A/N: The previous chapter was meant to be a oneshot, but the idea kept on bugging me last night. So now we have Chapter 2. I have to admit that I like the first chapter better, but I had fun writing this too. I apologize profusely if you hate this.

Disclaimer: Still don't own Ace Attorney.

Nick remembered the first time he attended one of Trucy's magic shows. It was in the eighth grade. That was the night that Nick finally realized how he felt towards her. Trucy was incredibly fearless as she performed. She was like a light that was brightening up and warming the entire Wonder Bar. When the radiance of Trucy's smile hit Nick like a punch in the gut, he knew then that he wanted Trucy in a way that you should never want a best friend. And, well, watching a girl pull a frozen chicken out of a pair of panties can really change a guy too.

For the next two years, Nick kept his thoughts a secret. He watched the sunlight shine on the curves of her face, noticed the smell of her dark hair when she sat down next to him, felt the ache of her absence whenever she didn't come to school. He never acted on his feelings, and was satisfied with admiring her from afar (well, technically, from right next to her).

But when you're a guy who's almost sixteen, you can't love a girl and not do anything about it forever.

-o-

Saturday, February 13, 2027. That date jumped out at Nick from the flyers that were posted everywhere in the school. He wondered why anyone would need to stick twelve copies of the same thing on the door of the boys' washroom. Nick's sense of dread deepened as the blasted day drew nearer. He was running out of time. Tuesday... Wednesday... Thursday... Then, all of a sudden, it was Friday. The day before doomsday. Time's up.

Nick stood beside Trucy as she rummaged around her locker. He took a steadying breath and gathered his courage. If he was ever going to do this, now was the time.

"Hey, Trucy," he said, trying to sound casual. "You know that... that dance tomorrow?"

"Uh-huh," she said, pausing to brush her hair back. "You know what I never understood? Why are they holding a Valentine's Dance the day before Valentine's Day? Why not just have the dance on the actual day?"

Nick gulped. He had only mustered up enough courage to last a few moments. If he let Trucy lead him down an irrelevant road now, he would never be able to get himself back on track. So he ignored her question and just let the words that had been stuck in his throat for the past few weeks tumble out of his mouth. "D'you want to go to the dance with me?" He bit his lip and quickly added, "As friends?"

Trucy immediately turned to look at her friend's face. Nick was white as a sheet. A smirk played on her lips. "What if I already got a real date?"

Nick paled even further, if that was possible. It had never occurred to him that Trucy might already have been asked by another guy. "U-Um, right..." He floundered, looking around desperately for the words that could save him from looking like a complete dork.

Trucy laughed. "You should see your face, Nick! I'm only kidding, you know."

He scratched his neck and almost blushed. Despite his extreme embarrassment, he forged on. "So... you'll go with me?"

"Why not?" she said cheerfully, bouncing up and down on her toes. And just like that, the deed that Nick had been putting off for weeks - for years, actually - was done.

No turning back now...

-o-

It was two hours before the dance. Nick stared at himself in the mirror, comb in hand. He sighed in frustration as he attacked his dark hair. Nick was beginning to have second thoughts about his plans to reveal his feelings to Trucy.

She won't feel the same way.

Well, you'll never know unless you ask. She always surprises you.

How could she ever feel the same way about me?

She is letting you take her to the dance.

She thinks we're going as friends.

As friends my ass. Both of you know that's not what you meant. She can see right through you. And she still said yes.

She just doesn't want to hurt my feelings.

Or... She could feel the same way.

If she doesn't, and I tell her how I feel, I won't even be able to be best friends with her anymore. Things will get awkward.

Shut the hell up already. You were the one who asked her. And you know that things will never get awkward with someone like Trucy.

You're right. No time to be second-guessing myself now. I got myself into this. No backing out now.

Nick nodded determinedly at himself in the mirror. He threw the comb onto a nearby table before it started talking as well. Nervously, he adjusted his collar. He was wearing a black dress shirt, a crimson tie, and black jeans and dress shoes. He shuddered at the thought of wearing a tux.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped out the door of his apartment. It would be almost a half-hour walk to Trucy's place, and then a fifteen-minute walk to the school. He didn't mind. It was better than having his mom drive.

