Series: Scenes From an Italian Restaurant

Title: Summer School

Author: Carla

Email: cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

Pairing: Nicole/Carmen

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimers: I don't own Popular or its characters, never have and never will. I do own my own rather fertile imagination. I also do not own the amazing Billy Joel song, of the same, that inspired the series title.

Archiving: All my stuff such as it is may be found at www.realmoftheshadow.com/carla.htm

Feedback: All of it the good the bad and the ugly is fodder for the mill so you can either send it to me directly at cmfloresfd@yahoo.com or give it on list either one works for me.

A/N: This is totally unbeta-ed so any and all mistakes are mine and mine alone. I do however have to send a great shout out of thanks to Snarlsnout who, unbeknownst to him, helped shape this installment. This story takes place after Who Needs John Edwards but before On the Road to Find Out. It's the first summer in college.

"Hi I'm calling about your add in the paper, "Free cat to good home", I'd be interested." Nicole closed the newspaper she was flipping through as she listened to the woman who answered the phone describe some of the various cats she was trying to find homes for. "Well ideally, they've all been fixed right? Ideally a male we already have one…Cider…pretty easy going…well he likes dogs but I don't know he hasn't been around other cats since we got him from the shelter but I don't imagine it will be a problem…I have a house in Cobleskill…three adults and a child…Javier is six…that's true…and you say you have how many your trying to place…eleven wow…I'd like to come over …tomorrow about four o'clock…Nicole Julian…if you need to change plans just call me on my cell." She gave the woman her cell phone number, waving to Paul whom she'd spotted entering the Student Union as she did so.

"Hey Nic"

She mouthed, "One moment", to him. She nudged the chair opposite her with her foot and pointed. "What's you're address?" She jotted down the information in her planner. "We'll see you then," closing her cell phone, Nicole turned her attention to her table mate who was busy digging through a bag of trail mix picking out the cashews.

"Dude why not just buy a bag of cashews?"

"Oh I eat the rest but I like to have the cashews first is all."

"Hmmm…you take meds for that?"

"Yep."

"Seriously?"

"Well not for that specifically but yeah I'm on Celexa, have been for over a year. According to the doctors at Anchorage General I'm depressed," he snorted "It's Alaska for fucks sake who wouldn't be? I've actually been thinking of going off of it. You'd be amazed at what an actual day night cycle can do for a guy."

"I'd bet sleep for starters." Nic took a sip of her cappuccino, "I stopped taking Prozac about a year ago but I was on it for a couple of years after my grandmother died."

"Cool. So what's up? Are we still on for tonight? I've been starving myself all week you know, eating only the blandest of foods so as to better appreciate your lady love's spectacular cuisine."

"You be sure to tell her that tonight but in the mean time I am starving want to share a chicken salad sandwich over at Trudi's?"

"Ooh and some garlic fries."

"Of course."

"So lunch and then?"

"I'm done for the day. You?"

"Same here."

"Then why don't we stop by your dorm and get your stuff this way we can head straight home and hit the pool this humidity is killing me."

"Me too," Paul pantomimed a panting dog.

"You know between that and the big brown eyes you look like a St. Bernard puppy or perhaps an Alaskan malamute would be more appropriate."

"St. Bernard they're cuter for one and they carry that handy flask for another."

"True, true."

"So what's going on tomorrow at four?"

"This lady is giving away her cats, she's moving into a smaller house and has to prune the herd from sixteen down to five."

"Christ who has sixteen cats?"

"A dyke."

"It was a rhetorical question. Come to think of it though, the old dyke down the block from us back home had something like six or seven cats not to mention two of the biggest dogs I've ever seen."

"Anyway we've been talking about getting another cat so I thought we'd go look at them."

"Aah I see said the blind man."

"I told you, you needed glasses."

"Ha-ha."

"I'm parked in C-lot so I'll pull around and meet you out front okay?"

"Give me about 15 minutes, I need to check my messages. Do you remember if I have any swim trunks at your place already?"

"I think so but bring another pair anyway."

They had lunch then drove to Nicole's house in Cobleskill. They spent the remainder of the afternoon lounging by the pool and keeping an eye on Javier while Donna worked in the house.

"Javi, sweetie, no running by the pool, remember what Mommy said."

"I wasn't running I was walking really fast."

"Nice try sport but I know running when I see it, so cut it out or it's no more pool time for you today."

"Okay"

"Take it easy Nic he's just excited."

"He fell in the other day when he was running around. He wasn't wearing his water wings and he almost drowned. You try explaining that to Donna. God forbid something should happen." She rapped her knuckles on the arm of the wooden Adirondack chair she was sitting on.

"No thanks."

"That's what I thought."

"Nikki can I have some ice cream?"

"Sure why not you want me to get it for you or do you want to do it yourself?"

"I can do it."

"Can you reach the bowls?"

"If I use a chair."

