By 5 PM, I was ready and waiting in the living room waiting for Ryan's text. I don't know why I got dressed so early. Probably because I'm nervous? I've never been nervous around a guy. Then again the only guys I know are my best friends.
I stood up and walked to the mirror by the front door. I looked at myself and started fixing my hair. I had it styled in long waves, which laid on both of my shoulders, framing my face. While I was admiring my lipstick, Cody spoke from behind me.
"Nicole?"
I turned quickly to him, looking like a little kid who just stole a cookie from the jar.
"Since when did you become such a girl?" He asks, looking me up and down. I glared at him, "What do you mean? I'm a girl, you dumbass."
"Well, now you are," he gives me an amused look.
I find the closest thing by my hand and grab it to throw it at him. Fortunately for him, it was only his keys. He caught it easily with a light chuckle. I roll my eyes and dismiss him, walking back to the living room. I sit back and check my phone for the 50th time. I don't see anything, but a missed call from Tyler. It was still 5:15 and I got time before Ryan shows up in front of the house. I call Tyler and listen as it rings only twice before he answers.
"Nicole," Tyler starts, "Thank God you answered."
"What's up, Tyler?"
"I really need to talk to you about something."
"Well, speak up." My frown stays on my face as I listen to his tone. I know my friends when they're troubled, even from just the tone of their voice.
"I can't talk on the phone," he replies, "Can we go out somewhere?"
"I'm sorry, buddy," I apologize, "Not today. I've got something on my list."
"Oh, tomorrow then?"
"Yeah, of course." I add after a short pause, "Are you okay, though? Does it have anything to do with that bitch of a girlfriend?" Okay, so I'm not that rude all the time. It's just that Tyler got used to this, and he accepts the fact that I can't call her by her name.
I hear him sigh through the phone, "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Alright," I let out a sigh myself, "Bye."
I don't hear Cody in the house. I think he went out, considering the fact he was dressed up when I talked to him. I'm still surprised he didn't ask about where I'm going. Well, I should be patient; it's coming sooner or later.
I go to the kitchen to grab something to drink. I got a coke from the fridge and stood, drinking it in the kitchen. I leaned against the counter, looking at my shoes and thinking how unsuitable they might be to where we're going. I hear a car engine stop outside the house, and I look from the kitchen window. And sure enough Ryan's car stood outside the house, and he was seated inside with his phone between his hands. He was texting someone.
bling.
Yup, he was texting me. I ran to my phone, and on my way to the couch, I hit my foot on the coffee table. I fell on the couch, groaning in pain. Did I tell you I'm the luckiest girl alive?
Ryan: You can wait inside the house. You still got 30 mins to see me. Be patient. 😏
What the actual fudge? Who does he think he is for me to wait for him outside early? Zac Efron? Although now that I think about it, I would make Zac wait for me, not the other way around. It's Nicole Shadow here. He thinks I'm that girl? No way, I'm going to show him what kind of lady he's dealing with.
I walk back to the window so I can see his reaction when he receives my reply.
Me: You're waiting in a car for 30 mins. I'm sure I can never be as patient as you. 😉
In the distance, I see him look from his car window and meets my eyes. I smile sweetly at him and wave sarcastically. He looks away with embarrassment and stops the car completely before stepping out of it. Take that you cocky-ass jerk. Seconds later, the doorbell rings in the house. I walk slowly towards it, "who's this?"
"Seriously, Nicole?" I hear his voice from the other side, and I open for him.
"Oh, Ryan," I speak in fake shock. "I thought we were gonna meet at 6, and it's still 5:30." I look at my watch for extra annoyance. Did I mention I'm not wearing a watch?
"Don't do that," Ryan shook his head. "There's barely enough of my ego left, and I'm hoping to keep that for the rest of the day."
"Well, you could've thought of that before letting your cockiness take the lead."
"Well, now I have 30 more minutes to spend with you," he smiles genuinely and returns the smile. I shake my head and walk back to the living room to grab my things.935Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ135yJkYaV7
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Ryan must be the luckiest guy I've ever met—maybe even luckier than me—because the moment he turned on his car, I didn't hear the engine roar; instead, I heard Taylor Swift hitting it up with the chorus of Style. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Ryan Hastings.
He stops the song quickly and looks in front of him. I turn my head to him and stare at him with disbelief.
"Too much for keeping your ego for the rest of the day, hey?" I comment with a raised eyebrow, giving him an amused look.935Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFZagkqZxI
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It took us 30 minutes to reach our destination, which is still completely mysterious to me. Once I stepped out of the car, I was overwhelmed by what was before me. Down the pathway, a fair distance from where we parked, was a boat harbored at the edge of the sea. As Ryan guided me closer, I could see a table set on top of it. I looked at Ryan in confusion, still unsure if this is where he's taking me. Although I'm not into any kind of romantic date, it would be a bummer if this was not out destination. Ryan simply grinned from ear to ear and helped me up the steps. Well, I can say this is where I'll spend my first real date with Ryan.
