Chapter 1: The Next Step

Nikki laid on her bed listening to her newest favorite C.D. The sweet sounds of Liz Phair filled her small room as she waited for Cameron to show up. She loved hanging out with him and they always had the best time hanging out with each other. It was funny how they had started out at summer camp just hanging out on and off, he was her first friend in Playa Linda, and then they had started hanging out more often and had started to develop some feelings for each other, she had been so happy when they had decided to take it to the next step. They were technically 'a couple' but when they were together they acted more like to stupid teenage best friends, they did everything together, and today they were going out again. Nikki wanted to go to the new cages at the zoo so she was going to ask him if he wanted to go. She was thinking of this as the doorbell rang downstairs and Nikki sprang from her bed and hurled herself downstairs. "I got it." Nikki called to the house as she sprang to the door, just in front of her Aunt. "Hey Cameron," she said in a tone a little more girly than she would have liked, but at the sight of his happy smile she sighed in relief. "Hey Nikki, you ready to go," Cameron asked the smile still plastered on his face.? "Yeah lets go," Nikki grabbed her purse and pushed him out the door. "Okay great" Cameron replied as she practically tackled him outside. "We'll be back by ten Aunt Ava," Nikki called as the door shut behind them. "Alright, have fun," Ava replied but it was lost as they walked down the walkway and grabbed their bikes to ride to the park.

"I'm so glad we're, you know, US." Nikki said happily, blabbering her words. "Me too," he smiled genuinely like he always seemed to do when he was with her, "So were do you wanna go today?" " Well……um, we could go anywhere, theres a few new cool exhibits at the zoo, it sounds really cool, do you wanna go there," Nikki asked? " Sounds fun, lets go," he agreed as they mounted their bikes and started off.

Cameron and Nikki were walking around the zoo admiring all the new animals when something blonde and bouncy caught Cameron's eye. "Cameron," she called waving to him and coming over, Nikki just looked at her in horror. "What are you doing here," Cameron asked? "Yeah what are you doing here," Nikki grumbled? "Well nothing really," she said shooting a look over to Nikki, "I'm just here to see all the new animals." Amber gave Nikki one more look before plastering on a smile to Cameron. "Oh, well would you like to come with us," Cameron asked out of politeness. " Well sure, but, I can't staying for long," Amber replied. "That's cool" he replied.

"Yah wonderful," Nikki said sarcastically then looked at Cameron, "Cameron, can I just borrow you for a second," She pulled him off to one side? "What," he asked? "What do you think your doing, this was supposed to be just me and you alone today, no one else," she didn't want to sound like a whiner but she was mad. "Nikki, I was just trying to be nice, it would be nice for her to come with us since she's all alone you know" Cameron tried. " Yah, but…..I thought you didn't like her?" "I don't like her, Nikki, She's just a friend, You know very well who I like" Cameron said looking back at her. "Yah I know who, well I guess I understand," Nikki said looking at Amber contemplating the situation in her mind, then surrendering to herself and letting it go. " So lets go then, alright," he half said, half asked? " Alright, lets go" Nikki agreed, sighing as she saw Amber waiting " Sorry Amber" Cameron said walking back to her. "No problem," she said and the three continued on.

The day went by as Cameron, Nikki, and Amber all walked around the zoo. Nikki did have to admit that it wasn't as terrible as she thought it would be. "So Amber, I guess me and Nikki better be going now, see you tomorrow at work," Cameron asked? " Okay, I'll see you tomorrow, thanks for including me in your fun," she looked first at Cameron then at Nikki, giving them a slightly bent wave. They returned it, one more eagerly then the other.

" Finally, me and you alone," Nikki sighed holding Cameron's hand as they went to get their bikes. "Nikki I have a question, How come you and Amber don't like each other," Cameron asked as they rode back to her house? "It's not that I hate her, I guess I just think of her as a threat, its just that every time you're around her, I'm not there, no matter if I really am or not," Nikki replied looking straight forward, a guilty look on her face. "Nikki, I've told you so many times, me and Amber are JUST FRIENDS, why can't you understand that I like YOU, not Amber, I mean sure I liked her before, she's very nice if you get to know her and she is pretty, but YOU, your so sweet, and nice, and funny, and your so beautiful," Cameron looked over at her as he said this. Nikki's eyes grew wide in shock and excitement. "Now that is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me," she looked him in the eyes and smiled, "thank you." "No problem, its all true," he smiled back at her, then turned his eyes back on the road in front of them. With one last look at him she too turned her eyes back to the road.

"Well here we are," Cameron looked at Nikki then the house as they walked up to him. It had gotten dark out and the only light was coming from the porch lights. "Here we are," she repeated, looking around then resting her gaze on him. "I had a great time today," Cameron said. "I did to," she kept her eyes on him, "thank you for taking me." "Always," he smiled and they looked at each other for a while again. Then Cameron lent in a little bit and automatically Nikki closed her eyes and the two kissed lightly. She kissed him back and inside she was smiling. "What a perfect end to this day," she thought as the two broke apart. She was happy to see Cameron's smile matched hers as he started down the walkway. He walked backwards, keeping eye contact with her as he went to his bike. She looked at him too as she grabbed the door knob and opened the door. "I'll call you tomorrow, maybe we can do something after you get off of work," she asked? "Sounds great," he tried suavely but his voice cracked and he punched himself inwardly. She must have thought it was cute because as she entered the house she was still smiling and her nose was crinkled up like it always was when she thought something was totally adorable. "Good night," he called as she was shutting the door. "Good night," she replied and shut the door after her.

So there's my first chapter. Hope you liked it. There's a new one coming soon.