I think I was shaking with nerves.

The only thing keeping me together was Nick's hand in mine. It reminded me of when Trey got named captain and Nick needed the support, it was the first time I held his hand. It was nice to know I could rely on him too.

I don't know why it was getting me like this. It wasn't the first time people have pointed and stared. Heck- they all thought she was a psycho killer. This time it was different. This time I was on Nick's side. This time they would compare me to him. They'd point out all the reasons why I was out of his league, how I wasn't good enough for him. If they got to his head then I was going to lose Nick all over again. I didn't even heal the first time around, how would I heal now?

All the other times, Nick and the others didn't mean anything to me. When I graduate and escaped this horrible town, I wouldn't think twice about anyone here. But now things were different with Nick. I fell for him and that was a wound that would take a long time to heal.

"Eva," Nick got my attention. "I know the students in the school have never gone easy on you, but you will have to be strong and confident. We're both committed to this relationship, we weren't forced into it, we have history. To me you are smart, stunning and so strong. No other girl here compares to you. Don't let them get to you."

I bit my lip nervously. "But what if they get to you?"

Nick furrowed his brows.

"What do you mean?"

"What if they change your mind about me?" I asked nervously.

He looked angry. "Is that what you're worried about?"

I bit my lip.

Nick stopped walking, forcing me to face him. "Eva, have you not been listening to a word I said? I choose you. Only you. I've had four years to get to know these other girls, but none of them are you. Eva, answer this; who am I here with right now?"

"Me..."

"Could I be with anyone else now?"

"Yes..."

"Then it's obviously you, Eva. I want to be with you. I don't want anyone else."

"Nick... you don't even love me anymore," I spoke my fears.

He shook his head. "You shouldn't even worry about that."

"It's kinda hard not to Nick," I said, exasperated.

He gave me a soft smile. "You are someone made to be loved. It's not hard to love you Eva. It would be hard not to fall in love with you all over again."

My head hung. "You're just saying that because it's what I want to hear."

He cupped my chin, forcing my gaze on him. "I'm saying that because it's true."

I bit the inside of my cheek. God, I wanted to believe him so bad. He looked so earnest right now. I guess I could be strong for a while longer. Nick sucked at hiding his emotions, I should be able to tell if something is wrong by the end of the day. I had to trust him and trust my gut.

"Okay fine, let's do this," I nodded my head.

A grin stretched on his handsome face. "That's my girl."

We walked onto school grounds and of course the whispering and pointing immediately started.

"Just don't give them attention," Nick said through his teeth as he plastered a smile. He was awfully good at that-- hiding behind a smile for the public. "I got you."

He got me.

I got him.

We got each other. 

I could rely on that.

Nick's crew was waiting on the front steps of the school as if awaiting our arrival. Just great. 

"Hey Nick, hey Eva," said Trey as he came to give Nick one of those bro hugs.

Amelia stood there glaring at us. As soon as we made eye contact she turned around and marched away, followed by a few other cheerleaders. Well I just made a bigger enemy out of her.

I noticed Trey give an eye roll as he noticed her walking away. Looks like there's more trouble in paradise for those two.

"At least this one's loyal," joked one of the boys earning a glare and uncomfortable look from both Trey and Nick. 

Talk about awkward.

"I'll see y'all later," Nick said before walking us to my locker.

He held my head with his hands, looking me in the eye. "You good?"

I let out a huff of air not realizing I've been holding my breath. "I'm good."

I trusted him. I had to trust he wouldn't break my heart again. We had an attempted murderer on the loose, this should be easy.

Nick didn't look so sure.

"I'm good, I mean it."

I did this time.

He looked relieved. "Good."

We went to our class, Nick even asked me for my homework for old times sake. This time it was amusing rather than annoying. We had lunch with his friends who were oddly nice to me. It was odd being on their side. Amelia was still sending me death glares from her seat, this time her friends from the cheer squad sending them too. It didn't bother me. 

I went to work after school counting down the seconds until my date with Nick. I was actually excited. This was our first official public date where people could see the both of us together and where I didn't look crazy talking to him.

My head shot up once I noticed a customer walking towards my stand. It was Trey. I immediately looked over his shoulder searching for Nick.

"It's just me," Trey brought my attention back to him.

"Oh..." 

He was here alone?

"How can I help you?"

I was waiting for his rendition of candy girl, but that never came.

"How did it happen?" he asked.

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "How did what happen?"

"You and Nick?"

I took a step back despite being behind the counter. "Why don't you ask him yourself? You are his best friend."

"He keeps avoiding my questions..." He narrowed his eyes as if trying to decipher me. "It just doesn't make sense. You go on a date with me, avoid me, tell Amelia you're in a relationship with someone else, Nick comes back, you two become nice to each other, one second you're making out in the halls like starved lovers and then the next day you're dating."

My heart was pounding so hard I felt it might jump out my chest.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans.

"We have history that you wouldn't understand," I replied, trying to keep my voice even.

"Do you? Or is Nick trying to get back at me for dating Amelia?" he asked.

I decided to turn things on him. "Are you dating Amelia?"

A dark look crossed his expression. "It's complicated."

"Well, my love life is private. If you want to know more you can ask Nick, but I think you should leave now. I'm done talking to you," I said.

Trey clenched his jaw. "I'll find out what's up. I'm not done with you Montgomery."

I held my breath as I watched him storm out.

I quickly reached for my phone ready to text Nick, but stopped. I didn't want to ruin his day. I wanted our first date to be perfect, at least perfect for him. Trey was going to have to wait."

I clocked out of work going outside to meet Nick who parked his dad's car in front of the theatre. He got out the car and marched towards me pulling me in for a deep kiss leaving me breathless. I clenched his shoulders as he pulled away to keep my knees from buckling. 

"What was that for?" I asked.

He gave my a sexy grin. "I didn't want to wait till after our date to that."

"So impatient," I teased.

"When it comes to you, I'm a whole new man," he said. He held the door open for me, ever so gentleman-ly. He drove us to Joe's, getting us a table. He ordered us a pizza and drinks. The whole time he held my hand until the food came. We talked about his mother's excitement to the news of us dating, Nick finding ways to make me laugh. Never once did we bring up anything dark. It was a fun date. I felt happier than I had felt in a very long time and from the smile Nick was sporting, I could tell he felt the same.

Nick parked in my driveway, pulling me closer to him for another kiss before I had to head in. I don't know how long we kissed, but it didn't feel long at all when my father knocked on the window breaking us apart. Ugh!

"That's enough kiddos," he said. He pointed at me then at the door.

I let out a loud groan. "Sorry about him."

Nick only smiled. "He's just protecting someone who's most valuable to us both. I can't blame him for that.

I wanted to kiss him again, but with my dad standing there waiting I decided against it.

I got out the car, but before I shut the door, I said. "Hey Nick."

"Yeah?"

"It was perfect," I said. 

This made him grin. "More than you know it."

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