Nick's Girl

6 | the morning after

"So.... tell us everything!" Donna looks at me with her huge green dazzling eyes.
The statement I've been dreading...

We're all sitting in the park as usual, all us girls. Of course, they all want to know about my date with Nick yesterday.
I know I just have to be open and honest.
But I really don't want to.

"Well..." I begin, setting aside my bag of peanuts, "it was fabulous- at first. But - oh, I don't know! - I just don't think I want to kid myself into thinking it could be anything more..."

"Nick is kind of famous for playing the field," Cassie, ever blunt, points out. "I know at least three girls who once claimed to be his beau."

I bite my lip.

"Perhaps he's changed...?" Heather diplomatically states; but she sounds doubtful.

"We had so much in common," I say, "Like - a LOT."

"So you think..." Cassie says, continuing with the harsh reality check. "He could have just made it all up to make you feel close to him..."

"Cassie! Eva needs encouragement, not your pessimistic input."Donna hisses.

Cassie shrugs, her willowy figure hunched possessively over a basket of bright red cherries.
I sigh.

"I just don't think I can get past the idea that I could be one of hundreds of girls..."

"...Eva?" Cassie says.

"What is it now?" I snap, getting angry at her now, "Got another cynical remark to make?!"

"No, Eva," Cassie says urgently, clasping my arm. She starts to point frantically at the park entrance.
My heart nearly goes in my mouth.
Nick is striding in, his hands in the pockets of his weathered old leather jacket.

"It's him! It's him! Oh my god! Eva!"

Donna breathes, her hands flapping.
"We can see that, Don." Cassie shakes her head.

"Listen," Cassie says, authoritatively, moving away from her cherries, "Just ignore him, Eva. Rise above that gorgeous face of his, and show him that you don't need him. He's a player! And he almost charmed you!"

My mind is torn.

I look to Donna and Heather for help; but they just stare at me, their faces empty.
I comply with Donna, and look away from Nick.

"You're right," I say, "he's probably not even be here for me."

"That's it, Eva," Cassie smiles, "Girl Power!"

So, we just continue with our normal conversation, not taking any notice of Nick Hammersmith.

"Eva Jones. Can I speak to you, please?"

I turn round. Nick stands with an exasperated, urgent expression.
I look over to Cassie for assistance, who mouths 'Girl Power! Girl Power!' at me.

"Eva-"

"-she doesn't want to talk to you," Cassie buts in.

Nick's jaw locks.

"Don't you think she can speak for herself?" Nick quips back at her.

I feel badly for him.

"Why do you need to talk to her?" Cassie quizzes him.

Nick's patience wavers; he looks at Cassie with daggers in his dark eyes.

"Hey, I don't need your-"

"-whatever you need to say, you can say to all of us." Cassie decides, folding her arms shrewdly.

"Donna!" I hiss, extremely embarrassed at my best friend's forwardness.

Nick wipes his brow.
"Alright!" He says, plastering on a fake smile. He turns to me. I look into his eyes, my heart pounding. "Why did you run away yesterday?"

I clear my throat, almost lost for words.

"Well... Nick, I..."

"What?"

"I just don't think we're a good match..."

"And on what are you basing that?"
He is on the verge of shouting. "Because to me yesterday was perfect. We agreed on everything; we like the same music; I even bought you peanuts, for goodness sake!"

Heather and Donna start to snicker behind me.

"I had a good time too." I whisper.

"Then why on earth would you humiliate me like that, Eva?"

I flounder, completely lost for words.

"She humiliated you because you're a well-known player, and she realised that you could treat her like you've treated many others." Cassie cuts in.

I glare at my friend, incredulous, my face turning pink.

She merely shrugs.

Nick looks furious.

"Who told you that?" He demands, his eyes still focused on me.

"The old lady you spoke to - Doris," I inform him meekly.

Nick shakes his head.

"Unbelievable. You left me standing there because of something some old woman told you?" He shouts.

"Doris is not 'some old woman'!" I shout back, "She's my friend, and I trust her. And, based on what these girls have told me, I don't think Doris was wrong, either."

Nick's expression softens, and for a long time, he gives no response.
And then:
"I had no intention of 'playing' you, Eva. Even the idea of that is insulting.
Do you really think I'd have told you any of that stuff about my parents if I wasn't serious about you?"

The atmosphere is suddenly very quiet. Nick still looks at me, his eyes serious and yearning, his thick eyebrows knitted together.
Without a word, I get up off the bench, put his hand in mine, and lead him away from the girls.

"Where're we going?" He whispers.
"Away from them. Let's talk somewhere."