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"Are you actually going to eat that, or carry on playing with it?" I looked up, to see my mum staring over the dinner table at me playing with my food.
"I'm just not hungry, that's all." It was true - I wasn't. Ever since going to the beach the previous day, I'd lost my appetite. Nicky was in my mind, and in there to stay. I kept on thinking about the events at the beach, and how Nicky had called me 'beautiful.' Maybe he does like me, maybe he was only saying that to be nice....these were only a couple of the thoughts whizzing through my head that morning. What was he going to ask me yesterday, when he suddenly broke off mid sentence? That was the main question I wanted an answer to. Still, I knew it was no good letting my imagination run away with me, I'd just end up jumping to the wrong conclusions, and probally being hurt. Instead of spending the day pondering, I informed my mum I was going for a walk to the park, and would be back shortly. As I made my way to the park, I noticed it was, once again, a hot day - it reminded me of the beach, when I'd been with Nicky the day before. I was hoping that the walk to the park would somehow help me straighten out my thoughts, and clear my mind. Then I could decide what I would do next. I walked over to a park bench, and sat down - my feet were tired. From the bench I had a view of the entire park, and Nicky jogging towards me. "Sorry!" I said, pleased he was here. "I guess I was in a world of my own." Little did Nicky know how true this statement was.
"I saw you walk past the house, so I thought I'd keep you company. I shouted and shouted for you to wait, till I caught up with you but..""You're here now though!" I saw Nicky's brilliant smile again, as he sat down next to me.
"So, why are you here - just fancied some fresh air?" "Yeh, I guess. It was such a nice day and all..." Nicky interrupted; "Yeah, I know. That's why I thought I'd join ya! - you don't mind?" "No, of course not - don't be stupid, I enjoy you're company. You're practically my best friend around here!" I nudged Nicky playfully, and smiled. I was blushing again. "Really? But what about the other kids in your year?"
"Well, they're all away for the summer holidays, or busy with their boyfriends ; Tracy's too engrosed in her new boyfriend Bryan. My other friend Amy is away in Spain just now - I got a postcard from her today - she's met a guy over there called Mark."
"Well, you've got me." Nicky and I were looking at each other as he said this, "I might not be good looking, but I'm told I'm fun to be with!"
"No, you are good looking........" I stopped mid sentence, after I realised what I'd just blurted out. I felt myself blush more than ever. It was a couple of minutes before I built up the courage to look at Nicky, his face was just as red as mine, if not redder! I felt my voice wobble as I muttered "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you Nicky." I was filled with relief when Nicky gave me one of his warm smiles.
"Do you really think I'm.....good looking?" He looked surprised as he asked this. "Well......I wouldn't have said it otherwise." I felt my confidence slowly building back up, as I talked to him. He gave a nervous laugh. "Does this mean...I mean....what I'm trying to say is.....do you kinda....fancy me?"I'd never seen Nicky so nervous before, his voice was softer than usual. I knew this was my chance, the chance I'd been waiting for to tell Nicky how much I liked him.
"Ummm.....yes, I guess I do kinda.....fancy you." I gave a wry smile, as I saw his eyes twinkling at me.
Nickys voice almost returned to normal; " I didn't have any idea...I mean....I didn't think I stood a chance! I've liked you since the first moment I saw you....I was just too nervous to say anything...." "I've liked you for a long time! I was too scared to say anything too!!" We both found ourselves laughing. I think it was more because of nerves than anything else. "So....do you want to go out with me tomorrow night? We could go to the cinema, skating, bowling.." "I'd love to!" I interrupted quickly.
"Great....well, how does 7pm sound?" I could tell he was still nervous - he wasn't the only one. "Sounds good to me!" I was all tingly inside, I'd never felt like this before-I knew Nicky was someone special. "It's a date then Charlotte!!"We both found ourselves grinning at each other, like love-sick teenagers - Well, I guess we were!!
We walked back home shortly after that. I noticed things were better between us - we were more relaxed in each others company, more talkative, and seemed to get on even better than before. It was as if a weight had been lifted off of our shoulders. We were closer. I was glad things has been sorted out, and I was still in shock - I had no idea that Nicky had felt like this, of that I'd even have stood a chance with him. I thought a guy as good looking as Nicky was way out of my league - obviously not! I was so exited about tomorrow. When I got home and finalised the times with Nicky for our date to the bowling alley, I ran upstairs, and began to look for a suitable outfit. I was just that excited - I knew tomorrow night was going to be special! I wanted it to be perfect.

CHAPTER 6 - THE DATE
It was at 7pm exactly, when the knock on the door came. I opened the door, to see Nicky, looking very nervous,standing in the doorway. He was dressed smart, but casual, a bit like myself. He smiled,as I called to my mum; "I'm off now Mum, won't be back late.""Ok love" came my mothers voice, from somewhere upstairs. I could tell Nicky was as nervous as me. He would just smile shyly, instead of talking, and I would do exactly the same. He eventually spoke;
"So, any good at bowling then?" "Not bad - I bet you'll beat me though!" "I doubt it - I'm not that good."
