Dear Diary,
I think I am falling for him.
His smile, his laugh, the way he talks—it all makes my heart skip a beat.
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"Hi!" I answered breathlessly once I was inside my room. My heart was pounding like crazy—whether it was from the chase with Carrie or because the person I'd been waiting to hear from had finally called, I wasn't sure.
"Hello, kitty," came his magnetic voice from the other end of the phone, making my heart flutter and my face warm. I noticed he liked using different pet names for me. I liked it.
"Hi," I greeted again, my mind a mush. I closed my eyes in embarrassment when I realized I had repeated myself. His deep chuckle echoed through the line, making me blush even more.
"Are you that flustered to speak to me?" The teasing tone in his voice made me smile.
"Maybe a little," I admitted shyly. His surprised silence on the other end told me I'd caught him off guard.
"I've been waiting for your call," I said, clearing my throat when he didn't immediately respond. I wasn't sure why I was being so open about my feelings or why I was so sensitive to his every move.
Maybe it was because I'd been alone for too long, or maybe it was because he had always been there for me since we met. Or maybe it was simply because of the thoughtful gift he gave me.
"I know, and I'm sorry it took me so long," he replied, his voice soothing like a cello. "I was busy and thought you might be asleep since it's so late."
"Hah, yet you still called me," I scoffed, trying to hide how much I'd been looking forward to his call.
"It was hard to ignore your plea in my dream. You were calling out to me, and I knew I had to reach out to you. I couldn't bear the thought of you feeling alone or abandoned." I laughed at his sense of humor.
"Couldn't you have dreamt of me in a less pathetic way?" I bit my lip, trying to control my smile. He chuckled on the other end of the line.
"I suppose I could have, but I don't think you'd have wanted me to dream of you naked, would you?"
"My... aren't you a naughty dreamer?" I teased, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks.
I bit my nails, my heart thumping as I pictured him dreaming of me like that. I think I'd like it if I occupied his mind the same way he did mine. Another chuckle followed, and it felt like my heartstrings were being pulled like a puppet on a string.
There was silence on the other end of the line, and I waited for him to say something, but he didn't. "I apologize for Carrie's behavior. She can be a little childish when she wants to," I broke the silence.
He chuckled softly. "I don't mind. I like her," he said, and my brows furrowed.
"You like her?" I asked carefully.
"Yep, she is likable," he drawled. "Why? Can't I like your friend?" I felt a knot form in my stomach as I struggled to find the right words. I knew Nick meant liking her as a friend, but I wasn't sure why I felt uneasy about it. I mean, Carrie is a very likable person. I wouldn't be surprised if Nick was attracted to her.
"No, it's not that... I mean, you are your own person, and you can like anyone that you want." I hurriedly fumbled with words, cursing myself in the process. I moved from the door, but not before checking that I had locked it in case my friends decided to snoop around.
"No, it's not that… I mean, you are your own person, and you can like anyone you want." I hurriedly fumbled with my words, cursing myself in the process. I moved away from the door, but not before checking to ensure I had locked it in case my friends decided to snoop around.
"Don't worry, beautiful. I like you more." Nick's words made me stop in my tracks. There was something off about his statement. He should have said, "Don't worry, I like her as a friend," not "I like you more."
But why did his words affect me so much that I had to hold my breath? It was such a seemingly innocuous statement, yet it felt like a confession of something deeper. I must be going crazy.
"Are you there?" His voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I cleared my throat.
"Yeah, I got the gift. Thank you... I didn't think... I never thought you would remember the teddy bear, as I just mentioned it in passing." I rambled as I lay on the bed.
"I'm glad you like it," he replied. "And of course I remembered. I remember everything you say." His words sent a flutter through my chest, and I turned to lie on my side, facing the window.
"Like what?" I asked, biting my lip.
"Like how you like to bite people because that's what your mom told you, and how you—"
"Oh, please stop. How about remembering something nice? Something... sexy even." He laughed.
The moon was shining brightly outside, casting a soft glow on the room. "It's beautiful," I said after a while.
"What?" he asked, sounding puzzled.
"The moon," I answered, gazing out the window. The full moon hung in the sky, casting its proud, glowing light.
"Oh, are you a moon lover?" he teased. I chuckled. "I guess you could say that."
"Why?" he asked, breaking the silence of the night.
Why? I echoed his question in my thoughts, still staring at the full moon. It shone brightly, like a giant pearl suspended in the sky, radiating a soft light that illuminated everything around it.
