Opposites

2.3

sorry i didn't update thursday, things were busy...might be changing to oppowednesdays again or oppofridays...

        When I woke up the next morning, I was back in my bed. I guessed that Jake had carried me there. For once, I didn’t hear Mary and Jake arguing over the baby or some other stupid thing in the kitchen. Then, I realized it was because they weren’t there. I sighed as I made myself a bowl of lucky charms and watched cartoons. I was in the middle of reading one of my favorite books, later on, when my phone began to ring. I recognized that it was Nate, and picked it up,

        “Hey.” I sounded uninterested.

        “Hey, Cali. I was wondering if I could pick you up and take you back to my house. Everyone is out at the beach for the next day, and I have to stay because I have work tomorrow. What do you say?”

        I looked down at my stained, oversized tee shirt and ran a hand through my oily hair, “Sure, can you pick me up in like forty-five minutes?” 

        “That’s perfect for me. See you then.”

        “See you then.” We hung up and I rushed off to the shower to get ready.

                                                                        ***

        “You have such a nice house.” I told him just as I had the last time I was over.

        “Thanks.” 

        “So what do you wanna do?” I turned around and put my hands on his shoulders.

        “We could watch a movie or play a board game.” he shrugged.

        “Let’s watch a movie.” I smiled. 

We were in the middle of watching the second Jurassic Park movie when he tried to get to know me better.

“So, are you originally from here in New Jersey?” he wrapped an arm around me and smiled down at me.

“Yep.” I tried to stay focused on the movie.

“Same. Do you have any brothers or sisters?” 

“I live with my brother and sister-in-law.”

“That’s cool. Any pets?” 

“Nope.” I answered plainly.

“What’s your favorite color?”

“Sea blue, like my hair.” I chuckled lightly.

“I like it. How about,” he began, but I cut him off.

“Why are you all of the sudden so interested in all of this stuff?” I backed away from him.

“Because I’m interested in you,” Nate replied.

I smiled at him and scooted closer to him. I turned his head to meet mine and lightly kissed him. I tried to deepen the kiss, but he backed away. I crashed my mouth against his once again and he reluctantly gave in for only a few seconds before pulling away again.

“What’s wrong with you?” Nate said.

I stood up from the couch, “Wow, you’re just like every other guy I’ve met, and I told him you were different. Why would you ever say something like that to a girl?” I pinched the bridge of my nose. 

“What? Who’d you tell I was different? What’s even going on?” he jumped up at the thought.

“No one.” I could feel my eyes beginning to water.

“What? I was just trying to get to know you and you just avoided the subject.” he touched my shoulder gently to comfort me.

“I have to go.”  Nate grabbed my wrists as I tried to make it to the front door.

“Just talk to me.” he pleaded.

“I can’t.” I yanked my wrists free and sat back down on his couch. His dog jumped up and lay down next to me.

“Cali, tell me who.” 

“Why should I? You’re just gonna be in and out of my life anyways.” I replied.

“What is up with you? What are you on?” he scoffed.

“Nothing is wrong with me, Nate.” I put my head in my hands.

“Listen Cali,” he sat down next to me and folded his hands together, “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt or offended you in any way. I just,”

“Don’t apologize.” I stood up.

“I just want to help you.” 

I snapped, “You what? You want to fix me?” I ran a hand through my hair.

“Um,” he tried to think of something to defend himself with.

“You all are the same, you know? You, every other guy I’ve been with, my brother, Anne, and definitely Justin of all people. You all nitpick at my personality and try to find out everything about me to make yourselves feel good for doing some ‘charity.’” Tears welled up and began to spill out and roll down my cheeks. 

“Justin? What does Justin have to do with anything?” Nate stayed seated on the couch. That was the worst, when I left people not even able to deny it. That always meant it was true. I was intriguing only because I was ‘messed’ up. 

“That’s the thing, I don’t know what he has to do with any of this. I just don’t know.” I picked up my phone from the end table of the couch and ran out of the front door. Nate didn’t bother to come running after me. There was no point.