The conversation then stopped again. We continued to walk in the direction of the bowling alley. I didn't like the silence - I liked it when Nicky and I spoke, and laughed, like the way it was before we found out how each other felt. I didn't see why it should be different now, even though I understood why we were both quiet.I decided to break the awkward silence; "Are you nervous Nicky?" Nicky looked at me. I think he was surprised I asked this particular question. "Yeh, I'm a bundle of nerves!" He laughed nervously as he said this. He seemed relieved that he'd said this.
"So am I, but I'd like us to be like we normally are, y'know - talking about everything, having a laugh....."
"So would I, it's just that I'm scared I'll say something and make a fool of myself, or say the wrong thing."
"You won't - I'm just as nervous as you, but the date will be alot better if we are comfortable around eachother! Don't you think?"
Nicky nodded in agreement, and from then on the conversation flowed like it always did - we talked about everything as usual, and Nicky told me some jokes. Our time spent at the bowling alley went quickly, mainly because we were that relaxed with each other. We knew how eachother felt, but it didn't change the way we acted in eachothers company.
I beat Nicky at bowling, two games to one. He didn't mind though, he was happy I was enjoying myself. We had something to eat and drink at the bowling alley, and must have spent three hours there at least.
When we left the alley, Nicky suggested we go for a walk in the park. I agreed - it was still light outside, even though it was 10pm. It took about 10 minutes to walk to the park, and when we got there, we sat down on the wooden bench - the wooden bench that looked out over the entire park. Memories started returning to me from the previous day. This had been the bench we sat on, when Nicky asked me out. I felt my stomach go all tickly at the thought of it - I really did like Nicky. I didn't want to let my nerves show though. I looked up at Nicky, to find him staring at me, his eyes sparkling at me. He smiled as he spoke;
"I really enjoyed tonight, even if you did beat me at bowling!!" We both laughed.
"That was only because I'm brilliant at bowling - I'm unbeatable, you had no chance."
I laughed as I said this. We both knew I was hopeless at bowling! As we laughed at my exaggeration, I felt myself blush slightly.
"You just bet me by luck! I let you win, being the kind guy that I am!"
We laughed, but then the laughter stopped. We held each others stare. I looked at Nicky, realising how good looking he was - his accent, his hair, his eyes...they were all so perfect. And most of all his personality - we had connected instantly,from the first moment we met.
"You know I like you Charlotte don't you?" His eyebrows raised, as he asked me the question. "Yes, at least I hope you do!"
"I do. I was thinking.......maybe we could do it again sometime?" These words echoed through me. I was in shock. I didn't expect him to ask me out on another date. I felt myself grin; "I'd love to." I really wanted to say how much I liked him too,even though I was nervous; "I like you a lot too." I smiled at Nicky, eager to see his reaction to my words.
All of a sudden I saw Nicky lean towards me. I knew what was comming, and a million thoughts enetered my mind - what if I make a fool of myself, what if I make a mess of it...the list was endless. I was reasured when Nickys lips touched mine. Kissing Nicky came naturally. My mind was put at ease, and I found myself becomming more relaxed as we kissed. Nicky put his hands on my waist as we kissed more. Nickys lips were soft and gentle. All of my worries had dissappeared. We both smiled at each other shyly, when I pulled away. Kissing Nicky had given me the best feeling I'd ever experienced. I had been worried, as I wasn't exactly well experienced in that area, but I needn't have worried. Kissing Nicky had been wonderful, the best thing I could imagine. And, it had come so easily. It had definately been the best kiss I'd ever had, and hopefully not the last kiss from Nicky.
Nicky and I walked home shortly after that, hand in hand. This night had been the best night of my life - I still couldn't believe it was happening. It was like a dream. We talked as Nicky walked me home. "Thanks for tonight Nicky, I've really enjoyed myself."
"Good, I'm glad. So have I." His irish accent spoke softly. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then" I said, as we reached our houses.
"You can count on it! I'll call round for you at lunchtime.""That would be fine." I felt myself smile, pleased to hear his words.
I found myself kissing Nicky again, outside my gate. I felt safe in his arms, as if nothing could ever upset me again.
"Ok, bye then." "Bye Nicky." I let go of his hand, and made my way to the front door. Nicky was still standing at my gate, as I went in to the house. I waved to him. He waved back. As I shut my door, a massive grin filled my face. I was so happy, I was nearly crying. I floated through to the living room, where I saw the clock read 12:30am. We'd been gone for nearly 6 hours. I sat down, and smiled contently to myself. The night had been perfect, better than I could've imagined. I had just come home from a date with the nicest guy you could ever think of. I was on cloud 9! My head was filled with thoughts of the date, and Nicky. I'd actually kissed him - I couldn't believe it. As I thought of Nicky, I didn't realise myself drifting off to sleep in the chair.