AMANDA POV
I closed my door and leaned against it and sighed. Why did I have to run into nick? I asked myself. Not because I didn't want to see him I haven't been able to get him out of my mind since I first laid eyes on him. I just was feeling hung over and off and I didn't even shower. Oh well I guess I can make up for it tonight. I kicked off my shoes set my alarm for 315 and closed my eyes. I must have drifted off quickly because the alarm was blaring what seemed like 10 minutes later. I groggily got out of bed and jumped in the shower. I Washed with a sage and mint wash to enhance my senses and wake me up a little. I got out of the shower threw on shorts and a t-shirt and went to my closet. I laid out a denim skirt a white tank top, a short sleeved red cardigan and my red flip flops. I was still feeling groggy so I decided to make something to boost my energy. I heard my phone buzz it was a text from Nick "have to run to the ATM meet me downstairs at 5" I answered back K and went on with what I was doing. I got my book of shadows out from between my mattress and a box of dried herbs out from under my bed. I went over to my desk and put the box on the side and laid out my book of shadows and sat down. I found what I was looking for. It was a tea, an energy fusion that called for 2 types of ginseng and ligustrum berries. I got the herbs and berries from the box and placed small amount in my mini mortar and pestle and began grinding them. I put the herbs back and put the box under my bed and rand water through my mini coffee pot. I went into the bathroom and got ready. I just let my hair fall and dry naturally so I brushed it out and added a little sunflower oil in it for shine. I put on a little makeup just enough to enhance my eyes cheeks and I daubed my lips with a rose balm. I left the bathroom and poured the hot water into a mug and went over to the desk to get the ground herbs. I poured them into the cup and stirred. I got dressed and grabbed my tea and went over to my closet I picked out my favorite bag a big white leather hobo. I was transferring my stuff from the canvas bag I had used earlier and noticed the time as I grabbed my phone it was 4:59. I was going to be late. I downed my tea grabbed my keys and sunglasses and left.
I got downstairs and went outside and there Nick was leaning against the same wall as he was the day I first saw him. He smiled and came up to me and planted a kiss on my cheek and said "you look nice" I looked at him and he was wearing blue jeans and a black v-neck shirt. He looked strikingly handsome. "so do you" I said. Ready?" he asked. He eyes sparkled. "I'm ready" I smiled up at him. We walked over to the train station and got on a train headed downtown. When we got off the train were right in front of the aquarium. "Ooh the aquarium! This is top on my list for must see in Boston" He shook his head sorry the aquarium itself is closed but follow me." He took my hand. We crossed the street and walked around the building and there was the Aquarium Café, a restaurant right on the water. We went up to the desk and Nick said "I have a 5:30 reservation for Armstrong" "right this way" We were led through the bar area out the back and we seated pretty much in between the dolphin pool and the sea lion den. My face must have lit up like a Christmas Tree. "You like? He smiled "I love!" I gushed as I wanted the dolphins dance on top of the water. "This place is so cool!" I said excitedly. Best first date ever I thought. "yeah and it's not too crowded" nick added he really didn't seem to like people too much. "My aunt is a member of the aquarium not sure how it works but this place is a members only thing' he continued. "very cool" I laughed as a sea lion made a loud barking noise from I just looked across the table and smiled. God he was handsome and he was cool and mysterious and I couldn't believe he was here with me. Dinner was amazing. I ordered a spring green salad topped with grilled Portobello mushroom and goat cheese with a fresh herb dressing. He ordered a burger and fries. It was really funny we were so different yet so much the same. That feeling of familiarity was so strong I couldn't put my finger on it. When I ordered my salad Nick laughed "you remind me of my friend Laurel" he laughed "your love of animals and fresh greens you guys would totally hit it off" I shrugged. "Do you have lots of friends back home?" I asked. "Nah, just my group. We all group up together on the same street and have known each other pretty much since we were born. We just kind of stuck to ourselves." I nodded. "I bet you had a lot of girlfriends back home" I said not meaning for that to actually come out of my mouth I meant it to be a thought. Embarrassed, I looked down and my salad. "No not at all. I had one girlfriend last year that lasted for a little while" "What happened?" I was prying but I was starting to seethe with jealousy and I didn't know why. "it's a long story. Basically she liked someone else who happened to be her best friend's boyfriend. I liked her and I knew what I was getting into but I asked her out anyway. She said yes. We dated for a few weeks. She broke up with me that guy broke up with her best friend and she got together with that guy" He explained. "Sounds complicated" I noted "you have no idea" he said under his breath. "What about you? Friends, boyfriend tell me everything" he said eagerly. "Well as far as friends go it's kind of the same as you. My friends and I all grew up in the same neighborhood. Our parents were friends since they were little so we grew up together. My best friend , her name is Sammy and I miss her the most. "I said getting a little said. "What about boyfriends did you have one back home?" "nah." I tried to find words