After we were seated at our table, I took a look around me once again, still baffled by the whole situation.
"Well, Ryan, you've outdone yourself," I exclaim. "This is quite impressive."
"So you like it?"
"Of course, I do. Are you kidding me? This is so cool."
"I'm glad you do," he said. He looked somehow relieved like he was nervous about this whole thing and was just waiting for my approval. Honestly, he deserves my approval. Heck, I wanna give the guy a pat on the back rather than the one he's mentally earning from himself. And I know that because a proud look appeared on his face when he called, "Gabriel."
Gabriel just nodded from the window, understanding some sign that Ryan sent.
"Who's Gabriel?" I ask.
"He takes care of this baby."
We talked for about ten minutes till our food was served—steak and mashed potatoes with some grilled vegetables. And let me tell you this: the smell alone made my mouth water. Also, champagne was poured into both glasses. Once Gabriel was done with everything, I thanked him before he left and gave us privacy.
We sat and talked peacefully as the sun disappears into the horizon. I hear the sea waves splashing against the boat and the sound just soothes me. After a good meal and a long conversation, we both lie on the roof and observe the starry sky as it twinkles above us.
We were completely silent, but it wasn't awkward at all. It felt relaxing actually just lying next to him in this quite night with a blanket covering my bare legs. Suddenly I felt his eyes on me and I tense up under his gaze. I look at him questioningly.
"Beautiful," he whispers.
"Yeah, the sky is beautiful tonight," I look back at the sky, avoiding his stare. Alright, so I'm not that naive. When he said 'beautiful', it sounded like he was saying it to me, yet I'm not entirely positive about this fact.
"I know this is completely random and completely out of my business, but why don't you go to school?" He asks out of the blue. I look at him, and I find him genuinely curious about it. For some reason, I know I can trust him, only I don't want him to pity me for my story. Just a few people know about this, and I'd like to keep the number limited.
"I'm too cool for education," I reply like its the most obvious thing in the world.
He chuckles, "I'm not doubting that."
I smile back at him. We only meet like 2 weeks ago, and I already feel safe around him.
"When I was 7, My family got into a car accident, and I lost my parents and my only older sister." As I start my story, I find his eyes and the way he looks at me changing.
"Now, I'm not saying that for you to pity me or anything—"
"I don't pity you, Nicole. I just understand what it's like to loose someone you love."
"You do?"
"I lost my brother last year. Drugs."
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Hey, we agreed not to pity each other, right?"
I nod with a smile stretched across my face, "Anyway, in school, everyone looked at my like the poor orphan I am. So when I was 15, I decided To drop out for good."
"Aren't you even considering going back?"
"Why would I?"
"It's senior year—the year that marks high school. You don't wanna miss it."
"You mean all the high school drama? No thanks, I'm good."
"Well, not only the drama that you don't wanna miss. It's everything else, especially the memories you make."
"You really think it's worth going back?"
"Well, if I'm going to see you all week, then yes, I do think it's worth it," he smiles. "Besides, if your only concern is people looking at you differently because of your past, then don't worry. People should've forgotten by now."
He has a point. If I go back, people935Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTXJdLPjvB
will barely remember me and what happened. Also, Senior Year just started, and I know it's basically the most important year to remember. One day, I'd like to walk to my principle to receive my certificate in my graduation gown. And let's be honest here, no one hates a bit of high school drama, right?
"I might consider it," I say.
"They do tell me I'm quite convincing," he says smugly.
"Get over yourself. I said I'll consider it, but that doesn't mean I've decided to take on your advice or anything." Just as I finish my sentence, I hear my phone ring in my pocket. It's Cody. Great!
I ignore his call once, but he rings again.
"He seems persistent," Ryan remarks.
"Who said it was a 'he'?" I ask.
"Cody," he says In a 'Duh' tone. My mouth forms an O in realization. I answer the call anyway, "what do you want?" Please excuse my very kind attitude.
"Where are you? It's almost midnight," he says from the other end of the line. I bring my phone to my face and look at the screen, and sure enough, it was 11:48.
"Shit," I mutter under my breath, but Ryan hears me, giving me a look of concern.
"It's almost twelve," I mouth to him.
"Already?" he raises his eyebrows in surprise.
"Nicole, Aunt Rosie arrived more than two hours ago," he informs me. "If you're not in the house by twelve, I'll come find you." With that, he simply hangs up on me.
"Seems like I'll have to put Cinderella mode On," I tell Ryan.
"Why's that?"
"I need to be home by midnight. Mind driving my pumpkin carriage?"
