Because I'm a Nerd.

Chapter 12- "Done Checking Me Out?"

It's Ricky Wall. Ricky just moved into town a few weeks ago and I just realized he's one of the guys on the track team. I'm glad Ricky's not a typical football-playing jock, because honestly, I have had it with football players. It's nothing personal. It's just that most football players in popular teen books and shows are jerks.

I know life isn't just a teen show, but then Adrian isn't just someone.

"Ricky Wall." I say. I don't ask, I say. Because I know it is him.

A tinge of pink is visible on Adrian's cheeks and we don't have to wait for her to nod to confirm that I hit the nail on the head.

I hoot and cheer. Adrian just blushes and Allie and Lauren hi-five each other. We just figured out who her crush is.

"Then go ask him out, why don't you?" Lauren presses on.

"You know I would never make the first move." Adrian says.

"Well, which century are you living in? The 18th?" I jeer playfully.

"He's not necessarily going to be all 'princy' types and do it first, you know." Allie butts in.

"Well, you three can just shut up. You were crushing on your boyfriends for some time before you went out with them. And it's still them who made the first move. So, just excuse me if I don't listen to this crap about asking Ricky out. You know I'm way too shy for that!" she says.

All I can say is that she does have a point.

"Adrian Baxter, noted flirt, is afraid of making the first move!" Lauren screams playfully, and we all laugh.

I have a feeling that Ricky likes Adrian too. I've heard some of this stuff from Susan and Jenna. I contemplate letting Adrian know that her feelings are reciprocated, but then, I think that Ricky will do a better job. I leave it at that. I'm sure that Adrian isn't going to get her heart broken this time, because, seriously, if rumors are to be believed, Ricky is whipped. And I really don't think that these are just rumors. I have noticed Ricky checking her out once or twice.

The clock chimes six and I'm feeling really afraid about this whole thing with Nathan. What if he didn't mean it? What if this is all just a plan to ridicule me? But then I shake my head. I pull myself together. Lauren would never let Nate do this. He doesn't even look like the kind of guy to do this. I'm just hyper-ventilating, I guess.

"First time jitters?" Allie asks knowingly, acknowledging the fact that I've been quiet for five minutes. I nod.

"Don't worry. It's going to be fine. It just will be. He's a nice guy, you're a hot girl. What could go wrong?" she presses on.

I kind of am consoled by this and join into the conversation. The girls are plotting up ways to get Adrian and Ricky to date. One of them involves Adrian whipping up a love potion. I know they're just kidding but hey, I really want some constructive ideas.

"Why don't you and Lauren ask him out on behalf of her?" I ask, directly addressing Allie.

"Why not you as well?" Lauren chimes in.

"Well, for one, I'm not good at this kind of stuff. I'm shy. Really shy. And two, I want you guys to do it tonight and I won't be able to do anything but check Nathan out tonight." I say unabashedly.

They all laugh. Adrian protests that this isn't the way she saw us getting boyfriends and this isn't the way she'd like to get one. I tell her that every love story has a different start.

"Plus, it would be such awesome fun if you told your children that their godmothers asked their Dad out on your behalf!" Allie jokes. Adrian nods. I can see that Allie's made her point.

"So, girls, if everything goes well today, Nate and I will be official and so will Ricky and Adrian. Then, maybe, we get to go on a quadruple date someday!" I say.

Actually, I don't really want only one of us to be single, when she's really ready to mingle. Plus, best friends have been asking guys out on each other's behalfs for a long time. It's a tried and tested method which is sure to work. Also, both Ricky and Adrian like each other. This isn't just idle gossip. I don't want either Ricky or Adrian to lose out on a potential relationship just because they were too shy to ask the other one out.

I nod at Allie who reassures me that Ricky will either be Adrian's boyfriend or dead before the day ends. The joke lightens me up. I grin.

Just then, I spot Nathan making his way to my house. He's wearing an oversized sweatshirt. Again. Doesn't he know what that does to me? He's looking way too cute for my liking! I think it should be illegal for guys to look this good. It's hard on the eyes...

"Done checking me out?" Nathan uses the classic opening line, and like always, the opening line holds ground. I blush and then scoff like never in a million years would I check him out.

Allie coughs in the background, making me blush harder. It's supposed to be me who coughs whenever Allie and Evan get too couply in front of us. She comes forward, gives me a hug and nods at Nathan.

"Don't worry. Everything will be perfect. Nothing can go wrong. And if he's giving you a hard time, or this is some kind of prank, don't get worked up. You know the power that Adrian's slap holds. We're going to kick his ass if he does anything wrong. But don't worry, his lovestruck expression is proof enough that this is going to be one hell of a date! Have fun!" she says before going back to my house.

The girls are probably going to call Ricky from my place and ask him out. My house has the most privacy and the least amount of distractions. I wish them all the best and leave.

I slip my hand in Nathan's and we walk for some time on a road that I'm not really familiar with. Though, I do have a vague idea of where it leads. And if it does go where I think it does, then Allie's right. It IS going to be one hell of an evening.

Nathan and I are both too shy to say anything and the walk there is awkward. Or at least, I think it is. Nathan doesn't seem to mind the silence. If anything, he's enjoying it.

I fervently hope that this goes well because I really do like Nate. As I'm absorbed into my own thoughts, I barely realize that we've reached. Nathan coughs to get my attention.

"Remember: Nothing Can Go Wrong!" Allie's voice echoes in my head. She's never been more off the mark before.

We're at the fair. There's a Ferris Wheel. There are people thronging the Ferris Wheel. It's the star attraction. Probably the only reason Nate brought me here. To have a good look of the city sitting atop the HIGHEST seat on the Ferris Wheel. They stop every car on the top for a good five minutes after the first ten minutes of torturous rounds are over.

It would have been romantic. Really romantic. If the date would have been anyone but me. I did it yet again. I messed up an entire evening without it even beginning, just by being me.

This IS going to be one hell of a date. Literally.

A/N:

I really like how this story is going. It's fun to write for such awesome readers. YOU GUYS ROCK!

Please do PM me with suggestions and stuff. It's nice talking to you guys.

On a different note, why is Scarlett so skeptical about the success of this date?

The next chapter is going to tell you why.

Also, I've had many inquiries about Oliver Woods. I'm going to reveal stuff about him. Slowly, but surely. And it's going to be one hell of a ride! So, get ready guys!

What else? I just love you guys! Thanks for the votes and comments! I read them all and some of them just make my day!

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