CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"Alright guys and girls. It's time to move to the park!!!". Nick yelled as they walked out of the restaurant. They have already finished their meals and had paid their bills, now they are heading towards the park for a few rides and fun before Daniel would come and pick the girls up

"So we'd be riding as we came with a bit of twist. Cords will go with Violet and Dora, Stella and Raph will go with Steve and finally Bella and I will go with Trist". He completed, wiggling his brows at Bella who rolled her eyes

"I think you just did that arrangement to fit your convenience". Dora shook her head

"You know too well Dora". He grinned flinging his arm over her shoulder

"Keep your distance". Trist said removing his arm

"Possessive already?". Nick smirked while Dora blushed and Tristan smacked his arm

"Yes. Any problem?".

"None at all man. She's all yours". Nick surrendered then winked at Dora before walking off to annoy Bella who is with Violet as they talked walking ahead towards their parked cars

Dora was about to walk off too but he held her behind a bit while the others were a few feets ahead and he smiled and told her to let them walk. Dora noticed he still had the shopping bag in his hand and from the looks, it contains something

"So what is it?". She asked eyes glued to the floor

"Nothing really. Just wanted to talk to you". He shrugged

"Oh". She replied a little disappointed

"Why do you sound a bit disappointed?". He asked catching her off guard that he could read her

"I didn't. You must be mistaken"

"I'm never mistaken when it comes to you". He said seriously as he stopped to stare into her eyes, hypnotizing her

"Ohh". She said unable to form a word, blushing as she smiled

"You look more beautiful when you smile, especially when you're blushing". He smirked, glad he made her blush. Which made her blush more as she averted her gaze to the floor and walked ahead

"Why are you shy and nervous around me?". He asked easily falling into strides with her

"I'm not".

"Then why are you not looking at me".

"Because I don't want to". She shrugged

"But I want you too"

"You don't get to decide for me". She rolled her eyes

"Are you sure?". He smirked

"Definitely". She stood her ground staring defiantly into his eyes not back down from her words

"This is one of the reasons I like you, you know when to stand your ground". He smiled, making her flatter a bit in surprise before her eyes dimmed again. He said he likes her not love her as Violet said

"I see". She nodded with a forced smile and continued walking

"Did I say something wrong?". He asked following her, noting her sudden change in mood

"No". She replied in a monotone

"Dora?". He called her, turning her to face him, his hands on her shoulders "look at me". He whispered but she shook her head. Sighing, he raised her chin so she'd look at him

"What's wrong?". He asked to gently that her tears almost fell

"Nothing". She whispered shaking her head

"Dora-''. He began, but was cut shut by Nick who shouted to them

"Cut down the show lovers and let's get going!!". Earning his a knock on his head by Violet who whispered "shut up"

"We'll discuss this again". He sighed

"There's nothing to discuss". She shook her head

"There's a lot to discuss". He said with a tone of finality before dropping her chin and they walked to their friends

"So kissed yet?". Nick wiggled his brows earning him a smack on his head by Bella

"Why do I keep getting abused. Not that I mind if it's you". He winked at Bella who rolled her eyes but refused to answer him

"Let's go". Steve said walking towards his car parked in the middle, with Tristan's at the front end Dora's behind

"Dora! Wait up". Tristan called her as she about entering the car once the others had settled in already

She turned to him -walking towards her- raising a brow at him in question

"Here". He handed her the shopping bag "happy birthday". He pecked her cheeks before leaving for his car while she stood there in shock and the others hooted from inside the cars

"Wow man, that was great. You were so cool". Nick clapped Tristan on hus shoulder as he entered the car and sat on the driver's seat

"I'd have to agree with him on this". Bella nodded giving him a thumbs up

"My boy is growing up". Nick wipped a fake tear

"Yet, there you are". Bella retorted

"No bickering in my car". Tristan rolled his eyes as he started the ignition

"That's like telling him to commit suicide". Bella snickered

"What just happened". Dora whispered, her eyes wide as a blush crept on her cheek making her real red

"You got your first actual peck". Violet grinned at her from her seat

"I think I just did". She grinned back before sitting in the driver's seat

"You sure you can drive without causing an accident out of happiness". Cords asked with a smirk

"Oh shut up". She said embarrassed as she started the car and followed the others who were already making their way to the park

*****

"We're here guys. So now we'll just split into groups depending on the ride we want. I am with Be-". Nick began but was interrupted by Bella who immediately yelled

"I'm with Violet and Cords". As she pulls both girls by their arms

"Ouch Bella, no regards for my feelings". Nick pouted making the others chuckled

"We'll see you guys in an hour and half for lunch". Bella waved before walking off with Cords and Violet

"Have fun". Violet winked at Dora

"We'll see you guys later too". Raph said staring Stella in his hands around, as they both walked off

"Let's go?". Tristan raised a brow at Dora giving her his hands. Nodding, she took his hand shyly and they walked off

"Guess it's just you and I". Nick sighed at Steve who raised a brow and walked off

"Hey wait for me bruh". Nick called after him as he walked to him "let's show the others we can have some fun even as two single guys". He grinned swinging his arms over Steve's shoulders

Steve only shook his head at him but refused to say a thing

****

Nick: 'Hey!!!!!! Where are you all'

Bella: 'What's with the exclamations?'