"Okay just be careful."

"I will." The six year old ran towards the house and the glories of self-serve ice cream.

"You're really good with him."

"Surprised by that are you?"

"No…not really…well maybe a little. You think you'll ever have one?"

"Personally? No."

"Why not?"

"Not sure really, I just don't see it happening. I'm much more interested in raising a child then in having one. Carmen though she's talked about it about having one you know."

"So?"

"So if she wants to then we will. Either that or adopt. I was adopted."

"Really. I didn't know that."

"Uh-huh." Just then Carmen's voice called out.

"Nikki did you tell Javi that he could have ice cream?"

"Yes. When did you get home?"

"Just now. You know he's not supposed to have vanilla he's allergic to it."

"Crap I forgot."

"Well he only had a few spoonfuls so hopefully it will be okay."

"Are you going to join us?"

"Be there in a few."

"Okay." She turned to face Paul "I can't believe I forgot about the vanilla thing…it's hard too because we only just found out and its his favorite flavor."

"What happens?"

"He breaks out in hives. Nothing serious but still."

"That sucks big time vanilla is the best flavor, ever."

"Coffee ice cream, that's the ticket."

"No," Paul shook his head emphatically, "when venturing outside the traditional ice cream flavor arena it's got to be Rum Raisin. Preferably with a lot of rum."

"Pistachio's pretty good too."

Paul countered with, "Neapolitan."

"Ooh good one three birds one stone."

"Well you know me I strive for efficiency. Speaking of which I need to know if we're still on for the summer because if we're not then I need to find a place."

"We're still on."

"And the business?"

"That too."

"It's too bad Carmen won't be here it'd be great the three of us hanging for the summer."

"Yeah it would," even to her own ears, Nicole sounded wistful. "But she's going to this summer institute in Italy that the school has. Only four first years are chosen to go so you see she can't not go."

"I guess…that'd be like you or me saying "No" to the Mitchell Institute."

"Exactly!" Her eyes were drawn to Carmen walking towards them. She was wearing a one-piece bathing suit that complimented Nicole's own, robin's egg blue bikini.

"Hi sweetheart. Hi Paul. You guys have a good day?"

"Pretty good. And you?"

"So-so I think I need to take the car into the shop it's making this weird sound, like a death rattle, when you put it in park."

"How long has that been going on?" Nicole asked.

"I could look at it if you want."

"Would you that'd be great."

"Why don't we just take it to the dealership tomorrow it's still under warranty."

"Why not let Paulie look at it anyway? We can still take it to the dealership in the morning if he can't figure out what's wrong with it."

"Alright. What are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Don't have any really. Why what's up?"

"Remember we were talking about getting another cat, well I saw this ad in the Troy Penny Pincher some lady is giving away a whole bunch of cats free, they've been fixed and are up to date on their shots and anyway I thought we could go check'em out. I made an appointment with her for four o'clock."

"Cool."

"Nic was telling me about your summer plans. When do you leave?" Paul asked as Carmen sat on the chaise and began applying sun block.

"Nikki would you do my back please?" Carmen passed the bottle of sun block to Nicole who began applying the coconut-scented cream on the smooth expanse of her lover's back and shoulders. "I leave on the second."

"When does school end for you? Nic and I don't get out for the summer till June seventh."

"I know Nikki's going to visit me for a few days in Rome before the Institute starts on the twelfth. School finishes next week for me on the twenty-seventh."

"So if the Institute doesn't start until the twelfth then why are you going over so early?"

"I have to look for a place to stay."

"They don't provide housing?"

"Not really they have a list of hotels and boarding houses that they recommend but Nikki thinks it will be nicer if I rent a small house. This way when the Institute is over in mid-August we can stay there for two weeks before school starts again."

"Nice. I better get more than one lousy postcard and a T-shirt."

"We'll see. Hit on my girl and you'll be getting a five pound Genoa Salami to the back of the head."

"Two postcards and a T-shirt will do just fine thank you." Paul grinned got up from his seat and dove into the deep end of the heated pool. He surfaced at the far end of the pool and swam back towards them. "So about tomorrow you think it would be a problem if I went with you guys. Maybe I'll get a cat too."

"You can't have pets in the dorms."

"Off campus housing next semester."

"Are you going to go into that house with Adam and Chuck then?" Nicole asked.

"Yeah I think so but even if that falls through I'm living off campus. Too many people at the dorms, I can't hear myself think sometimes."

The next afternoon after dropping Carmen's car off at the dealership they went to meet the "Cat Lady" as Paul insisted on calling her. They spent almost an hour picking up various cats petting them and seeing how friendly or afraid of people they were. In the end Nicole fell in love with a three year-old black cat named Dickens; who jumped onto her shoulder as she stood next to the cat perch where he lay watching the newcomers with an air of indifference. Paul took home a two year-old tortoise shell by the name of Dorothy Parker.

