Us; I love that

Surprisingly, the day wasn’t awkward between Nick and I. if it were possible… we were actually even more inseparable. I smiled, remembering the song Nick had written for me. All the snow was gone, but the January air was still cool. Nick let go off my hand, causing us to stop in the parking lot.

“Wait right here. I forgot my book,” he said hurriedly, kissing my cheek. I couldn’t stop the smile that played my lips as he jogged off towards the doors. Most everyone was gone. I stood in the lot, close by the car, tapping my foot to nothing. I remembered my camera and how it got smashed along with Nick’s car. That wasn’t the only that made me cringe.

“Johnson!” I heard Blake’s voice call. I immediately froze, turning around slowly to see Blake narrowing his eyes at me. He came closer and I remembered his little threat. “I guess you didn’t get me last time… so I’m done.” he said harshly, grabbing my arm.

“Let go!” I shouted, but he covered my mouth, grabbing me by my waist and pulling me closer. I tried to scream but it came out as a muffled breathe.

“Come on,” he said roughly, dragging me over to what I now recognized as a van.

“What are you doing?” I managed, trying to get out of his grip. He couldn’t be crazy too. What could he possibly do besides yell at me? I obviously didn’t know Blake. He smirked and my eyes widened. I let out another scream just before he smacked me across the face. I almost fell over from the impact. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as I winced in pain. What was up with me and pain these days?

He tried to pull me back over to his van, but I tried my hardest to stay grounded. My heart sped up as I heard a low and angry voice.

“What are you doing?” Nick asked harshly. It stunned me a little, to hear him that way, but even in a time like this, I’d have to go and think about how sexy he sounded. I shook those thoughts away and replaced them with reality-now.

“Uh…” Blake muttered, turning into a coward.

“Uh? Uh? No. what are you doing?” he growled, stepping closer, letting his bag drop to the concrete. I tried to get my breathe steady as he kept his harsh gaze on Blake.

“She…” Blake trailed off, keeping his tight grip on my arm. Nick narrowed his eyes.

“Let her go,” Blake didn’t let me go, he only stared. “Do you not understand plain English? I said let her go!” he shouted. Blake cringed, dropping his hand from me. Nick pushed his hand forward, motioning for me to grab it. I did so, letting him pull me behind him.

“Nick man. Ever since you met her, you’ve changed…” Blake glared at me.

“No. I haven’t. I’m the same person. I’ll always be the same person… you just don’t know me,” he said a little quieter, but he had that edge to his voice. I couldn’t think of anything but the confrontation in front of me. “But you Blake…” he shook his head. “What were you doing?” Blake didn’t answer, knowing full well that he was going to try and take advantage of me somehow. “That’s what I thought,” Nick snapped suddenly, letting my hand go and clenching his fists. I knew Nick wasn’t a fighter… so his actions were surprising me. He stepped forward and I could see Blake wanted to step back.

“Nick… she’s just a girl-”

“Maybe to you. She’s not to me.”

“What… is she your possession? A sex toy? You can’t tell me you two aren’t messing around,” Blake raised his voice in the now empty parking lot.

“She’s not a possession. She’s a human being and she’s my girlfriend, and no. we haven’t done anything and it isn’t your business what I do," Nick said sternly, standing right in front of Blake.

“Maybe that’s your problem…” Blake muttered. He was such a creep. My heart sped up as he moved closer to Nick, but he didn’t back down. Nick wasn’t scared.

“You know what your problem is?” Nick said in a low and harsh tone. Blake stared right at him. “You need to get a life.”

“I have one-”

“Poor excuse for one maybe.”

“Nick. What is your problem? Ever since she came along, your hanging out with all these other people! You never leave her side. We all want our friend back.” Nick went silent for a moment, the wind being the only thing heard.

“Maybe I was never your friend,” he said quietly. I could see the surprise on Nick’s face. “I wasn’t meant to be like you. To be mindless and one-track minded. I’m NOT like you and I never will be,”

Blake narrowed his eyes at me. “You little bitch!” he snarled. The look on his face scared me just like the other day. Before I could comprehend anything, Nick took a swing, hitting Blake square in the jaw. He let out a cry for help, backing up quickly. I watched Nick tense up, knowing that Blake wasn’t going to fight him. He still thought of Nick as his friend… I could see it.

