Sober

Ch. 7

(POV: Nick)

Early Saturday afternoon, I got Nathan's text. They had all decided on some restaurant downtown, and since I had no conflicts, I just marked it as read, not necessarily feeling the need to talk. I had already had Louis' and Kyler's numbers, so I added Nathan later on through the process of elimination.

Luckily, Zeke's been out all day, so he can't ask where I'm going, or more importantly why I'm sitting here, drenched in sweat, panicking.

Sure, I knew Louis from a few classes, but I've never hung out with him like this, and Nathan, I didn't know at all. At least I'll have Kyler, yet he's already close to them. I'll just be an outsider.

I'm also unsure of what to wear and didn't want to overdress yet again. But since Kyler liked my sweater from Wednesday, I threw on a random striped one I'd found in the back of my closet from high school, which I still managed to fit. Though, if anything I got skinnier in college due to my reluctance to spend all my money on food.

I found another pair of skinny jeans, mainly because I hadn't done laundry and didn't have anything else.

As it nears six, I get a text from Kyler, saying he's outside. It sends a chill down my spine as I rush to grab my wallet and quickly fix my hair in the mirror. Though, only to make Kyler happy, I grab some pins and move my hair out of my eyes, just a little bit.

I run out of my dorm, and as I leave the building, I crash into him.

"Jesus Christ! That sure is one way to say hi!" He beams, as usual, and helps me up.

He wears a black button-down that's tucked into his blue plaid pants. However, they perfectly match his eye color, and it looks so good that it throws me off a bit.

"S-Sorry," I mumble, dusting myself off a little. "I thought you'd just be waiting in the parking lot."

He shrugs as a strand of hair falls out of his bun. "Eh, it's fine. I don't mind getting in a few extra steps."

As we start walking, Kyler's fingers brush against mine, and I quickly pull my hand away, knowing it was completely intentional.

"My bad." He says with a smile, and I roll my eyes.

As we get into the car, Kyler looks at me before pulling off.

"I really like your hair."

I cross my arms, my face heating up. "Of course, you do."

He laughs as we get onto the highway. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I continue gazing out of the window, despite how prettier he seems to look when he's driving.

"N-Nothing—never mind. Thanks, though." I scratch my hand, glancing at him for a second. "I like your outfit. Your pants are cool."

I watch his face light up. "You really think so? I thought they might've been a bit out there, but I had already bought them, so it was about time I, y'know, wore them," He says with a chuckle.

I nod. Honestly, Kyler can rock anything. I'd look like an idiot if I wore plaid on anything other than a shirt, and even then, it makes me look like a giant nerd. Either that or I look like a middle-aged dad at a cookout.

As we get downtown, I continue looking out the window, but eventually, the repetitiveness of the modern buildings begins to bore me, so I just start watching Kyler drive.

Damn, even his side profile is hot.

Just then, we get to a stop light and make eye contact. Oh, how I can never escape my terrible luck.