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Nick picked Alex up from school in his beat-up Volkswagen. Embarrassed by his car, he was surprised when she found it charming. His car smelled of peppermint, and indie music played softly in the background. Nick wore a cardigan over a Nirvana shirt, looking effortlessly cool.
At the arcade, Nick was a total gentleman. He opened doors, paid for the games, and kept her laughing. Though he kept checking his phone, he explained that it was about his bank account. Despite this, they had a blast, laughing and playing games until their tokens ran out.
Afterward, they drove around town, pointing out their dream homes and sharing silly stories. Rain started to fall, so they parked by a pond, listening to Nick's playlist. The music was soft and groovy, and Alex felt a connection. As they talked, Nick opened up about his family struggles, and Alex found herself feeling close to him. She was drawn to Nick's necklace, a cross made from two swords, which had been a gift from a friend who had passed away. It was clear he had a deep connection to it.
Nick asked if he could kiss her. Nervous but excited, Alex said yes. The kiss was sweet, making her heart race. After a bit more talking, Alex's mom called, reminding her it was time to come home. Nick held her hand all the way back playing her favorite song Alex loved from Nicks playlist, ending the night with a gentle kiss and a promise to see each other again.