“Nick,” I found my voice. He didn’t turn around, but I watched his head drop, like a little kid who was about to be yelled out for being bad. “Nick… please.” I whispered. He turned around slowly. I kept my eyes on Blake. He looked… sorry? Yeah-sorry for loosing Nick as a friend.

Nick gazed at me momentarily. I saw the sorrow in his eyes. I picked his bag up, handing it to him as he slowly walked over to me. I watched as he grabbed the door handle on the passenger side, opening it quickly. He still wouldn’t look at me. I sighed, sliding in with another look at Blake. He was just standing there, looking zoned out and rubbing his jaw. The door clicked closed, leaving me in the silence as I waited for Nick to get in. he did, shutting the door and throwing our bags in the back. He slid the key in the ignition when I interrupted.

“Nick...” I whispered. He closed his eyes. “Nick. Just talk to me,” I pleaded. He sighed, sitting back in the seat and turning his head towards me. I could see the apology in his eyes.

“Mitchie…” he started, his voice soft.

“I’m not mad, if that’s what your thinking,” I stated. He looked surprised. I chuckled a bit. “Nick… you really saved me there and… and Blake deserved it. Thank you.” He smiled slightly, looking down. I did the same, catching a glimpse of his red knuckles. “Nick,” I whispered, grabbing his hand to see it bleeding slightly.

He gave me a slight smile. “I’m fine.”

“No your not. Your bleeding.” I looked into his deep eyes.

“It’s nothing-”

“Nick,” I interrupted, looking around for something. It had to hurt, especially right on his knuckles. I couldn’t find anything and his hand in mine sent tingles through me. I let it drop slightly, pulling off my sweater.

“Mitchie. Really…”

“Just let me,” I smiled, picking up his hand again and wrapping it up. He winced slightly. “I’m sorry-” I said quickly. He smiled, bringing his other hand up to my face. My eyes closed at his touch. I felt his warm breathe on my lips seconds before they met. I leaned in closer, moving our lips faster than usual. I think he caught on as his hand want to my back, bringing me as close as we could be in the car. I got that urge again just as his tongue lightly grazed my lip, sending my heart to flutter. I slid my hand in his curls, feeling how soft they were. His tongue slipped into my mouth, roaming around slightly. I didn’t know how much more I could take, and he seemed to sense that, reluctantly pulling away. He smiled sheepishly, letting a faint pink touch his cheeks. I couldn’t help but smile back before buckling my seatbelt, watching him pull out of the lot. Excitement hit me as I remembered today; our date. “We’re still going on our date, right?” I questioned nervously. I saw him crack a smile and nod, letting his bouncy curls, well… bounce.

“Sorry about my hand,” he said quietly, glancing over at me.

“It’s alright. My hero!” I said dramatically, causing a smirk from him.

“Why don’t you turn the radio on?” he asked slyly. I furrowed my eyebrows, watching his smirk grow. I reached my hand out to the round button, pressing it quickly. ‘Track 1’ flashed on the tiny screen. I was about to ask what CD he had put in when music filled the car. It was a soft guitar strum and I listened intently. I instantly grinned when I heard his angelic voice coming from the speakers.

Hello beautiful. How’s it going?
I hear it’s wonderful… in California.
I’ve been missing you.
It’s true…

“I wrote that when you left…” he said quietly, giving me a shy smile before turning his attention back to the road. Joe’s voice came on next.

But tonight, I’m gonna’ fly.
Yeah, tonight… I’m gonna’ fly.
Cuz’ I could go across the world and see everything, and never be satisfied…
If I couldn’t see those eyes.

I couldn’t stop the smile. “You wrote that?” I asked, nearly choking on my words. He nodded and I continued to listen.

Hello beautiful, It’s been a long time.
Since my phone’s rung and you’ve been on that line.
I’ve been missing you. It’s true.

It went back to Joe and I felt tears threatening to release as he drove along.

but tonight… I’m gonna’ fly.
Yeah tonight. I’m gonna’ fly. Oh yeah.
Cuz’ I could go across the word and see everything… and never be satisfied.
If I couldn’t see… those eyes…

I felt a tear role down my cheek. That was beautiful… and for me.

