Hacking The Relationship Code

Chapter 2: Clumsy Eating

I told Kylie and Sandy about my plans with Nick which obviously invited some teasing from them. I didn't care though. Nick was cute, well-mannered and had managed to not bore me through our conversation. Maybe, I might develop a crush on him and give him the privilege to be my first boyfriend. I was thinking way too ahead of myself so I applied some breaks to my thoughts.

***

I was totally clueless on how to dress up for my 'hangout' with Nick. My mom had passed on none of her creative skills to me. I wasn't a pro at fashion. Often, I was mocked by Kylie and Sandy for my precarious fashion choices. Aurelia would help me out sometimes but even she wasn't a fashionista either. I wanted to look decent for out meet up but also not too overdressed.

I knew I wasn't ugly. I might not be the most gorgeous girl in the room but I wasn't average either. I and Aurelia, we were both gifted fairly in the looks department. We were both fair and had nearly clear skin except for a few freckles. Anyone could look at us and make out that we were related. We did not resemble each other in every aspect but a few features could tell. Like we both had our dad's nose and mom's oval face. She was bestowed with blue eyes while I received my mom's grey ones. I had waist long black hair while hers ended much above the waist and were brown just like my mom's.

After raiding my closet for about half an hour, I settled for black blazer on top of a loose white top paired with tight fitting jeans. I completed my look with a choker which I borrowed from my sister. Aurelia volunteered to drop me at Temptations since she was also going out.

She drove her black lady to Temptations. It wasn't far from our place. We reached within five minutes. I checked my phone for the time. 4:55

We were right on time.

"Call me up once you are done. I'll pick you up if I am on the way otherwise walk home safely." Aurelia instructed.

"Yes boss"

I opened the door to get down from the car.

"Ginna .... If you don't feel comfortable, call me right away. Don't do anything stupid. I trust you but be careful okay? "

I was totally expecting this. It was her 'the talk' before I got involved with any guy. I was really annoyed with her. I was perfectly capable of handling myself.

"Fine" I grumbled, wanting to recuse myself from her as early as possible.

I started walking towards Tempations with quick strides.

"Ginna...Ginna"

God damn Aurelia. Can't she just leave me alone? I turned around to face her.

"What now?" I angrily lashed out at her.

"You look beautiful.", she said in her motherly voice.

Can't a girl even be annoyed properly?

"Thanks. Now don't you have somewhere to go?"

"Yes maám....now byeee. Enjoy your date."

***

Temptations was my preferred choice when I was craving some vanilla- choco ice cream. If was craving some fruit flavored goodness, I would have chosen Fruitella. Temptations wasn't like a typical small joint and neither was it very upscale. It was classy, modest and hygienic just how I liked. The smell of chocolate in the air conditioning welcomed me. I liked that the place offered couches as well as round tables and chairs. It even had a rectangular center table where people who came all by themselves could sit and not feel lonely. For a Tuesday evening, the place was slightly crowded.

Nick was sitting at a rounded table. He was looking clean and well dressed. He wore a turtle neck t-shirt over his jeans. He stood up when he saw me and called me up to where he was sitting. I gave him a smile. He pulled the colored chair for me and I thanked him and sat down.

"Right on time Ginna, I must say I had a pretty different idea of you."

"You thought I would make you wait, didn't you?"

"I've heard that girls like to do that purposely."

"If it were a date, I would have considered but we are just hanging out, aren't we Nick?" I joked.

He seemed amused and sent a smirk my way.

"Yep. We are just two friends casually hanging out and I just happen to have a little something in my pocket for you."

He was smooth, got to give him that. And now, I was speechless. I blushed and accepted the little red rose from him.

"Thank you, Nick.", I said sheepishly.

I liked how this so-called hangout was progressing.

We gave our orders and I let him pay for the both of us. I did not want to disrespect his chivalry so instead I said, "Next times on me."

"Sure. Glad to know there is going to be a next time.", he gloated. Nick was on roll today.

I liked that he humored me. We chatted on random topics for a while. Being a clumsy eater, I spilled some of the cream on my outfit. I am glad I wasn't wearing anything I couldn't rub off the stain from. I knew he was startled by my clumsiness but did not say anything. I tried my best to limit it but it wasn't my day today. I should have had the foresight to opt for a coffee date instead. It was slightly embarrassing but soon our conversation kept flowing through other topics. I decided against ever having ice cream in a cone on a date to avoid any future embarrassment.

It was around 6:15 when I decided that I ought to show up at home before I started getting calls from my mom. I told Nick that I would see him tomorrow.

"Would you like me to walk you home Ginna?"

"Thanks Nick, but I hardly live like 5 minutes down the street. I can walk."

"If that's what you want....Bye Ginna."

"Byee. See you soon."

We hugged and I started walking along the sidewalk in the opposite direction. It was just a hug but it coming from Nick Garryson excited me.

I called Aurelia up to let her know that I was walking back home.

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