you smiled and ran to the door. she pulled you in for a hug as soon as she walked in and you felt immediately at ease. the tension always left your body in the presence of nikki, the place you always wanted to be.

“you said you wanted to show me something, right?” she asked, tilting her head in that adorable way she did when she was curious.

“yes, i kind of…made you something,” you replied, trying to keep calm and not get yourself worked up.

“aw that's so sweet of you, can i see it?” nikki asked you, smiling.

“it's a poem actually. i wrote a poem for you, about you. is it okay if i read it?”

“that is so sweet! i'd love to hear it,” nikki replied, the excitement obvious on her face.

with that, you smiled softly and pulled the paper you wrote the poem on from you pocket.you looked up to nikki's eyes and quickly dragged you eyes back down, “sorry, i'm a little nervous,” you told her, wanting to be honest.

“it's okay, sharing your writing is a very vulnerable thing. take your time,” nikki reassured you.

you smiled at that. nikki was always so patient. then you took a deep breath and started to read:

“I Would Take Good Care Of You”

"I would write for you

I would write poems, songs, stories, sonnets, novels, volumes

I would write you words, letters, and notes

I would sign them: yours, with love

I would paint you, draw you, and sculpt you

I would mix oils and pigments to find a shade that perfectly matches your skin

I would turn you into art

Even though you already are art, to me

I would cook for you, bake, and clean

I would plant flowers if you'd like, or trees if you prefer that

I would tend to and water them, and once the flowers bloomed

I would arrange the most beautiful bouquet, for you

Maybe you understand, just a little bit better now

I have scratched the surface of what I would do for you

We are in shallow waters of the ocean of love I have for you

I don't think anyone could ever understand, how loved you are by me"

you let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding and slowly raised your eyes to look at nikki, bracing yourself for rejection. instead, you saw tears in nikki's eyes and a little smile.

“what did you think?” you couldn't help but ask, desperate to know.

“i thought it was beautiful. you would really do all those things for me?” she asked, grinning at you.

“yes,” you answered honestly without thinking.

“i would do anything for you. i love you, nikki. my heart beats for you,” you admitted.

you looked her in the eye and saw the tears falling down her cheeks as she leaned in towards you. her hand cupped your cheek and she pressed her forehead against yours.

“you finally said it,” she teased, before planting a delicate kiss on your lips.

you felt as if your body was on fire that moment. you had never felt more alive, never felt like you had so many good things ahead of you.

reluctantly, you pulled away from the kiss so you could wrap your arms around nikki, pulling her in close. she giggled at that and left a kiss on your shoulder.

"So when are you showing up to the Trivia Night? I was planning to show up a bit earlier to save us a table. So around eight.", Nikki's Voice sounds through the phone speaker.

While looking at your wardrobe you think about what Nikki said for a second. "Sounds like a Plan I could-" Suddenly Nikki's Voice interrupts you "Fuck! Shit, no no no no" followed with some rustling noises and cursing.

You stop in your track and pick up the phone from your nightstand, "Are you alright? What happened?"

"I dropped my necklace down the drain.. You know the one I'm always wearing?" You know exactly what necklace she means, she literally wears it everywhere.

"You mean the one you got from your mother?" "Exactly that one..", you can practically hear the frown on her face. No suprise after losing her necklace.

"I'm so sorry to hear that.. By the way I can be at the Bar shortly after eight, so you don't have to sit alone till everybody else arrives."

"Great! I'll see you there!" The call ends after that and you finally take the time to pick an outfit for tonight.

Looking at the clock you see that you still got some time left and after a quick google search you get in you car and drive to the next crystal shop.

---

At the Crystal Shop you first take a look around for yourself to see what they got in stock. They got some necklaces but no explanations on what the crystals do. Definitely have to ask the staff about that.

In the same Isle you see a small display of "One Wish Willows"

You pick one up and read the warnings on it. "6.99$? That's crazy. This thing probably doesn't even work." You mutter to yourself and put it back on the shelf.

Walking up to staff who obviously is talking to someone via earphone, you wave your hand a little to get her attention "Excuse me? Could you help me with the meaning of the necklaces that you sell?"

She looks at you unimpressed "Yeah hold up for a sec there", she probably tells the person on the other line because after that she walks around the corner to the necklace stand.