"I don't know," I finally answered. "I guess it's because... I always feel a sense of calmness and peace wash over me whenever I look at it. Or maybe it's the mystery that surrounds it—the way it waxes and wanes, always changing but always constant. Or perhaps it's how it illuminates the darkness, providing a glimmer of hope in even the most hopeless situations. Whatever the reason, I can't help but feel drawn to its beauty."
"You're not a werewolf, are you?" Nick suddenly asked, causing me to stifle a laugh. That was definitely not what I expected from him.
"Why do you ask?" I asked, still chuckling.
"I don't know; I just thought maybe there was some connection between you and the moon." I smiled at his playful theory.
"I didn't know you were into fiction. I always thought you were more of a sports person. Rugby, to be precise," I teased. Nick laughed.
"Why, because of my strong build?" he asked, humor evident in his voice.
"Well, you do have a strong body," I replied, trying to hide the blush creeping into my tone. Nick's laughter made my cheeks warm even more.
"I do love rugby, but I also have a soft spot for a good fantasy novel, thanks to my little sister. She's obsessed with wolves, witches, and vampires, and she's the one who got me into reading fiction in the first place. I remember she used to drag me to the library every weekend to borrow the latest books in the Twilight series. It doesn't help that she's named after the star of Twilight—Bella." He chuckled at the memory, and I couldn't help but smile. This was the second time Nick had mentioned his sister.
"You must be really close to her," I said, picturing him with a wide grin.
"She is a treasure," Nick replied, his voice warm with affection.
"Well, my brother is annoying, but he's family," I joked, earning a laugh from Nick.
"I can relate to that. My sister and I have had our fair share of arguments. I never got your brother's name, though."
"Oh, he's Ethan. 11 years old, annoyingly handsome, narcissistic, but smart as a whip," I chuckled.
"But at the end of the day, he's still my little brother, and I have no choice but to love him," I added, igniting another laugh from the guy who was slowly stealing my heart.
"That's a unique way to describe your beloved brother. It makes me more curious about meeting him," Nick said.
"I think you two would click. I wish I could meet your sister, too. She sounds interesting, and I bet we'd have so much to talk about—from movies to animations and stories. I might even turn her into an awesome writer," I said excitedly, already imagining how much fun we could have with Bella.
A brief silence followed, and I began to worry that I might have overstepped by talking about meeting his family.
I wanted to apologize but decided instead to change the subject, hoping to bring back the easy camaraderie we'd shared before.
"So," I began cautiously, about to continue when the silent night was abruptly interrupted by Taylor Swift's Lavender Haze blaring from the living room. I knew it was my friends' way of calling me.
"You guys aren't sleeping yet?" Nick's voice came through, slightly confused.
"Oh, yeah. We're having an indoor camping night. I would have invited you, but it's only for ladies." I added the last part without thinking.
"That sounds like fun. I'll let you go back then." My smile faded, disappointment settling in.
"Yeah..." I drawled. Despite not wanting the conversation to end, my friends were cranking up the volume, making it harder to hear Nick's voice.
"Beautiful..." Nick's sudden change in tone made me hold my breath. "Yeah?"
"Let's go out tomorrow." My heart skipped a beat. Was he really asking me out?
"What?" I breathed, wanting to make sure I heard him correctly.
"I mean, you promised to take me for shaving." The excitement I felt deflated as I realized he was teasing me, the laughter in his voice clear.
"Nick..." I said sweetly.
"Yeah..." His voice was laced with humor, which made me grit my teeth.
The way he effortlessly provoked a reaction from me was both infuriating and captivating.
"Go to hell," I said, and finally, he let out a hearty guffaw.
His laughter echoed through the phone, filling the empty spaces with an infectious energy that I couldn't help but absorb. It was maddening how his mere presence could evoke such conflicting emotions within me.
Despite my disappointment, I found myself smiling even after hanging up. There was something about our banter that transcended frustration and flirtation, leaving me longing for more of these exhilarating exchanges.
Joining my friends in the room, I grabbed the remote and used it as a mic, singing along to the enchanting melody of Lover, which was now playing. The room instantly transformed into a vibrant concert hall, with imaginary spotlights illuminating our impromptu stage.
~Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?
~With every guitar string scar on my hand
~I take this magnetic force of a man to be my... lover...
With each word that escaped my lips, I felt an indescribable surge of joy and liberation. The music transported us to a realm where worries dissolved, replaced by a sense of unity and pure bliss. Harmonizing with Taylor Swift's ethereal voice, we lost ourselves in the captivating narrative of love and devotion.
~ My heart's been borrowed, and yours has been blue
~All's well that ends well to end up with you
~Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover...
As the song reached its crescendo, our voices intertwined harmoniously, creating a symphony.
