My First Broken Heart

Chapter 6:Confuse Much?

                                                                                THEN

“Enjoying the view?”  Nick was driving me back to my house. We have dropped off the other guys at their houses after the practice and mine was the farthest so it was just Nick and I when he asked.      
   
I frowned. “What view?” I asked looking around. Night has fallen and we were driving past the park. There’s nothing much to see outside.

He smirked. “You seem to be devouring Mark with your eyes for a solid hour. “

I felt my face reddened. He noticed? Were Mark and the other guys aware of it, too? Omg! I would love to crawl in a ditch and vanish forever!

“Must be one hell of a sight,” he teased, looking sideways at me. He was laughing and I would hate to imagine the other guys, especially Mark, doing the same.

I buried my face in my hands and refused to dignify his teasing with an answer. I would appear like I was lying if I deny it. I was too obvious. Liz has always been saying what an open book my face was, like wearing my heart on my sleeve.  I was too honest, she said.  One look in my face and one would know if I was happy or sad or annoyed or plain in love.

 “Hey, it’s okay. Your secret is safe with me.” And he had the nerve to wink at me.

“If I am not afraid that we would crash, I would strangle your lovely neck right now!” I gritted.

“Happy to know that you noticed I have a lovely neck.”

I decided to ignore him, knowing that I might cry any minute now. How embarrassing it would be if Mark knew all about my feelings for him. How pathetic I would be. Totally.

I pointed to Nick the way to my house and I was grateful when his car stopped in front of it. I couldn’t get out fast enough after I said my thank you but he stopped me by taking a grip of my wrist as I was reaching for the door.

“Be careful,” he said. I frowned. Of what? But I was too angry and too embarrass to ask, so I didn’t.  He held my wrist a second longer, his eyes staring intently at mine, then he let go.

Already in my room, holding my wrist where he touched me, I was bewildered. I could still feel the pressure of his hand and I was so confused at the way his touch made me feel.

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The night of the show at Yzabel’s , I was so edgy. And only because the night before, Mark called and asked to pick me up at home. I thought Nick was coming for me like he promised. It was one of his bribes anyway to make me write the article. But it turned out he had to run an errand for his mom before the show, so we would just be meeting him at the coffeehouse.

Liz helped me dress up and let me borrow a really cool pair of pink laced up sneakers. The sneakers were the only pop of color in my ensemble. She also picked out the black shirt I was wearing. But I refused the short skirt she pushed in my hand. It was too much, like I was putting too much effort for Mark, which truth be told, I was. But still, I didn’t want to be too obvious about it. I wanted to play it cool and effortless, so a pair of skinny jeans went with the shirt. Only some eyeliner and a swipe of lip gloss were my makeup.

By the time I heard his car, I was a nervous wreck. I did 5 jumping jacks to try to calm myself before I ran downstairs, with Liz laughing behind me.

“Is this a date or what?” dad asked from the kitchen. He had a cup of coffee in front of him while reading the day’s paper. Mom was smiling while peeling some veggies.