| CHAPTER 12 - THE INVITATION From the instant I woke the following morning, I was on cloud 9. As I got changed, and made my way down stairs, all I could think of was Nicky. We were going out officially now - it was something I never thought would happen. When I first met him, I'd never have guessed I stood a chance with him. Still, I did, and was now going out with him. I knew our relationship was one in a million - we were really good friends, as well as partners. The night before, on the hill, he was so romantic, and made me feel really special - something that no person has ever done before. I spied my Mum in the kitchen, doing the washing up, as I raided the kitchen, for breakfast. "You were in late last night Charlotte - with Nicky again?" I turned and smiled. She knew that meant yes. She'd guessed we were becomming close, by the amount of time we spent with each other. "Yes, he asked me out last night Mum, and I said yes." I watched, to observe her reaction. It was good; "I'm really happy for you both - I thought I would hear this soon. You've done very well for yourself, he's a lovely lad, very well mannered, and brought up properly..." "Ok Mum, I don't need the speech!" We both laughed. "Sorry dear, It's just because I care." "I know. So, whats for breakfast?" My mother and I had breakfast, and then she went out to my Auntie Georgina's again. Apparently Uncle Shane was ill, so she thought she'd help my Auntie with anything she needed doing. As I watched the car pull away from the house, I spied Nicky making his way to my front door. I quickly ran to the door, and opened it just as he was about to ring the door bell. "You're physcic!" He said, stepping inside, a smile on his face. "Nah, I seen you walking up the garden path! How are ya?" "Im ok thanks." He sat down. " I thought I'd come to see my girlfriend, seeing as me ma has decided to do some house cleaning." I sat down next to him. "And your girlfriend is delighted!" "Good, I couldn't stop thinking about you last night." "Neither could I Nicky." We kissed, and then Nicky remembered something he had to tell me. "I forgot, my cousin is comming over from Dublin to stay." "That's great. When?" "Tomorrow - she's our age. I haven't seen her in about a year. We get on really well, and I know she'll like you. I've told her all about you." "I hope so. Is it just her comming over?" "Yeh, just her. She's staying for a week. My Uncle Alec said he'd treat her to a holiday, and she chose to come and see her favourite cousin. She'll be arriving tomorrow morning - my Dads picking her up at the airport." "That's brilliant - I'd love to meet her, and if she's the same age, we'll probably get on well. What's her name?" "Niamh. Niamh Kennedy." "You sound like you're close." "Yeh, we are, or were. Like I said, I haven't seen her in a year, but we used to play together, and spend weekends together when we were little - we lived five minutes along the road from each other in Dublin. As we grew up, I suppose we grew apart a little, but we still went out in a big group, with her mates, and mine. We used to go bowling, cinema, to the beach......that sort of thing." "She sounds nice....." I never got to finish the sentence, because the phone rang. I got up from the couch, and answered it; "Hello?" "Hi stranger!" It was my friend Tracys voice, sounding as chirpy as ever. "Oh, hi. Haven't heard from you in a while, or seen you! Thought you'd dissappeared from the planet!" "Very funny! I was just going to say the same thing! So, hows Nicky then? I saw you together the other day, but thought I'd better not interrupt. You seem a good couple." "Thanks Tracy - he's here now actually..." She interrupted, as she always did. "Oh well, can't speak long anyway. Just to let you know that you and Nicky are invited to a party tomorrow night." "Cool, where? Whose?" "It starts at 7pm, and It'll probably be all night. It's at Bryans house. His parents are away for the weekend you see." "You still going out with Bryan?How long is that now?" Tracy seemed pleased I showed interest; "Yes, we've been going out for nearly 6 months now!" "Wow, doesn't time fly. Do you mind if we bring Nickys cousin Niamh to the party too - she's over from Dublin tomorrow morning, for a week." "The more the merrier. Must go now, I've got a lot more phoning to do. I can't wait to meet Nicky properly. What did you say his surname was again?" "Byrne." I turned, and smiled at Nicky, as I said this. He smiled back, and blew me a kiss. "Ok, well, must go. Bye Charlotte, see you tomorrow!" "Bye!" I put down the phone, rubbing my ear. Tracy had such a high pitched voice. "Who was that?" "Tracy, you know, one of my mates that lives down the road - she's about my height, short brown hair....?" "And she goes out with that tall, blonde guy?" "That's the one!" I sat down beside Nicky once more. "I know who you mean. What did she want?" "We're invited to a party, at her boyfriends house tomorrow night, at 7pm. Niamh can come too - I asked." "Sounds good - I'll get to meet your friends, and you can introduce me to everyone." "Yep, I take it we're going then?" "You can count on it!" We began to kiss again, and Nicky cuddled me. As I looked in to his eyes, they sparkled. I ran my fingers through his short, blonde hair, and kissed him again. "I'm so lucky to have you Charlotte - moving here was the best decision my parents ever made." "You're telling me!" Nicky held my hands. His hands were soft, and gentle. His cheeky grin appeared once again, and he looked at me. "You're still wearing the shamrock." He sounded surprised. "Yes, I told you, I'd never take it off. I love it." "I love you." Nicky looked at me, smiling softly. "I love you too." Our words were then sealed with a kiss on the couch. As Nicky held me, I felt that special feeling again - one I only felt when with him. I loved Nicky so much, my feelings for him were so strong now - stronger than ever before. I hoped we would last forever. I looked up at Nicky, and kissed him once more. I loved kissing Nicky. I loved Nicky. |