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Chapter eight

Nikki was on tenterhooks the following day, hoping Wayne would call her. She was clearly enthralled by him and although she hadn’t told anyone at home about him there was something in her demeanour that day that hinted at something making her excited.

“You never told me. How was your night out?” Laura asked her that afternoon.

“Hmm it was amazing! I had buckets of fun,” replied Nicole cheerily, “It was so different from what I’d expected,”

“Why what happened?” queried Laura as she knelt on Nikki’s bed and began tending her sister’s hair.

“Promise me you won’t tell a soul if I tell you?” answered Nikki.

“Ooh, what did you do?” responded Laura.

“Promise first or it’s no deal,” insisted Nikki.

“Ok I promise, so tell me,” replied Laura impatiently.

“I met this cute guy,” began Nikki, “called Wayne and we danced and talked the whole evening. I really liked him and I think he liked me too.”

Laura who had paused brushing Nikki’s locks while she spoke looked delighted.

“Nikki! That’s great, so are you going to start dating him?” asked Laura eagerly.

“Hold it Laura. I said ‘I think he liked me’. I never said anything about dating,” replied Nikki.

“I know but you’d like to check him out again right?” said Laura unfazed.

“Definitely, I think he is incredible,” replied Nikki dreamily.

“You must really like him. I hope he asks you out,” said Laura brightly.

“Me too,” squealed Nikki.

Laura giggled and hugged Nikki, “You are such a girl,” she laughed.

“I know,” Nikki chuckled.

Wayne called as promised much to Nikki’s delight and she quickly shooed her little sister away when she realised who was phoning. Laura left with a sly grin on her face as she noticed how excited Nikki had become and how her face had brightened at the prospect of talking to Wayne.

After that she’d curled up on her sofa and listened to Wayne charming her while she cuddled a throw to her chest. An interesting conversation ensued for the next hour or so with Wayne flirting outrageously with my sister.

He told her how he’d loved being with her the night before.

“It’d be great to see you again,” he said.

“Same here,” answered Nikki with a smile, “you’re great company,” she put in.

“I have a feeling the man in your life wouldn’t like to hear that,” returned Wayne as a way of finding out if Nicole was single.

Nikki did her best not to giggle too much, “I guess he would mind if he existed. I’ve told you I’m single,” chuckled Nikki.

“Phew! I’m relieved,” replied Wayne affably, “I still can’t get round to believing someone as nice as you is single, how come?”

A small part of Nikki didn’t feel comfortable at these words because she knew the reason but the rest of her brushed this discomfort aside.

“Easy. One boy’s are scary! Two, I’m very shy and finally I’m really choosy,” she replied.

“Oh is it? Am I scary too?” asked Wayne his voice assuming an amused, teasing tone.

“No, thankfully,” answered Nikki happily.

“And what about you being shy and choosy?” put in Wayne.

“It’s kind of hard for me to make friends with new people but I guess you’re an exception because you brought me out of my shell last night. I normally wouldn’t have talked to you except you were being so friendly. Then for the choosy aspect, I like guys to be sweet, caring and thoughtful- um let’s see good looking and funny,” said Nikki.

“Fair enough, so does that give me a chance?” asked Wayne.

“Um well maybe,” said Nikki blissfully.

‘I think you’re just it!’ she thought.

“So I have to remove your uncertainties. How about we meet on Saturday afternoon so we can get to know each other better?” offered Wayne.

Nikki nearly exploded with joy. ‘He’s asked me out!’ she thought happily.

“I’d like that Wayne,” she agreed timidly.

At the other end of the line Wayne was punching the air and grinning for all he was worth.

“Great. I’ll tell you where and when.”

***

Immediately after talking to Wayne, Nikki called Clara to share the good news.

“Guess what?” asked Nikki impatiently upon hearing Clara’s, “Hello,”

“What? You sound excited,”

“I am. Wayne just called and he asked me out,” gushed Nicole, practically on cloud nine.

“Hey girl, that’s fantastic!” remarked Clara.

Nikki proceeded to recount her entire conversation with Wayne and the pair of them analysed it, commenting and fretting at intervals over certain points and phrases then deciding that on the whole Nikki had done well.

“Do you think he likes me? Like to go out with me or am I just a passing fancy?” asked my sister uncertainly.

