Chapter 5

Over at Linda's w/ Jesse and herself...

"So, how's life treating you?" Jesse asked me.

"Not too bad. I can't complain. Why?"

"Are you going out with someone?" Linda asked laughing.

"You guys know I'm not." I responded.

"Okay, we know this really cool guy. We think yo would really like him."

"You know I loathe blind dates like a soar toe."

"Just do it as a favor to us... please." The begged.

"Is this some kind of conspiracy?" I said rolling my eyes.

At Brian's w/ Kevin and himself...

"Sup?" Kevin asked Nick.

"Not much," he answered lightly.

"Look, we're not gonna beat around the bush," Brian said, "We know you're having kind of a slump in the women department. So, we took it upon ourselves to get you a date with a really nice girl."

"Guys, I really don't..."

"...know how to thank us? I know, just have a good time. That's enough," Brian stepped in sneakily.

"Actually, what I was going to say was..."

Then Kevin interuppted,"Okay, um... just meet her at Applebee's tomorrow at, say, seven o'clock. Okay, then."

Nick was just sitting ther like there wasn't anything he could do.

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I told Jesse and Linda I couldn't possobly go. I had nothing to wear. They said, "Just be yourself. We're absolutely sure you two will hit it off," she laughed then continued, "Besides, you have tons of clothes. I'm sure you can find something."

"Well, if I like him my palms will get all sweaty and I'll act all nervous. I'll be a wreck."

"I assure you, you'll be fine. He WILL like you!" Linda said.

"What'd you do? Brainwash him?" We all laughed.

I groaned and finally got down to picking my outfit. I look terrible in dresses so I opted for something else. An hour later... I got the shiny star of approval for Jesse and Linda.

I picked out a pair of wide-leg kakhi Calvin's and a white, yellow, and red Tommy Hilfiger shirt that had long sleeves. I told them that I needed to get new shoes and that was final. I got a pair of deep brown hiking shoes form American eagle. The final touch was a white baseball cap form the GAP.

I was ready to go. I was meeting him at Applebee's at seven o'clock. I got in my green 1968 Camaro and drove dow the highway with my favorite song vibrating the car, "Someday" by Sugar Ray.

When I got there I noticed a familiar car in the space across from me. I wasn't quite sure because it was pretty dark out, so I dismissed it and went in. I knew I was fidgeting. I always do when I get nervous.

I was meeting him over at the bar, so I went over and ordered a Sprite. I waited for about fifteen minutes and he still wasn't there. I thought, "Yes, he stood me up. I can leave! Yes, yes, yes!!" I finished up my Sprite. On the way out I was tinking about what I could do tonight, now that my plans were unfortunately cancelled.

All of a suden I bumped into some rude person, who obviously didn't care who he ran over on his way, wherever he was going. "Excuse me," I said getting my balance back. When I looked up I saw Nick.

"Oh god, I'm sorry, miss,"Nick wasn't looking at me so he didn't know it was me.

I decided to get his attention, "I'm not so sure about that." He then looked over at me, gave me a weird look, the laughed.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Well, I was supposed to go on this date that Jesse and Linda conned me inot. But I was stood up, boo hoo!!" I laughed.

"Hey do you wanna have dinner? I was supposed to go on this date with someone that Brian and Kevin set me..." he paused and got this look on his face,"I am so naive."

"Okay, you're talking gibberish," I said. he might have been taling in tongues, I'm not sure.

"Don't you get it? You were set up on a date by Linda and jesse and I was set up by Kevin and Brian. There should be a little whistle going off in your head."

"Oh, man. I can't believe they did that. They actually think that we... ya know, like like each other. The at is so far from the truth," and then I saw the little glimmer, that I love so much, in his eyes fade away. And suddenly I realized he didn't think the way I did. He really did lik like me. I thought back to all those times he just watched me fall asleep or he would console me after my heart got broken.

I remember when Simon broke up with me. Nick came over and talked to me and made me see there was life after Simon. He was so sweet and now I know why. Because he truly cared for me.

As I was thinking all of this we were still standing in the enterance and people were pushing past us. "Come on let's go somewhere quiet." I took his hand and led him out the door. I took him to the playground across the street from my house.

"Why did we come here?" He asked.

I led him over to the swings, "I always used to come here to get away form my mom. Until I met you."

"Really?" He asked.

"Yeah. Have I ever told you just how good a friend you've been the past few years? Because you have. You've been my best friend." I got up from the swing and walked over to him.

"You've been my best friend too. But I have something to tell you. something important."

I didn't want it to become awkward. I pressed my finger against his lips so he wouldn't say anything. "You son't need to say anything. Just give me a hug."

He gave me a hug but I could tell he was confused. "Lynn, I really need to talk to you."

I couldn't stop him.

"I've known you for a long time now. We spend a lot of time together. And we have fun. But it's different now." He wasa struggling to find the right words.

"Nothing's different," I said trying to save any hope there might be for our friendship."

"Yes it is," he turned away and continued, "I... I.... I love you," he announced.

"You don't mean that. Don't say that!" I said I wanted to cry for him

He turned back towards me and grabbed my arms, "You don't understand. I do mean it. I love you. If you don't feel the same way... I understand. I just couldn't keep it a secret any longer."

"Nick, I son't know how I feel. I'm very confused. I don't want this to change our friendship. I like it the way it is."

"Lynn, it's gonna change. Things aren't the same anymore."

Right then and there, I started to cry. When I tried, I couldn't stop crying, "I'm sorry, Nick." I ran to my house crying.