Chapter 7

School was so boring, Emily thought as she stared at the clock in 6th period, waiting very impatiently for it to ring so that she could go see Nikolas. He was supposed to give her a ride because he had given her a ride to school, and her car was at home. Of course that was not the only reason she wanted to see him. Her crush was definitely back, she couldn't fight it anymore. She just hoped that it was just a crush, nothing more. Three… two... Emily jumped up and ran for the door as soon as the bell rang, ignoring her teacher yelling out the last minute homework assignment for the night.

Emily made her way through the crowded hallway to her locker. She was putting her books into her locker when she felt a familiar pair of hands cover her eyes. "Guess who?" he whispered.

She laughed and turned around to meet a pair of chocolate brown eyes. She smacked him lightly on the chest, "Nikolas! Don't do that, you scared the crap out of me!"

Nikolas laughed, "I'm sorry. I just couldn't bear to resist." He was relieved to see Emily smiling. She seemed to be coping a lot better.

Emily returned to putting her books in her locker, "It's alright, I forgive you." She threw over her shoulder. She grabbed her coat and closed her locker.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yep," She replied. Nikolas placed his hand on the small of her back and led her through the hall, dodging a few running kids, excited about the weekend. They made their way out to the parking lot and Nikolas opened the door for her. "Always a gentleman," She teased as she climbed in his jag.

"Well I try," He said as he shut the door and got in on the other side. "So are you ready for the dance?" Nikolas asked nonchalantly. He knew that she was nervous about the whole thing. She was afraid that nobody would like it, even though Nikolas knew everyone would love it. He didn't understand why she was so afraid people wouldn't like it, she had done events before and everyone had always enjoyed them.

"Yeah, I'm actually kind of excited about it." She said enthusiastically. She just happened to leave out the reason why she was excited about it. The only reason she was even going was because of Nikolas. "I think it will be good for me. You know, get my mind off of the hell my life has turned into." She said sarcastically. "Thank you for going with me tonight, Nikolas. I know that you would have rather asked your lady love." She teased, hating every word as she said it. She decided to voice the thought that had been swimming around in her head since he had asked her to go with him. "Nikolas, I don't want you to go with me because you feel bad for me. I would rather stay at home and you ask out this mysterious girl that you refuse to tell me anything about."

Nikolas laughed at her ignorance. How could she not see what's right in front of her? It took all of his self control not to scream, 'YOU ARE MY LADY LOVE!' Instead, he said something that wouldn't scare her and have her running for the hills. "Em, how could you even think that the only reason I asked you to go with me tonight was because I felt bad for you?" At her shrug, he continued, "Emily, you are my best friend. You are one of the most important people in my life. You rank 10 times higher than a girl that you will not stop asking me about." When he saw her smile he couldn't help but smile too.

Nikolas pulled into the driveway of the gatehouse and cut the engine. He turned back to Emily and sighed. "Now, go inside, relax for a while and I'll be back here to pick you up at 6:30." She smiled and nodded. "Because I WANT too," he added as she got out of the car.

Emily sighed and watched as Nikolas drove away. She had a lot to do. She planned on relaxing for a little while, and she was definitely going shopping for a new dress.

Nikolas felt the butterfly's in his stomach as he pulled into the driveway of the Quartermaine gatehouse. Emily's car was in the driveway and so was a silver SUV that he didn't recognize. He shrugged it off and walked into the front office and made his way to the back where the doors to the house were. He knocked softly and waited patiently for it to be answered.

"Carly! I don't look right!" Emily complained as she stared at herself in the full length mirror.

Carly sighed. She was so difficult. "Em, you never think you look good. I am telling you that you look incredible." At Emily's uncertain look she continued, "There has never been one girl that thought she actually looked good when she was about to go on a date." She shrugged. "It's genetic." She compromised.

Emily smiled and shook her head. "This isn't a date, Carly. Nikolas and I are just going as friends." Carly snorted loudly. "That's very lady like." Emily teased. Carly and Emily had become really close ever since she had started dating Jason. They would always go shopping together, and talk about everything. Emily had called Carly, freaking out about what to wear. They had even gone shopping earlier that day.

Carly laughed loudly. "Yea, right," Carly placed her hands on Emily's shoulders. "Em, a girl doesn't agonize over her clothes if it isn't a date, especially with a very handsome prince." Just then they heard the knock at the door. Carly looked back at Emily and smiled. "Relax; you're going to knock his socks off." Carly took off downstairs to answer the door as Emily put the last minute touches on her appearance.

Carly opened the door and whistled. "Looking good, prince boy," She said as she led Nikolas into the living room. Nikolas laughed and asked, "Is Em ready yet?"

"She'll be down in a sec." She replied as she walked around him.