"So this one is chrysocolla, it's supposed to help cleanse and reenergize yourself and give you a sense of calmness. Then there's this one. It's called Citrine and is supposed to help with success, strength is generally seen as something very positiv." She continues to explaine some more crystals until she goes back behind the counter.

Looking at the crystals you think about which one nikki would like the most. They don't have the exact same one she wore before but the Citrine one sounded very positive and like something Nikki would like so you take it from the display and go to the register to pay for it.

After that you make your way to the bar for Trivia Night.

---

Arriving at the Bar you can already spot Ian's Car. You park right next to him and check if you got everything. You put Nikki's Necklace at the bottom of your bag. You'll give it to her after Trivia Night. Maybe she doesn't like it and you don't want to sour the mood.

After checking everything you get out of your car and finally walk into the bar.

Looking around you immediately spot Nikki, Sarah and Ian sitting at your usual spot.

Waving them you walk up to them and hug each one of them as a greeting.

"Oh my god look who decided to come! I was already wondering if you bailed on us because you took so long.", Nikki says with a playful smile and a joking hint in her voice.

"Oh come on I'm not that late! Bear hasn't even shown up yet!", I jokingly shove Nikki a little bit and sit down between her and Sarah.

"I mean yeah but Bear's always late so that doesn't really count.", Sarah says. Right after she said that the entrance to the Bar opens and Bear comes in and walks up to us.

He also does his greetings with everyone and then sits down on the only stool left which is between Sarah and Ian.

"I'm going to get some shots.", Nikki suddenly says and gets up. "I'll come with you!", Bear immediately says and follows her.

Sarah's gaze sours for a second. "You alright?" You ask her. Sarah shakes her head. "Not really I got another rejection letter."

"I'll be right back." Ian suddenly says and also goes to the Bar where Nikki and Bear are standing.

"I'm sure the next letter you'll get accepted. How many are you still waiting for?"

"Only two, but one of them is from my favorite so not all hope is gone.. I think we should join the other at the bar." , Sarah gets up and walks towards the other.

You follow her and take one of the shots that are standing on the counter.

"So what are we cheering to?" Ian asks and holds his shot in the middle of us.

Everybody else puts their glass next to his. Bear mumbles something and we toast to whatever he said.

The moderator starts the Trivia Night an everyone except Bear and Sarah go back to the table. I'm pretty sure that she got a crush on him but he is way to dense to notice it.

During Trivia Night I saw Bears gaze drifting to Nikki from time to time. Which was kinda weird to be honest. Nikki made it pretty obvious that she's not interested in him but maybe it's the same thing with him not noticing Sarah. He's probably to dense to notice it.

---

While leaving the bar Ian tries to convince everybody for karaoke night.

"No Ian. I just want to go home. Please can you just take me home?"

"No way, are you seriously letting us hang?", Ian looks disappointed at Nikki.

We come to a stop before the cars. "No I'm just trying to safe my ears from terrible singers. Sarah can sing! Sarah give me a G!"

Sarah opens her mouth and lets out a weird grrr sound.

"Oh my god that was terrible.", Sarah looks at Ian offended. "Okay fuck you too."

Everybody lets out a laugh. "I mean I could take you home." Bear gives you a pissed look after you said that.

"Thank you! Finally someone who's nice.", Nikki gives me a side hug. "Does anybody have some cash?", she looks at each one of the group and Sarah takes a 20 Dollar bill out of her bag.

"I got a twenty?" Nikki immediately grabs it "I'll pay it back!" and runs off to the guy who's sitting in front of the Bar.

"Nice I just paid some guys Heroine." you hear Sarah mumbling. You roll your eyes.

"Not every Homeless guy is a drug addict Sarah. And you smoke so I don't really think that you have the right to judge him you know?"

Sarah lets out a fake gasp and pushes me a little. "I could also bring Nikki home if you want to go to the karaoke?", comes suddenly from Bear.

You give him a side-eye. He's been acting weird all evening, sometimes even staring at Nikki from across the table.

"Nah it's fine. I wanted to get home early tonight cause I gotta be early at the store tomorrow you know?"

Letting Nikki drive with him felt wrong when it's so obvious that he has a onesided crush on her.

"Come on Bear. Let's go to the Karaoke bar!", Sarah tugs at his arm and pulls Bear with her and Ian.

