New Year's Kiss (Nolan Gerard Funk Fanfic)

Date Night (Chapter 2)

     The loud, endless pop music thumped through my ears as I walked through the store. My shift is finally over! I thought with a sense of relief. Today wasn't too exhausting, but the past two months had been pure hell. Ever since the week of the infamous Black Friday, up until when I went home for vacation before Christmas, it had been crazy - I had never seen so many girls fight over clothes and jewelry. When I was about 30 feet from the front store entrance (a.k.a.- my escape route) my phone vibrated in my back pocket. I stopped my pace, pulled out the smooth, slender device, and glanced down at the screen. It was a message from a number I didn't know, and it read:

                                                            Waiting outside :)

                                                                      -N.

    It was obvious that this was Nolan, but I had to check anyways. I pulled out the folded napkin and checked. Yep, same number. I put both items back into my pocket and started toward the door again.

     A grin spilled across Nolan's face as I pushed the burly glass door open. I stepped out and walked over to him, standing near a store window. "Hey," I poked his arm. I almost didn't notice him. He was dressed in what I figured was an attempt at a disguise to hide from his fans. He sported a dark grey beanie, a dark blue V-neck, black sneakers (though i wasn't sure of what brand they were...either DC or Osiris...) and the same dark-wash tone of skinny jeans that I had on. They hung loosely at his hips. He also had on white Ray-Bans, and an oversized zip-up gray sweatshirt that he left unzipped.

     "You could tell it was me?" I couldn't see his eyes, but his mouth stayed slightly open, almost in a shocked expression.

     "Only because I recognized your 'award-winning' smile." I put finger quotations to emphasize.

     "Oh, shut up." He said jokingly. He started walking in the midst of the busy crowd, and motioned for me to follow.

     "Where are we going?" I cocked my head to the side and wondered aloud.

     "You'll see."

     I was eager to know where this mysterious superstar was taking me.

    After walking for about twenty minutes through the city, we stopped in front of a white, fancy looking building. There were patio tables and chairs set up. People sat, eat, drank, talked. I followed Nolan into the elegant restaurant. 

     "Name, please?" A hostess asked us.

     "Funk. Nolan Funk." I let him answer. He removed his beanie and sunglasses, and put them in his sweatshirt pocket.

     "Party of two?" He nodded. "Right this way." She guided us up a flight of stairs and to a rooftop dining area. Our table was the closest to the back, with a wonderful view of the city. And..the sun was setting in the distance. So cliche. So very cliche. But I found myself loving it.

     We sat down, Nolan took off his sweatshirt and hung it on the coat hook near our table. The hostess walked away, and I sighed.

     "Is this okay?" Nolan looked at me, waiting for approval. "I mean this was the best I could do on short notice, y'know..."

     I interrupted him. "It's wonderful, Nolan. Perfect, actually."

     He smiled at me; a geniune smile. I don't think I'd ever seen someone look so truly happy.