Nikolas turned toward the stairs when Carly was finished inspecting him and felt like he had been punched in the stomach. Emily looked absolutely gorgeous. She walked down the stairs in a black, strapless dress that fell right above her knees. Her hair was down in small, soft curls and her smile was radiant. She stopped in front of Nikolas and looked concerned. "Nikolas, are you alright?"

He swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded his head. "Yea, I'm fine."

She watched as he looked her up and down and all of a sudden felt very self-conscious. She hadn't realized that she was holding her breath until he said, "Wow, you… look… amazing." She smiled warmly at him. "You look pretty amazing yourself." She said as she ran her hand along his black tux.

'Oh great, how the hell am I supposed to get through the night with her now?' Nikolas asked himself. He wasn't sure if he would be able to control himself without kissing her or telling her how much he loved her. "Are you ready?" He finally asked.

"Yea, let me just grab my coat." She picked up her coat and he helped her into it, his fingers lingering on her shoulders. Carly watched with an observant eye as the pair walked out the door. Emily may not be able to see what's so clear, but she knew better. She could tell that Nikolas had feelings for Emily. She would have to run that by Emily when she got home.

All eyes were on Nikolas and Emily as they walked into the dance with Emily's arm linked through Nikolas'. The place looked amazing. There were red and green streamers and balloons everywhere. The whole place proved that everyone who helped put the dance together had Christmas spirit.

Emily scanned the dance floor, looking for Lucky or Elizabeth, hoping that they had reconciled and went to the dance together, but had no luck. Nikolas only had eyes for the woman on his arm. Thankfully, she hadn't noticed his insistent staring.

Just then Emily's guidance counselor approached them. "Emily! There you are!"

Emily smiled warmly, "Hi Mrs. Aliberto." At her parents' insistence, they had gotten together a lot in the past few weeks to talk about college and extra curricular activities that would look good on her application. Although being charitable organizer was great, she was interested in exploring other options. She wanted to get into the best college and speaking with Mrs. Aliberto really helped and gave her more confidence.

"This place looks incredible, as do you." Mrs. Aliberto commented.

Nikolas started to feel like the third wheel so he decided to give them time to speak. "Emily, I'm going to get us some punch." He said and left the two to talk.

Emily nodded and thanked Nikolas before turning her attention back to her Guidance Counselor. "It turned out a lot better than expected." Emily said.

Mrs. Aliberto waved her hands in the air. "It just goes to show that you should give yourself more credit. This place looks great and everyone is having a wonderful time. In fact, Monday I would like to sit down with you after school and talk about your options. We can talk about the colleges you would like to apply to, what they're looking for and so on."

Emily nodded. "Sure, Monday afternoon I'll be there."

Mrs. Aliberto smiled and made her exit.

Nikolas made his way to the punch bowl and poured Emily and himself a glass. Taylor Devivo walked up behind Nikolas with a smirk on her face.

"So are you and Ms. Quartermaine an item now?" She said from behind him.

Nikolas spun around at the familiar voice and smiled, "Hello to you too Taylor." Taylor was in Nikolas' 3rd period study hall class. She sat right behind him and they talked all the time. They were pretty good friends, in school that is. She would dump all of her boyfriend problems on him and he would confide in her about his feelings for Emily. She didn't know much about the last few days because she had left town for a family emergency, but he was glad that she was back.

She dismissed his sarcastic comment, "Quit dodging the question. I haven't been gone that long have I?"

Nikolas laughed softly, "No, no we are not an item. We just came together," He paused and looked over at Emily talking to one of her friends, smiling brightly, "as friends." He finished glumly.

Taylor placed her hand on his arm. "Don't worry about it, it'll happen. I can totally tell that she likes you."

Nikolas snapped his head towards her when she said that. "What?"

Taylor laughed at his blindness. Well not his blindness, all guys' blindness. "You can tell that she likes you. The way she held onto your arm when you walked in together, the way she keeps glancing over at you while she's talking to one of her friends, the way she blushes every time you look over at her… "

"Wow, you're very observant."

"I'm just a girl. We know these things. You just need to look for the signs." She patted him on the shoulder and wished him a good luck before Emily walked over, smiling.

"So is that your new lady love?" She asked, nonchalantly. She saw her place a hand on his shoulder and couldn't help but feel jealous. She liked Taylor, she was very sweet, but she had a boyfriend.

"Taylor Devivo?" Nikolas asked, surprised. Was that jealousy he heard in her voice? Was Taylor right? This was just confusing him even more. Nikolas shook his head and chuckled, "No, Taylor and I are just friends. I have no interest in her. Besides, she has a boyfriend." He handed her a glass of punch.

Emily sighed in frustration, "So are you going to tell me who this girl is then?" She patted her eyes sweetly.

Nikolas pretended to contemplate the question for a minute and started to nod, but instead shook his head, "No, no I don't think I am." He laughed.

"Fine, I'll stop bugging you about it then." She decided aloud.

"Some how I doubt that." Nikolas concluded with a laugh.