“I’d say he likes you that’s why he wanted to know if you’re single so just go for it Nikki,” advised Clara.

“I will and I guess you’re right. He wouldn’t have called anyway if he wasn’t interested but do you think he’s got a girlfriend. He’s too hot to be single and I totally forgot to ask him,” said Nikki.

“Hmm, I dunno but you should ask him,” replied Clara.

“I will but can you believe this? A guy actually likes me of all people, it’s so incredible,” said my sister in a dazed voice.

“Better believe it honey! You’re hot Nikki so it’s only natural guys will like you,” returned Clara.

***

During the week that followed Nikki and Wayne kept on sussing each other out, flirting and joking via text messages and phone calls at all hours of the day. My sister found out that Wayne was single and that he wasn’t just flirting with her but was very interested. Naturally this was wonderful news to Nikki as she also liked Wayne and had never experienced the joys of being courted or let the feeling of having a guy you were interested in return that interest.

So it was like breaking new ground and Nicole was really happy that week even though she felt nervous as the day of her date crept closer despite Clara’s patient reassurance that everything would be fine. By Friday she was still undecided about what she’d wear and she spent the afternoon after school going through her best outfits trying to figure out what to wear.

“Sweetie what on earth are you doing?” asked Mum when she found Nikki laying out clothes on her bed and looking vaguely dissatisfied.

“Oh nothing,” said Nikki a bit too quickly.

Mum took in the quick reply and the pink face and had the answer in a second.

“Going out again? I thought you hated it,” observed Mum.

“Or you’re up to something else,” she added.

Nikki decided to tell her truth, she could always trust Mum for good advice and they were pretty close these days.

“There’s this guy I met on Saturday and he asked me for a date tomorrow,” replied coyly.

Mum’s lips curled into a warm smile, she’d known something like this would happen as Nikki was just too pretty to stay single for long.

“Congrats honey,” said Mum warmly, “what’s his name? What’s he like and when was I going to find out?” she asked.

“Wayne Wood. He is just incredible,” said Nikki dreamily, “and I was going to tell you, promise,” she added contritely.

“Is he?” said Mum with a smile.

“Yes he is and he really likes me,” continued Nikki happily before turning to look Mum in the eye. “I’ve never been on a date and I’m scared I’ll make a fool of myself,” she confided.

Mum chuckled, “I felt like that on every first date Nikki but nothing ever happened. Just relax and be yourself and everything will be fine,” she reassured Nikki.

“Anyway if he is like most boys he’ll spend his time looking at your pretty face and thinking how beautiful you are,” joked Mum and both of them laughed.

“Still nervous?” queried Mum.

“A bit but mainly about what I’m going to wear,” responded Nikki, “right now I’m feeling so happy my life’s reached this point. I never thought I’d get asked out let alone feel happy,” admitted Nikki.

Mum wrapped her in a hug.

Nikki and Wayne’s date was very pleasant; to the extent that neither of them wanted to part ways when it was time to say goodbye. Instead Nikki asked Wayne if he wanted to do this again, like midweek and he promptly agreed.

That second date confirmed what they had both felt earlier, that they enjoyed each other’s company and wanted to see more of each other as much as possible. Things moved fast after that and my sister began falling in love with Wayne just as he fell for her.

It showed in the way the way they talked to each other over the phone, Nikki’s voice would take on a gentler, softer, more intimate tone while Wayne’s sort of became deeper, more mature. It showed on their dates when Nikki took to holding Wayne’s hand and he’d squeeze it or intertwine his fingers in hers. It showed in the sweet nothings that they texted to each other and it showed on Nikki.

She seemed more flushed which made her look even more gorgeous than usual, her expressive eyes sparkled and she had this dreamy expression most of the time and if you checked some of her books you were likely to find the name “Wayne” artistically engraved in a little corner out of anyone’s sight.

It showed in the way most of her male classmates found themselves looking at her beautiful face in a way they hadn’t before and the amusing way in which they tried to handle this.

“Why are you so attractive Nikki? Did you see the way Chris was ogling at you in Maths?” asked Samantha one afternoon when the two of them were on duty.

They were seated in the common room alone poring over books or trying to, Nicole had been daydreaming about Wayne- as usual.

“No,” replied Nikki hazily, “anyway why on earth would Chris be ogling at me? I’m not exactly his cup of tea am I?” she continued.

