I could feel everyone's eyes on me as we walked into school.
"People are looking at you", Jasmine muttered.
I gulped. I hated attention.
Correction : I detested attention.
Kristi patted my shoulder.
"Look strong girl. Look strong and stay strong"
I straightened my back, held my head up high and smiled.
I let out a breath.
I told myself I was ready.
I was ready.
We made our way into the arena and I couldn't help but let my jaw drop slightly.
The decorations were beautiful.
Christmas trees everywhere...with a stack of presents by each and every tree.
Streamers and banners....in the colors of Christmas.
A stand-up figure of Santa and his sleigh...
The fairy lights that covered the entire ceiling of the arena...
It was beautiful.
Simply amazing.
I looked around the place to see random people glancing at me. It was starting to get a little uncomfortable. Kristi and Jasmine were already dancing around to some Christmas Carol. Yeah...they're that crazy.
I just stood there, by the bar counter, twirling my hair like I always do when I'm nervous.
And that's exactly when I heard someone call me name.
"Nicole?"
I turned around to see the guy I've been waiting to see all day long.
I smiled. He looked great with a black suit and his usual messy hair all properly settled for once. I still liked it better when it was messy, but I wouldn't tell him that, would I?
"You're taller"
"The heels", I said, lifting my dress slightly upward to show him.
"Your hair's curly"
"The curler?", I said, twirling a strand with my finger
"You're...you're crazy beautiful"
My heart twirled and I blushed.
I looked at him and cracked a smile.
"Wait...am I not always?", I said, raising my eyebrows
He reddened and shuffled in his place. "No...no...I didn't mean....I....you're - "
I laughed. "It's okay Austin. I was kidding. And I get it"
He smiled and looked straight into my eyes.
I took in a breath and we stood just like that, looking at each other. I wished it could last like that forever.
Until he coughed.
I blushed and looked away.
It was silent for a few seconds, until he spoke again.
"Hey Nicole?"
"Yeah Austin?", I said, turning to look into his beautiful green eyes.
He looked at me for a moment. "I....I need to tell you something..."
I was so involved in the intensity of that moment, I didn't answer.
"I....I like this one girl...", he said, without losing eye contact.
