Not Quite Enough

9.Nico

Dance Hall Days // Wang Chung

I knock and wait. I have no idea how April will react, but I'm hoping for not-too-pissed. Chances are slim, however, so once again I cover my junk while approaching this woman. I hear footsteps as I deep breathe. I've never been this nervous around a girl but April is something else. Nerves are the norm now.

The door opens. I don't smile, but I do feel some kind of lip lifting on my face. A smirk maybe? Jeez I need to get myself under control.

"Um...where's Emily?" April looks past me to the street, glancing side to side. No one else is out here but me. All she sees on the street is the car I drove over here. The one I haven't set eyes on for seven months.

"Just me. Turns out Emily doesn't have enough seats on her cycle for you and your new roommate." I open my arms wide, a total act of trust because now my junk is fair game. "Nico to the rescue."

April slams her mouth shut then closes her eyes. It looks like she's working on calming down so I give her a minute to put out her inner fury. Her eyes open, her gaze meets mine, and something softens.

"No truck?" Her words are gentle.

I shake my head. "No truck. Not tonight."

April once again glances behind me to the car parked just outside of her house. My dad's Challenger. Well, my Challenger now. The first car he and I ever worked on together. It took a full thirty minutes sitting behind the wheel, breathing in and out, before I was able to put the key in the ignition and start her up. It took another five before I was able to pull out of the driveway. But I made it. I'm standing here, in front of this amazing girl, wanting to be the one who gets to drive her around. Wanting her to be the one to ride in that car with me. Unfortunately, I'll be driving her to the Lot, but someone's got to make sure she's safe if the girl insists on going.

That guy's going to be me.

April's soft gaze stays linked to mine. Her lips curl into an understanding smile. And miracle of miracles, her hand reaches out to grab mine. Her fingers curl around my fingers and squeeze just enough to tell me she gets it. April understands the step I just took, and it means something to her.

"Let me get Ko." April releases my hand, to my disappointment, and turns back to her house. So far so good, however. I'll take a little hand holding over a knee to the jewels any day.

I wait at the door and a few second later April emerges with a girl standing behind her who must be Ko. They both have on tight jeans with rips, but the rips in April's jeans are so big you can hardly call the jeans pants. I see more leg than if she was wearing shorts. No complaints from me, though. April's entire outfit is badass. She is every bit the goddess of my dreams. Ripped classic rock concert t-shirt under a fitted black tuxedo type blazer. It shouldn't be as sexy as it is, each piece on its own. But April's attitude mixed with the tough look she's got on...I'm drooling.

Ko is less in your face with her look. She's got a really fuzzy pink sweater with her jeans and ankle boots in a salmon color. A highly impressive camera is hanging from her neck and I'm curious.

"You must be Ko. Hey, I'm Nico." I give a half wave to the girl as she smiles at me and nods.

"Hello, Nico. Yes, I am Ko. Thank you for taking us to this party."

"My pleasure," I say as reach for April's hand. The second miracle of the night happens when she opens her palm and lets me. As we reach the car, I open the passenger side door and point to the bench seat in the front. "We can all fit upfront, if you want."

I'm hoping they'll take me up on the offer and April will slide in right next to me. I can practically feel her pressed up against me already. I walk around to the driver's side and get in...right next to Ko. April is on the other side, elbow resting on the door, smirking at me.