Expect The Unexpected

Chapter 4 2/5

Cover by FysteeUnicorn

Rosie's pencil furiously scratched the paper as she tried to finish as much as she could before the bell rang for lunch. Nate was beside her, doing the same, face scrunched up in concentration as the pencil moved swiftly. They were both so deep in concentration that when the bell rang, the loud brnng made them both jump, and Rosie's pencil clattered to the floor. 

She looked at him sheepishly but Nate simply smiled at her and shrugged, as if to say, "It's life. What are you gonna do about it?" She returned it, standing and bending to pick up her pencil, keeping one hand on the back of her skirt to make sure it didn't ride up as she did so, quickly returning to her standing position. A soft wind blew through her hair, pushing it around her face and she used her free hand to tuck it behind her ears. As she turned back to Nate, she noticed his cheeks were tinged pink and his eyes were darting around nervously. 

Did something happen? 

She gasped inwardly and quickly placed her hand back on her skirt, gripping it tightly as she realized one of the possibilities as to why he was blushing. 

Does my hair look bad? Do I need to fix it? No, I'm probably jumping to conclusions. Maybe I should ask so I don't take things the wrong way. 

"Did something happen when I picked up my pencil?" 

It took Nate a couple of seconds to realize she had asked him a question and looked at her, although his cheeks were still pink.

"N-no. I just.." 

Rosie was still confused and self-conscious but she took her seat next to him and rested a hand on his shoulder, nodding for him to go on. But all that seemed to do was make him turn redder than before and he turned his face toward the ground, mumbling the next words so quietly that she had to lean closer to catch it. 

"You looked really pretty when the wind blew your hair." 

Rosie's face flamed at the comment once she realized what he had said but she wasn't embarrassed or nervous at his remark; she was happy. A bit surprised, yes, but happy nonetheless. She had to calm her racing heart before speaking. 

"Thank you, Nathaniel. That...that means a lot to me to have you think that and-"

"Rosie, I don't think. I know you look pretty. Don't doubt yourself, okay? You're beautiful, Rosie. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Promise me you'll stay positive. I don't... I don't wanna see you get hurt." His voice quieted as he said the last few words, soft but serious. He gazed intently at her, waiting for her to respond. 

She smiled softly. "I promise." 

He reached for her hand that was resting on his shoulder and locked them together, squeezing hers gently and resting it on his lap. Rosie smiled, grateful for his kind words. 

Although their cheeks were still red, they smiled happily at each other, grateful for this moment. Rosie leaned her head against his shoulder, wanting to feel the warmth that emitted from his body and be as close to him as possible. Nate slid toward her, moving a hand behind her and pulling her closer, releasing their clasped hands. 

She smiled to herself, raising her head a little to look at him, and saw something in his eyes that lodged her heart in her throat, persuading her to move closer. Nate locked eyes with her, and timidly but slowly, he leaned closer, keeping her entranced in his sea-blue eyes as he raised a gentle hand that cupped her face. 

Her heart fluttered, stomach flipping as he got closer. 

A loud cacophony of chatter burst the timid bubble that had enveloped them and they broke apart, blushing furiously and looking at the floor, shooting a nervous glance at the other every few seconds.