A Different Kind Of Love Triangle

Chapter 20: The Storm.

*BOOM*

(A loud rumble shook the sky, it felt like an explosion..
Leah's face flashed in the dark.
She looked.. messy.
And soon it was dark again.)

"Oh my-"
(Leah exclaimed as she got scared by the loud thunder)

Nathan: Leah...
(Even though it was dark, I could still see the outlines of her face.
I could tell she couldn't meet my eyes.
Clearly guilty.)

Leah: Hi Nathan...
(She said softly)

(I approached my phone and unlocked it.
My goal was to turn on the flashlight..
But as soon I saw my battery I internally facepalmed. It was at 3 percent.
I didn't enter the dorm the whole day so it made sense why my battery was at the brink of death.
I finally opened N's and Aiden's messages.
The recent ones were about a "sudden storm" and they wanted me to get to the dorm immediately.

"So they were just warning me huh?"

And now I feel bad..)

Nathan: Can you pass me your phone? Mine's almost dead.
(I asked Leah which she seemed a little taken aback by, clearly not expecting that I was gonna talk to her)

Leah: I- I don't have my phone with me.
(I sighed and looked around)

Nathan: Hello! Is anyone else here?!
(No response..
So it was clear that only me and Leah were here.
Or MAYBE someone who was asleep.
I turned the phone screen off, Saving my battery for emergency communication)

I will go and search the staff room area.
They might have some candles or even some flashlights.
(With that I took a step away from her.
But she stopped me immediately)

Leah: Wait- can I come with you..? I.. don't like the dark...
(I said a faint "Sure" and started walking again.
She was closely behind me..

Soon we reached the room and started searching.)

Files... files.... Files... oh-
More files.
(Have to admit, it wasn't going well)

Nathan: How many files are in here?
(I said, irritated.)

Oh- found it!
(I exclaimed after opening a closet)

A candle... WHY IS THERE ONLY ONE CANDLE?
AND NO MATCHES? UGH! (I groaned loudly)

Leah: Um... I found a bulky flashlight with batteries.
(She turned it on and aimed it at the ceiling so the room would be lit up. Damn it was bright.
As I finally could see Leah, my eyes darted down as I noticed some red marks around her neck..)

Nathan: Are you okay?
(I blurted out without thinking much)

Leah: Yeah..? (She replied, clearly not knowing what I was referring to.)

Nathan: Let's.. wait till the storm dies down..
(I didn't want to be intrusive. So I changed the topic and walked out of the room with her behind me.
As we were walking towards the main hall, Leah cleared her throat loudly)

Leah: Nathan um..
I'm glad we met today because I was meaning to come around.. but I'm a coward..

I am so sorry.. and that's not enough, I know.
But-

Nathan: Your forgiveness is not mine to give Leah. That's Aiden's.

Leah: I know! I promise that I'll apologize to him..
I have been wanting to do that for a while now, but...

Nathan: But?

Leah: But.. I don't know, Aiden's too nice. He will forgive me in a second.

Nathan: That's a.. problem?