"You sure it's not a problem keeping her at your place?"

"Of course it's not a problem hell in three weeks you'll be moving in for the summer anyway. This way she gets use to the house and she doesn't have to go through the trauma of a move again."

"Besides" Carmen cut in, "this way Dickens isn't thrown into a completely new situation by himself. Your Miss Parker is his litter mate according to Kris."

"See Paulie it works out for everyone." Nicole waved her arm expansively.

Italy

"You are so beautiful. I love the color of your skin in this light."

Several large candles burned throughout the bedroom casting a coppery light on the king sized four-poster bed where Carmen lay in an afternoon post-coital bliss. Eyes closed she turned towards the door.

"You have a call from the States, Lily I believe."

Carmen stretched under her lover's appreciative gaze then sat up pulling the sheet around her as she did so.

"Thanks I'll take it in here. I'll be downstairs shortly okay?"

"I made some espresso. I'll be in the garden."

Carmen reached for the phone by the bed, "Lily?"

** Carmen? You sound really far away. **

Carmen chuckled and snapped her fingers to get Mauricio's attention before he closed the door. He turned and she pantomimed hanging up the phone downstairs and he nodded his head in understanding.

** Who was that? Was that him? I can't believe you're actually doing this. What about Nicole? She does know about this right? Oh My God I can't …you said you were `thinking' about it…**

"Yeah well I thought and now I'm doing. And of course Nic knows we talked about it and she…"

** She's okay with it? ** Her tone of voice clearly indicated Lily's surprise at this. She had always figured Nicole to be the possessive/jealous type who'd be unwilling to share. Additionally she knew, from Tory, what had transpired the night Nicole had gone to Carmen's apartment and found Tory there. Even though they hadn't been officially `dating' and as such weren't yet a couple Nicole's rage at what she considered Carmen's betrayal had been barely suppressed and quite formidable according to Tory.

"Yes she's okay with it."

** Or at least that's what she says. **

"No I trust her to tell me how she really feels on the subject. Look Lily I don't owe you any explanations. Suffice it to say Nikki knows and she and I have worked out an arrangement."

** You're kidding me right? You, my friend, are delusional if you honestly think Nicole is fine with this. That girl loves you so much Carmen this must be tearing her up inside. Think about it. **

"Nicole is capable of speaking up for herself if she really isn't okay with it she would have said so. Trust me I know her far better than you do."

** I'm not saying that I know her better I'm saying that she'd do just about anything for you, give you anything you wanted just to see you happy; even if it hurt her deeply in the short term. **

Carmen was silent at this.

** You know it's true what I am saying. **

"I know but it is short term. The Institute ends in mid-August, in 4 weeks, and then he'll be gone. And Nikki will come here and we'll spend the last ten days before school here."

** How cruel is that Carmen? ** She could almost see the derisive sneer on Lily's face that her tone of voice seemed to promise. ** `Hi honey I know I spent my summer getting fucked senseless by some guy in the very same bed you and I are going to sleep in but I hope you don't mind.' I thought you loved her? Shit you're not even giving her the courtesy of going home to her you're going to have her go there instead. **

"It was Nicole's idea Lily so stop talking out of your Oh-so-sanctimonious ass." Lily snorted.

** Yeah right. You're telling me it was Nic's idea for you to sleep with this guy? **

"That's right Lily. I was telling her about him, about being attracted to him and how I thought he might be attracted to me too. But I made it very clear to her that I was just looking and she suggested that I go for it. She did Lily, Nicole, and yeah maybe she did it because she thought it was what I wanted but was afraid to ask for but that's between me and her. And that's as far as I'm going to discuss it with you."

** I'm sorry. I should mind my own business but think about what I said about you going home instead of her going there. **

"I will. I see your point. So tell me how's the baby?"

*** Knock, Knock ***

"Come in" Nicole called out as she closed the suitcase she was packing for her trip the next morning. Paul stuck his head through the doorway.

"There's a girl downstairs says she knows you from California."

"From California? Who?"

"She's waiting in the front hall. Sorry I didn't get a name."

"Okay no problem. Tell her I'll be down in a few. Oooh! Wait she's not blonde, wearing a fur, talks with a Southern accent. Has a dorky loser type with big ears with her?"

"No"

"Okay then give me a minute."

"I'll put her in the music room. Or do you want me to send her up?"

"Music room is fine. No wait send her up here I have to finish packing."

Nicole was putting on a clean T-shirt when there was another knock on the door.

"One moment" – she opened the door – "Carmen!" Throwing herself into the taller girl's arms she began to cry.

"Nikki" Carmen wrapped her arms around Nicole and buried her face in the blonde girl's hair.

"What are you doing here!?!"

"Summer's over. It was time for me to come home."

Donna made dinner for herself, Paul and Javier; they ate by the pool. They didn't see Carmen and Nicole till the following evening's meal.