that wouldn't give away too much. "I was pretty much friends with everyone even though I had my core group my friends however my guy friends could be quite intimidating and protective of me which caused a problem with my dating life. And since we grew up together dating in my circle um my circle of friends would just be gross." He looked at me funny like he was trying to figure something out. "So I never really got passed the 3rd date even though I was voted biggest flirt in our year book" I smiled proudly. "I bet you did" There was some awkward silence. I can't believe I called I used the word circle when referring to my friend. I'm giving too much of myself away. I started panicking. I wanted to bolt. Usually this feeling didn't happen till the 3rd or 4th date but Nick saw things in me that no one else ever had and we had a connection that I have never felt before. "You ready to go explore?" "Yep" I said eagerly. He paid the bill and took my hand. We just started walking. We walked down by the water and onto the beach by the port. I was fascinated. "I've never been on a beach before" I admitted. "This is more like a port much different than a real beach. Beaches are awesome. I live on a beach in New Salem" I was envious. "The beach is a great place for fires or to hang out or just to think" Fires? Sounded like what we did in the desert. Weird. There were too many similarities. I wasn't getting an uneasy feeling but I was getting anxious. I wanted to lay it all on the line for him and tell him what I was but I was sworn to secrecy for one and also I couldn't bare him to call me a freak and run away. We were walking hand in hand and in silence and it was a comforting silence and I was comfortable with him. I would keep my secret as long as I could and when it got too big a burden to bear I would just stop seeing him. It's not like he was boyfriend or anything. I may have only met him yesterday however I felt like I've known him for ever. He led me up a path and onto a street where all these shops were. "So you know I like animals and green things, what are you passionate about?" I asked "cars" he said. "I love working on cars on old cars and refurbishing them. Which is why I am going into mechanical engineering. I would love to develop cars." He said. "I don't know much about cars" I admitted though I love the hand me down 68 Mustang my dad gave me for my 16th birthday" "no shit!" he smiled. "I have a 67 one that I a plan on finishing on Winter Break. The one I have at school is an '82" he smiled. We walked past some boutiques and then I stopped in front of a store that caught my eye it was called "Wiccan Hideaway". I stopped and looked at the display window and there were crystals of all different colors and sizes hanging from a tree with a mural of the four elements and a pentagram behind it. "The crystals are so pretty" I said pretending to be only kind of interested. "We can go in and get a closer look if you want" I shrugged ok. We walked in and I was in heaven. I was trying not to be excited even though I wanted to buy everything off the shelves. They had calendars, and candles and alter set ups and tarot cards. We walked down the aisles and Nick seemed just as interested as I was. "You know a lot about this stuff" he asked with curiosity in his eye. "a little. I only like stores like this for 2 things the jewelry and the herbs" I tried to lie but it didn't work "herbs?" he asked. "yeah I like to make tea from fresh herbs" I answered trying to sound like it was normal "what kind of tea?" "anything really. I made a ginseng infusion today because I was so tired" I said we were in front of this wall with plastic containers that contained hundreds of dried herbs. I got a few bags and filled with what I needed. "I'm going to look around a little bit" he said and left to wonder around. I got some chamomile, some lavender, some sage and some honey suckle" I was headed to pay and I noticed Nick by the counter stuffing a white bag in his pocket. Did he buy something? Weird. I slid next to him looked up and smiled "got what you needed?" "yes" I smiled. As I stuffed my bag in my purse "I'm going make some chamomile lavender tea tonight and sleep like a baby" I said and he laughed. "Your different" he said as we walked out of the store and I frowned. He stopped and looked at me. "Oh no Amanda in a good way I promise" I smiled and he pulled me close to him and kissed me right there on the street. Did a street lamp just flicker? We both looked up. "look's like a light is going out" I said. He shrugged. Did I just do that? Things were getting weird. "Ready to head back?" he said. I nodded and we walked back to the train and on the ride home he had his arm around me and I rested my head on his chest taking in his scent of cigarettes and mint. We got off the train and walked slowly towards the dorm. "I had a really nice time tonight" he said my phone buzzed and I looked at the text from Molly and looked at Nick "well is doesn't have to be over yet Molly and her suitemates are having a party want to go?" he smiled "sure why not more time with you right?" that melted my heart. "Mind if we stop at my room first so I can throw on a pair of yoga pants?" "I'm kind of liking the skirt but whatever makes you comfortable" He was really laying it on me though I could tell it wasn't an act. We got to my room and I unlocked the door and turned on the light. I went to my dresser grabbed the pants "ill be right back:" I said I headed into the bathroom leaving nick in my room. When I got into the bathroom I couldn't stop thinking that I was forgetting something. I put on my pants and as I was brushing my hair I froze. In the rush of getting ready for the date I forgot to put something away. My book of shadows.