CHAPTER 11: The Date

ENJOY.

"Ah, You must be Nicolas? You have a reservation for two, correct?"

"What are you talking about?" Nick cocked an eyebrow. "You feeling okay, man?" He chuckled before he attempted to go into the kitchen, but Luke blocked his way.

"Give us a moment please. We're still readying your table. You came a bit early."

"What?" Nick asked, trying to get into the kitchen again.

Luke continued to deny him entrance. "Employees only."

"Look, Luke. I'm not in the mood. Just let me get my food and go." Nick said.

"No. Sorry, but you're not allowed in here." Luke shook his head.

"Why?" Nick asked, irritated with best friend's childish behavior.

"It's employees only." Luke repeated with a smile. "Read the sign."

He pointed to a piece of paper with the word "Employees only" Written on it in red crayon.

"Okay. You can come in, now." Nick quickly recognized Sarah's happy-go-lucky voice and wonderedwhat the hell was happening?

"Thank you, Sarah." Luke turned. "If you would follow me sir.

"What the hell is going on?" Nick snapped.

"Allow me to escort you to your table." Luke said, ignoring his outburst.

"Luke-"

"Here you are, sir." He grabbed Nick's arm, pulling him along.

Nick groaned. "Stop joking, man." He said. Still, he walked into the dining room, wondering what was going on.

"Here. Take a seat."

"What are you doing, Luke." Nick asked as his friend pulled out a chair and motioned for him to sit at the table.

"Just sit down."

Nick did as he was told.

"Someone will be with you shortly." Luke called, as he walked out of the room.

Nick sat in confusion. After a few moments the door opened. Nick looked over to see Clementine and Sarah. Sarah had her hands over Clementine's eyes, keeping them covered as she walked the girl over to the table, seating her across from Nick.

"A waiter will be with you shortly!" Sarah beamed, before skipping from the room.

"Huh?" Clementine seemed confused as well, but she quickly realized what was happening, "Sarah! Sarah, why are you doing this to me?!"

"Have any idea what's going on?" Nick asked.

"Uh-uh." Clementine quickly shook her head.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Luke said, reentering the room, "Can I start you two off with some water?"

"Luke! You forget to bring them the menu!" Sarah yelled from the other room.

"Oh right!" He cried, placing the cups down. "I'll be right back."

"What the hell is going on?" Nick asked again.

Clementine only shook her head in response.

"Your menus," Luke said, handing them each a paper with drawings doodled all over it. "I'll leave you to decide." He said, backing out of the room.

"Soooo...how are you?" Nick asked.

"Okay..." Clementine muttered.

He looked over to Clem noticing the girl was avoiding his gaze. "That's good..." He said awkwardly.

"Yeah." Clementine nodded.

"This is weird isn't it?"

Clementine gave another nod, still refusing to meet his eyes.

Sarah slide over to the table. "Hi, do you know what you want?"

"Umm...What's this?" Clementine asked, pointed to one of the drawings.

Sarah leaned over to take a look. "That's spaghetti, Clem." Sarah said.

"Really?!" Clementine asked, surprised. "That's supposed to be spaghetti?!"

"Yes!" Sarah stressed. "Can't you tell? Here's the meatballs!" She pointed.

"Those are meatballs?" Clementine continued.

"ANYWAY! Have you decided on your meal?"

Nick decided to play along. "So you don't have spaghetti?"

"Nope."

"But it says so on the menu." Nick pointed out. "Why did you draw stuff you don't even have?"

"I just did what Luke told me to do!" Sarah pouted. "Scratch all that off! The only thing we're serving tonight is porridge."

"What?"

"That's it. Would you like some, sir?" Sarah beamed.

"Uh...Sure." Nick sighed.

"And how about your date?" Sarah asked.

"D-D-Date?!" Clementine stammered.

"She is not my date." Nick said.

"Two bowls of porridge coming right up!" Sarah yelled, running from the room.

Sarah raced out of the room and they could hear her and Luke argue from the other room. "I told you they'd ask for the stuff on the menu!"

"How'd you know?" Came Luke's voice.

"Because! It's on the MENU!" Sarah replied.

"What does that have to do with anything?!"

"Just go give them their food!"

