N⃟C⃟K⃟
Leaning against a locker in the change room, Nick watched as George rushed to get dressed in the clothes he wore from earlier in the day.
The brunet wanted to go to the library and pick up some books for his history class to brush up on ancient artifacts and wars no one could remember, forcefully dragging his best friend along since the leader of their trio had business to attend to.
Usually, George would take Clay to the library and bore him to death with lectures about Ivy League and college applications, but due to the blond's absence, Nick would be in his place.
The Texan couldn't care less about books, or school, or even college for that matter. He knew that if he could get a scholarship for basketball, his parents would pay someone to write all his exams. He'd be one step closer to his NBA dream in no time.
Groaning as George talked about hieroglyphics for the fifth time that week, Nick trailed behind the boy with dark hair, the most stultified he's ever been. Although they were best friends, they couldn't be anymore different. The only things they had in common were sports, video games, and Clay.
Nick watched as George opened the glass door to the library, the shorter of the two heading straight for the non-fiction section of the room. With his sneakers dragging against the grey tiles, Nick looked around for any form of merriment absentmindedly.
On his search for something fun, the Texan's eyes landed on the prettiest girl he'd ever seen, her diligent eyes scanning the page she was on as she held an open book.
Although law textbooks and philosophers' biographies were spread out on the wooden table she sat at, in her hands was a fiction book. Something sci-fi and most definitely action-based.
Staring like a child who'd just walked through the gates of Disney World, Nick couldn't help but work her features over in his mind, taking note of every small detail about her, his current fixation being her mannerisms.
The way she'd smile or laugh to herself when something funny happened in the book, the way her fingertips would play with the page on the right in her final paragraphs before turning it. Sometimes, if Nick was lucky, he'd see the gorgeous colour of her eyes when she looked up as the library door opened.
He wondered if she'd done the same when he walked in.
"Nick!" George hissed, eyes narrowed at the boy. Successfully grabbing the Texan's attention, George rolled his eyes once said teen approached him.
"Sorry, I thought I recognized someone," Nick spewed a blatant lie as he watched George look over at the girl he was once staring at.
"Right... Well anyways, pay attention. If Clay was here, he'd help me," the Brit complained with a scoff.
"Do I look like your boyfriend?" Nick huffed and began reading book spines for the title George was searching for.
"Stop saying that, the whole team thinks we're actually dating. It's annoying."
After that first trip to the library, Nick couldn't help but offer to join George every time he wanted to go. Clay was getting more busy with helping at his dad's business, the blond always rushing from the gym and being the first to leave. Soon, it was only the two shorter members of the trio who'd go to the library, their rightful leader fading out of the equation.
Standing by a bookshelf and skimming the titles was George, almost entirely enamoured by the lined textbooks. Nick, on the other hand, was watching as the nameless girl was speed reading through a law scripture, her focus never shifting. Even when someone opened the door, she didn't look over once.
"Are you okay? You've been here a little too much for my liking. You're not sick, are you?" George asked as he put the back of his hand to Nick's forehead, earning a slap to the arm in return.
"I'm perfectly fine, jackass. Aren't you supposed to be reading about the mummies buried in Egypt or something?" The Texan snapped, his aggression going seemingly unnoticed as George split from his side to find another dated journal.
Turning back to the girl he had a crush on, he saw her friends crowding around her in dark makeup and even darker clothes, a complete 180° from her light and natural look paired with brighter shades.
A few seconds flew by and the group was dragging her from her seat, the expression panned across her face slightly tired and reluctant. The girl had to pack her bag in a hurry, the others not letting her put her things away while sitting.
By the time she was out the door, Nick had just realized she left her book on the table. Slowly but surely, he made his way over and took a peek at the cover, typing the name into his phone's web browser. Almost immediately, the movie adaptation for the book popped up, a bright smile crossing his lips.
Catching the librarian walking over from the corner of his eye, he darted away from the table and back to George, watching the older woman as she picked up the book and brought it back behind her desk. Biting his lip, Nick replayed his actions and stressed himself out, wondering if he should have grabbed it instead.
The sound of the library door opening so abruptly caught his attention, the same girl he was infatuated with bursting through and scanning the table as well it's general area in slight panic. The librarian swiftly stood up and walked over, book in hand, immediately calming the girl's nerves. As quickly as she came in, she was back out, Nick assuming she had her friends to catch up with.
"I found the journal I needed," George walked up behind Nick and patted his back, bright smile on his face, the Texan only nodding in reply.
That very night, Nick stayed up late to watch the movie adaptation and its sequel before promptly passing out. He had a notebook full of important notes and his opinions, as well as conversation starters he could use to talk to the girl.
When that special time came around again where he and George hung out in the library after practice, Nick was giddy as he grinned widely, opening the door for his best friend while rushing him.
"Do we need to take you to the hospital? You've never cared about reading before," the ravenet snickered at his friend who glared.
"Shut up, asshole. Go find your stupid study guide alone," the taller teen almost growled, waiting for the other to part ways with him.
Looking ahead and seeing her, Nick smiled dreamily. As if some spirit had answered his calls, she was reading the book she retrieved yesterday.
It only took the athlete around half an hour before he finally worked up some courage to start walking in her direction, only for the girl to start packing up.
In a panic, Nick froze, watching as she swung the backpack over her shoulder and headed for the glass door, book in hand. Something told Nick that if he didn't act now, he never would.
Legs feeling like jello, they moved on their own accord, Nick barely having any control over his own body as nerves swam freely. It took him a second to realize he was heading straight for her, and another to try and move out of the way. Unfortunately, the athlete couldn't move fast enough, his chest colliding with the girl's.
"Shit, I'm so sorry!" Nick yelped, leaning down to grab the book he made her drop.
With a passing moment, Nick realized this was the perfect opportunity to talk to her. The book was in his hands, he recognized the title, she was standing before him. If this wasn't the one shot he had, he didn't know what was.
"You're reading Promised Penalty too? I thought no one was into it, honestly," Nick chuckled lightly and handed the book back.
With a cocked brow, the girl showed off a quizzical expression. "It's this year's best seller. I know at least a dozen people who've read it."
The Texan felt his cheeks flush, a wave of silence overcoming him. He tried to find a way to keep the conversation alive, but it seemed the girl already had plans to do so (whether actually interested or just looking for her own amusement).
"So who's your favourite character and why?" She inquired, shifting her weight to one leg and looking up at the boy.
"Definitely Tobias. He's brunet, like me, so naturally I feel some sort of connection to him," Nick answered almost proudly, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.
"He isn't a brunet, genius. He's a redhead. That's kinda the whole point of his struggle. Did we read the same book?" She scoffed and rolled her eyes before storming past him, leaving the boy utterly shocked.
With a small sigh, Nick walked back over to George, obviously angry at the world. The Brit either didn't realize or just didn't care, deciding to poke fun at him.
"What's got you so pent up?"
"He's a fucking redhead, not a brunet," Nick huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the beige wall ahead. "I fucking hate movies."