“Nicole have you looked in the mirror lately? If you do you’ll see a terribly pretty chick looking at you and guys can’t help but notice that but they can’t tell you or approach you,” responded Samantha.

“Of course they can’t! You have no idea how much their mates would tease them if they tried chatting me up or let alone said ‘hi Nicole’. So they avoid me but it’s not like I bite or anything,” replied Nicole, her voice light and without any bitterness.

“It’s different with girls but I’ll never understand guys,” she added.

“Join the club!” laughed Samantha.

“Sammy I’m serious! Like last week in Geo I had this presentation and people were supposed to ask questions and most of the girls asked but none of the guys did. So I thought great people understand and I sat down. The next day Neil’s little brother turns up asking for my papers coz he didn’t quite get it. I mean Neil sits two places from me, it wouldn’t have hurt for him to ask for the papers in person,” explained Nikki.

Samantha giggled some more, “Totally crazy,” she commented.

“You know but it doesn’t matter really. I’d go crazy if I thought too much about it. So let them ogle and everything, it’s all so funny,” Nikki chuckled.

“Nikki may I ask a personal question?” requested Samantha when their giggles had died down.

“I guess so,” agreed Nikki, looking more serious.

“I’ve learnt with you since we were eleven but I only really got to know you recently. You’ve always been feminine and everything and I admit I always wondered about you but know i…we’re pals and I can see how free you’ve become. I mean I thought you always looked sad even when you were smiling. I guess what I want to find out is why did you take so long to get your life back and to stop being something you weren’t?” asked Samantha.

“I was scared,” began Nikki quietly, “I’d always known I was a girl but I thought nobody would ever accept that. So I suffered in silence until it was nearly too late. I’d probably have killed myself before telling anyone about it. It was awful,” explained Nikki as she stared into space.

Samantha nodded her admiration for Nikki swelling.

“Do you ever wish you’d spoken out sooner?” she queried.

“Sometimes I do especially when I realise how happy I am no and I feel like I’ve missed so much but it’s easy to think like that now that I’ve crossed that bridge but a year ago I saw things differently, way differently,” answered Nikki.

A bell rang outside and both of them packed their bags and headed out for their rounds. Samantha asked how things were with Wayne and as if on cue Nikki’s face lit up and she smiled to Samantha’s amusement.

“I think you’re in love,” she observed cheerily as they walked.

“I am Sammy and it feels divine. Wayne is such a cool guy I can’t help but feel like that,” admitted Nikki.

“I know what you mean. That’s exactly how George makes me feel,” said Sammy dreamily.

“I’ve noticed,” giggled Nikki.

***

Things only got better between Nikki and Wayne as time went by. Neither of them could stop thinking about the other and one day the inevitable happened. Wayne had found out about Nikki’s love for art and as a surprise he’d taken her to the Tate Modern. My sister was delighted as she’d never been there.

They'd spent a whole morning admiring the exhibits with Nikki holding Wayne’s hand and chattering away excitedly. Afterwards they’d had coffee then Nikki had begged Wayne to go into a boutique they’d happened to pass and she spent thirty minutes in there just admiring the stuff on offer. Wayne being Nikki’s ardent slave naturally didn’t object.

When he saw a bracelet Nikki had looked at longingly he asked if she liked it.

“It’s lovely but it’s too expensive. £120 is too much,” she sighed before turning away to look at something else.

Wayne had other ideas and let Nikki wander away alone before whispering to a nearby assistant with the end result being that over an hour later they were in our neighbourhood and walking through a park with Nikki awfully happy just to be with someone she liked and squeezing his hand affectionately.

“I had such a great time today. Thanks for everything,” she intoned happily.

Wayne smiled, “I can’t think of anything better than spending time with you,” he replied.

Both of them stopped walking and gazed into each other’s eyes.

“Nikki,” said Wayne in a husky voice and reaching into his pocket and removing the bracelet. He slipped it lovingly onto her wrist as Nikki’s eyes widened and her mouth formed a big O.

“Wayne.” she whispered in amazement, “You didn’t,” she continued.

Wayne held her hands in his, “It suits you. I love you Nicole,” he told her tenderly before he lowered his head and kissed her slowly and sweetly tasting her.

Nikki found herself flooded by a thrilling sensation and began kissing him back with a passion feeling this was so right.

