Chapter 16
"Nick..Nick come on man!"
"Oh, sorry Brian!"
"What is going on with you? You've been zoning out the entire time I've been here!" Brian questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing, just thinking."
Brian stared at him.
"What!? I was."
"Who is she? Is it Vanessa?"
"Not it's not Vanessa, it's not anyone. You know I'm not looking to start anything new. This break is only temporary."
"Yeah right."
"Whatever."
"Look I don't have time to argue with you. I'm gonna head out for now though, call me tomorrow ok."
"Yeah man, later." Nick waved as Brian walked out the door. Brian was right of course, he'd been walking around in a daze the whole day, and now that it was evening, his mind was starting to drift more.
He couldn't get last night out of his head. He'd been ready to jump through the phone and replace her hand. He shook his head, he hadn't heard from her all day. Maybe she was having regrets. He knew he didn't, no regrets. He'd do it again if he had the opportunity. He laughed out loud, smiling. Nick started out the door, when the phone rang. Running over, he picked up the phone. "Lo'?"
"Nick?"
His heart sped up, she called.
"Lana, hey." He called softly. That voice that'd haunted his dreams all night, finally he heard it again.
"Hi. I umm...didn't catch you at a bad time did I?"
"Nah, was just getting ready to go out and shoot some hoops. What's up?"
"Nothing, I was just kinda lonely and I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out."
"Oh yeah, sounds good."
"How bout a movie?"
"Sure!"
"Ok, then I'll meet you there, and we can just decide what to see."
"No."
"No?"
"No, I'll pick you up."
"Nick..."
"So I'll be there in a minute." With that he hung up and headed out the door. ************************************************************************
She paced back and forth. She just wanted to get it over with. The first look, the first words, the first thoughts. She chewed nervously on her nail. Anytime now, he'd be there. She stopped at the mirror again, checking her hair for the third time. This was crazy; all this preparation and she didn't even know what he was thinking. She couldn't do this; she'd die of embarrassment. Maybe she had enough time to...the doorbell rang. She stopped and stared at the door. The time had come. Slowly she made her way over to the door and flung it open. There he was.
She swallowed hard, the words she'd planned to say caught in her throat. She stepped back as Nick made his way inside, his gaze never once leaving hers. If she only knew what he was thinking. She opened her mouth to say something, when he stepped closer to her. "Nick..." She wasn't sure what she was gonna say, but he just smiled. "I just..."
He looked at her a moment longer, before pulling her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"Hey honey." He whispered.
Her fears melted away as she held him close. "Hi Nick. Long time no see." She chuckled.
"I know." He smiled, pulling away before winking at her. They looked at each other for a moment, neither knowing exactly what to say, or if they should bring it up.
"So, we can go if you're ready." She told him, someone had to say something.
Nick looked relieved. "Yeah, whenever you are."
"Lead the way!" She laughed, and they headed out the door. ************************************************************************
"So, we're seeing "Glitter" right?" Illana asked, as they stood in line for their tickets.
"Yup."
They made their way up to the vendor, and Nick stepped in front of her and paid.
"Nick!"
"What?" He looked at her innocently.
"You know what! Ya bum; I can pay for myself. We go through this everytime." She frowned.
"Oh wah wah, ya baby. Big deal, I paid for you. Let someone do something nice for you for a change." Nick finished, holding the door open for her.
"Fine, but you're lucky I'm your friend, cause otherwise." She waved her fist at him playfully.
"Ohh I'm scared, I'm shaking in my Nike's." Nick grinned as they handed their tickets to the other vendor before making their way through.
She stopped and looked at him. "I hate you."
"I know, come on." He took her by the hand and led her down the hall into the theater. They walked in and started down the aisle. "Ok, where do you wanna sit?"
"How bout in back?"
He raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Well well well. Planning on ravishing me here in the back?" He grinned.
"Maybe, if you're lucky." Illana winked before sliding into the aisle.
"Ohh, hey now."
Illana laughed and pushed him down into one of the seats. "You want anything? Popcorn or whatever?"
"Hey! I'm supposed to ask that."
"Says who?"
"Says the official guys dating book thing."
"What? Whatever, I don't understand you Nick, I swear."
"No one does, that's how I like it." He laughed.
She rolled her eyes. They were quiet as the movie played, making occasional comments here and there. Nick leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"You know, this is the first time in a long time I actually watched a movie with a girl." He sounded shocked about the whole thing.
Illana laughed. "Cause you're here with me, I'm not your girlfriend."
Nick looked at her and she turned her head to stare at him, the look on his face unreadable. She smiled weakly at him and looked back at the screen. A few minutes later, he went back to watching. ************************************************************************
They walked up the steps to her apartment, standing outside.
"Well, thanks for the movie Nick. I'm glad you were able to make it."
"No problem, I wanted to get out the house anyway."
Silence ensued; she had to say something. "Nick about the other night..."
"Lana the other night was..."
They stopped, laughter taking over.
"Look, Lana, the other night was, well it was great."
"Yeah it was. I didn't know how you'd be around me after that. I didn't know what to expect."
"That doesn't, I mean..."
They looked at each other.
"Let's just..."
"Don't say forget it Lana, I don't wanna forget it." Nick whispered.
"I don't either." She smiled.
"Have a good night Lana." He smiled, pulling her into his arms.
"You too." She pulled away and stared into his eyes.
Reluctantly they pulled away, Illana making her way into her apartment and Nick to his truck.
