November 2015

It was the end of the Drama Brothers' tour, which meant Trent was coming by her university to spend the day with her. Stratford was one of the last few tour stops for them, so after tour ended he went home to spend a few days with his parents, then cleared a day to see Nicole at school. She was in her dorm room ready for him to come when she heard a knock on the door.

"Hey, you." She smiled as she hugged him around his neck.

"Come on in." Nicole closed the door behind her as the two stepped into her single dorm, making sure no one saw him. He removed the sunglasses and cap he was wearing and looked around her dorm.

She had been moved into her dorm for two months now, and she's had the time to make it feel like home. She had artwork and precious family photos all over her walls, and hanging on the walls were string lights.

Trent paused as he took a look at one of the photos that caught his eye. It was a photo of her and Noah in front of a sign that said 'Canada's Wonderland'. Their parents stood behind them. She joined him to see what he was looking at.

"This was Noah and I's twelfth birthday. That was such a fun day."

"Canada's Wonderland was where my parents brought me for my fourteenth birthday to tell me they were getting a divorce." Nicole's smile turned into an open gasp as she struggled to find the right words.

"Canada's Wonderland?" Nicole repeated. "On your birthday?"

"Yep. "These two weren't the best at handling hard topics like that." The two of them laughed as they sat on Nicole's bed, and Trent took her hand as he looked at her.

"Sorry, that was probably a little intense."

"It's all right." She began to change the subject as she leaned back, still holding onto his hand. "So you're back from tour."

"I am."

"How did the rest of it go?"

"It was pretty bittersweet. It took so much energy out of helping plan this, but it was worth it. It was so good getting everyone back together, and our record label even wants a new album."

"Really?" She smiled.

"Yep! Right in Toronto."

"Maybe we could spend some time together when I'm home for winter break. I've got one more week of classes, and then I'm off." Nicole told him.

"I'd love that, then maybe after winter break I could come up on the weekends, if you're okay with that."

"Yes, definitely."

He began to get serious as he smoothed her hand, and prepared himself for what's been on his mind for some time now.

"I feel something really special with you, Nicole." He said.

"I do, too." She said as she smiled.

"I know it's still really early, but I wanted to ask you." Nicole looked at him, listening intently. "Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Even though she asked him to take things slow, she knew they were ready for this step. Most importantly, she was ready, no matter how scary it was to consider how her brother would take it.

She cupped her hands over his cheeks and gave him a kiss. They were locked in for a few seconds until he had to come up for air.

"I'm sorry." Trent chuckled at her apology.

"No, don't apologize. It felt nice."

She gave a nervous laugh as she looked back at him.

"I want to make sure you know what you're getting into being my girlfriend." She cocked her head to the side as she tried to decipher what he meant.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sort of famous and all, and people report my every move. I don't know if you want to lay low with me for a bit, or just immediately tell everyone we're dating, just so rumors don't start. I also don't want to pressure you into having a public presence. I entered the spotlight, not you."

Nicole listened to what he said and took it into consideration.

"Noah still hasn't really talked about me to the public." Nicole noted. "It may be best for us to lay low for a bit."

"Yeah. I think that's a good idea." Trent said as he held her onto her. "Of course I want to protect you from any sort of crazy, jealous admirers I have out there, but I also just want you to myself in the beginning of our relationship."

"I feel the same way." Trent looked down at her seriously for a moment.

"We also might not be able to see each other all the time. I have to work on recording the next album, and we are two hours away. Are you okay with that?"

"I know we can handle it." Nicole said as she smiled. Trent began to change the subject.

"So, is that a yes?" Trent asked.

"Is what a yes?" She asked.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Nicole smiled as she kissed him once more, then began to laugh at herself after they stopped and stared into each other's eyes.

"I'm sorry. That doesn't answer your question."

She straightened herself up and looked back at him.

"Yes. I will be your girlfriend." She nodded her head as she smiled. "I don't know what happened, I just felt this urge to kiss you."

"You never have to apologize for kissing me. I liked it."

"Can I do it again, then?"

"You don't have to ask me twice." The two smiled as she went in for a kiss, holding onto his shirt. When they let go, they laid down together on her bed, staring into each other's eyes as they let time pass by with just the two of them.