The Other Sister

Chapter Seven

The rest of the day was uneventful in comparison to the news I had received, honestly I felt so happy that I could literally jump around screaming like mad for an hour straight.

As usual in lessons I took notes, but I wasn’t really paying attention to the teacher due to the distraction, and when the last bell of the day finally signaled that I would get to go home, I heaved a sigh of relief.

Stacking up all my books and file together, I pushed my chair back and piled them into my arms, ready to take my leave.

“Lena, can we talk please?” The deep throaty voice that I’d known my whole life said, and I immediately felt my blood turn cold.

I stalked out of the classroom, not wanting to discuss it in front of the prying teacher, who’d raised her eyebrows and given an impatient glare.

“What is it, Nate?” I didn’t really want to talk to him, he’d just ruin my perfectly happy day. And it was going along so well…

His green eyes sparkled and I noticed his jaw clenching in frustration. “Look, Lena, I’m really sorry about what happened… but you know that I’m always here for you right? I’m your best friend.”

Those lovely eyes of his bore into mine, and for a while I felt myself entranced. Snap out of it, I growled to myself, then sighed heavily. I really didn’t need to be having this conversation with him now, I didn’t have to energy to argue with him.

“Natey, I know that. But after Ellie rejected you you just abandoned me for four years. Do you know how that felt?” I whispered, not looking him in the eye.

His face made him look like he was in pain when he said, “yes, and I’m sorry. I realize that it was extremely stupid of me to do so. But aren’t you happy… that we met again?”

Nate sounded extremely hesitant, and I gritted my teeth in impatience. “I can’t be that happy if you no longer mean anything to me, Nate.” I said quietly, staring down at the floor.

By now we’d carried our conversation to the carpark, and already many students had vacated the compound, and mostly all those who were left were the cheerleaders, who were having afternoon practice.

The leaves swirled around on the floor in a little dance, and I focused my attention on them, not wanting to see the look in Nate’s eyes. I knew that this was mean of me, now that he had feelings for me especially, but I just had to tell him.

I felt his fingers tilting my chin up, and when my eyes met his, they were full of disappointment and sadness. “I know I was wrong, Lena, why won’t you forgive me? Even though you say that we’ll let bygones be bygones, I know that you still hold some kind of animosity toward me.”

He spoke slowly, like each word was killing him. “We can get that feeling that we had 5 years ago, Lena. We can get it back, I can make you love me again.” His voice broke at this point, and I could feel myself breaking on the inside as well.

For Nate, he would only lose a love interest (out of his many many before girlfriends), and he’d probably get over it really quickly and forget about me sooner or later, but it wasn’t like that in my case.

I had said he no longer meant anything to me, but he’d always hold a place in my heart as a best friend. I knew what I was doing now would destroy every memory that we’d had, like setting fire to our relationship, but honestly I just couldn’t handle it anymore.

“I’m sorry Nate,” I choked out, finally looking back into his eyes. “But when the feeling’s gone, it’s gone for good.”

I saw the exact moment that made me fall apart, and I gritted my teeth, clenched my fists, and tiptoed to reach his height. “Give it up, Nate. I’m not worth it,” I whispered, and kissed his cheek one last time before fleeing into my waiting car.