Nelly And Sean

One morning at college, I was outside having a fag with my girlfriends. It was my birthday today, and while I was outside, I was showered with birthday presents and cards. Then suddenly, Melody gave a squeal.
“Nelly! Oh my God! Nelly, look who’s coming this way!”
I turned to look in the direction Melody was looking in, and my heart nearly flew up to my brain. Walking towards us was Sean Jackson, carrying a big bunch of flowers, a wrapped present, and a birthday card. He was a heartthrob, and nearly all the girls in my class fancied him. Including me and my friends. He was the silent type, who normally kept himself to himself, which made him all the more attractive. But I’d never really talked to him, I didn’t even know that he knew it was my birthday today, so how come he was sauntering towards us, carrying all that?
Daphne nudged me. “You’re in, Nelly,” she said.
“Don’t be silly,” I said.
At last, Sean joined us. “Hello girls,” he said shyly. “Nelly, happy birthday. I got these for you.” He handed me the flowers, the present and the card.
“Thank you,” I mumbled. “How did you know it was my birthday?” I asked, setting the flowers and the present on the table next to us, so I could open my card.
Sean winked. “Oh, a little birdie told me,” he replied, tapping the side of his nose.
Melody, Daphne and my other friends giggled amongst themselves. I guessed it was something to do with them.
I opened my card. It had a pink cover, and had the words: “Happy Birthday To The One I Love,” written on it, accompanied by a couple dancing. I read the inside; which was a sloppy message. I propped the card on the table, and opened up my present. It was a red heart shaped box of chocolates, with the legend: “Happy Birthday, Nelly” scrawled across it in gold handwriting. I looked up at Sean; he was grinning broadly.
“I’ve always liked you, Nelly,” he said. “And I always catch you looking at me, so I’m guessing you like me too?”
My mouth dry, I nodded stupidly.
“I’d like us to get together. And I’d like to take you out for a birthday dinner, just you and me. At a posh restaurant. Would you like that?”
Knees buckling now, I nodded again.
“Great. I knew you’d say yes, so I’ve made a reservation at the Indian restaurant in town, Asian Supreme.”
“Th-that sounds nice,” I stammered.
“Good. I’ll meet you there around seven. See you tomorrow night.” He turned and left.
I finished off my fag, shaking, not daring to believe my luck. “This is the best birthday present you guys have given me,” I beamed at everyone.
“You’re welcome, Nelly,” Bobbie smiled back.

The next night, I dolled myself up to out to the Asian Supreme. My mum dropped me off, yelling out: “Have a nice evening!” as she drove off. I went inside and asked for the reservation in Sean Jackson’s name. The waiter checked the book, smiled at me, and showed me to a table for two in the corner. I checked my mobile, it was a minute past seven. I decided to give Sean until quarter past to get here, then if he wasn’t here by then, I would ring Mum and ask her to pick me up.
“All right, Nelly?”
I put my phone away, and looked up, beaming. Sean was stood there, in all his good looking glory.
“Evening,” I mumbled.
Sean sat in the seat opposite me. “How are you this fine evening?”
“I’m fine,” I answered. “Thank you very much for asking. How are you?”
Sean gave a so-so gesture with his hand. “You know. Same old, same old.” He laughed. He had such a cute smile, that made me want to melt inside.
“So, what do you like doing then?” Sean asked, picking up the menu.
I shrugged. “Hanging around with my mates. Going shopping. Getting drunk. What about you?”
“Watching TV while drinking loads of beer,” Sean laughed.
“All right there, Sean?”
We both looked towards the source of the voice. It was a skinny chap, who, instead of looking at Sean in a friendly manner, was looking at him with hatred.
“Billy,” Sean nodded without smiling.
Billy looked at me. “This your latest bird? You gonna do to her what you did to my sister?”
“What’s he talking about Sean?”
“I went out with his sister for a few weeks.”
“Yeah. Until she found out he was cheating on her with her best friend,” Billy smirked.
I looked at Sean. “What?”
“Yeah. He went out with my little sister for at least a month. And then she caught him in bed with her best friend. And this happened a couple of days ago.”
I looked at Sean, horrified. “Sean? Is this true?”
Sean couldn’t look me in the eye. “Yeah, it’s true,” he mumbled. “But I‘ve regretted it ever since.”
Billy smirked at me. “So how long will it take for you to cheat on this fine little lady?”
Sean looked Billy straight in the eye. “I won’t ever cheat on Nelly. She’s really nice.”
“That’s what you told Janey as well.” Billy gave a nasty laugh. “And you’re right that you won’t ever cheat on Nelly.”
Then, before either Sean or I could do anything, Billy took a gun out of his pocket, and shot a hole in Sean’s forehead.
I froze, not able to move. I looked on in a stunned silence as Sean slumped to the floor, dead.