Head Down

Chapter 16

A/N: So the last chapters have been suitably mushy, and I promise this chappy is interesting! The next update will be action filled, and I can solemnly swear waiting or Nate to spill the beans won't last much longer after that!

Sorry for the spelling and grammar mistakes.

Comment, Fan, Vote if you like! 8P

XOXO

KATIE'S POV

"Yeah sure," says Nate.

"Thanks. Sorry for falling asleep," I reply as we start to move towards the front door.

He shakes his head, which I notice is damp, making him look kind of dog-ish. I would've smiled if it wasn't for last nights thinking. It's clear that after two -now three, I guess- days I've become dependent on Nate to some degree, and I can't let that happen. It's just going to give me too much to worry about. I only have months left. I can't let a boy -no matter how numerous his attributes- jeopardize me or my plans. Or himself.

"It's fine. Did you know you have nightmares?" Nate asks seriously.

"Not really," I say. I guess I kind of did, who doesn't? Especially with my home life. But I've never remember them, or any of my dreams, and I've always woken up in the position I fell asleep in so I assume they're not that bad.

If that was true though, how would he notice?

"Why do you ask?" I say when we reach the door. Neither of us make the usual point of opening the door for the other.

He pauses and looks at me sadly for a moment, saying, "You had.....one...last night."

"One?" I ask, still at the threshold of the door. He had chosen the word carefully, and I wondered why it took thought at all. If I had one, I had one. Two, then two. It's counting, and Nate isn't stupid.

"It was kind of a continuous thing," he explains, and we start to move forwards again. It's cold outside, but Nate stands close enough to share body heat. I like that quite a bit, and have to force myself a few inches away subtly enough that he doesn't notice. If I can no longer depend on him emotionally, then I can't physically either.

"Oh. Did I wake anyone up?" I ask.

"Just me," he says as we reach the car. We each pull open our respective doors, Nate with a further saddened expression, and me with silent, mournful satisfaction. A victory for space, but a sad one. The antics were fun. I wonder why he didn't this morning, probably because he could tell I was feeling standoff-ish. Or maybe be because he was too sleepy to care. Or perhaps he is distracted with last nights events.

"I'm sorry. No wonder you look so tired," I say sincerely as he starts the car. "And thanks for the jacket," I add while I put it on. He had put it in the car beforehand, obviously, which makes my heart clench. No one ever does -or didn't do- nice things for me. The little things. God, why does he have to be so damn nice?

"I'd rather have been awake," he replies easily, backing out the driveway and starting on the road.

Stupid. Freaking. Kindness. I just made the resolution of separation not two seconds ago and he's already doing the perfect things to crumble my decision to dust. What does he want from me?

"That's stupid. Now you're going to be a zombie all day," I reply, looking at him intensely while he drives.

Christ, and now I want to kiss him. Again.

He glances over at me and says, "You're welcome."

There, sarcasm. That's something I can deal with. Thank you!