“Nick-I love it,” I whispered, seeing him smile. Another song started playing and I recognized it as ‘When You Look Me In The Eyes’ the song he wrote before I left. I felt my heart melt all over again.

“You can have that CD,” he said as we pulled up in front of my Grammy’s house. I nodded excitedly, reaching for my bag in the back. He got out if the car, hurrying over to my door.

“I’m listening to it later,” I informed him, leaving it in the car. He nodded as I grabbed his hand. “Will you come in? your hardly ever here and grammie wants to see you.” he chuckled lightly and nodded, leading us to the door.

I grabbed the key out of my pocket and stuck it in the lock. I wasn’t really used to just walking into her house, but I lived here now… so it was mine too. I instantly smelled cookies, causing me to smile even wider. She was back to baking lately and I couldn’t be happier.

“Mitchie-oh. Nicholas," she grinned, wiping her hands on her apron.

“Hi Mrs. Flecker,” he said politely.

“Nicholas-call me Maggie, please,” she chuckled. He nodded as I sent my bag down by the door. “Your going out tonight, right?” she questioned.

“Yeah…”

“How wonderful,” she smiled, dropping it when she caught site of my sweater wrapped around Nick’s hand. He looked down, blushing slightly. “What happened?” she asked, grabbing his arm gently to unravel the cloth.

“I uh…” he started.

“He hit Blake because he was being rude to me,” I answered proudly. He smiled slightly, shaking his head.

“He was being more than rude," he added sternly.

“Oh dear. Thank you for looking out for her,” Grammie smiled. “Come in here.” she motioned for us to follow into the kitchen with the bakery goodness. I spotted the cookies-chocolate chip, the classic and all time favorite.

“Nick… you have to try one of her cookies. They are so amazing!” I squealed, hurrying over to the batch. Grammy’s eyes gleamed as Nick chuckled.

“You can have as many as you like,” she smiled at Nick, digging around in the drawers.

“Technically I can’t…” Nick started, eyeing the cookies. “But-”

“No. you can have three,” I interrupted, knowing full well we were talking about his diabetes. I was just making sure he controlled it. He smirked, giving me a nod.

“Oh right,” Grammie smacked her head, obviously forgetting about his diabetes. “I’m sorry…”

“It’s fine. Really,” Nick smiled encouragingly as she rubbed some medicine on his cut. He barely winced. I grabbed a cookie, as she set the bandage on.

“There-” she smiled, putting the wrapper in the trash. I handed him the cookie and he said his thank you before biting into it. He was a polite eater and I found that adorable. Grammie watched with her eyes gleaming, wanting his reaction. I giggled, grabbing a cookie of my own and almost devouring it in one bight. I blushed as Nick chuckled, taking another bite.

“This is really good,” he complimented, honesty in his eyes.

“Thank you,” Grammie said proudly. “Oh!” she said, turning to nick with a smile plastered on her face. She leaned in to whisper something to him. I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to stretch my hearing range, but Grammie knew how to whisper. I saw nick smile before nodding. They both turned to look at a confused and curious me.

“I should go. Be ready in and hour,” Nick smiled brightly, obviously happy about whatever Grammie had shared with him. I sighed knowing full well not to even ask.

“Okay.”

He wiped his hands on his pants quickly before coming over to give me a hug. I knew he wanted a kiss and so did I. he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close and setting his head on mine.

“Kiss her!” Grammie chuckled, causing us both to blush. Was it that obvious. He nodded, bending down to attach his soft lips to mine. I always lost track of time when we were connected. He pulled away, smiling slightly.

“I love you,” he said quietly, but Grammie grinned, hearing.

“I love you too.” He flashed that sweet smile, giving a wave to my grammie before heading towards the door. I watched him exit, hurrying to the car. I couldn’t help but smile before turning to my smirking Grammie. “What?” I asked suspiciously.

“He’s a good boy. He really loves you,” she said knowingly. I felt my cheeks get warm as I nodded.

“You two have a secret?” I questioned, heading towards the tiny staircase.

“Yes,” she chuckled. I sighed, shaking my head before heading up the stairs. I was just excited for this date.