Ch. 3

Neil felt nervous. It was just a date, why was he so nervous? He honestly hadn't thought of Stacey in a romantic way until yesterday and now he couldn't stop. How had he not realized how cool she was? I mean, she was gorgeous and sweet, not to mention totally funny and she was a gamer. Who wouldn't want a gamer chick for their girlfriend?

He was spraying some cologne when Stephen Stills came into his room.

"Dude, why are you dressed like that? You look like you're going on a date."

Neil looked down at himself. He had on a striped button down and jeans. It wasn't super nice, but considering that his go-to outfit was his Zelda shirt and cargos it was pretty nice.

"I'm, uh...going to a club."

Stephen scoffed. "Since when do you go to clubs?"

"Since...always?" They both knew it was a lie but Stephen disregarded it. Neil was so young. If he was embarrassed to go on a date that was his deal, he wasn't going to get into it.

"Well, have fun Young Neil. Use protection."

Neil turned seven shades of red. And now he was thinking of Stacey in an unsavory way. Goddammit!

Neil was still beet red when he arrived at Stacey's house. He nervously rang the doorbell and started fidgeting with his collar. Why did shirts need collars anyway? They were so uncomfortable.

The door opened and Stacey stepped out. She was breathtaking in her red dress. It wasn't fancy or anything but Neil thought she looked like a goddess. They got in his car and drove to the restaurant, the whole time holding a failing conversation about the weather. Obviously she was as nervous as he was.

Once they'd settled down in the restaurant and ordered Neil finally eased up.

"You look really beautiful."

Stacey smiled. "Thanks, I think you look really handsome."

Aw shucks. "Aw shucks. Wait, that wasn't supposed to be out loud. I mean, thanks."

She laughed. "That's ok. It gave me a peek inside your mind. Sometimes I wonder what you're thinking, you don't talk much."

"You only have to ask. I don't think very interesting things though."

"Sure you do - what are you thinking right now?"

He'd have to be careful here and not say anything stupid, like that he was thinking about kissing her and wondering what her hair smelled like. "I'm thinking about video games mostly. Bioshock: Infinite just came out and I've still gotta go get a copy."

"What else?"

"Um...I've got to get some homework done for my writing class - it's killing me - and I've gotta call my mom, her birthday's coming up. And I'm thinking about kissing- I mean, that's about it."

Too much! Too much! How had that slipped out? What was this effect Stacey had on him? She was looking at him with her pretty eyes all wide and curious. He wanted to tell her everything. She was dangerously beautiful.

"Kissing?" she asked. "Kissing who?" She knew the answer but she couldn't help teasing it out of him.

"Uh...Stephen?" Bad. "No, Knives." Worse. He sighed.

"You."

"You only have to ask." she said, mimicking him.

She came around from her side of the booth and slid into his. "Breathe, Neil, breathe!" he reminded himself. She leaned in towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Holy shit, he was about to kiss Scott's hot sister. This was the thing of dreams. Her face was inches from his and she was closing her eyes. Maybe he should too...The next thing he knew, Stacey's lips were on his and he was in heaven.