Nick: 'Urgency!!!!!!!'

Bella: 'You're hopeless'

Nick: 'Only when you're involved ;-)'

Stella: 'Seriously? Even in a group chat, you both are still bickering'

Nick: *shrugs* 'I just asked a question'

Tristan: 'Let's just meet by the little restaurant setup close to the ice cream stall'

Everyone (except Dora): 'Great, we'll be there'

"Hey, Tristan my man". Nick yelled as he sighted Tristan and Dora talking by the ice cream stand

"Oh no". Tristan sighed making Dora chuckle

"Enjoying this I see". He raised an amused brow

"Of course". She grinned

"I'll get you for that sooner or later". He winked making her breath hitch as she avoided his gaze blushing hard

"Hey lover boy". Nick clapped Tristan's shoulder as he reached them while Tristan just gave him a deadpanned look

"How did you manage him all those while". Tristan asked Steve who reached them

"Stay mute and let him blabber, eventually he'll keep shut and find something else to amuse himself". Steve shrugged with a smirk

Nick rolled his eyes at his reply "he just spoilt my definition of fun". He whined narrowing his eyes "I had to have fun mostly by myself"

"It's alright Nick. Next time we could come here together". Dora cheered him up

"Really?".

"Yup"

"You're the best DorDor". He grinned calling her her nickname which he had given her, as he was about to hug her only to be held back by Tristan

"Step back". Tristan warned

"What? So I can't hug her again"

"Yes"

"What!! You two are a couple now? OMG!!! Have you kissed". Nick exclaimed

"Who kissed?". Violet askes as she walked towards them along with Bella and Cords

"Tristan and Do-". Nick began only to be smacked behind his head by Steve

"Hey! What was th-". He began scowling before releasing "oh"

"Oh. It's no big deal if they have". Violet shrugged "tell me are you both a couple now?". She asked grinning

"No". Dora shook her head blushing a bit "and we haven't kissed"

"Yet". Tristan added winking at her making her blush harder

"Take all your time". Violet smiled

"So what's up?". Stella asked as they also arrived

"Nothing just about to get lunch. Let's go". Steve said before Nick could open his mouth again

"Oh okay then". Stella smiled as they all walked towards the makeshift restaurant to order a quick lunch consisting of pizza, fries and drinks of different kinds. Ranging from frizzy drinks to coffee to milkshakes

*****

"That was amazing. This is the most fun I've had in years". Nick exclaimed happily. They had left the fair to go and sit on a lawn, which was a secluded space from the fair for those who wanted some fresh air

"Definitely". Cords agreed with a wide smile

They were in a comfortable silence when Dora's phone suddenly dinged, breaking the silence. Taking her phone out, she read the message and her smile fell a little

"What the matter?". Tristan who had noticed it asked

"It's Daniel. He's asking where we are so he can come and pick us up". She said

"So you'll both soon be leaving?". He asked and she nodded

"Dora?". He called softly

"Yes?". She answered, staring at him and getting lost in his eyes again. It's almost like there's a pull to her in those eyes of his. Like she's found her home. Right from the moment he walked through the door into their classroom in college and stared at her with a blank look 2 years ago, she couldn't get him out of her mine. Almost like he's so familiar to her. She can't even help the possessive side of hers that always claimed him as hers. And he has this alluring and enticing scent that always pulls her closer

"Be my girlfriend". He said. It wasn't a question, instead more of a statement and she couldn't stop herself from nodding with misty eyes

"Took you long enough". Nick said making her eyes go wide at the realization that they weren't alone and all her friends had heard and seen them

"Yh, took me long enough". He smirked staring at her just as her phone dinged again

"Daniel's here Violet". Dora said avoiding Tristan's gaze

"Oh..so soon?". Violet sighed

"Your definition of soon amazes me". Cords shook her head amused

"Come on guys, let's leave". Steve said standing up and he extended his hands to Cords who though took a while later accepted it and took up and gave him a smile which he happily returned

"Yh. We can do this again during the holidays". Raph grinned pulling Stella up

"Come on?". Tristan stood up giving his hand to Dora who smiled and took it. Then she went to Violet and extended her hands grinning. Violet beamed and took her hand standing up

"Thought you'd pull me down for a sec there". Dora smirked

"Almost wanted to". Violet winked while she shook her head

"So want some he-". Nick said extending his hands to Bella who ignored him and stood up herself

"No". She cut him shut

"Too feisty". He sighed

"Let's go". Bella ignored him taking both Violet and Cords hands again, as they walked ahead of the group towards the entrance