Finding Peace chapter two: Preparation Time

same disclaimer as always

note: this would have been up earlier, but I cut my hand badly. Don't worry, I still have all six digits

The next morning, Sydney woke to the soft smell of eggs and toast. She noticed Nigel wasn't beside her and went to look in the kitchen. "I thought breakfast was only a weekend thing." she said wrapping her arms around his waist, hugging hin tightly. "It's early."

"This is only a weekend thing when it's served at two in the afternoon. I thought we needed a change from toasted pastries." he laughed.

"You're sleeping alright, aren't you?" she asked nervously.

"Yes." he kissed her forehead. "Just fine. I woke up holding you and felt the urge for eggs. Here...try them." he said setting down the plate in front of her.

"Umm...that's the best egg...what's different?" she spied him curiously.

"It's a secret." he said sitting down to eat his own. Both finished and got dressed for work.

During the day, Sydney still came and checked on him. Now was her lunch break, and Nigel decided to join her in the main cafeteria. He spotted her sitting by the pop machines in the back. He walked over, laid his lunch sack on the table and whispered, "may I join you, beautiful?" in her ear.

Surprised, Sydney turned and nearly brushed her lips against his. "Nigel, what are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd come and eat with the most gorgeous woman on campus." he commented sitting down next to her.

"What has gotten into you? You're acting all goofy." she said laughing and smiling. "You're going to make people start asking questions."

"So?" he said wondering what she was saying. "Are you saying that you're trying to hide our relationship from others?"

"No. It's not that." she tried to explain. "I don't know. Maybe..."I'm just kinda new at this 'long-lasting' relationship thing."

"I know." He placed his hands on hers. "I'm sorry. I know you're kinda jumpy on this. I'll tell you what...today is a shortened day, right?...we get off early? Let's go to dinner." "Nigel, I don't know..." she started unsure.

He leaned in close again and whispered, "I won't take 'No' as an answer."

She just looked at him and shook her head in defeat.

"Good. Our reservation's at seven. We'll have time to dress." With that, he walked out smiling leaving her amazed at his sudden boldness.

The day ended, and at four o'clock both Nigel and Sydney headed home. They took their time getting ready. Nigel had already planned out what he was going to wear the night before. Therefore, he was dressed in no time flat, sporting black dress pants, a dark navy button shirt that shone almost silvery, and a jacket to match the pants. All in all, he looked very dashing.

Sydney, on the other hand, had tried outfit after outfit never finding anything that suited her. Everything more or less said 'this-is-a- one-time-only-thing'. She didn't want that. She wanted something that said 'here-to-stay'. After rummaging through just about everything, even nearly throwing her closet into a tornado siting, something caught her eye. A small, black wad of cloth in the back corner. She unfolded it, revealing a long dress. It still had the tag on it meaning it was new and had never been worn. It was beautiful. It had no sleeves, went all the way around the neck, with a slit on each side rising just over the knees. It was plain black with a sequins outline running around the top half of the dress. She remembered that she had gotten it one year for a party, but had never ended up going. She thought it was the perfect dress for the perfect evening. She slid into it, finding that it still fit, fixed her hair up nicely, sprayed on a soft musk perfume, and added a small set of bangle bracelets onto her left wrist. Finished. She looked herself over again in the mirror, stepped into her shoes, and exited the room.

Chapter 3 coming soon hopefully.