First Shades of Love {WATTYS 2018}

Angel

Dodge's POV

The first time I saw Nicole I knew that she was different from all the other girls. She is fiery, full of life, carefree, and has such a way about her that can cheer anyone up. She doesn't seem to ever have a bad day. She fit in with everyone right away, which with this crew can prove to be hard. Watching her at parties dancing and laughing is hypnotic. She surprises me everyday showing me a different side of her that is more incredible then the last. Getting to know her better for the last couple months and us becoming closer then I have been with a girl in along time, has been well... to be honest is fucking surprising. 

But there's something in her eyes, something that shows that she's broken. Her eyes tell you so much about her if you take the time to look. She has this pain in them, a pain that has broken her down. She always smiles but I wonder how true that smile actually is. I just hope one day she will let me in and let me help put her back together.

This last week has been torture. Nicole has been keeping me at arms length but I know exactly how I'm going to change that. With her birthday 21st birthday I want to do something special for her. I rented a hotel room for her so she doesn't have to worry about finding a ride home after the bar and I have all her friends coming to the bar tonight. I want tonight to be the night that she lets down that wall she has around her. This girl has done something to me and I won't give up until I can call her mine. I myself have been guarded for so long that I forgot what it's like to let someone in. She's the one I want to let in. 

~~~

I standing here sipping a beer at the bar waiting for her to walk in and light up this entire room. My hands are shaking and my heart is pounding and just like the universe could hear me calling out for her she walks into the bar. Her bright smile could melt the most frozen of hearts. My heart beats in sync to each step she takes towards me. Fuck I'm so torn up about this. I want her to be the one but at the same time I know that I'm no good for her. I have nothing to offer her. I'm almost 29 years old, living with my sister, working as a server, and have no aspiration to do anything else. Nicole could do better but I just can't leave her alone. Is that selfish of me? Probably, but I don't give a fuck. Will this end badly for her? Most likely but what is life if not taking those chances. 

"Did you do all this for me?" She asks looking around at the balloons and the happy birthday banner I put up over the tables. 

"Of course I did Nicole. But this isn't the only surprise for you." I say handing her the room key to the room I rented for tonight. 

"Whoa Dodge are you trying to get me in bed?" She asks startled but her eyes say something different. 

"Don't worry I wasn't planning on staying with you tonight. I just thought it would be nice for you to not worry about getting home, plus this way you can keep the party going after the bar closes. I promise my intention was not to try to pressure you." 

When she throws her arms around me, hugging me so tight my knees felt like they would give out any second. I can't help but laugh a little when she squeals out thank you. 

"Why don't we get you started on the traditional 21st birthday shot? Hey Dwayne can you get Nicole a stop light and a beer?" I call to the bartender. When he brings the three shots and a bottle of beer Nicole looks at me like I'm crazy for having her do three shots. But hey can't mess with tradition right?

"Are you fucking crazy Dodge? You really expect me to do three shots in a row? There's no way! I'll be on my ass before midnight!" She crosses her arms and glares at me. I love the way she scrunches her nose when she's trying to put her foot down. It's fucking down right adorable.