| CHAPTER 3 - 'THE BISCUIT TIN INCIDENT' Nicky came around to mine at about 6pm later that day. With him he bought some cds, like I'd asked, so we mainly listened to them, and talked; "Do you fancy giving me a hand arranging, and unpacking the furniture n'stuff for my bedroom tomorrow? - It's just that everthing's in boxes and it's really annoying!" Nicky looked at me, it was as if he knew what my answer would be. "Of course I can."I answered his smile with one of my own. "Don't mention it - what friends for!?" The conversation grew from there, and before we knew it, it was late. "Well, I guess I'd better be off - me ma will give me hell if I'm home too late!" He laughed after saying this, his eyes lighting up once more. "Okay, well, I'll be round at yours for about 12?" "Yep, great!" I returned to the living room, after saying goodbye to Nicky. I quickly glanced at the clock - Nicky had been round for 5 hours - where had the time gone? It had just flew by. I hardly slept at all that night - all I could think about was helping Nicky the following day. I kept trying to think of other things, but it was no good - Nicky was stuck in my mind. I asked myself why this was happening, and the only possible answer was that I was becomming attracted to Nicky. I immediately dismissed this idea though. The idea seemed, at the time, both ridiculous, and insane. With that, I must have drifted off to sleep, because the next thing I remember was my alarm clock waking me at 10am the following morning. I carried out the usual morning routine, and found time to talk to mum in between making breakfast. I headed next door at 12 precisely. My door knock was answered by Nicky almost immediately. I was greeted with a warm smile. "Hi Nicky, ready to start unpacking then!?" "Hiya, c'mon in!" I followed him upstairs to his room. Straight away I was bombarded with a mass of boxes, crates, and bags. "Is all this stuff gonna fit in your room!?" I asked, laughing. "Well...we can try!" Once again I was given that same cheeky grin - the grin I'd been given so many times before. I liked that grin. "Lets get started then!"I began to open a box, Nicky doing the same. It took us a couple of hours to unpack everything, now it was just a matter of putting it away in it's proper place. At this time, Nicky suggested we stop for a break. His house was empty - both Lynn, and Nicholas senior were at work, Natalie was at the local library, and David was at a new friends house. It was just the two of us. We went to the kitchen, where Nicky offered me tea or coffee. "I'll have tea please." I intervened, before he was about to speak ; "Milk, no sugar please." He smiled, I knew that was what he was about to ask! "Sure"he said, chuckling to himself. "Charlotte, feel free to raid the fridge for food - you'll be hungry after all that unpacking! Thanks by the way, for helping." Nickys eyes glinted at me. "Hey, you're speaking as if there's no work left to be done!" We found some pie in the fridge, which did not remain for long. Then we both sat down at the kitchen table with our cups of tea. The biscuit tin on the table looked appealing, so I reached in to it. As I did, so did Nicky. His hand touched mine as he fumbled for a biscuit. I looked up, and noticed his eyes wern't on the tin, they were watching me. We held each others stare. There was an awkward silence for a moment. It was then I realised. Everything fell in to place - I was falling for Nicky. CHAPTER 4 - THE BEACH I'd left Nickys fairly soon after the 'biscuit tin incident.' I think we both felt a little awkward. I saw a lot of Nicky over the next couple of days. The more and more time we spent together, the more I realised how much I was actually attracted to Nicky. Everything about him was so right - his personality, his sense of humour - we just got on so well. I didn't even consider the possibility that Nicky might feel the same. I think that was partly due to my low self confidence back then. So, to avoid heartache, and ruining our friendship, I continued to bottle up my feelings. Nicky and I had arranged to go to the beach that day. The forecast was good, and I hadn't been in a while. We decided to go for the day, and took a picnic, and well, the usual things you take to the beach, with us. It was only a 5 minute walk. The beach was lovely. The weather was hot, so we swam in the sea, and lay on the sand talking. You'd have thought there was nothing left to talk about, but we always found something, without any difficulty. The picnic was eaten in between talking. All the time I felt I was growing closer to Nicky - we got on so well. Even after a week of knowing him, a brilliant friendship had been made between us. I felt like I'd known him for ages, and could tell him anything. That was, anything but my feelings. All of a sudden it seemed Nicky was reading my thoughts; "Charlotte, we get on really well don't we. I mean, I feel like I've known you for years, and think we've become really good friends,even though I've only know you for a week." "I know, I was just thinking the same thing!" "Were you?" Nicky's eyebrows raised slightly, as if he was surprised. "Yeh. I think it's because we've got so much in common" "Maybe you're right. All I know is that I love being in your company - you're different to most girls......" I felt myself begin to blush, as I heard the latter part of the sentence. "How?" "Well, you're kind, fun to be with and you're......well...very beautiful." His nervous voice broke off, and he looked at me. He was waiting for me to say something in return. I wanted to. I wanted to say I found him attractive, but I couldn't. My lips wouldn't move. Even though he'd said I was beautiful, for some strange reason I still refused to believe he might have feelings for me. A million thoughts rushed through my mind. I finally spoke; "I've never been described as any of those things before." I gave a nervous laugh. "Well....it's true....." His irish accent was soft as he said this, "Charlotte...I was wondering if maybe....I could get to know...Oh, never mind." His irish voice trailed off. "What were you going to say Nicky?" My heart was racing, and my voice became eager as I stared at him in hope. "Nothing... it doesn't matter. Maybe some other time." There was a nervous look on Nickys face, and he was blushing slightly. I sighed to myself. I hoped things would work themselves out soon. One thing was for sure - I would've given anything to be able to tell him my feelings. But somehow, I couldn't bring myself to do it. |