Fool's Gold

Chapter 3

The next day I had school. I texted Nick
G - Hey! How r u feeling today? Hope you're getting better. I miss u xx❤️
Waiting for the response was the worst part. I was in class when he responded.
N - I'm feeling the same. I wish u were here with me. That would make me feel 100 times better. Have a good day at school! Miss u too xx😘
A cage full of butterflies were fluttering around in my stomach and a light shade of red took over my cheeks. I've always been the one to blush a lot.

That day felt like forever. Not a second went by that I didn't think of Nick. The home bell finally rang and I rushed to take a bus that would drop me off at the hospital. I said a quick prayer before walking through the door to Nick's room. He has to get better. I can't lose another friend. Step by step I made my way over to a chair next to Nick's bed. He was asleep. The peaceful look on his face reminded me of his youth, how he didn't chose to go put himself in this situation. I can't imagine the guilt that his mum would have. She was the one driving the car when the accident happened.

I took Nick's hand in mine and stroked the back of it with my thumb. After a while his eyes fluttered open, revealing his gorgeous eyes,
"You look beautiful today," Nick said with a smile. My cheeks went red again.
"You sound better than what you did yesterday. How are you feeling?" I asked nervously. He had to get better. Nick just looked at me for a while, pondering what he should say,
"Well, the doctors said that I will be going home in two days," It was the happiest I've ever seen Nick over the 9 years I've known him. Relief rushed through my body,
"That's fantastic. I'm so happy for you," I said embracing Nick in a hug. Although this was good news I knew that so much could go wrong after Nick was released from hospital and seeing that smile on his face made me feel worse. He has so much hope. I had to hide my fear. At least while I was around Nick anyway. I don't want to lose him.

Two days later Nick was released from hospital. The doctors said that he will be fine and that he was fully recovered. I still had my doubts though.

My school (Hills High Girls College) has formals with Nick's school (Mid Mountains Boys College). There was one coming up in a weeks time. Everyday I went to Nick's house of an afternoon and we would just hangout. One day we were just laying on the grass in the backyard and watching the sun set along the horizon. It was truly stunning,
"Hey Grace, can I ask you something?" Nick asked. I could hear the nerves in his voice. I turned my head to look at his face,
"Of course you can," I thought this would relieve his nerves but it didn't. Nick and I were now facing each other,
"Will you be my date to the formal?" I giggled quietly. A warm feeling spread in my stomach as though I was drinking hot chocolate on a Winter's day,
"I'd thought you'd never ask," I replied, purposely trying to make it sound cheesy. Nick laughed and planted a kiss on my forehead. Everything finally felt like it was back to normal.