The could hear Luke muttering under his breath as he walked into the room. "Here you are, sir." He placed a bowl in front of Nick before moving over to Clementine. "Here you go, madam. You two love-birds have a nice time now." He winked, leaving the two alone.

"Love-birds?" Nick asked.

Looking over at Clementine, who's face was red, he put two and two together. Nick felt his face heat up from embarrassment as he glanced over to the girl. "Clem,"

"Y-Yes?"

"You're the secret admirer, aren't you?" Was that why she had gotten so touchy? Was she trying to flirt with him?

He thought she would try to deny it, but instead, the girl's face turned a bright red and she gave a small nod.

"You wrote those notes?" He asked.

"Those..Those weren't for you...It was...for someone else." She said, but her look on her face was like reading a book.

"Who?" Nick asked.

"...Someone."

"Some other guy named Nick?"

"...Shut up." Clementine said, defeated.

Clementine was a very smart child, able to hold her own in even the most complicated of conversations. Yes, she was mature as hell, but she was still just a kid. "Look, Clem, I'm flattered and all, but you're just a kid.

"I'm not a kid." Clementine said.

"You are a kid." Nick replied.

"I am NOT."

"Look, mentally you ain't, but in all other aspects you ARE a kid."

"I am NOT a KID! Stop calling me that!" Clementine spat.

"Clem, even if you think you're not...I DON'T like you that way." Nick said, hoping she'd understand.

"Why?" She whimpered.

"Clem-" He tried to calm the little girl before things went bad.

"There's someone else, isn't there?" Clementine questioned, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Hmm?"

"You're in love with someone else."

"Clementine-"

She slammed her hands on the table and demanded to know who. "Tell me who it is!"

"Would you stop it?! There's no-one else." Nick shook his head.

"It's Luke, isn't it?" Clementine glared at him.

"What?!"

"It is! I knew it!" Clementine cried. "I can't believe it. I hate Luk-

"NO. No no no no NO!" Nick denied. "Clem, I can assure I'm not in love with anyone."

"Then why don't you like me?" She asked. She didn't understand. If he wasn't in love with someone else, then why didn't he give her a chance?

"Clem, you're a little fucking kid." Nick stressed.

"I. Am. Not. A little kid!" Clementine snapped.

"Okay...But you're still a kid."

"I don't care." She pouted. "I really, really like you."

With a sigh, Nick spoke, "Thanks Clem." As awkward as it was to hear her say that, he thought it was a little cute. "I like you too."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You're a good kid."

"Oh..." She sounded disappointed.

"Clem, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Just..." She stood, turning away from him, suddenly feeling annoyed."Just forget about it."

"Clem-"

"It doesn't matter okay!" Clementine yelled, sniffing.

"It does matter if it's making you upset." She didn't answer. "Clementine, please."

"I don't w-wanna talk to y-you anymore..." She said before breaking into sobs.

"Clem, I'm sorry." He hadn't wanted to make the kid cry. Now he was feeling terrible.

She shook her head, muttering, "Just f-forget it..." She wished she were older. Maybe then Nick would like her back.

"Wait." Nick grabbed her hand before she could leave the room.

"What?"

"You didn't even finish eating yet."

"I'm not hungry." She tried to shake his hand off her wrist, but he wouldn't let go. "Let go."

"No." Nick refused, a stern look on his face. "What about our date?" He asked.

"It's stupid. You even think so yourself. " Clementine replied, still trying to shake him off.

"I never said it was stupid." Nick said. The kid was putting words into his mouth. As much as he didn't want to do this, he wasn't going to be a dick and break the little girl's heart.

"You didn't have to. You're thinking it." Clementine snapped. "Let me go!"

"How do you know what I'm thinking?" Nick asked, ignore her orders to release her.

"Because you're 'you'." She answered. "Get off. Get off me!"

"What? So you're just gonna ditch me?" Nick chuckled. "Am I really such a crappy date?"

Clementine's eyes widened and she blushed, struggles stopping as her gaze falls to the floor. "N-No."

"Then, sit back down."

"But...you don't want to be my boyfriend." Clementine said sadly.

"Don't mean I can't be your friend." He led her back to her seat, sitting her down. "Comfortable?"

Clementine nodded, nervously, face bright red.

"Good."

