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IRL!
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↳ ❝ I'M NERVOUS
AS FUCK."

Chris fidgets with his hands, a rarity for someone who prides himself on being cool and collected. He never saw himself as a player, despite his brothers' teasing. Sure, he knows he's attractive, but he prefers genuine connections over empty flings. His heart is that of a lover, even if Nick argues otherwise. But as he stands in Matt's room, his anxiety becomes palpable.

"I'm nervous as fuck," Chris confesses, his steps pacing the room restlessly.

Matt's brow furrows, a mix of confusion and concern etching his face. "Why? She clearly likes you. I mean, she gave you her number."

Chris lets out a heavy sigh, trying to articulate the complex emotions swirling within him. "It's not that simple, Matt."

Perched on the other side of the bed, Nick interjects, always keen on dissecting his brother's feelings. "You're never nervous with this kind of stuff."

Chris bites his lip, his apprehension intensifying as the thought of meeting Lovette consumes him. "I know," he admits, frustration lacing his voice. The unfamiliarity of these emotions leaves him unsettled, his usually unflappable demeanour wavering in the face of the unknown.

Matt raises an inquisitive eyebrow, his gaze darting between Chris and his phone screen. "So, where exactly are you guys going?" he questions, curiosity getting the better of him.

Chris readjusts the hat perched atop his head, using it as a shield to mask his nervousness. "I'm going to her house first, and then we're planning to take a walk," he explains, hoping that his straightforward approach will keep things simple. The last thing he wants is to complicate their first hangout outside of an airport. He's genuinely interested in getting to know her, and he prefers a setting where they can focus on each other without distractions.

Nick chimes in, curiosity piqued. "And how are you getting there?"

Chris chuckles lightly, the tension in the room momentarily easing. "Oh, Matt's driving me," he replies.

Matt looks up from his phone, a mixture of surprise and mild irritation on his face. "That's interesting because I don't recall you ever asking me."

Chris shrugs, trying to downplay the situation. "It's not like you're busy or anything."

Matt's voice drips with sarcasm. "Well, actually, I have plans. I'm taking Lea on a date if you must know."

Chris flashes a smile, attempting to smooth over the tension. "That's great! You can just drop me off before you pick her up."

Matt raises an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance still lingering. "Would've been nice if you had asked, though," he retorts, unable to fully conceal his irritation.

Chris lets out a snort, clearly entertained by the situation. "Why would I do that when I know you're going to end up saying yes?" he teases, revelling in the playful banter.

As the banter subsides, Chris feels nervous excitement bubbling inside him. He checks the time

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Chris is sitting in a car in front of Lovette's house, his eyes scanning the exterior and taking in its size. It's the first thought that crosses his mind, a fleeting observation that offers a momentary distraction. However, as his attention returns to the present moment, the nerves begin to settle in once again. His leg bounces restlessly, a physical manifestation of his anxiety, and he finds himself twirling the chain adorned around his neck—a nervous habit he can't seem to shake.

"Chris, you're making me nervous," Matt remarks jokingly from the driver's seat. "She's going to like you because you're great. No need to worry."

Chris glances at his brother, appreciating the attempt at reassurance. "Right," he nods, his voice lacking conviction. "Great. It'll be great."

Despite his words, he makes no immediate motion to exit the passenger's seat, uncertainty holding him back.

"Chris, I love you, man, but you're going to need to actually get out of the car if you really want to see her," Matt states, a mix of affection and amusement in his voice.

Chris musters up the courage to step out of the car, his heart pounding in his chest. Each footstep towards Lovette's porch feels like a leap of faith. As he ascends the porch steps, he steals a quick glance back at Matt's car. Through the window, he catches his brother giving a thumbs up, a silent gesture of encouragement, urging him to take that final step and knock on the door. Although he had already messaged Lovette to let her know he had arrived, he decides to knock anyway, a gesture of respect and eagerness to see her.

Seconds pass, stretching into a brief, but seemingly endless, silence. Then, the door opens, revealing Lovette standing there, and for a moment, Chris is struck by her beauty—she's way prettier than he had remembered. His breath catches in his throat as he tries to find the right words.

"Hi," he manages to utter, his voice laced with a hint of breathlessness.

A warm grin spreads across Lovette's face. "Hi," she replies, mirroring his greeting.