~And you'll save all your dirtiest jokes for me
~And at every table, I'll save you a seat, lover...
I swayed my body along with the music, feeling the rhythm in my bones as Lizzy joined me while Carrie laughed, recording us.
~Can I go where you go?
~Can we always be this close forever and ever?
~And ah, take me out, and take me home (forever and ever)
~You're my, my, my, my
~Lover
Time seemed to stand still as we immersed ourselves in this extraordinary moment. When the song eventually came to an end, we laughed and danced the night away, until we fell asleep with smiles on our faces.
...
Morning arrived and gently kissed our eyelids, coaxing us awake from our peaceful slumber. My attempt to open my eyes was met with a groan as a dull ache reminded me of the wild night we'd had.
I slowly sat up, surveying the disheveled room with its scattered remnants of our celebration. The memories of laughter and joy from the previous night flooded back, each one a vibrant snapshot that filled me with warmth. We had indulged in drinks and laughter until just before dawn.
A groan came from behind me, and I turned to see Lizzy stirring awake. She lay lazily on the floor, surrounded by crumbs from snacks and empty bottles. I couldn't help but smile at her tousled hair and sleepy eyes.
"You two are finally awake," Carrie announced as she entered the living room, balancing a tray of steaming coffee and a plate of fresh pastries. The rich aroma filled the air, instantly invigorating us.
"How can you look so fresh?" I grumbled as I reached for a warm mug, grateful for the caffeine boost.
"How do you not get a hangover?" Lizzy echoed, groggily taking her place at the table. Carrie handed her a coffee, and she sighed contentedly as she took a sip.
"It's all about pacing yourself and staying hydrated," Carrie replied with a mischievous grin.
Her ability to bounce back effortlessly after a night of indulgence was something I couldn't help but envy.
The coffee and pastries were a welcome comfort, and with each passing moment, the exhaustion from our lack of sleep began to fade away.
Once we finished cleaning up, I helped Lizzy off the floor, and we worked together to restore the house to its original state. It took us two hours to make everything spotless again. Since it was Friday, only Carrie had classes. After Lizzy left to meet her boyfriend, I turned my attention to preparing for my day with Nick.
I took a long, relaxing shower and carefully chose my outfit. I selected a sexy spaghetti strap, off-shoulder floral mini dress with ruffles that reached mid-thigh—a bold choice meant to make a statement. To complete the look, I paired the dress with strappy sandals and styled my hair in an elegant updo bun.
For a touch of effortless chic, I added delicate silver jewelry and a swipe of nude lipstick. As I checked my reflection in the mirror, a flutter of excitement danced in my stomach. Even if our outing was to a barbershop, I was determined to leave a lasting impression.
My phone chimed, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw a text from Nick asking if I was ready. I grabbed my purse, made sure I had everything I needed, and headed out the door.
Stepping outside, I was greeted by the warm summer breeze. I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the pleasant sensation before starting my day.
As I approached Nick's place, I was momentarily dazzled by his effortlessly handsome appearance. He wore a summer shirt and khaki shorts, with a few buttons left undone, exposing his sun-kissed chest. The sight took my breath away, especially with him leaning against a sleek, black car.
He was engrossed in his phone and didn't notice me immediately. But when he looked up, his eyes widened in surprise as he took in my outfit. His reaction was more than I had anticipated. The way his gaze traveled from my legs to my face made me feel both flattered and self-conscious.
I couldn't help but blush under his intense scrutiny. As he approached me, a charming smile played on his lips, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth that added to his overall allure.
"Hey there," he said in a deep, velvety voice that sent shivers down my spine. "You look absolutely stunning." His compliment took my breath away, even though it was exactly what I had hoped to hear.
"Um... thank you. You don't look bad yourself," I managed to stammer, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
His eyes twinkled with amusement as he leaned in closer, his cologne enveloping me in a tantalizing scent. "Just that?" he asked with humor, his voice dripping with charm, which ignited a chuckle from me.
"Okay, you look hot," I blurted out, rolling my eyes when I saw his wide grin.
He then moved to open the passenger door for me, effortlessly exuding charm and chivalry, which was undeniably attractive.
As I settled into the comfortable seat, I couldn't help but ask, "I never saw you with a car." My curiosity piqued, I eagerly awaited his response.
With a nonchalant smile, he replied, "I had it brought today." I hummed in acknowledgment, fastening my seatbelt.
The sleek interior of the car exuded sophistication and elegance, perfectly matching his refined taste.
"Ready?" he asked, and I nodded eagerly, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through me. As the engine purred to life, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement coursing through my veins. The sound added to the anticipation in the air.