"Nick-"

"Go on and eat...Or would you like me to feed you?"

She sent him a glare at that. "That's not funny." Was he trying to treat her like a baby?

"It wasn't a joke." Nick replied, although he was laughing on the inside at the child's expression.

"I'm not a baby." She voiced.

"I know you're not." Nick chuckled.

"You're a weirdo."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Clementine giggled and Nick smiled a little.

The two ended up talking way pass dinner and Clementine found herself feeling happy that their date was going so well.

"That was pretty fun..." Nick uttered.

"It was..." Clementine nodded.

"So... We're cool?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. We're cool."

"You're not gonna stop talkin' to me?"

"No."

"And ya don't hate me anymore?"

"I never hated you." Clementine said. "I'm in love with you, how could I hate you?"

"Riiiight..." He was feeling creeped out again. This little girl was in love with him. He decided it would be best to change the subject. "You should probably get to bed now,"

"I guess..." She looked sad again, "Night Nick."

"Wait a Sec, Clem." Nick called.

"What?"

"I don't let my fans go without 'one'." He said.

Clementine stared up at the man, confusion on her face. "One what?"

"You'll see."

He moved closer to her. And the realization of what he was talking about hit Clementine like a train.

She suddenly felt giddy and nervous at the same time. It was "Disney" time!

Clementine felt her body go stiff as she let her eyes observe each end of his beautiful lips. Her heart began to race as he took his first step towards her and it was as if her body knew what would happen next, but, her mind was still trying to play catch-up.

Nick leaned down to her, placing his right hand on the girl's shoulder, while his left hand seemed to be still, as if he was wondering whether or not he should pull her in close. The situation was awkward to him. He had never had a girl so young crush on him before. And it was completely weird.

In that moment all Clem wanted was to stay like this. She wanted to be near Nick, to be held by her crush, the man that she had fallen in love with. She had only dreamed of a night like this one and now, here she was.

She leaned in closer to him, gently brushing against him. She felt him tense up and she was unsure why. She didn't know what to do, but it felt nice being held like this. Now, she wanted to take that next step. She wanted the kiss. Before she could take that step, she felt his left hand finally move. He had finally decided what he wanted to do with her.

Closing her eyes, Clem waited in anticipation, wondering how his lips would feel on hers. His left hand gently slid down the right side of Clementine's face and she nudged her head deeper into his palm. She felt her heart pound quickly as a strange intensity began to fill the atmosphere. She was ready for this kiss. She could feel his breath against her face and her mind started to go crazy with hope.

'Just kiss me already!' She thought.

And in that split second it was as if he read her mind, however his lips were not placed where she had expected him to place them. Instead, they were touching the middle of her forehead as his chin rested in between her eyebrows. Clementine was shocked. No. She was frustrated, she could not believe that he had gotten her so worked up, just to do...that. That wasn't how it went in Disney movies! Well...except for the little mermaid, she didn't even get the kiss, but whatever! Irritated, she raised her hands to his face and pulled his head down towards her own, pushing her lips onto his.

She didn't know what to expect at first since she had never kissed anyone before, but, it seemed to be more exciting than the kisses she used to get from her family. Satisfied, Clem pulled away, cheeks flushed.

Nick met her eyes, a shocked expression on his face. Clementine only offered a shy smile.

Nick was so surprised by the child's actions, he could barely manage to get her name pass his lips. "C-Clementine?"

"That was gross..." Clementine gagged a little before smirking.

"You kissed me!" Nick defended.

"Doesn't make it any less gross."

"Whatever."

"So how was it?" Sarah squealed, barging into the kitchen.

"Sarah? Luke?" Nick shot his friend a glare, gently shoving Clementine away from him.

"How was the kiss?" Sarah asked.

"You saw that?" Clementine questioned back.

Both her and Nick were red from embarrassment.

"Yep. How was it?" Sarah asked again, tugging on Clem in her excitement.

"It was super disgusting." Clementine said, using the back of her hand to wipe her lips.

"How long were you guys watching?" Nick asked.

"It's okay, Clem." Luke gave the girl a pat, ignoring Nick's question. "We'll find you some mouth wash."

"She kissed me. I'm the one who needs the mouthwash." Nick said.

Clementine stuck her tongue out at the man.