"Bye guys! See you tomorrow!" Nikki comes back just in time to also wave goodbye.

"Let's go. I'm so ready for my bed. Like today has just been draining."

Nikki gets into the passenger seat and while you get into the driver seat. "If it cheers you up. I got a little something for you.."

"What? Really? Can I have it now?" Her smile is everything I could hope for.

"You'll have to wait just a little longer." You can't help the smirk appearing on you face.

She let's out a unsatisfied sigh. And leans back into the seat.

---

Arriving at in front of her house you turn the motor off and turn to Nikki.

"As you probably remember you lost your necklace today. So I bought you a new one. I hope you like it."

Pulling the necklace from your bag you hand it over to Nikki. Letting out an excited squeal she hugs you. "Thank you so so much! I don't even know how to properly thank you!!"

"Don't worry about it. Like honestly I know how important that necklace was for you. I'll see you tomorrow at the store right?"

Nikki give you another short hug before opening the door and getting out of the car. "Yea but I'm coming in later than usual. But I'll think of something to thank you."

Nikki winks at you and then walks into her house.

After making sure she's in her house you finally drive home.

---

The next day you got the opening shift with Sarah and her Dad.

After everything is set up you stand behind the register. Nearly nobody comes in that early in the morning which is nice.

"Sooo how did bringing Nikki home last night go?"; Sarah wiggles her eyebrows at you.

"What do you mean? I brought her home and then went home myself.."

Now Sarah looks at you and raises both her eyebrows. "And what about the necklace?"

"You know about the necklace?" You didn't think that Nikki would instantly text Sarah about the necklace.

"Of course. She was so happy about it. Anything you want to tell me..?" another suggestive smile is thrown in your direction.

"Oh my god Sarah. Do we really have to talk about this?" You turn around and check whatever is standing in the shelf.

"Of course we have to talk about it. You know you can tell me if you like Nikki right? I won't judge."

You roll your eyes. "There might be a little something but I'm pretty sure she doesn't like me so I won't act on it. What about you and Bear tho? You were so desperate to get him to karaoke night. And don't try to lie to me! I saw the way you looked at him."

A light blush appears on her cheeks. "I mean yes a little bit. But he only got eyes for Nikki. But I might confess anyways, he might go on a date with me anyways."

You shrug. "Yea could work. But he seems to be really focused on Nikki. But maybe that focus changes to you and you'll both be the most lovely couple."

You both laugh and continue working till Bear and Ian come in to clock in for their shift. While walking past you Bear gives you a nasty look.

"You wanna come talk outside for a second?" You look at Bear. He didn't even clock in yet. And why does he want to talk to you?

"Uh sure? Sarah I'm outside for a second." Sarah gives you a thumbs up until she sees that Bear is right behind you and eyes the both of you, wondering what you two are up to.

At the back entrance of the shop you and Bear stand now and look at each other. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Do you like Nikki?" You stop in your tracks and look at him.

"What?" What was he on about. "Do you like Nikki?!" He raises his voice a little.

"What the fuck dude?! Why do you care?" You take a step back to get some distance not knowing what he'll do next.

"You like her don't you? You bitch! I liked her first! You don't get to take her from me!" As he is saying that he swings his fist at you.

"What the hell Bear!!" You duck right under it.

"I won't let you take her form me!" He tries to grab you again and catches your arm twisting it in a weird angle.

Letting out a scream as you try to free yourself from Bears grip but he pushes you against the wall of the shop leaning heavily onto you.

"If you ever dare to try-" The backdoor opens and Nikki steps out of the shop.

"So Y/N- What the fuck Bear?! What are you doing??"

He loosens his grip on you and steps back. "She attacked me! I swear!"

After the pressure is off you arm you check if it still functions properly "What are you even talking about?! You literally asked me to come talk with you outside and then attacked me because of your HUGE crush on Nikki!"

Nikkis face scrunches up in disgust "No fucking way Bear. I never saw you that way, you do know that right? You were like a brother to me! But after this whole thing, you're done. I don't want to talk to you ever again. I'm sure Sarah and her Dad are gone be really happy about you assaulting your coworkers!"

And with that she grabs your good hand and pulls you back into the shop, locking the door so that Bear who tries to follow us has to walk around the whole shop.

