Caution! Fragile

Chapter: 8 The First Non-Date

He was surprised by my action, yet I think he appreciated it. He squeezed my hand gently and gave me a faint smile. "Thank you" he said. I smiled back reassuringly.

We were interrupted by my phone ringing, "Hedwig's Theme" from Harry Potter. I let go of his hand and searched my bag to grabbed my phone, it was a text from Bonnie.

Bonnie: What time are you coming home?

Ugh! really Bonnie? I sighed and texted back.

Me: Probably around 9:30, see you soon.

I set my phone down and  noticed that Nate was staring at me again. "Harry Potter fan I see," he chuckled.

I smiled, "Huge Harry Potter fan, it's practically my life, what about you?" I was intrigued. No one really notices my deep love for Harry Potter, not even Jemma- she never really cared for it all.

"'It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends,'" he spoke with a really awful British accent. 

I clapped my hands and laughed, he'd quoted Albus Dumbledore. "Brilliant!" I exclaimed. I was extremly impressed, who knew Nate would be a fan of Harry Potter. "So how did you get into it?" I asked.

"Well I was about 10 when my cousin introduced me to it, take note I wasn't much of a reader when I was a kid, yet my cousin forced me to read it. It took a good three days of her hounding me when I finally agreed just to get her to shut up." He chuckled at the memory.

"And..." I pushed for more information.

"And I really liked it, I ended up reading all the books and watching all the movies." He was smiling at my expression. I didn't care how ridiculous I looked I was really shocked that someone shared the same interest as I did and just as much too.

"What did you like the most about it?" I asked with excitement in my voice.

He thought about it for a moment "I'd say I was really intrigued how J.K. Rowling thought and created such a world that's not real, yet it's real to us." I couldn't have said so better myself.

"Favorite book?" I interrogated.

"Prisoner of Azkaban" he replied.

"Favorite movie?" I continued.

"Oooh tough question, it's probably either Goblet of Fire or Deathly Hallows Part: Two" he stated.

I nodded with satifaction, he really was a fan.

At that moment, our food came and all conversation stopped as we stuffed our face full of Italian goodnes, stopping only when we needed to breathe. I think I was starting to warm up to Nate, he wasn't really a bad a guy, sure he can be annoying, yet in a way he understands me in a way others don't, and the way he stood up for me tonight was something I really appreciated. No one really stands up for me except for my family and Jemma of course, but it's nice for someone to do that for me other than them.

We finished eating around 9:00, the waitress gave us our check and Nate payed just like we agreed on. I took the chocolate mints right when he got the check and smiled wickedly. "Hey," he exclaimed, "I want one too!" I laughed and shook my head. "Give me one!" he whined like a child would.

I rolled my eyes and finally surrendered. "Fine, here Mr. Complainer," I joked as I tossed him one. He gave me that cocky smile and snatched it. "I try Sweet Cheeks." he smirked.

We left the waitress a tip and headed out the front door towards the car. I pressed the button to unlock the van and drove up to the driver seat while Nate hopped into the passenger seat. I put the keys in the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot. The rest of the ride home, Nate and I ranted on about wands; spells; and potions that goes on in Harry Potter; we made controversial theories of what would happen to the new generations of Hogwarts students. We pretty much just talked about how awesome Harry Potter is in general. 

We finally made it to my house, while laughing our butts off over how Voldemort didn't have a nose in the movie (Harry Potter fans would understand), as we exited the car and I tossed the keys to Nate- he missed. "Smooth" I teased. He laughed while picking them up off the ground. To be honest the night hadn't been that bad, I mean it was a bummer Jemma didn't make it but I had a nice time with Nate. He understands me in a way other people don't, it's hard to explain.

I turned to Nate, "Well I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually had a really nice time on this non-date."

He smiled. "I did too, you looked really nice tonight," The tone of his voice meant what he said.

"Thanks," I mumbled. I didn't really know what to say being that I don't get complimented very often by guys.

"So what do you say?" he asked, "Friends?" he held his hand out towards me.

I couldn't help it, his goofy expression ruined the moment and I bursted out laughing. I know it didn't seem like the appropriate time but it was too much for me to handle. Once I calmed down I managed to say, "What the heck- friends." I nodded as I grabbed his hand and shook it.

"Psych!" he exclaimed as he quickly kissed my cheek and backed away (smart move on his part, if he'd stayed where he had been there was a high chance I would have smacked him). "Sorry Sweet Cheeks, I don't give up that easily." He gave me a cocky smile.

Thank god it was dark out because I was blushing like crazy, what the heck did he just do?! I tried to act as disgusted as I could. "Ugh! Gross!" I complained. He was doubled over and laughing. "Yeah, yeah, ha ha ha, so funny, goodnight!" I scowled. "Oh and stop calling me Sweet Cheeks!" I added.

He put his hand to his heart, "I'm hurt, I put so much effort into that nickname for you." What a Drama Queen.

"Awww, you poor poor thing." I cooed, "Goodnight" 

By then he had stopped laughing. "Goodnight," he called as he headed to the van, did something to it so he could drive, hopped in the car, began pulling out of my driveway, waved once more, and drove off.

No matter how much he could be a pain, I can't help but smile once more as I headed into the house.

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