When they’d drawn apart Nikki looked into his eyes and told him what was in her heart, “I love you Wayne. I can’t stop thinking of you. You mean so much to me,” she said gently as she squeezed Wayne’s hands.

They kissed each other again and then walked home hand in hand saying little and content. The world had never seemed as beautiful to Nikki as it did that slow walk home.

Mum, Laura and I all noticed the sweet look on Nikki’s face that night, she seemed so satisfied about something and of course she was. Wayne loved her, he’d kissed her and every girl’s first kiss is something special more so for Nikki than most because of her having spent her life as something she wasn’t. There was also the bracelet to forever remind her of Wayne and his love for her.

She felt this bubble of joy within and couldn’t bring herself to share it with anyone as yet which is why Laura didn’t know what had happened that afternoon yet. Mum watched her all through that evening’s meal and smiled knowingly to herself as she noticed her daughter’s expression.

‘My lovely darling,’ she thought, ‘it’s wonderful to see you like this after everything you’ve been through,’

Laura sitting next to Nikki was itching to find out about Nikki’s date and how it had gone and did just that as soon as dinner ended and the two of them were clearing the table but Nikki just smiled sweetly and only talked about the gallery part of her day leaving out the rest and went up to bed early feeling lighter than air and fell asleep wearing her bracelet.

In the morning she went over to Clara’s and told her best friend everything and pulled up her sleeve to show her the gold bracelet, her first piece of real jewellery.

“Wow!” breathed Clara softly as she admired it, “It’s beautiful! I suppose he kissed you after that?” she added.

Nikki nodded with a coy smile.

“It was exactly what I’d always wished my first kiss would be like- pure magic,” she said softly, “I can’t believe this is me, with my life like this,” she went on.

“Gosh Nikki I’m so happy for you,” remarked Clara gently before the two friends hugged each other.

They spent ages talking, dressing up and talking some about Wayne, people at school, Wayne before Nikki began worrying what might happen if her boyfriend wanted to take things further now that they’d declared their feelings to each other.

“What if he wants to do it?” said Nikki nervously.

“You’d have to tell him or if you can’t, finding a way of holding him off will have to do,” suggested Clara.

Nikki sat quietly thinking.

“Listen, I don’t think you should worry about that right now. One step at a time, remember?” advised Clara but later at home when she’d finished her nightly phone call to Wayne she began to be assailed by doubts. Wayne was a guy and she knew how guys were about waiting. He was so attracted to her Nikki was uncertain she could ever postpone that stage of their relationship without telling. But then that meant she’d have to tell him and thinking about his reaction was a horror too ghastly to contemplate. Nikki didn’t want to lose Wayne, she cared very much for him but either way she chose didn’t offer much chance of keeping him. She spent a long time wondering what on earth she was going to do.

Laura only saw Nikki’s bracelet the following morning when she’d dashed into Nikki’s room to borrow her sister’s junior tie since hers was missing.

“Oh my, Nikki it’s gorgeous,” she declared upon seeing the bracelet on Nikki’s dresser and immediately picking it up and trying it on.

“It must have cost a mint. Where on earth did you get it?” she enquired.

“It did. Wayne gave it to me on Saturday,” replied Nikki happily, “I saw it in this boutique we went to after we’d left the gallery and he saw me admiring it and asked if I liked it. Of course I said yes but I thought it was too expensive then I went on looking at other stuff and he bought it when I wasn’t watching. Later on our way here I was thanking him for a great time when voila he fished it out and slipped it onto my wrist and said he loved me before he kissed me,” finished Nikki dreamily, reliving that wonderful day.

“Nikki!” exclaimed Laura excitedly, “You never said!”

Nicole just smiled beatifically.

“Oh you lucky girl, I wish I had a boyfriend who’d love me the way Wayne loves you,” sighed Laura longingly as she admired Nikki’s bracelet.

Nikki giggled, “Aren’t you the one who’s got boys queuing to ask you out but are always turning them down?” she asked.

“Sure but I don’t like them and their sooo immature,” said Laura flippantly.

“So when are you going to bring your romantic boyfriend over?” asked Laura, “I’d love to meet him, the guy who cares for my sister so much,” added Laura happily.

“You will Laura and that’s a promise,” said Nikki sweetly.

To be continued