Crush, No, Crushed

Chapter 31(part 1)

            "Who is she and why are you two alone in my house?" She asked raising her eyebrow in angry suspicion.

            "Hello to you too Mom." Nate rolled his eyes and went to the refrigerator.

            "Don't be smart with me, Nathan. You know there should be none of that in my house." She looked back to me with a disgusted scowl on her lips.

            I was about two seconds from either running out of the house or yelling at her for indicating things that were totally out of bounds.

            "Mom, jeez. We were just watching TV while waiting for Nicole to get back from her date." Nate explained.

            "Date? What date?" His mom asked confused.

            "The date Nicole told you about a week ago. Don't you remember? She was so excited about it." he reminded.

            "No, I don't remember. Why didn't you say anything about it Nathan?" She asked before taking a bite of the rice cake.

            Nate turned to me and let out an exasperated sigh before continuing on with the conversation he was having with his mother.

            "We did. You know what, whatever. Ruth and I are just going to go wait in the living room for Nicole to get back." He said dejectedly.

            She mumbled something and went back to getting her drink, ignoring us as we left the kitchen and went into the living room.

            Nate was quiet as we sat down on the couch and I didn't know what to say. We sat in an awkward silence for a minute before the front door opened again and closing less harshly then before. Nate and I both stood up and walked to the foyer where we saw Nicole taking off her coat and placing it on the coat rack.

            "So, how was it?!" I hopped over to her excitedly.

            I laughed when she jumped two feet in the air and put her hand over her heart.

            "Ruth! What are you still doing here?" Nicole asked, raising her eyebrow at me, and then looking at Nate.

            I smiled, "Just hanging with Nate and waiting for you to get back from your date."

            "Oh. Good." She gave me a big smile as her eyes twinkle mysteriously.

            "So, how was it? Where did he bring you? What did you do? How-"

            "Did he kiss you?" Nate interrupted me with a threatening look on his face.

            Nicole shot a glare at him then turned back to me and I chuckled at him.

            She started to walk into the living room and Nate and I followed her.

            "It was nice. He brought me to this Italian restaurant then we went to this concert at a club. And no. He didn't kiss me." She added to the end giving Nate a hard look.

            My face lit up, "You had fun then?"

            "Mhm." She smiled softly, her eyes darting around the room.

            "Well, I'm pretty tired. I think I'm going to head up to bed. I'll talk to you later Ruth." Nicole said getting up from the couch.

            I frowned at her back as she left the living room, "Night."

            "I think something happened." I told Nate who was sitting across from me with a bewildered frown on his face.

            He nodded his head, "Me too."

            "I'll talk to her about it tomorrow. But I think I'm going to go home now, it's getting late."

            "Okay, I'll walk you out." Nate said standing up with me and walking back into the foyer.

            Nate opened the door for me and I walked out onto the steps. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to give him a hug or a kiss but I didn't want it to be awkward. I was so happy how things turned out tonight that I wanted to keep it up. I didn't want to mess something up that could only just be starting.

            "Well, I guess I'll see you later." I said watching him stand in the doorway.

            "Yep. See ya." He agreed running his hand through his hair and biting his lip.

            I smiled and leaned over and kissed his cheek. He grinned at me and waved as I turned to leave.

            "Hey Ruth. I was thinking. Would you want to hang out tomorrow?" He suddenly asked from behind me.

            I turned back around slowly trying to find some way to explain.

            "I'd love to. But...uh, you see..."

            "I get it. You want to hang out with Les." He gave me a sad smile.

            "Uh, yeah." I sighed and gave him a sympathetic smile back.

            "Hey, I know. How about you and Les come over here and we can bowl or something? He can invite Gary and Brad and Nicole can invite what's his face." Nate suggested.

            "Holden, you mean?" I laughed.

            "Sure. But what do you say?" He asked hopeful.

            "I'd say that sounds like a great idea." He grinned widely, "But are you sure you are okay with it?" I asked referring to him and Les being in the same room together.

            He laughed, "If I wasn't okay with it would I have suggested it?"

            I thought about it, "Yes you would." I said seriously.

            He stopped laughing and looked directly at me, "It's cool."

            I smiled, "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then."

            "Awesome."

            "Wonderful."

            "Excellent."

            "Tremendous."

            "Magnificent!"

            I couldn't help but to start laughing and Nate joined along. Before I knew what I was doing I leaned over again and kissed him on the lips.

            I pulled back blushing, "See ya."

            "Yep see ya." He smiled.

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