Chapter 4
~~a month had gone by…~~
I couldn't stop thinking about Nick. I thought of him when I woke up, I thought of him at lunch. I thought of him driving home from work and especially when I walked down the beach…right to the very spot where I went into the water. Everyday I would go there, to ask myself, "Why? What did he have to save me? Why couldn't I have just died here and been free from all this confusion?"
And everytime I looked out into the water…I pictured his smiling face and those bright blue eyes. He was so full of life. He just had that appearance that he had love in his heart…and kindness in his soul. I couldn't help but think that God was trying to tell me something. Something I was sure would change my life forever. But could I ever tell him about my secrets? We had only met briefly and I pushed him away. He was just a stranger…but now, it seemed like I had known him all my life. Would he still like me after that? Would he still like me after he knew about my past?
I pushed the thoughts from my mind…and moved on.
**later one evening.**
I had not been shopping in weeks. I couldn't seem to get up the energy to go to the store, so I strolled down the boardwalk to the nearest take out place. I ordered my favorite. New England Clam Chowder and clam cakes, and of course, my usual Dr. Pepper. I was heading back to my house, walking with my head down. Suddenly, I heard a sound…and looked up just in time to see a figure racing towards me on rollerblades!! I tried to leap out of the way..but it was too late. Clam Chowder and clam cakes went flying into the air as the rollerblader crashed into me. We tumbled to the ground in a tangled mess, covered in chowder and mushy clam cakes. We could help but laugh at the situation. Then I looked up and right into those beautiful blue eyes!
"Nick!! Oh my God…It is you!!! I, ah…you…what are you doing here?" I exclaimed.
"Heather?!! I was just here with my friends…I mean, Oh gosh..let me help you up!" He jumped up and tried to pick me up…only to lose his balance on those rollerblades of his. We fell again in an instant. Laughing uncontrollably, we tried to get up. As we stood up, he noticed his friends on the ground laughing in hysterics.
"NICK! You clumbsy dumb-ass!" replied a dark haired young man…with tatooes running down both arms.
"AJ…just shut up and help her." he yelled as his friend walked up. "AJ, this is Heather…Heather, this is AJ."
"Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you." I remarked as I glanced at him. Then I noticed three others standing there staring at me. I blushed…as I realized just how ridiculous I must have looked with Clam Chowder running down my face.
"Heather, let me introduce you to the others. This is Brian, Howie and Kevin." he said as he tried to stiffle a giggle.
"You know, you all look very familiar..but I just can't place it. Oh well, I guess I will remember one of these days." I said, not even realizing that I was talking to the most famous male singing group on the planet.
The five of them just looked at me and tried not to gasp. They had realized that they had run into someone who had no clue who they were…and to be honest, it was such a nice feeling.
"Umm, Heather here is the beauti…*he stopped midword and blushed* Um, I mean, the young lady I pulled outta the water last month. She tried to play Flipper for the day…and well, umm,.." he quickly shut up as he realized his joke wasn't very polite. "I am sorry Heather, I didn't mean it like that."
"Oh Nick, don't worry…I am fine. Yeah, I thought I was a dolphin…but well, God had other ideas for me." I said as I giggled.
Relieved that I didn't take it personally, he said, "Well, since I seemed to have ruined your dinner for the evening…could I invite you back to my place for dinner? I mean, me and the guys are having a cookout…and you are most welcome to come." he blushed.
"Really? You mean it? I would be glad to come. I mean, as long as there won't be any Clam Chowder or clam cakes…I seem to have had enough of them today! What time do you want me there??" I said with excitement.
Nick looked at the guys and then said, "You just be ready at 6:00 and I will be there to pick you up. Okay? Is it a date then??"
"Yes! It is a date!" I hugged him…and then ran off towards my home, until I realized I hadn't told him where my house really was. "Oh, Nick…the address is 1253 Lake Shore Dr. It's the big house at the end. See you at 6:00!" and then I ran as quickly as I could back home.
Nick just stood there watching me run off into the distance. The guys had to practically pry him away from his spot. Brian, waving his hand in front of Nick's face…"Nick, Nick, snap outta it man. It is just a girl…that is all."
"Bri, that is NOT just any girl…she is the one, and I think I love her." Nick's voice trailed off as they all walked towards their car.