"Hi," Chris repeats, not realizing his unintentional redundancy.

Lovette chuckles, leaning against the doorframe, a playful sparkle in her eyes. "You said that already."

Embarrassment tinges Chris' cheeks. "Oh, right," he stammers.

As he stands there, caught in a momentary lapse of confidence, his mind races with self-doubt. Shaking off his inner turmoil, he resolves to make the most of this opportunity, reminding himself that feeling nervous and imperfect is okay. After all, it's the genuine connection that matters most.

Lovette steps out onto the porch, locking the front door with a decisive click.  As she stands there, she can't help but wonder what Chris has planned for their time together. The nervous energy that had gripped them both seems to gradually subside, replaced by a growing sense of ease.

Side by side, they stand on the porch, ready to embark on their adventure. Lovette breaks the silence, her voice filled with anticipation, "So, what does my tour guide have in store for me?"

A soft smile tugs at Chris' lips as he considers his response. "Well," he begins, his tone filled with enthusiasm, "there's this really nice café near your house. I thought it would be a good spot to start."

Lovette nods, her approval evident in her eyes. As they begin to walk, Chris taking the lead, Lovette's curiosity prompts her to ask, "Did you drive here?"

A hint of embarrassment colours Chris' cheeks as he responds, "No, Matt drove me. I don't have my license yet."

Lovette's genuine concern shines through her words, "Oh, I wish you had told me. I would've driven to you to make it easier."

Their hands brush against each other, a subtle touch that sends a wave of butterflies fluttering in their stomachs. Chris's smile widens, his interest in Lovette growing. "What kind of tour guide would I be if I made you do that?" he quips playfully, determined to make her day memorable.

Lovette laughs, the sound carrying through the air with a lightness that brings an even wider smile to Chris' face. He silently resolves to keep that laughter alive, to make her smile throughout their walk and beyond.

As Chris and Lovette approach the charming Brew & Bloom café, Chris's hand reaches for the café door, driven by the desire to make a good impression. Lovette smiles as she steps inside, immediately greeted by the inviting aroma that envelops her senses. The café exudes warmth and character, its tasteful decor and cozy ambiance creating a comfortable space for the two.

At the counter, Chris confidently places his order, his familiarity with the café evident. He adds an oatmeal cookie to his selection, eliciting a lighthearted chuckle from Lovette.

"Oatmeal?" she teases, her lips curling into a playful smile.

Chris meets her gaze, his own eyes sparkling with a hint of defiance. "They're good!"

Lovette shrugs, a good-natured acceptance gracing her features. "Unconventional but intriguing. No judgment here."

As it's her turn to order, she opts for a refreshing peach refresher. However, before she can even think of reaching for her wallet, Chris has swiftly taken care of the bill.

"You don't have to, you know," Lovette insists, genuine appreciation shining in her eyes. "I'm getting the next one."

Chris's grin widens, his heart skipping a beat at the prospect of a future encounter. "I insist," he asserts, his voice laced with sincerity. "But I'll accept your offer next time."

Chris and Lovette settle into a cozy corner of the café, their drinks in hand. The ambiance is warm and inviting, providing the perfect backdrop for their conversation. Lovette's curious to know more about Chris, about his world beyond this café.

"Do you go to college nearby?" she asks, her voice tinged with genuine interest.

Chris shakes his head. "School was never really for me. I'm a YouTuber, actually," he responds, a glimmer of pride evident in his eyes.

Lovette's gaze softens, an understanding smile playing at the corners of her lips. She recalls the struggles Levi faced with dyslexia and how it influenced her perspective on traditional education. Nodding, she continues to listen, genuinely intrigued by Chris's passion for YouTube. She finds herself captivated by the way his eyes light up as he describes his channel and the camaraderie he shares with his brothers. Lovette has always found beauty in people talking about their passions, and it's no different with Chris.

Lost in the moment, Chris suddenly realizes he's been doing most of the talking. He shifts in his seat, a hint of worry clouding his expression. "What about you? What do you love doing?" he asks, hoping to redirect the conversation and learn more about Lovette.

The answer lies on the tip of her tongue, the words 'figure skating' eager to escape. A surge of conflicting emotions washes over her as she contemplates her response. The memories of gliding across the ice, the rush of adrenaline, and the exhilaration of pushing her limits flood her mind. But there's also a tinge of pain associated with it, a reminder of the accident.

