"You have a date tonight? With this absolute hottie?!" Isabella asked as she Instagram stalked Nick while I drove us back to my dad's house. "It's not a date. It's just dinner... He is pretty hot, though, isn't he?" I asked, a small smile forming on my lips as I started to blush a little. Isabella wiggled her eyebrows at me before showing me a picture of Nick playing basketball shirtless. "Very hot." She giggled and locked her phone, setting it in her lap. "If it isn't a date.." she trailed off as she took in my appearance, " then why are you all dressed up?" I focused my eyes on the road, "Well I'm not going to dress up in sweats and a hoodie." She shrugged, "Whatever you say.."
I dropped Isabella off at my dad's house and quickly showed her around before heading to work. It was a slow day, though, I was dreading my lunch break. Austin said he wanted to talk and I just wasn't feeling up to it. As if he knew I was thinking about him, he walked into the store and beelined to me. "Hey, is it your lunch break yet?" he asked as he leaned against the counter. I just nodded in response and grabbed my purse. "Can we talk then?" he asked hesitantly as he watched me. "Yeah, I'm just going to grab some food first. You're welcome to tag along." I forced a smile on my face when he motioned for me to lead the way. I couldn't help but feel hurt since he decided to do the duet we've been working on with someone else, and it makes it hard for me to be around Austin in my usual happy and friendly mood.
I grabbed a sandwich from the food court and sat at a table outside with Austin. "You look beautiful today. Got any special plans later?" Austin asks with a nervous smile as he looked away from me. "It doesn't matter. What do you want Austin?" I asked as I picked up my sandwich, not really into small talk at the moment. "Okay, sorry. I know you're upset about the competition, but I really didn't have a choice. Believe me when I say that I wish I could do it with you." He took my hand in his to get me to look up at him. "Please forgive me, Hailey. I promise I'll make it up to you." I looked into his eyes, a frown forming on my lips. "I don't know, Austin.." He was about to say something when I heard my name being called. "Hailey!" I pulled my hand away from Austin to see Nick walking towards us.
"Hey, Nick," I smiled as I turned towards him. "God you look great. Is that what you're wearing tonight? I'll have to step it up a bit," he chuckled as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "You're going out with him tonight?" Austin asked, glaring towards Nick. I nodded, "Yeah we were planning on getting dinner later." "Hi, Austin," Nick said, clearly a little uncomfortable. He turned to me and smiled again, "Well, I'll leave you guys alone. I have to meet a friend at one of the stores. I'll see you later, though." I smiled and mumbled a quick goodbye, watching him walk off. I turned back when I remembered Austin was sitting across from me and cleared my throat. "I forgive you. It's not that big of a deal, I guess. Have fun performing with Cassidy. Really. I'm gonna go back to work and finish my sandwich there." I gathered my things, including my sandwich, and stood from the table. "I'll see you later." "Hailey, wait." Austin reached for my hand but I pulled it out of reach and walked away. I needed to focus on something other than Austin and the music competition.
Work went by faster now that I wasn't dreading the talk with Austin. I was signing out of work when I got a text from Isabella.
Isabella: Have fun on your date!! Hope it goes well.(;
I rolled my eyes and was going to text her to tell her it wasn't a date when I saw Nick walk into the store. "Hey are you ready for dinner?" My eyes drifted down his body to see that he changed out of the t-shirt and shorts he was wearing earlier and into a nice button up long sleeve and some pants. My heart fluttered at the sight until I realized he was staring at me, waiting for me to respond. "Um," I cleared my throat, "yes, I'm ready to go. Just give me one quick minute." I calmly walked over to the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I stared at the image in the mirror before pulling out my phone and texting Isabella.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Me: Okay I'm freaking out a little now. This isn't a date but he's dressed up nice and looks so cuteee
Isabella: You got this girl! Don't overthink it. Just have some fun.(:
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Me: Okay Okay I'll try. I'll see you when I get home.
I put my phone away and touched up my makeup before making my way out of the bathroom and to Nick. "Okay, now I'm ready. Let's go." He smiled and reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers as he lead me to his car.
