Chapter 2.04 – Date for the Dance

Five years later……    Ages:  Cole – 16,  Amelia – 9, Ben – 36, Sofia – 35, Doc – 58

“Hi Doc!” said Cole as he arrived for his after school job at the veterinary clinic.

Doc Lewis walked around the corner to greet his young protege.  “Hey Cole!” he said with his usual smile, “The dogs still need to be taken out for some exercise and their cages cleaned. After your done I have a few patients coming in. You can sit in and observe.”

Cole loved watching Doc with the animals. He was so gentle and had a way with them. Doc told him he had the gift too, and would one day make an excellent Veterinarian. So, anytime Cole got the chance to observe Doc, he did. He was looking forward to the summer when he could work there full time instead of just after school. “Cool! Thanks Doc! See you in a few,” said Cole, and took off to do his job before joining his mentor in the exam room. 

When he was done he walked into the exam room and sat quietly in the chair.  He watched intently as Doc managed to get the sick cat to let him look in it’s mouth. Doc was amazing. He only hoped that one day, he could be just as good.

After he finished, Doc’s wife walked in. “Well, that was the last one. Looks like we are done early today,” she said. “Cole you can go too since you are finished with the dogs.”

“Cool,” said Cole, “I still have time to meet my friends at the ice cream parlor before going home. See you tomorrow.”

*  *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  

Cole walked into the ice cream parlor and everyone was already there, sitting at the big outdoor table they always tried to grab. When he saw they still had menus in hand, he knew he was in time to order something cool to drink.

“Hi Cole!” called out Nicky, “You got off early!” He nodded. She pointed to the remaining chair at the end of the table and smiled warmly. “Saved you a seat.”

Cole sat down and looked around at his friends. Noah, the unofficial leader of their group of misfits, was sitting at the opposite end talking to his girlfriend, Tahani. She and Noah were both rebellious and picky about their friends so they hit it off quite well. 

Next to Noah, was Kolby’s boyfriend, Nemo Valentine. Nemo was so into music that Cole was surprised his signature headphones were missing from around his neck. He and Kolby had been a couple for almost a year. They suited each other perfectly and it had helped Kolby’s self esteem tremendously.

Seated next to Cole were two new friends. Alberto McNeal aka ‘Berto’ and his girl du jour, Mia Franco. Berto had moved in from the West Coast this year. His long, sun-bleached hair and tan good looks had most of the girls flocking to him. But he didn’t really care, they were more of a distraction for not being able to ‘catch a wave’ after school every day.  He didn’t fit in with anyone else, so he wound up with Noah and the gang.

When Cole sat down, Noah glanced around the table before landing his gaze on Cole and Nicky sitting together. “Do you guys have a date for the spring dance?” he asked smirking.

Cole’s shoulders slumped. Noah knew full well he didn’t. Of course, everyone at the table turned towards him to hear his answer. He didn’t have a girlfriend, so it didn’t matter. “I forgot about it. When is it?” asked Cole.

“This weekend,” said Kolby, “guess that means you aren’t going.”  He sounded disappointed.

“I forgot about it,” said Cole, I’ve been so busy with….”

“With Dooooc…” said Alberto, rolling his eyes. “We know doood. Doc this, Doc that…Oh! I know! You should ask Doooc to the daaance dude!”

Everyone laughed – except Nicky. “Shut up Berto!” she said, “At least he has a job and knows what he wants to do with his life. Unlike you, who thinks it’s just one big party.”  

Alberto looked confused. “It’s high school Nick. It is parrrtyyy time. Loosen up girl. Catch a wave and riiiide like the wind….” He closed his eyes and held out his arms like he was surfing.  

Cole looked at Nicky defending him. She was fired up. It gave him a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. Nicky had been defending him since first grade. He adored that about her.

“Nicky, you’re just jealous ‘cause no one asked you,” said Noah and winked at Tahani for emphasis.

Nicky whipped her head around and squinted her eyes at Noah. “How do you know I don’t have a date.”

“Do you?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“Leave her alone Noah,” said Cole. He hated that they were teasing her.  It was his turn to defend Nicky for a change.

“Hey, Cole, why don’t you take her?” suggested Mia, taking him by surprise. His mouth opened to reply, but nothing came out.

He hadn’t thought about it. Actually, he hadn’t thought about the dance at all. He looked at Nicky to see what she thought and she wasn’t smiling. He felt so bad for her. That’s when he realized she really was pretty. And she obviously didn’t have a date. He knew if she did she would have told him.

“Uhhh. Sure. Nicky, want to go with me?” he heard himself saying. Everyone got quite waiting for her answer. When she raised her eyes and looked around the table, Cole thought maybe he messed up. “Sorry, you don’t have…”  he started saying, but stopped mid sentence when she smiled at him. It was the sweetest thing he had ever seen and it made his heart do flip flops, among other things.

“Yes,” she said, filling the silence, “I will go with you.”

“It’s about damn time! Good one Mia! ” exclaimed Noah with a satisfied grin.

“What?” asked Cole, still stunned at Noah’s reaction. No one answered. 

“Cool Nicky!” squealed Mia, “We can go dress shopping together!”

Go to Chapter 2.05>>>>>>>

Go back to Chapter 2.03

A/N -We introduced four more Casting Call sims in today’s Chapter!  Thanks for submitting them to me!  

Mia by: Minez

Nemo by: Damaro

Berto by: Lisabee

Tahani by: MedusaSimz