"I love coding," she offers, choosing to focus on another aspect of her life that brings her fulfillment. It's not entirely false, as she does enjoy programming and problem-solving. "And I know it sounds weird, but I like doing Math as well."

Chris scrunches his nose playfully, injecting a touch of humour into the conversation. "I hated Math in high school," he admits, shaking his head.

Lovette chuckles, "Well, I can't say I blame you. It's not for everyone," she responds, a playful glimmer in her eyes.

As they finish their drinks, the last remnants of their conversation linger in the air. Chris suggests their next destination, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Do you want to go to the Boston Public Garden? It's really nice this time of year."

Lovette's eyes light up with excitement, intrigued by the prospect of exploring a new place. "I'd love to see it!" she says, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.

With their drinks finished, Chris and Lovette leave the cozy café behind and venture out into the bustling streets of Boston.

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The Boston Public Park seemed like a vibrant green oasis amidst the bustling city. The sun shines overhead, casting a warm glow on the tranquil scene. Chris and Lovette stroll along the pathways, taking in the sights and sounds of nature around them. Lovette's eyes caught sight of the swan pedal boats nearby, drawn by their charm.

Noticing her fascination, Chris playfully nudged Lovette's arm. "Do you want to go on one?" he asked.

A soft smile graced Lovette's lips as she replied, "Yes, I've always wanted to."

Before they knew it, the pair found themselves on a swan boat, sharing light-hearted banter as they glided along the water.

"Lovette, I feel like I'm doing all the work here," Chris joked, referring to their sluggish progress. "Why do you think we're barely moving? You need to pull your weight!"

Amidst her laughter, Lovette managed to interject, "I am! I swear!"

Their conversation effortlessly shifted gears, their connection ensuring a continuous stream of new topics to explore.

"Alright, picture this: you're stranded on a deserted island and can only choose three artists to listen to. Who would you pick?" Chris asked, diligently pedalling away.

Lovette pondered the question, pursing her lips in thoughtful consideration. "I'd have to say Lucky Daye, Thundercat, and Mac Ayers. What about you?"

Chris mentally noted each artist, already eager to explore the music Lovette had mentioned. "I absolutely love Dominic Fike, so he's a definite pick for me," he mused. "And I'd also choose Lil Skies and Mac Miller."

As Chris and Lovette continued to talk, the afternoon sun began its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the park. The pair had realized that unfortunately, their rental period for their boat was coming to an end. They slowly made their way back to Lovette's charming porch, where a comfortable silence settled between them.

Seated side by side on the porch swing, Lovette's fingers absentmindedly traced the intricate pattern on the armrest. She took a deep breath, allowing a mix of emotions to settle within her. "You know, Chris," she began, her voice carrying a note of tenderness, "you turned out to be quite the tour guide, even with just two stops."

A soft chuckle escaped Chris's lips, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Well, I aim to please," he responded, his voice laced with playful confidence. "But I must admit, I had some excellent company to guide," he added, his gaze locking with Lovette's.

Lovette's felt her face heat up ever so slightly, a shy smile gracing her features. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Chris," she teased, a playful sparkle in her eyes.

Chris leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Not trying to flatter you, just telling the truth."

With each passing minute, the impending arrival of Matt loomed on the horizon, a subtle reminder of the world outside their bubble. Yet, for that suspended moment on the porch swing, time seemed to stand still. Their gazes turned towards the horizon, where the setting sun painted the sky in vibrant hues, bidding them a silent farewell. In that precious instant, as the world prepared to shift gears once again, Chris and Lovette found solace in the simplicity of each other's presence.

The arrival of Matt's car shattered the stillness, prompting a sigh from Chris. A bittersweet melancholy washed over him as their time together drew to a close. Standing up, they faced the reality of parting ways, both hesitating, unsure of how to bid each other goodbye. Would a hug be too much?

"Text me when you get home," Lovette whispered softly, her words carrying a layer of concern born from past experiences. It had become a habit, a simple request for reassurance that those she cared about had arrived safely.

Chris nodded, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Always," he replied, a promise etched in his voice. With a final glance, he walked down the porch steps, his heart heavy with the weight of their parting but filled with the hope of a future reunion.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm so bad at ending chapters it's a serious issue

but they hung out!! yay!!

i hope u guys are liking it!

until next time <3!