She didn't get far, her long strides gave her the advantage but Waverly had the determination and she had barely pushed through the doors into the girls locker room when Waverly had appeared in front of her with a smile still intact on her face despite what had just happened in the gym behind them.

''Where do you think you're going?'' Is the first thing that comes out of Waverly's mouth as she crosses her arms over her chest.

''To the showers? And then home?'' Nicole's statement came out as more of a question with the confusion lining her voice. ''Is that a problem?'' She added as Waverly stayed in her position.

''You have to come out with us, to celebrate!'' Waverly grinned and Nicole felt her stomach flutter at the sight.

''Celebrate what? I might not have even made the team.'' Nicole said honestly, because she wasn't sure what this coach was like. As much as she knew she had the skills and potential to be on the team, it wouldn't be the first time she would have been turned away so the coach could make an all male team.

''Are you serious? There's no way you won't be picked for the team after that.'' Waverly exclaimed, her arms finally uncrossing from her chest as she used them to gesture back towards the gym.

The shrug was the only response Nicole offered, somehow her words seemed to disappear when she was around Waverly at moments like this. Maybe it was because of the pounding in her chest or the butterflies in her stomach. Maybe it was the way Waverly was looking at her, with such sincerity and honesty in her eyes and a smile which to Nicole, felt like it was lighting up the whole room. The look that made Nicole want to press her up agains the locker behind her and kiss her right there and then.

''Come on, coach will definitely pick you. And even if not - I mean I'm 99% sure he will but if not - you should still come out with us anyway. It'll be fun-'' Waverly was starting to ramble and Nicole found herself smirking as the excitement clearly built. ''Or I hope so at least, if you don't like it we can do something else-''

''Waves-'' The nickname just slipped out and Nicole faltered for a second, pretending to clear her throat before continuing. ''I don't have any money with me, I can't go anyway.''

''Oh don't be silly.'' The dismissal came instantly. ''I'm buying.''

''I can't let you do that-'' Nicole tried.

''No no, it's my treat. Honestly.'' Waverly insisted as Nicole sighed.

''Are you sure? I'll pay you back tomorrow.'' And just like that the fight was over for Nicole, the side of her who wanted to just go home and curl up in her bed for the evening was fading away and being replaced with the overwhelming urge just to spend more time with Waverly. She assumed Champ would be there, she wasn't stupid but after what had just happened in the gym refusing to go when Waverly was offering to cover her would just look bad. And she didn't want to hurt Waverly's feelings, so of course she would go, if she was sure.

''I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't sure, silly.'' There was a playful eye-roll and a small push to her arm from the shorter girl as Nicole just continued to smile to herself. ''But you need to shower first, and get changed. As much as you look way too good for someone who's covered in sweat, I'm not sure you wan't to be going out like that. I'll see you by the front doors!''

And just like that Waverly was gone, the comment about Nicole looking good leaving her stunned once again. This girl was going to be the end of her and the worst part of it all, was that she was doing it without even noticing. Because they were friends. And friends were allowed to tell each other they looked good without it being anything other than platonic. But it still made Nicole's heart beat faster and her cheeks tint red and oh god. She was in way too deep.

So she showered and got changed as fast as she could because she didn't want to keep Waverly waiting. Slinging her backpack over her shoulder as she power walked out of the locker room and through the hallways towards the front of the school. Just as she said, Waverly was there leaning against one of the lockers with a book in her hands. Completely focused on the material in front of her that she didn't even pick up on Nicole approaching her.

''Good book?'' Nicole questioned softly, laughing softly to herself as Waverly jumped and brought a hand up to her chest.

''Nicole!'' Waverly scolded, but there was a smile creeping at the edge of her lips nevertheless.

''Sorry.'' Nicole smiled and glanced down at the book in Waverly's hands. ''Pride and Prejudice, huh? Good ol' Elizabeth Bennet''

''You've read it?'' Waverly asked, clearly surprised as she slipped the book into her bag.

''Of course I have, why is that so surprising?'' Nicole said, feigning hurt. But like Waverly, she couldn't keep the smile at bay at how the playfulness just seemed to flow between them, how nice it felt.

''No no, it's not. I didn't mean it like that-'' And Waverly was beginning to ramble again and it was simply adorable but Nicole would save her from the thought of her having done something wrong this time. Because as much as it was cute, she didn't want Waverly to think she had really offended her for any longer.

''Relax, I was joking.'' Nicole smiled and Waverly visibly relaxed, letting out a small nervous laugh.

''I really thought I had offended you for a moment there.'' Waverly admitted, brushing a strand of fallen hair behind her ear.

''You could never offend me-''

''There you are!'' Champ. Champ who was not so Champ, who seemed to have the absolute worst timing in the world as Nicole had to force herself from letting out a groan as he appeared and slung his arm around Waverly's shoulder, much like he always did. ''You ready to go? The guys are meeting us there.'' He said to Waverly before looking up to Nicole with a blank expression.

''Ready?'' Waverly asked and Nicole just nodded, any playfulness now gone and her mood considerably dampened. ''Let's go then!''

And so Nicole found herself piled into a circular booth at a local diner. A banana milkshake in front of her, courtesy of Waverly who was sat closely by her side due to there being one too many of them to fit around the table with space. Champ had ended up opposite the two, sending the occasional blank look in Nicole's direction whenever Waverly's attention was elsewhere. So now seemed like the time to try and apologise.

''Hey Champ, I'm sorry about earlier. I'm not one to have my personal space invaded without warning.'' Nicole said. It was partly true, she didn't like unexpectedly being touched - by people she didn't like that was anyway. Any of her old friends would throw themselves at Nicole, for hugs or piggyback rides constantly. But people who she wasn't close with used to invade her personal space all the time and sure, sometimes she got annoyed but not so much in the way that she physically shoved someone away. The more she thought about it the more she realised that maybe it was just Champ and the attitude she had formed towards him in her head.

''You seemed perfectly fine with Waverly hugging you.'' He said, raising his eyebrow with a smug smile. Not so stupid after all.

''Champ, Nicole's trying to apologise. Don't be like that.'' Waverly cut in, briefly looking away from the conversation she was already apart of to shoot a look at Champ and offer a quick smile to Nicole before her attention was drawn back elsewhere.

It seemed to be enough and Champ dropped it, his attention also being drawn to the conversation happening about the groups plans for the weekend whilst Nicole just sat and sipped on her smoothie absentmindedly.

And like that it was over, Nicole thanked Waverly for buying her the smoothie who once again insisted that it was her treat and not to worry about paying her back. The hug came without notice, although Nicole was slightly more prepared for holding herself together this time.

Even with Champ staring directly at her from a few yards away.