Can't Want What I Need

Chapter One

My name is Nicole Taylor. I'm 16 years old. I'll be a junior at Salem Hills High this year. My physical appearance isn't too impressive. My strawberry blonde hair comes just past my shoulders. I'm kinda scrawny and awkward. All I really like about myself would have to be my deep blue eyes. My momma says they remind her of my grandma's. My grandma died when I was little, so I never got to know her. It brings me some comfort knowing that I carry some of her with me.

When it comes to nicknames, it's been a battle of sorts. Mom wanted to call me Nikki. But Dad wanted to call me Nick. So Dad was thrilled when I ended up being a major tomboy and preferred Nick. My friends always called me Nick, but at the moment, my only friend is my cousin.

I just moved for the first time in my life. My cousin is the only person my age that I know. He's cool. We've always been pretty close. And now, we're exactly 3 blocks away from each other. So, I guess somehow we got even closer.

His name is Austin Pierce. His hobbies include football, baseball, girls and primping. He's a typical heart-throb: great hair, pearly smile, and killer confidence. All the girls love him, and he knows it. But, despite all of that, he's pretty down to earth.

After Austin invited me to his buddy's house, a kid named Cameron, I decided I should probably change out of my sweats. It was already noon and I hadn't even looked in the mirror yet. All I'd really accomplished was laying in bed and eating the Pop Tarts stashed in my nightstand. So after I washed the crumbs off my face and swiped on some mascara, I threw my strawberry blonde hair into a messy bun and and called it good. I don't really ever dress up much, so I just slipped into some jeans and a tee.

On my walk down the street to Austin's, I saw some kids playing in a tree. Even in the shade, it was hot. St. George, Utah in the summer can be compared to the surface of the sun. There's no way of adjusting to this kind of weather. Afraid of suddenly bursting in flames, I picked up the pace just a little.

I walked in my cousin's house a few minutes later. (I've been told not to worry about knocking.) Shockingly, the place was a mess. My aunt never lets her house look any less than spotless. Austin emerged from the hallway and must have seen my befuddled expression. "My parents are out of town for a few days." He explained. He looked about as put together as his house, rocking basketball shorts, a t-shirt, and one sock. Again, he must have read my face because he turned on his heel and headed back down the hall for his bathroom.

"Are you ready to go, yet?" My impatience had started to put an edge in my voice. "Hold on just a sec. I've got to do my hair." Austin hollered back. "Your hair looked fine to me before." I'd been waiting on him for half an hour already. And I really didn't want to spend much more time in that house. There was a half eaten plate of nachos sitting on the couch and empty Mtn. Dew cans everywhere.

I couldn't just let the place attract every wild animal within 50 miles, so I picked up all the food and put it back in the nearly empty fridge. (How had Austin managed to eat almost everything in the house already?)

After another 15 minutes of cleaning, I informed Austin I was leaving without him. He'd told me earlier where Cameron lives, so I felt pretty confident about finding it on my own.

Somehow it had gotten even hotter. Unfortunately, the palm trees that populated most front yards didn't provide much protection from the sun. This time, there were no kids to be seen. It was just too hot. I really should have driven, but I didn't think it would be that far of a walk.

Cameron's house is huge, and seeing it for the first time made my jaw drop. I knocked and heard someone holler, "Come on in." So I did. That proved to be a mistake. Cameron was sitting on the couch in only his boxers. "You said you'd be here an hour a-" he turned and looked at me. "You're not Austin." He said almost like a question. "Nope. I'm Nicole, Austin's cousin." I explained to him. (Could he please go put some pants on?!) "Ohhh, when Austin said Nick I thought he was talking about a human of the male gender. Which you clearly aren't." He stammered.

A few minutes after Cameron left to get dressed, Austin finally showed up. (Hallelujah.)

"Where's Cam?" He asked and looked around the room.

"He's putting on clothes."

"He wasn't-"

"Watching TV in his boxers because he was expecting Nick instead of Nicole? Yes sir, he was." I interrupted.

"He's against wearing pants unless he has to. I probably should have warned you."

"You think?"

"Well, at least you've already started to get to know him." He said, trying to smooth things over.

"I didn't want to get to know him... that way."

Just grateful to see a clothed man coming towards us, I stopped guilt-tripping Austin for a minute. "Hey, you found pants!" I said, sounding a little snarkier than I meant.