Closed Almost Like An Anniversary

[Nicole Fisk]

Nicole had been looking forward to tonight since the semester started. Things with Eric had been... Fine so far. Which honestly was half the problem. Nicole had hoped dating him would make her feel bolder, or at least make other people think she was bolder, or cooler, or more interesting.Really though, Eric was just like every other boy at school, as far as she could tell, and no matter how much she mentioned it, only a few people really cared that they were dating at all. But Nicole knew she should be happy to have a boyfriend at all, her mind straying to Jenna, or Iris, or Emma, all of whom didn't have any serious dating life right now. Not that she would rub that in their faces or anything.

Smoothing down her skirt as she waited to meet up with Eric, Nicole spared a glance at the spot near the door, remembering the night she'd drummed up enough courage to actually talk to Eric last year. She smiled, mentally toying with the idea that tonight was something of an anniversary for them. Maybe Eric hand even planned something special for tonight. They hadn't done much couple-y things outside eating lunch together and a little bit of hand holding and Nicole hoped that might change, what with it being Valentine's and all.

 

[Eric Holland]

Eric had put on the same suit he'd worn to the yule ball, hoping Nicole wouldn't notice or wouldn't mind. He really wasn't looking forward to this dance. The Valentine's Dance had always been the worst of the events, and Eric had been a bit surprised Nicole had wanted to go so badly. But not too surprised. It turned out that the first image he had of her as someone like him, someone who didn't like all this over the top, lovey-dovey crap, had been kind of wrong. What frustrated him most was that Nicole would never just ask for stuff, but instead drop hints until he did what she wanted. It was difficult to notice it happening until it was too late.

He hoped Nicole would want to leave early, as he already knew that was what he'd wanted to do. He spotted her at the entrance of the great hall, and walked over to her. "Hey." He said. "Let's go in." He then added, before offering her his arm. He remembered she had taken his arm last time, and assumed she would want to again.

 

[Nicole Fisk]

Nicole smiled when she spotted Eric, pleased that he'd dressed up again. She liked the idea that he was putting in some effort to look nice for her, like she tried to do for him, though she wasn't sure he noticed nearly as much as she did. "Hey," She said, happily taking Eric's offered arm in hers. It was a good sign she decided, that Eric was taking tonight a bit more seriously than the ball, which had been a bit lackluster in the end. They'd just stand around eating and drinking before calling it a night. No dancing, no romance really, but at least they'd made an appearance and got to spend some time together, Nicole supposed. Tonight though, maybe Eric really was going to make an effort for something more.

Nicole brushed a lock of hair behind her ear as they stepped into the hall, taking a moment to take in the decorations and the dancers already spread out across the hall. "I was thinking tonight is kind of special, outside of Valentine's I mean," She said, not quite looking at Eric. "Since it was the first time we ever really spoke last year and all," She added, glancing up at Eric's face coyly before looking at at the dance floor for a moment. Kissing on the dance floor would be such a magical moment, for her, and for anyone else who saw it, she was sure.

 

[Eric Holland]

Eric smiled back at Nicole, glad she at least seemed exicted about tonight. He hoped they could keep it short and sweet and not too drawn out and mushy. But those hopes flew out of the window as she started talking about this day being special because it was the first time they had spoken last year. Eric was a little startled to realize that had already been a year, though they hadn't been dating yet back then. He nodded quickly. "Oh, yeah. I guess." He said vaguely. "Let's grab some snacks." He then said, starting to lead her to the snack table. Snacks were safe, much safer territory than talk about anniversaries.

 

[Nicole Fisk]

Nicole hoped Eric's vague response was just him playing it cool, but as steered them away from the dance floor the more rational part of her brain reminded her that it was far more likely he wasn't. Maybe she'd just been getting her hopes up about having some big grand romantic night she thought dully as they made it to the snack table, looking over the selection before her eyes fell on a cupcake covered in heart shaped sprinkles. "Okay, here, have a bite," She said hopefully, grabbing the cupcake and splitting it in two so she could hold out some to Eric. That was a couple-y thing, she knew, sharing food and feeding each other. It wasn't slow dancing the night away or anything, but Nicole could make do.

 

[Eric Holland]

Eric scanned the great hall, realizing he was looking for Minnie after a moment. He quickly looked away, feeling guilty. He was here with Nicole, and while he still wasn't sure about this date, he also didn't want to hurt her. He walked over to the snack table with her, watching as she grabbed a cupcake. He then shook his head with a slight frown as she offered him half of it and held it out to him. "Uh, no thanks. You have it." He said, grabbing a biscuit instead. "I'm not a big cupcake person." He said.

 

[Nicole Fisk]

Nicole felt an uncomfortable twist in her stomach when Eric turned down the cupcake, which was silly, it was just a cupcake. "Oh, yeah okay," She said quietly, taking a small bite of it by herself. It was nothing to take so personally, she reminded herself, setting the rest of the cupcake aside, finding she didn't really want it either right now. "Maybe we could do something else?" Nicole offered after a few beats, leaning a little closer to Eric. It wasn't exactly the most romantic situation, standing here awkwardly by the snack table, but Nicole still wondered if maybe she could still salvage her anniversary evening with something more dramatic. Like a kiss. She leaned a little closer to Eric again. "It's Valentine's and all. Good time for couple-y things. Hand-holding... Kissing.. You know, that stuff," She added, trailing off hopefully.

 

[Eric Holland]

Eric didn't get why Nicole seemed upset by him saying no to the cupcake. He honestly didn't really get why she seemed kind of down at an event she liked in general. Or maybe she didn't like it after all? That would be nice, as Eric already kind of wanted to leave. He blinked in surprise when Nicole asked if they could do something else. "Like what?" He asked her, frowning. He hoped she wouldn't ask him to dance again. But what she actually did suggest was worse. "Kiss?" He asked, alarmed. "I mean. I uh, guess that would be cool, but not... now." He said, looking around at the crowded hall. "Not here."