"Of course m'lady," he gets up on him feel and pulls me up as well.935Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD5CdzEgAC
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"There it is," I say as we park in the driveway. I turn around to look at him, "Thanks for tonight. I really enjoyed it."
"No, thank you. I'm glad you did," he says with a broad smile stretched across his face. I begin to smile back, but stop when I notice he's starting to lean closer to me. I tense up and wonder about his motives here. Well, I know that he's coming in to kiss me, yet I'm completely clueless about what to do in such situations. Should I lean in too? Or maybe I should just wait for him to come first. What if I should stop him? Is it too early? He might get hurt from rejection. Screw this; I'll just stay still and see what he'll do.
The passenger door suddenly flew open, interrupting our little...thing. I thank God for it because I could've screwed up so bad, Ryan would've wished he was rejected. Cody stood with a frown on his face and a pissed expression. Funnily Ryan rocked the same annoyed expression for the interruption.
"Who's this?"Cody asks me.
"Hey, mate," Ryan speaks before me. "I'm Ryan." He stretched out his hand for Cody to shake, but Cody wasn't as friendly, ignoring Ryan's gesture. Ryan simply coils his stretched hand and returns it back on my lap.
"When will I see you again?" He looks at me, completely disregarding Cody's presence.
"How about never?" Cody interrupts.
"How about you let her answer?" Ryan talks back calmly.
"I'll text you," I say in an attempt to cool one of them off. I can deal with other later. I reach out to hug him and he hugs back. I give him one last smile before I step out of his car. Once he drives off, I let out a sigh I've been holding in since I saw Cody.
"What was that about?" I turn to him.
"I'm supposed to be asking that. Who's that jerk?"
"Ryan is not a jerk, alright?"
"So it's Ryan then?"
"Well, he already introduced himself, unlike your annoying ass."
"Are you two dating or something?"
"Leave me alone," I walk away from him towards the door.
"I need to know, Nicole. Is he your boyfriend?"
I stop in front of the door and turn around to him with a fake smile, "It's none of your concern."
"What you mean by that? It is of my concern," he chases me inside the house. "We tell each other everything, so tell, Nicole."
I stop once again and turn to him, "I'll tell you what. Suck my dick."
"Nicole?" I hear Kat's voice in the living room. And sitting next to her was Aunt Rosie with a shocked expression on her face. Well, apparently that wasn't the little innocent Nicole she remembers.
"Hi, Aunt Rosie," I greet her with a little wave.
Nicole, my dear, you've grown to a such a fine lady," she comments with a smile.
"Yeah, so fine," Cody mutters, walking to the armchair. I debated on whether to kick him now or save it for later. Well, I see Aunt Rosie's smile and decide on the latter.
"So how old are you now, Nicole?" She asks when I sit next to her on the couch. "You must be 13 by now, am I right?" Cody snorts out a laugh.
"No, actually I'm almost 17," I say.
"Oh, so you're close to William's age then," she got excited by the idea so quickly that it kind of scared me. I can already imagine her and Kat talking about my marriage to her son. Gag!
Just at the mention of the guy, someone stepped out of the bathroom. He was tall, well built, and slightly tanned. His brown hair laid messily on his head, yet it looked way more appealing than my carefully styled hair. Also, a light scruff covered his jaw. Overall, I can say he's not bad looking. Heck, who am I kidding? He was smoking hot. And this is Nicole Shadow talking here. My friends are considered attractive, so when I say he's hot then he was irresistible.
I mentally slap myself for my thoughts, which were starting to turn a bit horny, to be honest.
"William, meet Nicole," Aunt Rosie introduces. He was folding up the sleeves for his shirt when he looks up at me with those blue eyes. Why those eyes? Now, he's even hotter. To make thing even worse, he grins at me, showing off a set of white teeth. Well, William, puberty really played well with you.
"Hey, Nicole," he stretches out his hand for me to shake.
"William," I shake his hands. Maybe the whole idea of the marriage isn't so bad. Actually, if Aunt Rosie ever opens up the topic, I'd be praying inside it happens.
I think I need to bang my hand a few times against the wall to wake up. This is the same William who stole my ice cream when I was about 10. I don't care; he still owes me one.
"It's been a long time," he says, sitting down on the armchair next to Cody's, who just scowls him. I swear Cody is acting like a girl on her period(for the lack of better words).
"Yeah, since the time you stole my ice cream 7 years ago," I couldn't help but put it out like this. He raises his eyebrows, amusement and confusion simultaneously playing on his face.
"A girl never forgets," I shrug one shoulder, and give him a sweet smile.
Well, here's one way to welcome back an old friend. A really hot one, I must say.
Damn it, Nicole, you just came back from a date. I should write that up somewhere to remember.
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