A/N: The first names of Freckles' parents are the same first names of Anne of Cleves' real-life parents, John III, Duke of Cleves, and Maria of Jülich-Berg.
It was the end of the school day on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. Freckles was at her locker listening to her iPod Nano as she was packing some books into her backpack. She was swaying her hips as she listened to "Real Love" by Mary J. Blige when she saw Nick standing beside her.
Startled, she removed the earbuds from her ears, put the song on pause, and asked, "Where the heck did you come from, Bro?"
Chuckling, Nick sarcastically replied, "I used the Apparition spell."
Noticing this made Freckles smile and laugh, he added, "I actually came here because I have something important that I need to tell you.
Intrigued and curious about what her dear friend had to say, Freckles responded, "Ok, shoot."
Nervously placing his right hand behind the back of his head and clearing his throat, Nick said, "I have to cut to the chase. I am in love with you, Freckles. Have been for a long time. I couldn't keep it a secret anymore."
Freckles' heart skipped a beat when she heard what Nick had said. She couldn't believe that he actually had the same feelings for her that she did for him. In shock, she had trouble saying any words in response to Nick's confession.
"I know this is a lot to take in. Been deeply in love with you since freshman year, but was afraid to say anything out of fear it would affect our friendship" Nick said.
Realizing that was why Nick acted the way he did that Wednesday afternoon in April 2007 when she explained her feelings to him, Freckles asked, "Was that the reason you said you loved me only as a sister-figure?"
"Yes. Super corny, I know. You must think I am a jackass for lying to you that day," Nick said dejectedly.
In response, Freckles replied, "Gosh no! That's not corny at all. And you're not a jackass! I get it. Dating friends can be quite risky. My mom dated a childhood friend of hers in high school named Jack, but it ended with a nasty breakup around their senior year, and they didn't speak to each other for a few years after the breakup. That was something I kept in the back of my mind when you told me you loved me only as a sibling, and I thought to myself that it was probably for the best that we keep our sibling-like bond. I didn't want to lose my friendship with you either."
Touched by how understanding Freckles was about why he acted the way he did that day during their sophomore year, Nick said, "Thanks for always being so understanding. I love that about you. That to me is so sexy."
Amused and flattered, Freckles then asked, "Sexy? You find me sexy?"
"Absolutely! Everything about you is so beautiful. You're the most beautiful girl I know," Nick said.
"Awwww, thanks! You're the entire package in my eyes too. I love everything about you. Especially your big heart and your sense of humor. Can't even count how many times you cheered me up when I was having a bad day," Freckles answered back.
"Anytime, Freckles," said Nick humbly. Then he asked, "Now that we have a mutual attraction for one another, would you like to go out with me on Friday? Get some grub at CBS Scene and see The Day the Earth Stood Still?"
"Yes! I would love to," Freckles happily accepted as she gave Nick a hug.
Hugging her back, Nick said, "I guess it's a date then!"
"You betcha, Italian Stallion," Freckles answered with much joy. She further articulated, "I am super curious to find out how bad that movie is. I heard it's completely awful and a horrible injustice to the original."
"Same. I heard it's really bad, but I wouldn't want to see a bad movie with anyone except you, Freckles," Nick said.
"Ok, I will see you Friday night. I look forward to it," Freckles responded ecstatically.
"Me too. Until then, I will see you tomorrow for Comics Club. Have a great rest of the day, darling," said Nick as he took off to meet up for wrestling practice at the school gym.
"You too," Freckles shouted as she watched him depart.
When date night came around, Freckles was extremely excited. She couldn't wait to dress up in her best winter outfit to impress Nick for the night. She put on her best pair of jeans, black knee-high boots, a red long-sleeved off-the-shoulder sweater she bought at Old Navy that afternoon, and her favorite black peacoat to wear for the date. In addition, she accessorized with her sapphire pendant and matching earrings she received on her 16th birthday, her favorite red scarf, and a black beret she bought with her sweater. For makeup, she wore red lipstick and a light coat of black mascara.
She was sitting in the living room talking with her parents, Mr. John Lamarck and Mrs. Maria Lamarck, and Amalia, when she heard the doorbell ring. It was Nick, and he was at her house at 5:30 on the dot to pick her up like he promised he would. As she opened the door, her heart beat really fast as she took in how gorgeous Nick looked. He was dressed in a dark green button-down shirt, dark jeans, Timberland boots, and a brown faux leather jacket which was trimmed with beige faux fleece.
"Hi, Freckles said in a soft and sultry voice.
"Hey. You look stunning tonight," Nick replied as he gave her a hug.
"Now you guys have fun tonight," said Mrs. Lamarck as she gave her daughter a wink.
"We will, Mrs. Lamarck. Thank you," Nick said courteously before he and Freckles departed for their long-awaited first date.
Freckles blushed as Nick opened the car door on the passenger's side of his grey 2004 Ford Escape.
As soon as Nick got into the car, he flirted, "Did I mention that you look absolutely stunning tonight?"
"Yes. You look dashing yourself, handsome," said Freckles
In response, Nick replied, "Awww, shucks!"
Nick couldn't get over how lovely Freckles was, and his heart was pounding wildly as he thought about her. It seemed so surreal that he was finally going out with the girl of his dreams. Freckles felt the same way too. She couldn't believe that the date was really happening and that it wasn't a dream. She confirmed to herself that it was, indeed, reality when Nick started the car.
When they arrived at CBS Scene, they were directed to their reserved table.
