Nick picks me up at 5:30 pm. He pulls up outside the door in his silver Mercedes Bentley and steps out of the car. He wears a white and black checkered button-up shirt over a white tank top, black jeans with the cuffs rolled, and a pair of Air Jordans. His outfit somehow goes together perfectly and makes me feel overdressed at the same time.

I am wearing a knee-length dark blue dress that is strapless with a cream colored sash. My brown hair is in a half-up do with the remainder in curls that felt hot on my back. Thanks, Alex, for suggesting I dress up for a movie date. It's not like this is a premiere. There will be normal people there.

"Hey, Micah!" Nick calls out, bounding up the front steps to me. He stops just a few feet away from me, a huge grin on his face. "You look beautiful."

I blush deeply.

"I know I never mentioned this," he adds, scratching the back of his neck, "but I have reservations for dinner in 20 minutes at The Panini. I hope you don't mind? " He raises his eyebrows as if it was an accident, but the fact that I know it was planned makes me feel special for some reason. Calm down, Micah, I tell myself. It's not like I'm the only girl he's ever asked out.

"Sure, I'm perfectly open to whatever you want to go do," I say, probably sounding a little too enthusiastic. "I like your outfit too." I give him a big grin, then quickly turn red.

"Thank you," he says, beaming. "I like yours too. Blue is definitely your color." I look up to see if he's joking, but his face is quite serious.

I smile again.

"So, Mikes." He pauses. "Can I call you that?"

"Yes, you may," I reply, nodding. He already did at the party. Then I whisper, "It's better than my mother's nicknames." 

He laughs, then turns and leads me back down the steps to the car. He opens the door for me, and I slide into the passenger seat.

"Does she call you sweetling?" he asks, chuckling slightly as he sits down in the driver's seat. Pushing the key into the ignition, he turns it to the right and the engine rumbles to life.

"Yes, and I hate it," I reply as we pull out of the circular driveway. "Does Jaimie call you that?"

"Hell, yes," he says, rolling his eyes, then grinning at me again. "She talks to me in the same way she does to my 4-year-old brother. I'm glad I go to school near my dad. My mom drives me crazy."

"I'd never thought I'd find a person who feels the same way. But I guess I just did," I say, even though it makes me feel really cheesy. You should sound more sophisticated, I chastise myself. How come Nick sounds so good no matter what he says?

"I think we're more alike than we realize," Nick replies, winking.

I glance over at him. "You really think so?"

"Our moms are best friends," he says, nodding. "I'm sure they trade tips." He smiles, and I laugh.

Before I know it, we pull up The Panini, a high class but relatively inexpensive restaurant. I stare in awe at the glittering neon lights. My mother rarely takes me to fancy restaurants, which is just fine by me. Sometimes I think she gets just as annoyed at the paps as I do.

"You got us a valet?" I ask, surprised as Nick hands the shiny keys to a tall man in a blue uniform.

"Of course, I'm Nick Garner. I can do anything." He gives me a sly smile.

Suddenly, there is a flash of light. It's from a camera. Shit. Nick holds his hand up to block us from the paparazzi.

"Excuse me," says an oddly familiar voice, "I believe you are Mr. Nicolas Garner. May I ask you a few questions?" I stare in horror as I recognize that butterfly pin lady from the B&C Party who wrote that article about me being a liar. What was her name again? Rena, Rani, Reno? Whatever it was, I didn't like her and she wasn't going to spread any more lies about me or my family and friends.

"Excuse me, do I know you?" Nick asks inquisitively.

"I believe so. I'm Rhina Fabel," she says smiling, poised with her camera in her right hand, ready for the shot. "I talked to you at the party a few days ago."

"You're that butterfly lady with those awful two tone shoes who spreads lies about people." He sounds rather unimpressed.

Take that! I think.

"I guess I am the butterfly lady with those awful two tone shoes who spreads lies about people," Rhina retorts sarcastically. "I might have something nice to say about that Nicholas."

"Security," Nick says, beckoning to a nearby man. 

He immediately strides over quickly. "Yes, sir?" he replies, ducking his hat uniformly.

"Take this lady away. She is being rude and obnoxious." He aims the words at Rhina.

"Yes, sir," he says, nodding quickly. "Sorry for the inconvenience, sir."

"Thank you," says Nick, smiling. "I will mention to my mother that The Panini has top-notch security."

The man nods again, then begins to lead Rhina away. She doesn't struggle.

"Did you just bribe that guard?" I ask incredulously, once they are out of earshot.

Nick smiles down at me. "Maybe."

I raise my eyebrows.

He raises his eyebrows back, making me giggle. He holds out his arm and I eagerly grab it. We walk into the restaurant like the sophisticated adults we probably should be but are not.

"What can I get you lovely people this evening?" the perky waitress asks as we take our seats on The Panini's patio in the warm early June evening. She sets down two laminated menus before us.

"Two lemonades and a basket of fries please," Nick requests without even bothering to look at the menu.

"Coming right up." She quickly scurries back to the kitchen, her white dress fluttering in the soft breeze. I wish that I could look that graceful.

"So," Nick says says, turning to look at me sternly.

"So what?" I try not to squirm under his intense gaze.

"Tell me about yourself, Mikes," he requests, leaning back in his chair. He looks so sophisticated and at the same time easy-going, as if the world is just a couch for him to lounge on. I always feel awkward and very uneasy wherever I go, especially when I am at school or around boys.

"I'm pretty boring," I say, scratching my arm.

"Really? Because I find that very hard to believe. Where's the solid evidence?" He raises his eyebrows.

I glare at him. "I suppose everyone is interesting in their own way." 

The waitress returns with a heaping basket of fries, two lemonades and a bottle of ketchup. I reach for a fry and pop it into my mouth with a grin of satisfaction as I taste the fried deliciousness.

"That's better," Nick says, grinning teasingly. He eats a fry, then leans back in his chair and rests his hands behind his head. "Tell anything about yourself."

"If you're so interested in me," I say, "enlighten me with the exciting details about Micah Tanner. I am unaware that they exist."

"Okay," Nick says, smiling even more. "If you want to play that game. As long as you repay me with either dinner or you tell me about Nicholas Garner."

"That's not fair," I whine. "You chose the restaurant."

"Then I guess you have to talk about me."

I sigh, then give him my best I'm-glaring-at-you-but-not-in-a-mean-way-glare.

Nick chuckles softly, then leans forward and ruffles my loose hair. This sends a shock through me, and I immediately feel extremely immature. "Alright, let's see," he says finally, giving in. "Ten facts about you:

1. Your full name is Micah Elizabeth Tanner.

2. Your birthday is August 15th, 1999 and you are the daughter of Lauren Elizabeth Tanner.

3. Your favorite colors are mint green, midnight blue, periwinkle, pale pink, and lavender purple.

4. You only wear makeup if your mother makes you.

5. You hate parties.

6. You were the product of an accidental one night stand.

7. You are very shy and have anxiety issues.

8. Your mom tries to be a good parent but fails.

9. If it weren't for Alex Turner you would be in a mental institute.

10. You never paint your nails except when you go on a date with your crush Nicholas Garner.

Did I miss anything?" He raises his eyebrows.