TOUGH LOVE

THE UNEXPECTED

The week was uneventful but it flew by and it was finally Friday. Throughout the entire week James didn't even acknowledge me, no mean comments, or glares.I wasn't complaining about that, I should be happy but I'm not because Kathy and Aunt Jody want to go dress shopping tomorrow. Things that don't go well are me + shopping. After school Daniel and Lenny went on their first date to some fancy restaurant so I was home alone reading when my phone vibrated.

(UNKNOWN)
Hey :)

(ME)
Who is this?

(UNKNOWN)
The cutest guy that you know.

(ME)
?

(UNKNOWN)
Come on Rider, you're breaking my heart.

I didn't answer back because I was afraid to answer the wrong guy. I doubt it was Nick and there was no way it was James the asshole.

(UNKNOWN)
It's Nick btw :) I asked Lenny for your number. Hope that isn't creepy

(ME)
lol that's not creepy, so what's up?
I decided to add him as a contact.

(Nick)
Are you busy rn? If you're not are you down to go get food with me? I can give you a ride.

(ME)
uh sure. let me send you my address.
and so I did.

(Nick)
Great. Be there in a bit ;)

Nick lived about 20 minutes away so that meant I had 20 minutes to fix myself. I decided not to change my outfit from today since it was cute. It was a red floral short sleeve, V-neck blouse with some blue skinny jeans and my black converse. I fixed my hair and made a quick headband braid. I put some mascara to my naturally curly eyelashes and heard the doorbell ring.

'Oh shit, he's here'. I knew it wasn't a date or anything like that but I still wanted to look presentable. I made my way downstairs and opened the door to see Nick. He looked as cute as ever with an adorable smile on his face.

"Hello" he says with a smile while I'm obviously checking him out.

"Hi" I say shyly.

"Are you ready?"

"yes"

We walk over to his car that is parked in our empty drive way. He opened the door for me and I thanked him.

"You look very pretty, Rider" he said while putting his seat belt on.

"Thanks, you too" I say nervously.

"I-I meant you look pretty good. I mean good, you look good too." I say stuttering and blushing because I completely embarrassed myself.

Nick chuckles and says "I get you, and thank you. So what do you want to eat?" I was thankful he changed the subject.

"Fridays are for pizza" I say without trying to sound annoying.

"They sure are." Nick said while driving off of the drive way. We didn't really talk on the way to the pizza parlor, he wanted to go to my favorite one so I just gave him directions.

We arrive to my favorite pizza parlor, Joey's, it seems a bit empty so Nick and I decide to sit in a booth. We both ordered one large slice of pepperoni pizza with a Coke on the side. While we waited for our food Nick began to speak.

"So... I heard you're having your homecoming next week-"

I was so embarrassed, of course Lenny would ask him to ask me. I interrupted Nick.

"Whatever Lenny told you, please feel free to ignore. You don't have to go with me, I actually don't even want to go but having no date was my best excuse. I don't want to force you into taking me, and going back to doing stupid high school shit. Plus you're probably busy and I wouldn't want to waste your time-" I was rambling for some time that I didn't even notice the big smile on Nicks face throughout all of my rant.

"Wow. Well I'd like to make clear that Lenny didn't tell me about it. Actually no one did but last night Jeff mentioned that his little brother was having a homecoming next week. Also, I wasn't sure if you had a date or not but it's pretty clear now that you don't. And trust me you would not be wasting my time, I genuinely enjoy your company, Rider"

Gosh, I'm such an idiot. Why do I always have to assume?? I'm so embarrassed. Why do I always overthink EVERYTHING?

"Rider?" Nick said snapping me out of my mini mental breakdown.

"uh yeah"

Nick giggles. " Can I be your date to homecoming?" he said with his deep brown eyes looking directly at mine.

"if you want to" I say with my checks blushing like crazy.

"Of course I want to but do you want me to go with you?" Nick asked with complete sincerity.

"yes" I say confidently looking at his eyes. I don't even know where that boost came from but I'm glad it showed up.

"Why?" Nick asks with a serious look on his face. What the hell did he mean by that.

"huh?" I'm sure confusion was written all over my face.

Nick starts laughing making me more confused.

"I'm joking, Ry. We're going to have a great time" Nick says with a wink. The only other guy to call me Ry was Jeff but I liked how Nick said it. I felt butterflies in my stomach.

Eventually our food arrived and we finished it. Nick drove me home. Throughout the ride he was telling me about his experience with high school dances. According to him, he had to beg girls to go with him. I honestly didn't really believe it, I mean he was handsome, nice and funny.

When he dropped me off, the house was still empty. I would've invited Nick in but my aunt hasn't met him so if she saw us together alone I know I'd get in trouble.
I went to my room and starting thinking about well... everything. I thought about what happened with Jeff, James and how strange they both had been acting. If all I had to say to James was that I hated him and wanted him to leave me alone, I would've done it a long time ago.

Then reality hit me. I had a date to the dance. That meant I had to look good, which also meant I had to find a dress that suited me and I know that would be hard. Hopefully aunt Jody, Kathy and I could find something.