Not Quite Enough

6.Nico

Fly // Sugar Ray

It's deja vu. I watch, spellbound, as April's wreck barrels into the parking lot with smoke flying like a banner behind her. I think that's the only way she drives it. Props to her for keeping the classic under her command, and she definitely knows how to handle driving it as I've witnessed from all of my stalking. But I'd love to help her work on her finesse. Damn, what a joy ride that would be.

April brings her car to a stop in front of the burger place where we agreed to meet. I've been here for almost an hour, left school the second the bell rang and been fidgeting here ever since. It has crossed my mind more than once that she'd bail, even though this is for her benefit more than mine.

Yeah, that's a lie but one she doesn't know about. I'm going to benefit as much as she is even if she doesn't know it. Although if the girl has been paying any attention at all, my interest in her is clear as a bell. I can't stop my eyes from seeking her out and looking at her. I can't stop my feet from walking towards her. I can't stop my mouth from spewing the stupid lines that fail to interest her time after time.

I sit up straight and paste the fake look of indifference I carry with me back in place as April exits her vehicle. I rub my hands on my jeans, free from grease for the first time in a few weeks, trying to ease the tingle I'm feeling in the tips of my fingers that's driving me nuts. It's the same reaction to her presence every time: an unquenchable desire to get my hands on her. In the most gentlemanly way possible, of course.

April strides in through the door like a dream, pulling her sunglasses off as she steps inside then scans the place with a look of resolve. It surely isn't excitement I see in her eyes, but it isn't dread either. Good thing for me that she doesn't have those daggers she was aiming at me yesterday in the lot. Talk about awkward. I'm still not sure what I said that was so offensive. And I'm certain I don't want to find out.

We make eye contact just seconds after April is all the way inside. I see her stand straight and walk toward me with purpose. Her face is all business and I get the feeling she's arming herself for battle. It's here and now that I decide to take the opposite approach. Honestly, it's what I've been doing since the second she blew up my world, but this time I'm conscious of the decision to be relaxed with her rather than bulldozed by my own attraction to her.

I lean my elbow at the corner of the table and rest my other arm along the back of the booth seat. Then I smile. No smirking with this girl anymore. I want every look she sees from me from now on to be one hundred percent genuine. I'm not an indifferent asshole where she's concerned. I'm as invested, interested and intrigued as any guy who's been exposed to the light could be.

She's my fucking sunshine.

"Hey," I say as April slides into the seat across from me. I gesture to the food and drink on the table. "Take your pick. I decided to let the debt you owe me slide." The light in my eyes won't be dimmed by her dismissal. And even though that makes me sound like a creep in my head, I know there's more to my infatuation than stalking and lust. Something way more that is just out of my reach. I'm not giving up, though. No matter how hard April makes me work for her.

April leans closer to inspect the food. Fries, onion rings and a salad are paired with a large diet Coke and a large regular Coke. I didn't want to assume anything, so I got both. It's a peace offering so I sit back and let her make her choice.

"Salad?" April wrinkles her nose and grabs the fries and regular Coke.

"Not a fan?" I say with a smile as I pull the veggies my way. I'm good with vitamins.

"Not from a burger joint. They don't specialize in greens so what's the point? That's not what I'm here for."

"So, it's not that you are opposed to salad in general, just salad that's made alongside fried foods." My eyebrow twitches as I tease her, snatching an onion ring with a fork.