The way you are- a moment with Odie and Neil Credit for this idea goes to my friend (hope it's cute enough, I think it's just swell [lol!]) a summary: Odie and Neil's first date is a disaster. Can they work thing out? Can they be themselves?
as usual, I don't own anything to do with COTT
NOTE: there are several references to one of my other stories; "class of the titans the musical", so I suggest you read that first if you haven't already read it.
Read and review!
Flashback:
Neil sat down on the dusty armchair still too stunned to care about the filth. This place was amazing; it was relaxed and cool, even if it was filled with geeks.
He grinned to himself when Odie was admired for his shirt and settled down to watch the contest. After watching a few rounds, he felt he had the hang of the game and asked Odie if he could have a turn. Odie thought for a minute then agreed that they could play two player.
The pair of them were invincible. It may have been luck but Neil was a natural. His luck paired with Odies skill won them the championship hands down and they were presented with medals for their efforts.
"this was fun!" Neil grinned at Odie. "but i'm starved, lets go get some sushi"
Odie wrinkled his nose "i've never had sushi" he admitted
Neil's grin widened "you'll love it!" he let the way to his favorite restaurant down town.
Now it was Odie's turn to gape. The sushi train was a novel concept and he found the whole experience, food and all, enjoyable and when they arrived back at the brownstone he told Neil exactly that.
"i had a great time too!" said Neil "who'd have thought that geeks could have so much fun"
Odie laughed and Neil continued in a more serious tone.
"thank you" he said sincerely and hugged Odie quickly before running up the stairs to his room. Odie, bewildered, ran his hand through his hair. He grinned absentmindedly as he went to his own room.
-"Do you think they'll ever go out?" Theresa sat down on the couch beside Jay, who wrapped his arms around her.
"oh come on" Atlanta cried from her spot on Archie's lap "it is so obvious that they want to go out."
"Seriously," Archie agreed "every time they're in the same room, they spend their time checking each other out. Secretly of course but it is so obvious to the rest of us."
Jay scratched his chin thoughtfully "if they just had the right opportunity."
he looked at Theresa and grinned.
-Odie looked up shyly as Neil walked into the library. They were a couple. Sort of. But although their friends knew, they weren't official. Odie had been struggling for days trying to pluck up the courage to ask Neil out on a real date but he kept on chickening out.
He watched as the model crossed the floor with feline grace, studying the way he walked and the way he held himself with such confidence. Transfixed, he didn't notice the figure in front of him until fingers had been snapped in front of his nose.
"What's up Odie?" It was Archie "you're out of it today."
Odie nodded slowly and Archie continued; "Listen, Jay said that we could all have the weekend off. There have been no sightings of Cronus, so we can chill. Herry's gone to stay with his gran for a few days, Theresa is introducing Jay to her father and Lannie and I are having an epic movie marathon, you'll practically have the house to yourself"
"what?" Odie tried to focus on what Archie was saying "oh, cool, thanks for telling me man,"
As Archie left, Odie stood. He straightened his shirt determinedly. Now was his chance. No pressure from his friends, no one around to judge. He spotted Neil rummaging through some books. He stopped to look at himself in his hand-held mirror. Odie grinned and walked over.
-
"hey neil"
The blond looked up at the sound of his name. his heart fluttered when he saw who it was.
"Odie" he greeted his crush with a beaming smile. He could tell the geek was nervous which made his smile broaden- Odie was adorable when he was scared.
"so" Odie began to talk; "-." His words were out so fast they blurred together and Neil nearly didn't catch what he was saying.
"Wait," he said "are you asking me out?"
Odie took a deep breath
"Yes" he said.
"of course I'll go out with you!" Neil squealed "I thought you'd never ask! Oh my god, what am I going to wear?" He spared a moment to hug Odie fiercly before bolting out of the room.
-
Once Neil left, the happiness fizzed out of Odie as realisation hit. What was he going to wear? He so badly wanted to impress Neil and, looking down at his own old clothes, realised that that was going to take some work. He dug into his pocket for his wallet and sighed with relief as he opened it. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get an outfit that would make Neil's heart stop. He left the library, not noticing the two figures in the shadows that high-fived as he passed.
Odie reached his bike and turned the key in the ignition before stopping. He had no idea what kinds of clothes Neil would like. He dismounted and returned inside, heading up to Neil's room to find some inspiration.
Neil wasn't there and Odie opened the cupboard doors, awestruck as he took in the colour coded and meticulously organised walk- in wardrobe. He began rifling though the clothes, taking notes on what colours the model favoured and what fibres he preferred, coming to the conclusion that if he wanted to impress Neil, he would have to wear black cashmere.
Odie ran out to his bike and navigated to the neared department store. He had exactly three hours before the date and he had a lot to do.
Odie ticked items of his mental to-do list as he wandered the mall. He had found the perfect cashmere cardigan from one of Neil's favourite stores. The cardi looked great with a fitted purple v-necked tee. Odie paired this with a new pair of grey jeans and a pair of black and white sneakers. He felt uncomfortable and over dressed in the outfit but he was sure that Neil would love it.
Next stop, the hairdressers. Odie loved his hair, was proud of its shape and style and he was reluctant to change it.
I'm doing it for Neil he told himself as he sat in the leather chair, cringing as the hairdresser lifted the scissors.
"wait!" he exclaimed "maybe you could just trim it."
so what do you think? Up next, Neil learns how to look like a geek. Desperately seeking reviews!