Baby you don't know, what you do to me. Between me and you, I feel a chemistry. Won't let no one come and take your place. Cause the love you give can't be replaced. See no one else love me like you do. That's why I don't mind to spend my life with you. Wanna please you in anyway I can. Wanna share my world don't you understand.

He heard the upbeat music change to a slow song and set his punch down. He stretched his hand to Emily, "Care to dance?"

Emily smiled and took his hand, "I would love to."

Your love is a one in a million it goes on and on and on you give me a really good feelin all day long. Your love is a one in a million it goes on and on and on you give me a really good feelin all day long.

Emily wrapped her arms around Nikolas' neck and he pulled her in close. They began to sway softly to the music. They didn't say a word; they just enjoyed the feel of each other.

Turn me inside out make my heart speak. Don't want no one else you are all I need. Personality(ty) in everything you do(do). Makes me love everything bout you. Your smile your style so fly I can't deny I got a crush on you and that's true indeed. I'm diggin you your makin me believe.

Nikolas took advantage of the strapless dress, and his hands explored her skin, soaking in the feel of her touch. He knew that he should stop but he couldn't. He wanted to stay like this forever, with Emily in his arms.

Your love is a one in a million it goes on and on and on you give me a really good feelin all day long. Your love is a one in a million it goes on and on and on you give me a really good feelin all day long.

As for Emily, she felt like she was flying. She felt like she was in a dream, where only she and Nikolas existed in the world.

I'll give you anything you want from me anything you want anything you need anything your soul desires I'll give you anything you want from me anything you want anything you need anything your soul desires Your love is a one in a million it goes on and on and on You give me a really good feelin all day long. fades Love it babe. echo love it babe. love it babe

She honestly couldn't tell you how long they were dancing for. It felt like hours. She hadn't noticed anything around them until she noticed the dance floor was almost empty. She pulled her head back and Nikolas gazed down at her like she was the only woman in the room. She felt her face burn with red from the way he was staring at her. "Nikolas, we're the only people left on the dance floor." She whispered.

He looked around the empty dance floor, with his arms still wrapped securely around Emily. She didn't seem to mind so he didn't remove them. He spotted Taylor in the back. She smirked and winked at him and he smiled. "Wow, I didn't even realize the dance was over." He said.

She smiled, "Me either."

Nikolas stared at her and laughed when her stomach started to growl. "Are you hungry?"

She blushed and nodded her head. "It's ok; I can make something to eat at home. I'm pretty tired."

Nikolas took the hint and grabbed her coat for her. "Come on. Let's get out of here." He said and led her out of the school.

Nikolas walked Emily to her door. He was sad to see the night end, although he usually was when he was with her. She stopped at the door and turned to Nikolas. "Thank you so much for tonight, Nikolas. I had such a great time!" She exclaimed.

Nikolas loved to see her smile. If he made her smile once in a day, then it would make his week. "Well, it was absolutely no problem at all." He smiled. "I had a great time too. So, thank you for attending with me."

Emily was beaming. She pulled Nikolas into a hug and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. He buried his face in her hair and breathed in her strawberry scent.

All Emily was concentrating on was his hands running up and down her sides. It was hard to concentrate on anything else. It wasn't a friendly rub.

Nikolas pulled back slowly and began to kiss her on the cheek, but before he could think about what he was doing he missed her cheek and went to her lips instead. His hands were resting on her hips until after a second, she started to respond, and he wrapped his arms around her small waist.

Emily was completely caught off guard by the kiss. It was mind blowing. She had no idea that Nikolas had feelings for her until he kissed her. That proved that he had feelings for her, right? Maybe it was just in the moment. The thoughts diminished from her mind when Nikolas deepened the kiss. She threw her arms around his neck and everything else was kind of a blur.

Carly heard Emily pull up in the driveway and she was so anxious to hear about her night, plus she really needed Emily's advice. She opened the front door and her mouth dropped when she saw them engaged in a passionate kiss. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt."

Nikolas and Emily sprang apart when Carly came out. Nikolas' arms dropped to his sides and he nervously ran a hand through his hair.

"Em, I'll be inside when you guys are… finished."

Nikolas panicked suddenly. What was he going to say to Emily if Carly left? He grabbed onto the way out quickly, "No, Carly its ok, I was just leaving." He quickly turned to leave, despite Emily's objections.

"Nikolas, wait." Emily pleaded.

"Em, talk to Carly. I'll see you later." He rushed and sped walked to his car, hopped in, and sped off.

Emily watched him, dumbfounded, as he drove off.

"What was that all about?" Carly asked.

"I have no idea." Emily sighed as she turned back to Carly.

"Em, I'm soo sorry."

"It's ok, Carly. I'll just call him tomorrow and find out what the hell that was about. I'm too exhausted to deal with this tonight." She said as she walked into the house, Carly following close behind.