We went to dinner at a pizza place that had a cool arcade area. After eating our pizza, we made our way to the arcade. "Want me to win you a prize?" Nick asked with a small smirk on his face as he gestured to the claw machine. I smiled in return, "You seem so sure you're going to win a prize. You know claw machines are rigged right?" He shrugged, "If they're rigged, then it must be rigged in my favor." I giggled and nodded yes to him. "Alright," he started as he put some quarters in the machine and took a hold of the joystick, "which one do you want." I observed the machine before us and decided to go easy on him. "How about the cute little elephant that's on top?" "You got it." Nick smiled as he attempts to get the elephant and succeeds at grabbing the elephant. He bends down to pick it up and hands it to me, his heart melting smile on display. "For my lady," he chuckles, earning a blush from me. "Geez, you weren't kidding about claw machines being rigged in your favor." I took the elephant from him and smiled as he took my hand. "I told you."
We played a few more arcade games before heading back to his car. On the drive back to my house, Nick turned down the music and glanced over at me. "Can I ask you a question?" he asks softly as he stopped at a red light. I smile reassuringly at him, "Yeah, of course." A nervous smile forms on his lips as he looks over at me. "Um.. Is there anything going on between you and Austin?" A look of confusion spreads across my face. What would make him bring this up? "What?" "He just seems irritated every time I'm around you and I just wanted to ask because I like hanging out with you, but I don't want to ruin anything that might be happening between you guys." I furrowed my eyebrows, causing him to advert his gaze. "What? there's nothing going on between us," I stated, realizing that I actually believe my own words. "We are just friends. We were working on a duet together, but that's not happening now. I think he likes someone else." A frown tugged at my lips, but I tried to maintain a neutral look.
Nick nodded as he pulled up to my house, "Okay, I just wanted to make sure because I want to go out on more dates like the one we had tonight because I think I'm starting to really like you." "I didn't know tonight was a date," I teased as I nudged him softly. I watch as he blushes and giggle, "I think I like you too, Nick." He grinned widely as he took my hand in his, goosebumps shooting up my arm. His thumb caressed mine. "Good. Let's go on another date.. Maybe Saturday night?" He raised his eyebrows at me and I nodded. "Saturday night sounds great to me." I chewed the inside of my lip and grabbed the door handle with my other hand, opening it. "I can't wait." I went to let go of Nick's hand and step out of the car, but he squeezed my hand, causing me to turn around. "Wait," he said as he licked his lips. I licked mine, too, and before I knew it, he was leaning over the center console with his lips pressed to mine. I kissed back instantly, only pulling away when we both ran out of breath. "Wow," he says, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. I blush and step out of the car. "Good night," he smiles as I close the car door. "Good night," I respond, waving as he drove off.
I turned around, instantly confused when I saw Austin sitting on my front porch. He adverts his gaze from me as I take a seat next to him. "You're lipstick is a little smeared," he mumbles, looking down into his lap. I blush and use my phone camera to fix it. "What are you doing here, Austin?" I asked. "I came to tell you that we can do the competition together again. I stood up to Jimmy and he said that as long as I do some pop up concerts with Cassidy around Southern Florida, I could do the competition with you." I furrow my eyebrows, "What? Why would you do that? I told you I was fine, Austin. It's just a competition. Cassidy's clearly a better singer anyways and you have a better chance at winning with her." Austin shook his head and looked into my eyes, "I don't care about winning, and I don't want to do it with Cassidy. I want to do it with you like we originally planned." I couldn't stop the smile from forming. "Will you do it with me, Hailey?" I hid my smile and licked my lips, "Sorry, Austin. I can't. I already found someone else to perform with." I shrug and lean back, causing him to shoot straight up. "What? With who?" I giggle and shake my head. "I'm just kidding. I'll do the competition with you." His smile returns and he reaches his hand out to help me up. "Great! There's another thing I wanted to talk to you about though.." I furrow my eyebrows at his seriousness but gesture for him to continue. "Look, Hailey, I-" Austin was suddenly cut off by his phone ringing. He quickly checked it and ignored it, turning back to me to continue his thought, only to be interrupted again. Austin groans in frustration as he pulls his phone out again. "Sorry, it's Cassidy. It might be important." I nod, mumbling that he should take it. "Hey Cassidy," Austin says, answering the phone. I hear a lot of mumbling on the other side of the phone, so I walk to my front door. "Good night, Austin," I smile at him, earning a disappointed look in return. "Good night, Hailey," he whispers as I turn and go inside.