Crystal let herself out of the house. Neither of her parents were home. They had gone to some dinner party type thing. She had heard her mom gossip with Josh's and Jason's moms that Bob and Plain Jane Carter were going to show up, and they couldn't wait to see what Jane would wear. As always. Crystal sighed. Won't they ever change?
She walked around the corner, and spotted the park. She loved going there, because there was a fountain in the middle of the park, and swans on the water. Just when she had reached the middle, she stopped dead in her tracks. The boy she had been trying to avoid all her life was sitting right in front of her, apparently enjoying watching the swans.
I've put this off long enough. There is no reason why I shouldn't be Nick's friend. After all, he dresses pretty nice to me, she thought to herself, as she slowly walked towards him.
Nick glanced up when he felt someone near him. His blue gaze was startled when he realized who it was. It was Crystal. The girl he had loved all of his life, and only loved more now. He hadn't been able to suppress the pain when he'd realized that Crystal had gotten a boyfriend. Josh Payton, no less. One of his worst enemies. He had always had this tiny seed of hope that Crystal and himself would find each other and be together.
"Hi," Crystal greeted.
"Hi," Nick croaked, pushing his glasses further up on his nose. His cheeks turned red. God, why can't I control myself around her? he thought, embarrassed.
"So..uh...what's up? I haven't really talked to you, I know that. I know I'm a fool. But peer pressure, you know?" Crystal started to babble. "I...I really didn't like them making fun of you. I thought you were sweet," Crystal said. She placed her hand on his shoulder, suddenly feeling a jolt of electricity running from her hand to his body and the other way around as well. She quickly pulled away, and ignored the feeling.
"Really?" Nick blushed even a more darker shade of red.
"Yeah...so, Nick. I know I've wasted all of these years, but now I know that I can't hide behind Josh and Jason. I want to be your friend," she said softly.
A wave of pain passed over him, but then he brightened up. At least she would talk to him now. Maybe...In the future...Dream on, Carter, he thought, dryly.
Crystal looked at her watch. It was almost seven. "Listen, Nick, I gotta get going, okay? But why don't you give me you're number? Maybe I could call you sometime so we could talk. I really need another friend right now, and my girl friends are just to nosy and big mouths. I think you're a very special guy, Nick. I know I don't know you that well, but maybe we can be something now. But...I know I'm silly, but I don't want Josh to find out, or he'll be so upset. So, can we keep this our secret?" she said nervously.
Nick looked up at her, and slowly smiled. "Sure, Crystal. That's okay." As long as I know now that I can be near you...
He recited his number to her, and she memorized it.
"Okay, got it. So, you'll be hearing from me soon, you hear? And get started on what should have gotten started a long time ago." She thought about something for a second. Then she softly gave Nick a kiss on the cheeck. "I'll see ya." With that, she stood up, and walked away.
"God, am I dreaming? Have you finally answered my prayers? I can't believe she's talking to me..." Nick stood up, so happy that he didn't know what to do. He didn't want to go back home, because it would be dark and empty. His siblings were on vacation with his aunt and uncle for the summer. His dad hadn't let him go, saying he needed to stay behind and continue working at the local pizza shop as the one and only delivery boy. But now that suited him just fine. In fact, great.
Chapter 4
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