batman & cheerleader

32- confessions

Nick refused to tell me where he was taking me, and I didn't like it. The only thing he allowed me to do was change out of my cheer uniform into the extra clothes I had in my car. A pair of black Nike joggers and a long sleeve monogram blue shirt. At least I was warmer for this so called adventure we were about to embark on.

I felt the car slow down a bit and what I saw in the distance made me way too excited. Nick was taking me to one of my all time favorite places to eat. Every time I tell him something about myself I never think he will even care enough to remember it. Yet here we are heading towards the drive-thru of Taco Bell. I should give him more credit.

"Taco Bell, is it still your favorite?" Nick asks with a slight worry lacing his tone.

How cute.

"Yes, it is. You remembered." I say trying to hide my blush.

"I mean you did go on and on about this place while you were trying to get Logan's number. A number I thought you were getting for yourself until you told me it was for Lacey." Nick admits and now it is his turn to get that pink tint on his cheeks.

My guess was right. When I asked Nick for Logan's number I noticed his facial expression when I told him who the number was really for and his expression changed to a much more pleasing one. Now that he just confirmed my theory I can't help but think if he was a tiny bit jealous that I was asking for his best pals number and not his. But to be fair, Nick wasn't the easiest person to talk to back then.

"So what do you want to eat? I don't think they have salads here." Nick smirks.

"They don't. And I want a grilled chicken quesadilla, nachos and cheese with a Baja Blast Mountain Dew. Oh and lots of mild sauce." I tell him.

"Alright." Nick chuckles.

Nick orders our food and when we get up to the pick-up window he asks for lots of mild sauce. Not going to lie, I was smiling the whole time.

We decided to park at the school to eat since it wasn't that far away. While we ate Nick caught me up on how his family was doing. Jenna and Lauren have asked about me on multiple occassions. I mentally vowed to go see them soon because I missed them too. Nick also told me how he and his family spent Christmas and how many tubs of cotton candy he got in his stocking. He then said how he had no self control and he ate all of the tubs before we went back to school, which caused him to get a serious stomach ache.

I then told Nick how I spent my Christmas, he asked if my family treats me differently that time of year. They usually do but since this year was a bit tougher my parents asked my family members not to bring it up. Although I did get some sympathy looks from them, I won't lie it's better than their usual pathetic pep talks they try to do. I also told Nick how my brothers and cousins kept my mind off of it by playing random board and card games with them.

I then felt the need to tell Nick about how Lacey and I spent most of the night in a cemetery sitting by our besties grave talking through everything. I could see him smiling as I told him. Then I mentioned seeing a grief counselor, Nick was conflicted at first but once I told him how much progress I was making he changed his mind and said he was proud of me. Nick and I sat in the bat-mobile for three hours catching up and talking about ridiculous things. We have had a lot of moments and time together but right in this second I think this is my favorite. It's like nothing ever happened between us, like two friends who hadn't seen each other in a really long time and catching up like no time has passed.

The sun had long set and we were still sitting in the bat-mobile in the school parking lot. I couldn't help but feel complete peace while sitting here with Nick. I can't believe how close we've gotten over the past few months. I also couldn't believe that anytime Nick would smile at me or laugh my heart would skip a beat, I guess my crush is still very much alive.

I hated to interrupt this peace but there was still one question that had been bugging me since everything happened. I needed an answer and I needed it now while we were here alone.

"Nick?" I say softly.

He hums in question, his attention solely on me. Those warm hazel eyes staring into mine did things to me. I shook those feelings away for now.

Taking a deep breath to calm myself, "The night you saved me from Johnny, why were you at school so late?" I ask hesitantly.

Nick doesn't answer right away and I didn't expect him to. His brows are furrowed and I know that is the sign of him thinking real hard before he gives me an answer.

"You know what, I don't need to know. It's none of my business." I shrug.

"I was there to talk to you." He blurts out.

Wait what?

"Um..uh..." I am speechless.

Nick let's out a breath and runs his hand through his oh so soft hair. "I knew who you were before we met. I was at Tyson's when I saw the bus go by and I knew that you were on it. So I took a chance to try and talk to you after everyone left. Unfortunately things went a little different."

"Why did you want to talk to me?" I ask completely confused.

Nick shifts in his seat, "I was going to ask you out." He mumbles.

"What?" I squeak out.

"I was going to ask you out. I liked you and since you were no longer with Johnny I thought this was my chance before some other idiot beat me to it." He explains.

"You liked me?" I raise my brows. This is way shocking.

Nick nods his head.

I lean back in my seat and take everything he just confessed in. Nick Ross liked me and was going to ask me out. Wait. He liked me. Does this mean he no longer does? Did I really do that much damage to make him change his feelings for me?

Way to go Taylor. You fucked up without even knowing it.

"Are you not going to say anything?" Nicks questions me.

Crap. What on earth do I say? I mean sure I've now got a crush on him but it's not like I can tell him.

"Why didn't you tell me another time?" I ask the first thing that pops into my head.

Nick shrugs, "I was having a good time getting to know you and I didn't want to push you into something you weren't ready for."

"Did any of your friends know?" I ask.

"Charlie knew." Nick confesses. "He was with me at Tyson's that night."

Ah. That explains how Charlie knew about Nick beating up Johnny. My guess is Charlie asked Nick how things went and Nick told him what went down. Instead of Nick coming back with a date he came back with a bruised fist.

"And you let me play spin the bottle with Jay." I comment.

Nick chuckles, "Yeah. I wanted to punch him for that one."

"You said you liked me. Is that no longer true?" I ask.

"I still do. Hell, I think I like you more now than before. I've tried to hide it, tried to make you hate me but it didn't work. You are very persistent." He says with a smile.

"I like you too. I've tried to ignore it for so long but it just keeps coming back. I hoped after I told you about Emily my feelings would change but nope. Those feelings just keep clawing back up." I confess.

"So we both like each other." Nick comments.

"Yep." I smile.