"Sarah? Can you make sure that Bear just gets his stuff and leaves for today? Please?"

Sarah looks confused on why Nikki would ask that "What happened? I thought you were just outside for a smoking break?"

"Apparently Bear has like a huge crush on me and literally attacked Y/N because of that?" Nikki just shrugs her arms not really knowing the full story yet.

Just as Nikki finished her sentence Bear enters through the front door again, stomping right in our direction.

"You can step right outside! You're done here. Who do you think your are just attacking people?! I'll make sure my dad sends you the money from your last shifts and I hope I'll never have to see you again." Grabing his Backpack from the break room Sarah basically throws it into his face and pushes him out.

Everybody let's out a relieved breath.

"So what exactly happened out there? I let you two out of my sight for two minutes and suddenly there's one worker less in this store?"

Both Nikki and Sarah look at you waiting for an explanation. "I really don't know what's gotten into him. I mean I knew that he kind of has a crush on you Nikki but I never thought that he would attack me because I bought you a necklace. He was talking about me taking you from him like he owned you it was really weird."

Both girls shake their heads and Sarah looks even more shocked. Probably because she kinda had a thing for Bear. Whatever possessed her with that decision.

"Thats so weird oh my fucking god! I need to tell my dad. And Ian! I hope Ian is not that kind of idiot to protect Bear.."

And with that Sarah leaves to tell her dad and probably also call Ian.

"Damn the first 20 minutes of my shift have already been more hectic than the entire last week."

Brushing some hair behind her ear Nikki looks at me and smiles. "Actually I wanted to ask you something."

You give her a suprised look "What did you want to ask?"

"I mean I still want to thank you for gifting me the necklace so I was wondering if.."

"If..?" You're getting kind of nervous, usually Nikkis is pretty straight forward with asking questions.

"If you would like to go out on a Date with me?"

Your mouth drops open in shock. Nikki Freeman is asking you out on a Date?

After a few seconds of me not answering you can practically see the anxiety consume Nikkis brain. "Did I read the signs wrong..?"

Shoked you shake your head "No No No! You didn't oh my god no! I'm just so surprised that you asked me! Of course I'll go on a Date with you!"

You give Nikki a big hug, excited to see how the date will go.

-------

A/N:

I will definitely make a part two where the two are on the actual date. I didn't realise that building up to the question would take so long but eh. It is what it is I guess.

then you both put your cookies in the oven and set a timer. you pushed yourself up to sit on the counter and grabbed nikki's hand, gently pulling her in closer.

“what should we do while we wait for the cookies to be done?” you asked, looking up at her pretty eyes.

“i have a few ideas,” she smirked back, and leaned in to kiss you deeply.

you smiled into the kiss, running your hands through her hair, trying to get as close to her as you possibly could.

time seemed to melt away when her lips were on yours, and all you could think of was nikki and how soft she felt in this moment. the softness of her hair as you ran it through your fingers and the gentleness of her hand as she placed it on your thigh. you were lost in her.

just as nikki’s hand began to inch a little bit higher up to your hip, you were both started out of the kiss by a loud alarm sound.

you quickly realized it was the timer for your cookies and you had spent the entirety of the baking time making out with your girlfriend instead of cleaning up which you probably should have been doing.

“damn, it was just starting to get interesting,” nikki said as she backed away, making you laugh.

as you got down from the counter, nikki reached into the cabinet over the sink and put on the hello kitty oven mitts she had bought for you as a joke. if you were being honest, she looked absolutely adorable.

nikki pulled the 2 trays of cookies out of the oven and the sweet aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies filled the room. she pulled the gloves off and ran over to the fridge, pulling out a carton of milk.

“baby, you don't even like milk,” you reminded nikki, wondering why she bought it at all.

“i know but milk is part of the true cookie experience,” nikki told you, completely serious. you just rolled your eyes and smiled at her antics, watching as she filled a glass with milk and put one of her heart shaped cookies on a plate.

“let's try it!” nikki exclaimed, and you couldn't help but fall in love with her smile all over again.

you reached down and split the cookie in half, giving the bigger piece to nikki. you both dipped your cookies in the glass of milk and you smiled as you bit into it.

“oh shit!” nikki cried, spitting the cookie out and watching in horror as you did the same.