Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 17:53:26 -0400 From: Steph and Jenn Thornhill and Granato <steph_and_jenn@hotmail.com> Subject: The Perfect Love, Chapter 4 "How about this," began Nicole. "How bout we go to The Pizza Den and grab a couple of slices and just sit down and talk?" "Ummm... I don't know Nicole. Maybe it'd be better if I just head home." "C'mon... you made me run halfway around the school and now you won't even let me treat you to some pizza? Please?" With that, Nicole put on her best smile. "Still... it's okay. Maybe some other time." "If I didn't know better," thought Nicole, "I say this girl like me begging like this." "For real hun, will you come with me," Nicole asked sweetly. "My treat?" "Mmmm... okay... if you insist." "I do. So let's go. I'll drive." "Ummm... okay." ***** Amanda and Nicole walked through the parking lot and up to a dark blue Jeep. It had big wheels and a light system up on top, a sparkle finish, and a nice ass system hooked up inside. "Nice Jeep you've got," said Amanda. "Yeah, thanks. I'm lucky as hell to have it. I LOVE this thing." For the rest of the ride, both were mostly silent. It wasn't an awkward silence, but a comfortable, mutual silence. Amanda looked up a few minutes later and saw the sign for The Pizza Dencome into sight. Glancing over at Nicole, she notices that she's being looked at. Amanda had noticed Nicole looking at her a lot during the drive, but hadn't really said anything. She'd also been too shy to look her eye to eye yet. Finally, she bravely looks toward Nicole, and sure enough, Nicole is looking right at her. "Isn't it usually easier to drive when you actually look at the road?" asks Amanda. "Yeah, usually it is, but it's kinda hard with you next to me." Amanda quickly hides her face and blushes furiously. "What's wrong," asks Nicole. Amanda replies, "I'm just a little nervous and I'm not quite sure how to act." "Just act like yourself. Besides, I like it when you act all cute and shy like you are now." Suddenly becoming very interested in her shoes, Amanda is still blushing and begins to smile widely. ***** "Well, here we are!" announces Nicole as she hops out of the Jeep. She quickly runs around to the other side and opening the door. She reaches up and takes hold of Amanda's hand. "Need some help down hun?" she asks. Keeping Amanda's hand in her's, Nicole puts her arm around Amanda's back. She shut the door and they walk into The Pizza Den. "I can't believe this is actually happening!" thought Nicole excitedly. "I wonder what she's thinking. Okay, I just gotta remember to be calm. Don't get all excited and blurt out something stupid. Act like yourself, but don't be too blunt, she might think you're rude. God, she even smells amazing!!" Sitting across from each other in a booth, the both look at the menus. "So," asks Nicole, "what kind of pizza do you like?" "Just the basics. Pepperoni. What kind do you like?" "Pepperoni sounds great. Let's get that." After ordering, they sat and chatted about this and that. Nothing too important. ***** "I can't believe I'm actually doing this," thought Amanda. "Is this a date? Do I want it to be a date? Wow... she's really pretty when she smiles like that. I like it when she gets into talking about something, then realizes she's going on and on and ducks her head down to try to change the subject. She's so cute!" The pizza came after a little while, and Nicole and Amanda both took slices and nervously began to eat. After just a few minutes, a loud yell was heard from just a few tables away. "What the hell are you doing?" "What's going on?" asked Nicole. "Ummm... look behind you Nicole," replied Amanda nervously. Turning around, Nicole rolled her eyes and groaned. "Oh man... don't tell me she's still pissed off." "What's she so mad about?" asked Amanda quickly. "She's pissed because I like you. Why that matters to her, I don't fucking know." Just as they finished talking, Jamie pushed her way through the crowded restaurant and up to the table where Amanda and Nicole were eating. "Why are you here with her?" she half yelled, half asked. "I'm here with her because I wanted to sit down with someone that I like and for once have a nice, decent, quiet conversation," replied Nicole heatedly. "That's no reason. You and I have been friends since junior high! We've always hung out. It's always been Nicole and Jamie, Jamie and Nicole. It needs to stay that way! We don't need someone who's been around for less than a week coming around and butting in between friends!" "Fuck off Jamie!! I already told you! I like her and I want to get to know her better!" "Fine. I'll leave," she replied. Then, looking at Amanda, she said threateningly, "Just make sure you watch your back." Walking off, she kept cursing under her breath. "God... what the hell was all that about," thought Amanda. "Listen Nicole, maybe I should just go. I don't wanna come in between you two." "Amanda, hun, listen. Like I said earlier, I like you. And I want to get to know you better. Jamie is just upset right now. She'll calm down, don't worry." "I hope so." "Tell you what, let's get the rest of this to go and head outta here." "Okay."