'Thanks,' murmured Tom to Nicki after Michael had left the room, 'if it hadn't been for you then he would have suspended me.'
'Well you didn't deserve to be suspended did you?' Replied Nicki, placing her hand on his shoulder, 'you're always so lovely to the kids. Things wouldn't be the same if you weren't here.'
'Thanks,' said Tom, a smile growing on his face, 'well, I think I should do something to say thank you.'
'You don't have to,' hurried Nicki, turning red in spite of herself.
'But I want to. I was wondering if you just wanted to go out tonight at all... with me.'
'Oh,' answered Nicki, stunned, 'okay.'
Tom grinned in return before leaving the room. Nicki just stood there for a while, trying to comprehend what had just happened. After a few minutes though, she turned around to check that no one was looking and then did a little happy dance on the spot.