it when she puts her mind to it."

"Yes well your mom is in a whole other league compared to my dad. Don't get me wrong he does well but…"

"Yeah I know apples and oranges."

"So when is your place going to be ready?"

"August 15th hopefully."

"What are you having done again?"

"I'm having the all the carpet downstairs ripped up and the wood floors beneath sanded and polished. The pool is being plumbed for heat. The chimney for the fireplace in the bedroom needs some repairing too."

"Ooh a fireplace in your bedroom how romantic. Neat…what else?"

"The wall between the master bedroom and the bedroom next to it is being knocked down so that Nikki can have the walk-in closet of her dreams."

"Careful or I might not share. Besides it's not just a closet. The master bath is being expanded some to make room for the soaking tub and a separate shower is being installed too. Also a skylight over the tub."

"Nice. So are you two excited to be living together."

"We already do for all intents and purposes. Nic's already with me most nights but you're right Brooke it is exciting. I'm psyched about it about finally being able to say `our home' `our house'. I have this little vision in my head of me shouting, "Honey I'm home", and it makes laugh `cause now I could whisper that when I come in the door and you'd have to be deaf not to hear the place is so small, you know?"

"Can I interest you ladies in some desert?"

"None for me I'm stuffed. Brooke?"

"I couldn't possibly."

Carmen leaned over to whisper in Nicole's ear. Nicole nodded yes as she handed the waiter her credit card.

"If you want to Brooke you could come back to my place and we could have a sleep over. You know get a movie from Blockbuster make popcorn bullshit and hang out."

"Sounds like a plan."

~~~~~

Brooke and Nicole sat on the sofa, Carmen on the floor with her back resting against her lover's legs. They were dressed for bed but nowhere near ready to sleep.

"So I can't believe Harrison and MC are actually still dating. I thought for sure she would have driven him insane by now."

"I know can you believe it; it's like he got some of that inner bitch goddess thing you've got going on honey along with your bone marrow."

"And this is a bad thing?"

"No of course not. I think it's great actually that he finally developed a spine. I just never thought it would be because of Mary Cherry. I mean I spent years listening to him go on and on about Sam and Brooke."

"Well as far as I'm concerned he always seemed like a tool box, useless until you need him to do something. I don't see what the girl sees in him."

"He's sweet Nic. Yeah he's a bit of a whiner sometimes but who isn't really? You have to give him credit though he seems to have tamed our wild Texan friend. Pass me that glass of soda would you?" Brooke prodded Carmen with her knee. "Thanks."

"Your welcome."

"Any truth to the rumors that Lily's pregnant?"

Carmen nodded.

"Bet that didn't go over well with Josh. That is if he stayed true to form."

Carmen quirked an eyebrow in question.

"He didn't handle it well when we thought I might be pregnant. Not well at all."

"Well he's not doing much better this time" Nic said.

"What happened?"

"He pretty much told her that he wanted nothing to do with the baby. He doesn't want to be a father and he certainly isn't going to marry Lily. Told her that flat out. From what she says he practically accused her of trying to trap him."

"What a dick. I don't know what I ever saw in him you know."

"Well the boy does look good and sometimes enthusiasm can go a long way towards making up for a lack of skill. Got to give credit where credit is due I say."

"He is hung I have to give him that."

"That he is I have to say."

"Eww. Over share."

"Don't worry honey, you're much better."

"Thanks good to know. Again though, over share."

"What Brooke and I have no secrets from each other" Nicole dead panned.

All three looked at each other then burst out laughing.

"Okay, okay we don't have secrets anymore."

~~~~~

The next morning Nicole dropped Brooke off at the Palace while Carmen worked at the diner.

"I had a great time last night Nic."

"So did I."

"I'm really glad you finally told me you know. You seem so happy together. You "fit" you know." Nicole beamed.

"We do Brooke we really do."

"I'm happy for you Nic. I always knew there was something more to you. I'm glad someone else saw it too." Leaning over Brooke gave Nicole a peck on the cheek then opened the car door and got out.

Nicole waited till Brooke was inside before pulling out of the driveway.

"Anybody home?" Brooke called out.

"In here honey."

"Hi Daddy."

"Hi. Did you have a nice time last night?"

"Yeah we went to an Indian restaurant. The food was really good, have you ever had Indian food."

"To spicy for my taste and my stomach. Ulcers you know."

"I didn't know you had ulcers."

"Well then now you do."

"Do you take anything for them?"

"Maalox…Pepto Bismal that sort of thing. Why? Do I need to take some now?"

"I wanted to talk to you about next year. I don't want to live on campus."

"I know you want to live with your young man."

"How'd you know?"

"He called last night and we spoke for quite awhile."

"And…"

"It's okay with me honey if that's what you want. Just remember you can always come home." Brooke threw herself into Mike's arms.

"Thank you Daddy."

~~~~~

"Ms. McQueen since you had so many questions about this assignment why don't you go first."

Brooke stood up and began handing out copies of the lyrics she had chosen.

Seeds of a Lifetime
By Kristen Hall

How can I sit and watch let a good thing ride away
Suddenly all is lost as I search for words to say
But all that comes is a million tears
One for every time I should have told you:

Fear burns hard and slow…
We've got a long hard row to sow
Seeds of a lifetime truth and forgiveness
Growing like a grapevine like nobody's business

Bitter tears we have cried
But they never change a thing
Suddenly time gets lost
How we spend it now means everything

Fear burns hard and slow…
We've got a long hard row to sow
Seeds of a lifetime courage and devotion
Growing like a grapevine sweet like emotion

Truth and forgiveness
Growing like a grapevine
Courage and devotion
Seeds of a lifetime