Aimed At You

Chapter 33

"Nathan..." Lexie cautiously said, looking out the car window. It was pitch black outside, minus the street lamps every few blocks. They were on an unfamiliar road with trees covering both sides. Lexie began to worry.

"Lexie..." He mimicked her.

"Where are you taking me?"

"What do you mean?"

"This isn't the way to Leo's," she looked him in the eye. "Are you gonna kill me?"

He laughed and shook his head. "I'm not gonna kill you, Lex. If I'm being honest, I'm a little offended." He glanced at her for a second and she caught the playful smirk on his lips.

"Oh, I'm sorry for making sure my roommate isn't gonna kill me." He laughed again. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Good things come to those who wait," he smirked. 

"Nathan."

"Lexie."

"Nathan."

"Lexie."

She narrowed her eyes at him and he stared back for a solid 3 seconds before breaking out into a wide smile. 

"Just so you know, I'm only looking away because I don't feel like crashing the car today."

"Yeah, wow. Thanks. Where are we going?" 

He sighed in defeat, "There's this abandoned building a mile from here. We're going to it. You're my new adventure buddy."

"Who's your adventure buddy before?"

He chuckled. "That's what you're going to ask? Not 'Why on Earth are we going to an abandoned building?' "

"As long as no one goes to the building, it won't be a problem." 

"Yes, no one goes there as far as I know aaaand," he dragged out. "I didn't have an adventure buddy before. You're the first one."

"Wow," she dramatically put a hand on her heart. "I am so honored, Nathan." 

Nathan parked 5 minutes from the building to be safe, according to him. They walked side by side-- kicking rocks, occasionally touching shoulders and bumping arms. They reached a tall fence with a giant 'NO TRESPASSING' sign on the left. Lexie looked at Nathan who was watching her read the sign. She smiled, "Suddenly, I forgot how to read." 

They walked to the side and entered through a big hole in the fence. Nathan turned on a flashlight and led the way, signaling her to follow beside him. They went in through a window on the first floor and surprisingly, Nathan knew where to go. He led her to the left, and another left, then to a right. Most of the doors were open and the floors were dirty and cluttered with paper and food wrappers. Nathan accidentally kicked a half-empty paper cup of coke and some splashed on his shoe. 

"Lovely," she snickered. 

They went up the stairs-- so many stairs-- until they reached the roof. He pushed the door open and the cold wind greeted them with a big, big hug. Lexie shivered and hugged her jacket closer to her. 

"I didn't know we're going to the rooftop," Lexie said.

"Oh, shit. Are you scared of heights?" 

She laughed, "You're asking me now?"

He laughed and scratched the back of his head.

"No, I'm not scared of heights. Are you?"

"No, I love heights."

He kicked a few dirt and gravel on the ground and reached in his backpack to get a blanket. He laid it on the floor of the roof and sat down, exhaling. "Come sit," he patted the spot beside him.

Lexie laid down and stared up at the sky, smiling at the stars. Nathan copied her, laying down and watching the stars too. He turned to face her after a second, watching her instead. They felt comfortable together in the silence.  The rising and falling of their chests as they breathed began to match as they stared at the stars. As the days passed, it became more and more natural for them to do things together. To laugh and share stories that they haven't told anyone yet. They see each other almost 24/7, it's weird when they don't even just for an hour. So now here they are, stargazing, but the only star he can see is her.  

"May I ask you a question?" Lexie said, turning to face him.

"You just did."

"Smartass."

He chuckled, "What is it?"

"What happened to your arrogance?"

"What do you mean?"

"When we first met, you were really arrogant and conceited. Now you're... less arrogant?"

"Wow," he laughed. "Thanks a lot."

She smiled, "what happened?"

He briefly thought for an answer, then shrugged. "Frankly, I don't know. Influence, I guess?"

Lexie searched his eyes for a moment, waiting for him to explain further. She stared at the brown dancing with the green of his eyes for a long time, she forgot about what she had asked. 

"Oh, almost forgot," he sat up and reached in his pocket. He revealed a navy blue box with black lining and handed it to her. "I told you I'd give you something." 

She took the box and stared at it with confused eyes. "Uhm, I didn't know we're doing gifts."

"We're not. Just open it." 

She licked her lips and locked eyes with him for a second, then slowly opened the box. She gasped. "Nathan..."

He was grinning from ear to  ear, "Do you like it?"

She looked up at him with now wide eyes and a big smile. "Are you kidding me? I love it!" She took the necklace from the box and held it on her palm, tracing the pendant: a gold bird. 

Nathan took it from her and asked her to turn around, so he can put it on her. She did, gathering her hair to the side. His arms appeared on either side of her, almost like a hug, to put the necklace on her neck. His finger brushed the side of her neck as he clasped the necklace. A shiver ran down her spine. 

"Lemme see," he whispered. 

Lexie turned around, a hand on the pendant, smiling. 

He smiled too, "It looks great on you."

"Thank you so much for this," she stared at the bird. "Oh my god, I gave you a piece of tissue and you gave me a necklace." She grimaced.

He laughed, "It's okay. It's all about the meaning."