𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌 | ⁿⁱᶜʰᵒˡᵃˢ ᶜʰᵃᵛᵉᶻ

29 | fries & vibes

The air was warm, filled with the smell of grilled meat and fried food, making my stomach rumble.

Taby and Cooper walked ahead, their voices mixing with the noise as they playfully bickered about who had the best bowling technique. I fell slightly behind, sharing a moment of silence with Nicholas, who was walking beside me. I could feel the lingering tension from earlier, a mixture of unresolved feelings and the thrill of our playful banter from the bowling alley.

"Are you really going to let me win next time?" he asked, glancing sideways at me with a teasing grin.

"Only if you can keep up," I shot back, unable to suppress a smile.

Nicholas chuckled, shaking his head. "You know I'm a competitive guy, right? I never back down from a challenge."

"Right. But this time, I actually tried," I teased, nudging him playfully with my shoulder.

"Is that so?" He raised an eyebrow, his playful demeanor making my heart flutter slightly. "I'd like to see what you can do when you really want to win."

"Table for four?" Taby announced as we entered, scanning the room for a suitable spot. We finally settled into a booth near the back, a cozy corner where we could enjoy our food and each other's company without being interrupted.

As we slid into our seats, I caught a glimpse of Nicholas across the table. He looked relaxed, his hair slightly tousled and a playful glint in his eyes.

"Alright, what's everyone ordering?" Cooper asked, flipping through the menu.

"Can't go wrong with a classic cheeseburger and fries," I replied, already picturing the juicy patty and crispy golden fries in my mind.

"I'll do the same," Taby chimed in, grinning.

Nicholas glanced at the menu, pretending to deliberate. "I might try the spicy burger. Gotta keep things interesting," he said, smirking.

"Spicy? You sure you can handle it?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Bring it on," he replied confidently.

When our food finally arrived, the smell wafted through the air. The burgers were just as delicious as I had imagined

As I took a sip of my soda, I noticed Nicholas watching me, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You know," he said, breaking the comfortable chatter, "I'm really glad we're doing this. It feels nice to hang out without all the craziness of everything else."

"Yeah, it does," I agreed, meeting his gaze. There was an honesty in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat. "It's nice to just be... us."

"Exactly." He smiled, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded away. It felt like we were sharing something special.

After dinner, we walked back outside, the night air feeling refreshing against my skin. Nicholas and I fell into a comfortable silence.

''Tonight was fun" I said, glancing over at him. "I really needed this."

"Me too," he replied, his voice soft. "You are not that boring actually ."

''Just shut up", I smiled.

He chuckled lightly, the sound warm and genuine. "I like seeing you smile."

"Let's hit up that new bar down the street." Taby suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I hesitated. "Honestly, I'm pretty tired. I think I'm going to head home," I replied, suppressing a yawn. The day had been long, and while I loved hanging out with everyone, I felt the weight of exhaustion creeping in.

"One drink!" Taby pleaded.

I shook my head with a smile, but the thought of cozying up in my bed, sounded far more appealing. "I really can't. I'm sorry, guys."

Nicholas suddenly sat up straighter, an idea lighting up his eyes. "I'll take her home," he said, looking directly at me. "That way, you guys can still go out and have your fun without worrying about her getting home safely."

"Oh, perfect." Cooper clapped his hands.

"No, you go with them," I muttered. "I appreciate the offer, but I really don't want to be a bother."

"Nonsense. I insist," Nicholas replied, a hint of mischief in his tone. "Besides, I am tired myself."

"Okay, fine," I answered.

As we walked together, Taby and Cooper waved us off, their laughter trailing behind us. The night air was cooler now, a welcome relief from the warmth of the restaurant.

Nicholas walked beside me, our shoulders brushing occasionally, sending small shivers of electricity through me. "So, can you really believe they planned all this?" he asked, glancing over at me with a teasing smile.

"They're crazy," I replied.

"Yes they definitely are," he agreed, a genuine smile playing on his lips.

As we approached his car, I couldn't help but notice how the streetlights cast a soft glow on his features, highlighting the way his eyes sparkled. I felt a flicker of warmth in my chest.

Nicholas turned on the engine, and as the sound of the car filled the silence, I glanced over at him.

After a short ride, we arrived on my front porch.

As I opened the door, I turned to him, momentarily lost in his gaze. "Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime, Perla," he said sincerely. "Just take care of yourself"

The night had turned out better than I'd expected, leaving me with a sense of curiosity for what lay ahead.

As I settled into bed, the warmth of the evening still wrapped around me, I reached for my phone, hoping to unwind with a little scrolling before sleep. And then it caught my eye:

Nicholas Alexander Chavez followed you

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a rush of mixed emotions. Part of me was surprised, I hadn't expected him to follow me. But another part of me felt a rush of excitement.

After a few moments of thinking, I decided to follow him back.
Setting my phone down on the bedside table, I slipped beneath the covers, my mind racing. The events of the evening replayed in my head, Nicholas teasing me, our shared laughter, and the comfort of our unexpected connection. There was something there, a spark that felt undeniably real despite the tension that we had.

As I drifted off to sleep, the last thing I remembered was the feeling of warmth spreading through me, thinking about tonight.

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