Twenty-six minutes later, he found himself outside the door of the Wright Anything Agency. Steeling himself, he knocked.

As though someone had been waiting behind the door for his knock, it flew open to reveal Phoenix Wright. With his hands in the pockets of his hoodie, he gave the boy a once-over before saying pleasantly, "Good evening, Nick. Please, come in."

Nick gulped. He had met Trucy's dad a few times before when he was younger, but this was different. He wondered if Phoenix was the overprotective father type. The hoodie, sweats, and blue beanie gave the impression that the man was very lax, but his gaze was so intense that Nick's hands began sweating as he stepped into the cluttered agency.

"Hey, Nick!" he heard someone call. Nick turned his nervous gaze from Phoenix to Trucy, who was standing behind her father. She was wearing a deep blue sleeveless dress that clung snugly to her body. All of her magician's attire was absent for once. Her short brown hair was sleeker and glossier than usual, but was worn as casually as ever, in that style that suited her so well. Her bright blue eyes were sparkling, as always. There was still no trace of make-up on her face.

All in all, Trucy took Nick's breath away.

"So?" said Trucy. "How do I look?"

"You... You look..." Nick rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at Phoenix nervously. "You look, uh, nice," he finished lamely. "Really nice."

"Tee hee! Thanks, Nick!" She skipped past her father and grabbed her friend's arm. "Come and meet Apollo!" She dragged Nick into another room, where a young man was sitting at a desk, leaning over a pile of paperwork. Nick recognized the guy from Trucy's photo.

"Hey, Polly! This is my friend Nick!" said Trucy, waving Nick's arm around.

The guy didn't even look up. "Um, yeah, hi."

Trucy stomped over to Apollo's desk with Nick in tow. She prodded Apollo crossly. "Introduce yourself properly."

"Ow!" Apollo complained. He sighed as he looked up from his desk. "Hello - Ack!" He knocked his cup of water over his paperwork as he flew up from his chair. "Trucy... You have a boyfriend? And when did you put on a dress?"

Nick scratched the back of his neck. He was fiercely aware that Trucy was still clutching his arm.

Trucy rolled her eyes. "I said Nick's my friend. And I told you already that I'm going to a dance tonight, didn't I?"

Apollo crossed his arms. "Friends don't go to dances together. Especially not dressed like that."

Trucy sighed and ignored him. She held up Nick's arm. "Apollo, this is my friend Nick. Nick, this dork is Apollo. He works for me."

Nick raised his free hand in greeting. Apollo sputtered, "Wha-? I work for you?"

Trucy smiled smugly. "This is my agency, after all. Now, you two shake hands," she ordered.

Trucy finally let go of her friend's arm. The two guys shook hands. Nick didn't know what the deal was with Apollo and Trucy's relationship, but Nick and Apollo were both wrapped around the young magician's finger.

"Okay!" Trucy said with a clap of her hands. "Now that that's settled, let's go, Nick! See you later, Polly!" She danced out of Apollo's office with Nick trailing after her. Apollo returned to his sodden paperwork. Trucy herself may still be oblivious, but the young lawyer could see as clear as day that the boy was obviously head over heels for her.

Outside of Apollo's office, Phoenix was lounging on the couch. He seemed easygoing enough as Trucy gave him the details of the night. Finally, Trucy chirped, "Bye, Daddy! I'll be back by ten!"

The two teenagers made their way to the door. Nick thought he was home free until Phoenix suddenly called, "Oh, Nicholas?"

Nick turned around warily. "Yes, Mr. Wright?"

Phoenix smiled pleasantly. "If you lay even a finger on my daughter, consider yourself a dead man."

Nick instinctively jumped away from Trucy.

Phoenix laughed lightly. "...Just kidding. You kids have fun now."

Trucy rolled her eyes, exasperated, and dragged Nick out the door before either male could make a fool out of himself further.

Apollo leaned against the doorframe of his office as he and Phoenix watched Trucy and Nick leave. Phoenix turned to Apollo, smirking. "I dunno if it's mutual, but it's obvious that that kid is madly in love with our little Trucy."

A/N: Yes, there will be a third chapter. Whether you liked this or not. As long as I have the idea, I'm going to keep going.. No matter how much crappier it gets xD Anyways, thanks for reading to the end of this :3