chapter 6

The next week turned out to be pretty busy, I spent most of the time in my clinic taking appointments and doing regular stuff, and when I didn't have any patients to attend I would hang out with Emily at her book store.

She is such a sweetheart, never does she mind me hitting her store untimely. I wish I could be like her. She is just always that happy, bubbly girl who doesn't think twice before pouring her heart out. I wish I could be carefree like her, not giving a fuck about anything going on. But that just remains as a wish because I am nowhere near to her. I am just a super awkward introvert who doesn't know how to behave with new people. Hell! I don't even know how to act around the people that I know. And my awkwardness even tops its level when I am around boys, especially cute boys. I don't know why I am like this?

I was never a social butterfly nor a party-loving person. Whenever I was out with my friends or at a party I'd always be thinking of an escaping plan of getting home so that I can lay on my comfy bed or watch an old movie or just waste my time doing nothing. I don't know if I am that lazy or what but that's how I live. As it is Saturday night so I am enjoying my time at home. sitting on my couch with a chocolate bar in my hand and watching Pretty Woman, I guess I have watched it like a thousand times still I never get bored. You know its that epic. Chocolate and a great movie surely is the best combination I must say.

Becky isn't home yet, I think she will be staying at Kayden's. It's not a problem as I don't mind being alone. Actually its really peaceful that way. Peaceful or rather you can say boring? my life has always been like this and still continues to be least interesting. It feels like I have been caught up somewhere between my clinic and my home and there isn't any other place for me to go. It really sucks to live life like this. You know, With nearly no social life and non-existent love life. I mean common I am fucking 24 and still single. Can you believe that? Okay, I might be a little exaggerating, there would be surely people around my age who aren't involved in a romantic relationship. It just feels weird because I haven't dated anyone in a long time. I remember having a boyfriend in school but it wasn't any serious though. Thinking about the lack of men in my life reminds me of Sam asking me out last week. I am really looking forward to it as I have never been on an actual date. That's crazy, isn't it?

I divert my attention back to TV, suddenly I feel my phone vibrating next to me on my couch. I don't even remember when did I hear my ring tone last time. most of the time I have it in silent mode because nobody really cares about my existence. I look at it and a smile appears on my face seeing Sam's name flashing. I click on the receive icon and answer him.

"Hello!"

"Hey, Nikki!" He screams on the phone enthusiastically as I have to pull away from the phone to prevent myself a hearing loss. "So I guess you were waiting for my call." He says in an amused tone.

"What? No, not at all. Why would I?" I tease him.

"oh common Nikki, lying doesn't suit you. otherwise, you wouldn't have picked up my call faster than I thought you would."

"That's because I was going through my emails, you idiot." Okay, that was a straight lie.

" Whatever." He says. I know he must be rolling his eyes at the other end.

"By the way, I hope you remember me asking you out on a date this weekend."

"Yes, I do."

"So I called you to ask, is it okay if we go out tomorrow in the evening. Only if you are free?"

"Sure, I'll wrap everything up earlier, then we can head out."

"I'll pick you up at 6 in the evening then?" he asks.

"Okay."

"I' m sorry for calling you up this late Nikki."

"Never mind, I wasn't asleep though."

"Hey Nikki, you really look good in these pictures." He says out of nowhere.

"What pictures?" I ask him confused. I never really gave him any picture, so what he is talking about?

"The ones on F******k, I was looking at them just now, I guess they are from your high school. You really look good in that red dress Nikki." I can hear him laughing while saying that.

"What the fuck Sam??" I haven't opened my account in a long time and I know there are some pictures of me from high school. I remember how weird I looked in them, and even I was a bit fat back then. I never liked clicking pictures, it was my friend who forced me to do it at that time. now I regret not deleting them. Fuck, this is embarrassing!!

"Why were you stalking me on social media?" I ask him angrily.

"Why wouldn't I?" He says. is this really funny to him?

"Who wouldn't want to stalk a beautiful lady like you?" he says playfully.

"I am telling you Samuel if you ever go through my profile again, I swear to god I'll block you." This boy is really getting on my nerves now.

" Ouchhh! that hurt! don't be mean Nikki, in fact, you should be more open to accepting such compliments."

" Ohh Thank you Sam for letting me know that I should be aware of random creepy people stalking me on social media at fucking midnight," I say sarcastically.

he laughs at my response. "Okay Okay, I get it. I'll let you sleep before you pounce on me straight from the phone."

"Goodnight Sam."

"Goodnight Nikki and yeah don't dream too much about me," he says before hanging up.

I stare at my phone smiling like an idiot. He is such a boy. I think I should go to bed now. As I am about to switch off the TV, I see a shadow near the window. I can feel someone standing but who could be there? and that too at this hour of the night? I should definitely stop watching those creepy horror shows, they are really getting on my mind now. I walk towards the window and pull the curtains aside. I open the window and look outside and find no one there. Thank god! But something is really strange. From the last few days, I am having a feeling of getting followed while going to my clinic and coming back to home. Two days ago when I was at Emily's store I saw two men watching me from across the street. When I again looked at them, they were already gone. I didn't take it seriously because I thought I was being unnecessarily paranoid. I don't know maybe I am still acting like one? I guess these are the repercussions of my lack of sleep at night. I always do stuff related to my work at night that's why I barely get any sleep. Nicole, go and get some sleep now, everything will be fine. I go back to my room and get on my bed. my eyes begin to close as sleep takes over me.

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The next day I finish my work as soon as possible so that I can get back home to get ready for the date. it's around 5 in the evening as I search through my closet for something suitable to wear. finally, after a lot of struggle, I end up putting on a black crop top and my favorite ripped jeans. I add a little bit of mascara and nude lipstick as my makeup. as said by him earlier Sam arrives at my place on time at 6 pm. I utter a quick goodbye to Becky who is in the kitchen talking on her phone and then head out. Sam takes me to an outdoor restaurant a little far away from the city. it has a classy yet cozy and comfortable atmosphere. I can hear the music playing in the background giving this place a romantic touch. Sam had a reservation for us so we didn't have to waste our time searching for a table.

As our order arrives I look at Sam and say "So are we gonna talk or just eat our food and get back home." Sam hasn't spoken a word since we arrived here. our ride here was also silent. I don't know what has happened to him?

"Oh I am sorry, You look really beautiful today Nicole." he smiles at me. it feels weird when he calls me Nicole as I have only heard him calling me Nikki always.

"Thank you," I tell him blushing a little.