Noting how Nick pulled up her chair for her, Freckles happily thought to herself, "How did I ever get so lucky to fall in love with such a gentleman?"
A few minutes later, their waiter arrived to ask what they wanted to drink. Since he and Freckles already knew what they were getting for food before they got to the restaurant, Nick told the waiter that they were all set to order both food and drinks. Freckles asked for barbecue wings and an iced tea, while Nick asked for buffalo wings and a Diet Coke. Both ordered French fries on the side. As they waited for their food to arrive, they discussed how it felt so good to be on winter break but that it was also bittersweet as it was their last winter break of their high school careers. They also reminisced about how time had gone by so fast since they first met back in sixth grade. As they talked, they couldn't help keeping their eyes off one another. Neither of them felt awkward in each other's company, and they felt like they could be themselves around one another. When the food arrived, both Freckles and Nick dug right in as both of them were starving for some good food. Their wings were gone within 20 minutes as both of them had ravenous appetites going into the restaurant.
"Gosh, I am stuffed," Nick said after he finished the last French fry on his plate.
"Oh, me too! That hit the spot," Freckles responded.
Around that time, the waiter arrived with the check, which Nick generously offered to pay in full. He wanted to treat Freckles like the queen that she was in his eyes. And she truly did feel like a queen when he paid for the meal on top of all his other gentleman-like actions that evening.
She thought to herself, "I couldn't be happier right now. He is so perfect inside and out. I vow to cherish him and treat him like the king I see inside. Yes, I am definitely feeling the love tonight."
After the check was paid, they walked hand in hand to Nick's car.
When they arrived at the Showcase Cinema, they grabbed their tickets they had purchased in advance. Soon after that, Freckles bought them both a large bag of popcorn and two water bottles as her treat for thanking Nick for a nice night out.
As they took their seats in the movie theater, Nick said sarcastically, "Well then, this is the moment us sci-fi nerds have been waiting for. Get ready to brace yourself what seems to be a really horrible remake of a classic."
"I am so ready! We shall see what kind of torture we got ourselves into soon enough. Ahahahahahaha," Freckles replied deviously.
Once the opening credits for the movie began to roll just moments later, Nick put his left arm around Freckles so he could hold her close during the movie.
"Here we go," Nick whispered excitedly into her ear.
When the movie was over, they both exited the theater thinking to themselves at the same time, "What on Earth did we just watch?"
Freckles asked Nick, "On a scale of one to ten, how bad was the movie?"
"One hundred! Everything was all wrong! The special effects went way overboard. The acting sucked. And the story was so dull and predictable. Let's just say this movie will never become one of those cult classics like Plan 9 from Outer Space," Nick ranted.
"Couldn't agree with you more! I knew the movie was going to be terrible, but not this terrible," Freckles answered back with disgust. She then spoke in an upbeat tone, "Tonight was still picture perfect even though the movie itself disappointed us. Couldn't have had it any other way than spending it with you."
Flattered, Nick smiled and replied, "I concur. This night was perfect with you around."
As soon as Nick finished complimenting Freckles, they looked into each other's eyes for a second. They then closed each other's eyes and pressed their lips together for a kiss. Neither of them had kissed on the first date before, so this kiss was unorthodox for both of them, but the moment just felt right for a kiss. The only people they had ever heard of kissing on the first date were Cat and JP. Nick and Freckles both felt like they were on cloud nine as they kissed. A few seconds later, Nick gently embraced her in his strong arms, which made Freckles feel like Jell-O as she felt the warmth from his arms and the body heat radiating from his chest. In turn, she put her arms around Nick's neck to feel even closer to him. Nick couldn't believe how wonderful it was to finally kiss his beloved Freckles. Her lips were intoxicating to him, and he wished he could kiss her all night long if given the chance. Freckles felt the same way as he did, and she was exhilarated from the taste of the sparks radiating from Nick's lips. It was complete bliss for her, and she gladly would have spent the entire night kissing him if given the opportunity. For both of them, the kiss was far better than anything they had ever dreamed of. After about 15 seconds of pure heaven, both of them softly pulled away breathless and completely satisfied with the kiss.
"That was…oh my God…so perfect…just like you, Mr. Universe," Freckles said in a low, quiet voice.
"You're absolutely perfect…so beautiful…divine, really," Nick gushed seductively. He then whispered, "I could hold you forever."
With a smile on her face, Freckles asked knowingly, "I guess this means we are officially a couple now?"
"I would say so," Nick responded cheerfully.
When the loving couple arrived at the Lamarck house to have Freckles dropped off, Nick offered to walk her to the front door, which she accepted.
"Tonight was absolutely fabulous, Nick. Thank you for taking me out," Freckles said.
"You're welcome. Let's meet up again soon," Nick suggested.
Eagerly, Freckles replied, "Yes, definitely! Tuesday night sound good?"
"Sure! That sounds awesome," Nick said happily.
Freckles then asked, "Text me when you get home, ok?"
"You got it. Have a good night, baby," Nick said as he gave her a warm hug and peck on the cheek.
"You too," Freckles said as she watched him walk to his car.
They both happily waved goodbye as Nick started his car and drove home. When Nick's car was out of sight, Freckles let out a squeal of delight over how successful their first date went. It was the best moment of her life at that point, and she couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. She had a huge grin on her face as she unlocked the front door with her house key as she knew that Amalia and her parents would be thereto ask how the night went. She knew she would be talking to them for a good while about her perfect night with the man of her dreams.