Chapter 5
School eventually became good. Reggie had Julie and Flynn and the guys. And Nick started hanging out with them more often. Every time the group got together and Nick joined, the rest of the group would share knowing smiles. Reggie didn’t know what the smiles meant, and it was frustrating them. “Just tell me why you guys keep looking at each other like that!” Reggie exclaimed, Julie just smiled and rolled her eyes fondly.
“You really don’t see it?” Julie was leaning against the kitchen island as they gathered snacks for the others in the studio.
“See what?” Reggie asked exasperated, “You guys just share these looks that I’m not a part of.” Reggie’s voice sounded so dejected at the end that Julie felt a bit guilty.
“It’s nothing bad, Reg. But can I ask you something?” Reggie raised an eyebrow, unsure where their sister was going with this. “Do you like Nick?”
“Of course I like Nick.” Reggie said seriously, “I wouldn’t hang out with him if I didn’t like him.”
Julie sighed, “No, Reggie. Do you like him like him?”
“Do I-“ Reggie cut themself off, face flushing, but Julie just giggled.
“That’s what I thought. You know, before you were around, Nick didn’t hang out with us so much. Sure, Willie plays lacrosse with him, so we would see him, but he’s been coming around a lot more since you’ve been here.”
“Yeah, probably so I’m not sixth wheeling with a bunch of non single people. Besides, I have enough problems without hoping someone else will be able to love me through them.” Reggie muttered. Reggie didn’t want to like Nick. Didn’t want the complications of trying to date someone that would have to deal with their issues. But it was worse because over the few months they had spent time with the blonde boy, they already knew they were falling in love. “Jules, I’m, uh, not feeling very good.” Julie’s brow furrowed in concern, “I’ll be okay but I’m gonna head to bed. You go hang out with the others.” Reggie ran away before Julie could stop them.
Julie made her way back to the garage, carefully carrying the tray of snacks. “Where’s Reg?” Flynn asked immediately, helping her girlfriend set the tray on the table.
“They, uh, they went to bed.” Julie answered, and she felt the energy in the room shift. Luke and Willie had been carrying Alex around on their shoulders, lowering him carefully to the floor before joining the others by the couch.
“Why did Reg go to bed so early?” Luke asked, tilting his head with a concerned expression.
“I was asking about the crush they have and made them uncomfortable.” Julie answered, biting her lip.
“Wait, Reggie has a crush?” They all turned to Nick with shocked expressions.
Alex cleared his throat, “You seriously didn’t notice?”
Nick’s brow furrowed, “Should I have? Is it someone we know?”
A laugh exploded out of Luke, and then Willie, and then the girls, and finally Alex. Luke looked at Nick, laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes, “You are so lucky you’re cute, Carlson. Cause you might be the most oblivious person I’ve ever met.”
Nick blinked, “Since when do you think I’m cute?”
“Oh, since forever,” Willie winked, “But he wasn’t talking about us.” Nick’s face slowly changed from confusion, to understanding, and finally to a shy happiness.
“He figured it out!” Luke cheered.
“Julie, is it okay if I go talk to Reg?” Nick asked seriously.
“Uh, yeah, I don’t see why not. Just make sure you knock. You know which room is theirs.” Nick nodded gratefully, hurrying out of the room as the others giggled to each other. He waved at Ray in the dining room, going straight up the stairs and down the hall. He stopped at Reggie’s door, reaching up to knock until he heard Reggie singing and strumming their acoustic.
“Eyes shining brighter
Than the sun ever could
Smile looking prettier
Than any ever should
My mind can’t escape
From the thoughts of you
But I don’t try too hard
To get it out, ooh
Just smile that smile
And laugh that laugh
The world’s only angel
Stuck in a high school class”
Nick realized he’d been standing there too long, and finally knocked. The guitar immediately stopped, and Reggie appeared at the door as it opened. “Uh, hi.” Reggie said.
“I’m not gonna pretend I didn’t hear you playing.” Nick said quickly, “And I’m not gonna pretend I know who it’s about, but I am gonna take a shot here. I like you, Reggie. A lot. And I was hoping you’d want to go out sometime. With me. Like on a date.”