What Goes Around Comes Back Around

Chapter Five

The school week went by fast and it was already Friday before I knew it. Nathan and I have been talking non stop and I can't say that I mind. I've even been talking to him a bit during the school day, only because the smile on his face is worth it. He started to walk me to my locker the day after his game, and no matter how much teasing I got from my friends, it still made me happy. His hand would bump against mine occasionally, but besides that we haven't had any real contact. After his game on Monday, when he was leaning in, I decided that he would have to wait for it, and my friends got a real kick out of his reaction when I told them. Merlinda and Taelor were already there when we arrived.

"So I was wondering if you guys wanted to go to this party tonight?" Nathan asked us, but kept his eyes on me.

And this was where our differences came out to play. I'm not the partying type, well I've never been to one before not held by my own friends, but I didn't feel like the partying type. Couldn't really dance, didn't want to drink, wouldn't really mingle with the people. "I don't know.. It's not really my thing." I shrugged, I didn't want him to think I was boring though. "But I guess we could go for a bit."

Merlinda and Taelor looked at me like I grew another head. "Yeah, sounds fun," they mumbled, still wondering what had gotten into me. They knew as well as I did that parties weren't my thing.

"Awesome. Do you want me to pick you up? Well I mean I guess you'd just go with them, but if you needed, I could, well-" I realized then that nervous Nathan was my favorite Nathan so far.

"Actually, we have to go somewhere before, so Bethany could use the ride," Taelor said, and I was mentally slapping her for it.

"Great, is that okay with you?" He asked me.

"Yeah, of course. Um pick me up at eight?" I was already nervous for it and it wasn't even close.

He nodded his head. "It's a date then." His eyes widened when he realized what he just said. Merlinda and Taelor were in a fit of laughter behind us, and I turned to glare at them for being rude.

"Yeah, it's a date," I smiled at him, hoping it calmed him down a bit. He smiled back and I knew it was all okay.

So now it was a date. And here I thought that I wasn't gonna be nervous. Now I had to keep my nerves at bay, and get ready for my night with Nathan.

*

I actually looked good tonight. I had decided on a light blue dress with my favorite pair of brown sandals and I managed to curl my light brown hair to perfection, which really is prize worthy. I'd never been the girly type, or more over that I never really know how to do any of the stuff. My mother never taught me so I was clueless. But throughout my high school years I'd learned how to dress well, use makeup the correct way, and manage my annoying, curly hair. And tonight showed that it has paid off. I looked in my full body mirror one last time before glancing at my phone.

7:59

I wonder if he was gonna be here exactly at eight, or if he was gonna be here at all... I really needed to stop thinking like that. He obviously cared enough to stick by me even when I confessed my embarrassing fear to him, the least he could do is pick me up for a party that he invited me to. My thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell, and I rushed to open it before my little brother did. I was too late. The door opened to a smiling Nathan, dressed in a light blue button up with jeans, and I could definitely get used to this outfit.

"Hey, what's your name?" Nathan asked my brother, reaching his hand out.

"Austin," he said before turning away, more interested in his video game than in the strange man at the door.