Five Years

Chapter Twelve: Cheer Up, Buttercup

-- NICO'S POV --

She reluctantly took my hand, and I pulled her up off the couch and into the same room Brian and Darren had disappeared into earlier to talk. I shut the door half-way behind me, making sure to leave it slightly ajar, so people knoew the could enter without interrupting anything serious. Letting go of her hand, I opened the large window, and the two of us sat with our legs hanging off the ledge.

"So, what's got you feeling so homesick?" I asked.

"Well, it's parent's weekend at my brother's school, and it'll be the first time we're not all up there together. It sounds stupid, but I mean I really am out here on my own, you know? They didn't come out here for our family weekend," she sighed. "I don't know, I just wasn't expecting to feel this way, so it bums me out."

"It's bumming me out, too. You're too beautiful not to be smiling," I said.

She rested her head on my shoulder, "You're too sweet. Thank you for that."

"This is going to sound crazy, but I need you to name off the first song you think of," I told her.

"Uh... David Bowie's As the World Falls Down. Why...?" she asked.

I helped her up off the window ledge, "Because," I said. "I told you I had an idea." I pulled my phone out and typed in the song information as fast as I could. The song began to play, and I put the phone in my back pocket with the volume turned up.

-- SARAH'S POV --

"May I have this dance?" Nico asked, bowing slightly, which made me giggle.

"You may," I said, taking his hand.

We began dancing, right in the middle of the room without giving a damn. It was a little ridiculous and it felt a little silly; Nico kept whispering jokes to me, and telling little funny stories almost the whole time, and I could not stop laughing.

"You're beautiful, and you have such a beautiful smile when you laugh," Nico said.

I was blushing hardcore, so I looked down at my feet. I felt his hand brush my cheek, as he pushed my hair back behind my ear. I looked up again, and he kissed me. He pulled back, but I wrapped my arms around his neck, and pulled him right back in.

I felt his arms tighetn around my waist, and his warm body pressed tightly against mine. I don't know exactly how long we stood there making out, but I do know it was interrupted when Brian walked into the room, unknowingly.

"Whoops, my bad," he said, sounding apologetic. He backed out of the room, and closed the door behind him. My face flushed red. Nico, with his arms still around my waist, chuckled.

"Oops," he whispered, still chuckling. "Maybe this isn't the best place."

"No, probably not," I blushed even deeper red. We kissed once more before leaving the room.

Our drinks were missing off the table when we got back, but it was probably for the best. I figured that we wouldn't be hanging around much longer anyways. I went to get another drink and Nico went to find Darren. I saw Liza again, and told her we'd have to hang out sometime soon.

-- LIAM'S POV --

Nico was right, there were no tickets left. I decided to just grab dinner and take it back to my room. My three other roommates had already left for Thanksgiving, so I just sat there in my suite along, eating my dinner and staring out the window.

The thought of joining Darren's party had crossed my mind, but I really didn't have any interest in going. But at this point, I think anything would be better than sitting here by myself. I grabbed my keys and locked the room before I left.

Everyone seemed to be in a pretty good place. Except for maybe Brian R, who was sloppy drunk and could not pull himself together. I don't think I've ever seen him like that; amusing as it was, I decided he should probably be cut off. I helped him out and brought him to Joe and I's room - there was no way he'd make it back to his own dorm tonight. I put him on the couch and he went out like a light. I did not envy the hangover I knew he'd have in the morning. I left one of the lights on in the common room, and was going to head back to Darren's.

As I was about to close the door to my room, I heard the elevator doors open and an all-too-familiar laugh rang out. I stepped back inside my doorway and didn't turn around, but I knew that laugh. I knew who it was. I waited until I heard the room door close behind them. I was a little hurt, and I know I had no right to be - it's not like we were dating.

It still sucked, though, and with all the people it could have been - it would be Nico. There was no reason to go back to the party, now. I shut my door and went into my bedroom. I didn't feel like drawing or listening to music tonight. I laid in bed thinking that I would be home soon enough, and wouldn't let any of this bother me. It was one date. I'm overreacting. I always jump to conclusions.