*January 1999*
"I hate blind dates. I hate them and you know it Casey! Why the hell did you set me up on one??" I yelled as Casey finished applying make up on me. "I know you hate them Steph. But I want to go out with Kevin tonight and I'm not going to be able to unless he has someone for his friend."
I started whining "But Case. The guy just turned 19, he doesn't need anyone to entertain him." She laughed "That's where you're wrong. He doesn't have anything to do and luckily for me, you don't either now quit whining and go get in the car. We're leaving." I sighed and walked down to the car grumbling the whole way. Casey, my older sister, could be very persuasive and the only reason I was doing this was so that she could spend some time with her boyfriend, Kevin. Since Kevin is a Backstreet Boy, Casey and him don't get to spend a lot of time together and I knew that if I had to go another month hearing about how much she wished she could see him, I'd scream. I just got out of school and I do not need to deal with my 26 year old sister whining around the house all day.
We drove up to the resturant, one of my favorites, Red Robin. I know I know, it's not exactly the best place in the world but I still love the food and was glad that Kevin was siding with me for once instead of letting Casey choose where we eat. "Ok, now I know you don't want to do this but please be nice for my sake. Nick is a nice boy ok?" I smirked at her. "Ya know Case, he's 19, only 7 years younger than you, I don't think that qualifies him to be a boy." She glared at me and got out of the car. I sighed. This was going to be one hell of a night.
"Casey." Kevin greeted her with a kiss and a hug when he spotted us. "Hello Stephanie. Glad to know you came." He gave me a hug and I peered around curiously. "Nick's in the bathroom." He said after noticing me looking. I nodded and we followed our waitress to our table.
"Sorry." Came a grumble from above me. I looked up, noticing that in his voice, he didn't want to be here anymore than I did. But what we do for our friends, or in my case, sister. I looked up and there looking back into my dull gray eyes were the most amazing blue eyes I had ever seen. We continued looking at eachother for what seemed forever when Casey and Kevin giggled. "You may want to let him into the booth." I blushed and scooted over allowing him to sit next to me.
"Nick, this is my sister Stephanie. Stephanie this is Kevin's friend and bandmate, Nick." I smiled at him and he returned my gesture. "What can I get you guys?" The waitress came over. "Umm, I'll have a cheeseburger with a Diet Coke." Casey responded and handed her her menu. "I'll have a cheeseburger with a Coke." Kevin added and then handed her his menu. "I'll have a cheeseburger with extra fries. And a chocolate shake to drink." I said and handed her my menu. "I'll have the same as her." Nick said pointing to me and handing her his menu.
"Excuse me." I said quickly and exited the booth. "Where's she going?" Nick asked Casey. Casey shook her head in embarassment. "She's at the arcade. She always goes there while she waits for her food. It's soo embarrasing." Nick smiled and made his way towards me. "God, they're more perfect for eachother than I thought." Kevin laughed and then put his arm around Casey. "Yeah, well, at least we get some time alone to catch up." She leaned up against him. "Oh, I like that." He laughed.
"Beat that!" I cried in glory to my opponent, some kid about ten or eleven. We had just finished playing a match in Mortal Kombat and I beat him. "Hey, you picking on the kids? Why not play against someone your own size." I looked up to see Nick standing there. "You got money?" He reached his hand into his pocket and grabbed a bag full of quarters. "Never leave home without it." I laughed and moved over to make room for him. "You're going down Carter." He laughed "No way Steph."
We continued playing, each of us winnning at least one game. Then when we got to the final round, we'd each win different amounts of time. Kids were gathering around to watch us play. "You guys, our dinner's here." Casey yelled over to us from behind all the kids. I nodded and continued playing while she walked away. "Come on...come on...Sudden death!! Oh yeah!! I beat you Nick!!" I danced around the little room chanting "I won I won." While all the kids around us cheered for me. He smiled at me and held out his hand in defeat. "You play a good game Steph." I shook his hand. "You too Nick, but not good enough!" I yelled and ran back to our table with Nick hot on my heels.
"You guys! You're so embarrasing." Casey exclaimed when she saw us running up to the booth. I ran and jumped into my seat and Nick came up behind me and started tickling me. "I demand a rematch!! You cheated!!" I looked up at him. "Oh yeah? How?" I asked through giggles "I don't know how...but I know you did because no one beats me!!" I shook my head "No way!" Kevin looked at us sternly, "Both of you quit it. Nick just accept the fact that you were beaten..by a girl and lets finish eating ok?" I smiled and stuck my tongue out at Nick.
"Are you teasing me?" He asked. "Umm, maybe." I smiled and ate a fry. "We're going to go pay the bill." Kevin said while him and Casey stood up. But Nick and I didn't notice. "You're not allowed to tease me." I ate another fry. "Oh yeah? And why's that?" He grabbed the end of the fry that was hanging out of my mouth with his teeth and then chewed it. "Cause I always win and I always get what I want." I looked at him. "Oh yeah?? And what exactly is that?" He stopped fooling around and looked into my eyes. "You." He said right before he leant down and kissed me.
We continued kissing until someone clearing their throat brought us back to the world. "Well, kiddies. It looks like you actually like the idea of a blind date." Casey smiled at us with Kevin standing behind her. I blushed and Nick just sat there grinning. He then got up and held his hand out to me. "Come on. Let's go." I grabbed his hand and we both walked out to my car.
While Kevin and Casey said their goodbyes I looked up at Nick. He was staring at me. "You wanna go out again sometime?" I smiled and nodded. "I'd like that." He smiled as well and leant down to kiss me again. He slowly parted his mouth and just as I was about to part my mouth to allow his tongue to enter, Casey cleared her throat once again and we broke apart. "Call me. I'm sure that Kevin has my number." He nodded and then walked away.
I got into the car and buckled in. "Thanks Case." I sighed. "For what?" She asked, already knowing the answer. "For dragging me here. This has been the best night so far." She laughed and pulled out of the Red Robin parking lot and to our home.
