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V

"So he poured his heart out to you and then walked away?"

"Yep..."

"He just left you there like an anchovy on your front porch?"

"Yes Nicole."

"In the dark... by yourself?"

"Yes!"

"...interesting."

I told Nicole everything that had happened between Dawson and I the previous night. After he left me on my front porch alone, I didn't know how to react or how he expected me to react. All I knew was that I was ready for my first drink. I drank throughout the rest of the night until I was so drunk I couldn't even make it up the stairs by myself. I think I remember Nicole and Peter helping me to my room.

Now, Nicole and I sat in my room on my bed as I gulped down coffee and munched on a bagel.

"You have to see him today."

"What? No. He obviously doesn't want anything to do with me."

"Maybe, but don't you want something to do with him??"

"Nicole, I told you. He isn't the guy."

"What guy?"

"You know... THE guy."

"Oh Sav, you've always been so wrapped up in the perfect romance. I hate to say it, but prince charming might not be your first or your second boyfriend! Heck he might not even be the third, he could be the hundredth!"

"Your point?"

"My point is that despite his track record, I think Dawson is worth your time. So far, he's been nothing but open and honest with you. The least you could do is go on a date with him! Get to know him a little more and see if he's someone you might actually like."

"Since when did you become a dating guru?"

"I've always had it in me chica. Reading cosmo has taught me much and I think I'm ready to pass on my knowledge to you. Consider yourself my apprentice!"

I couldn't help but laugh, but as soon as I did my head pounded even harder than it already was. My parents come home tomorrow, so if I go out with Dawson any time soon, it would have to be today despite my wicked hangover.

"So what's your ruling? Are you gonna give him a chance??"

I took a few more seconds to think, and then began nodding my head yes.

"I think I will. You're right. Even though he might very well be bad for me, and even though I know absolutely nothing about him except for his football status, I think I want to get to know more."

"Atta girl!!! Now let's get you up and ready to take on the dating world," Nicole patted my leg and jumped out of my bed. Boy was I not ready for what came next.

Within two hours, I was showered, blow dried, brushed, dressed, and had my face beaten by many make-up products. I wore my blonde hair down and natural, and I had a denim dress on with brown wedges. Although Nicole had used many make-up products that I had never seen before, I still looked pretty natural, which I liked.

"You're now ready my prodigy! Do me proud and go off into the world!"

I laughed at Nicole's smiling face and headed downstairs. She followed me down and to the door.

"Are you sure? I could always just make my romantic gesture another time and help you clean up the mess from the party?"

"NO! Go!!!! I'm not letting you miss this opportunity just because I don't feel like picking up trash by myself," she made a disgusted face as she looked around. There were red solo cups everywhere, and crumbs from all the snacks. I felt bad leaving her to clean up the mess since it was my house, but then again the party was her idea...

"Okay, okay, I'm gone!"

"Be safe youngin!"

I waved my hand behind me as I continued walking towards my car. I knew Dawson would be at school lifting weights. It was spring training time for the football players and even though we were soon graduating, seniors were still expected to show up. I got into my car and started the engine. It was pretty hot out so I put down the roof of the car since it was a convertible. I put on my RayBan sunglasses and drove down my driveway and towards my school.

When I arrived, my nerves started to get the best of me. I debated driving away but I knew my shot with Dawson was now or never. Did I really even want a chance with him? Where would our relationship even go? Would we just be a fling? All these questions just increased my doubt, so i knew I had to push them out of my head. I parked and before I knew it, I was walking towards the weight room.

As I walked in, I recognized the drunk guy Mike who tried hitting on me at the party the previous night. I was surprised he was there since he was pretty drunk the night before. He was talking to another football player that I've seen on the field, but he stopped as I walked by.

"Dawson's in the locker room," he said with a smirk.

"Thanks," I mumbled not making eye-contact. Seeing his smirk made my blood boil as I remembered how he grasped my arm last night. Because I started to get angry, I found some confidence and decided not to wait for Dawson to come out. I was going to march my butt straight into the locker room and tell him how I really felt.

I burst through the door and was met by warm, muggy air from all the showers going. I spotted Dawson and kept on walking, ignoring all the stares from the other football players.

"Hey this a boy's locker room!" They were yelling, but I didn't care.

"What are you doing here??" Dawson had pure confusion in his eyes as he quickly through on some basketball shorts.

"I have something to say to you," I stated plainly and sternly.

"You have no right to decide what's best for me, and I've decided that I want to get to know you. I have no idea what that might lead to, but I'm completely okay with that despite my lack of experience with, well, guys," he chuckled but I kept going, "Now, we're going to hang out today whether you like it or not."

"Sav..."

"Yes?"

"I'd love to. But you're gonna have to wait for me outside," he laughed and looked around at the rest of his teammates.

"Right," my cheeks became red as I realized everyone was staring and hollering as they hyped up the situation.

"I'll, just be outside then," I quickly scurried out of the hot locker room and walked all the way out to my car. I couldn't believe that I really had just done that. I leaned against my car and put my hand up to my face. I waited for what felt like forever, but eventually Dawson emerged from the school and walked up to me with his gym bag.

"You've got some guts kid. Coming into the locker room like that."

"Yea.. sorry," I rushed out. Any bit of confidence that I once had, had now left my system and I stood there like a lame loser unsure of what to say. He took a step closer and put a hand on either side of me as he leaned in, "I liked seeing you mad," he smirked. He was inches away from me and if I had any confidence left I would've kissed him right then, but I was back to being shy. I just stared at his lips and had my lips set apart.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're more into me than I thought," Dawson pulled me away from my thoughts that were heading straight to the land of lust. However, his cocky comment brought me back into the persona of a girl who was sure of herself.

"Get in," I said finally making eye-contact as I pushed him away from me with one finger against his chest. He smirked and took my directions. He tossed his bag into the backseat as he walked over to the passenger side door. I got in, turned on the car, and buckled my seatbelt.

"So what's the plan?"

"You'll see," I smiled at Dawson as I turned my head to look towards the back of the car as I backed out.

As I drove away I turned on the radio. I put my sunglasses back on and began speeding towards downtown.