𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 | Nicholas Alexander Chavez

eleven

monday, date pt.3

After we hung up, I took my time getting ready, a little more excited than I probably should've been. I picked out something casual but cute. jeans and a simple cropped top, nothing too fancy. I figured it was just lunch, right? No big deal.

Me: "Ready whenever you are."

Nick replied almost instantly.
Nick: "On my way, be there in 10."

Ten minutes later, I heard a honk outside, and sure enough, there was Nick, leaning casually against his car, sunglasses on, looking way too cool for someone who just spent the entire day losing at carnival games yesterday. I grabbed my bag, locked the door, and jogged over to his car.

"You look like you're in a boy band right now," I teased as I climbed into the passenger seat.

He pushed his sunglasses down, pretending to glare at me. "And you look like you're about to audition for a reality show."

I gasped dramatically. "Excuse me, this is high fashion."

"Yeah, if the fashion is 'I just woke up and barely tried,'" he joked, pulling out of the driveway.

I playfully smacked his arm. "Shut up, I look cute and you know it."

He laughed, his eyes crinkling in that way I loved. "Yeah, yeah, you always do."

We drove in comfortable silence for a while, the radio playing softly in the background. I rested my head against the seat, watching the trees pass by as we cruised down the road.

"So where are we going for lunch?" I asked, glancing over at him.

"I was thinking that little diner by the beach? The one with the good fries."

"Ooh, yes. That place has the best milkshakes," I said, already imagining the huge chocolate shake I was going to order.

Nick smirked. "I knew that'd sell you."

The diner wasn't far, and soon enough, we pulled into the parking lot. It was one of those small, old-school places with neon signs and red leather booths. It had a chill, retro vibe that I loved. We walked inside, and the smell of burgers and fries hit me immediately, making my stomach growl.

We got seated in a booth by the window, the sunlight streaming in and casting a warm glow over everything. I picked up the menu, even though I already knew what I wanted.

"You getting your usual?" Nick asked, not even glancing at his menu.

"Obviously," I said, flipping the menu down. "Burger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake. You?"

"Same, but I'm going with vanilla today. Gotta keep it classy," he said with a grin.

The waitress came over, a woman in her mid-forties with a tired smile. "What can I get you two?"

Nick ordered for us, and after she left, we leaned back in our seats, both of us a little more relaxed now.

"So," I said, folding my arms on the table, "you ready for another day of getting dragged around by me?"

Nick chuckled. "I think I can handle it. But you gotta promise not to drag me into any more stores that sell seashell art. I don't need to see another wind chime made out of clams."

I laughed. "Deal. No more seashells. But I am taking you back to the arcade later."

"Fine, but this time I'm not holding back. You're going down in Skee-Ball."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? You sure about that?"

"Absolutely," he said, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I've been training. You're gonna be blown away by my Skee-Ball skills."