Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 1

"We're back!" Nate walked in with his girlfriend, Sara. "They didn't have the green one you wanted, AJ, so I got you the red one." Nate tossed a t-shirt to AJ.

"Thanks. Too bad they didn't." AJ put the shirt on his desk. "I was looking forward to wearing the green."

"We could always go back next week and check again." Gwen walked up behind him. "We still have a month before the con."

"Nah, this will be fine. Nate already got it, so no need to get multiple."

"Oh! That reminds me—Sara, come check out your costume!" Gwen and Sara went into the den.

"I'm sure it's exciting getting to meet your fans!" Sara was new to the convention world and had never been to one. She was excited to go, even just as a special guest with Random Encounters.

"Oh, it is! It's definitely my favorite part!" Gwen beamed. "The meet and greets are so enjoyable! I'm glad you'll be there too. Having another female around may help bring balance to those two crazy boys."

"Oh, they're not that bad," Sara said.

"You haven't seen them at the con yet," Gwen stage-whispered to Sara.

Sara laughed. "I grew up with a nerdy brother. Trust me, I've seen it all!"

AJ and Nate were in the living room talking.

"Yeah, things are going great. We haven't been dating long, but they're good."

AJ had known Nate for years and felt something was off, but it could just be because of him being in a newer relationship and still uncertain about things.

"Good. As long as you're happy, that's all we want."

"Yeah," Nate sighed. "I— I finally told Becca last week that Sara and I were dating."

"How'd she take it?" AJ gave Nate a look.

"She was upset I hid it for so long. She didn't understand why I couldn't have just told her when we first started dating two months ago. Which she's right, I should have, but..."

"You didn't want to hurt Becca. I get it. You guys have been friends for years though, you should have known how she'd react. There aren't any feelings between you two, so it's not like that would be at risk." AJ was checking an alert on his phone and missed the slight look of guilt on Nate's face.

"Right." Nate decided to change the subject quickly. "Did you and Gwen get the recording done?"

"Yeah, it's all done. She still has to finish the thumbnail, but it'll all be done for you soon."

"Okay." Nate heard Sara and Gwen laughing and smiled. "I'm glad you guys get along with her so well. I hoped you would."

"She's great. Why wouldn't we?"

"No reason. You guys are my family, and I'm glad you two like her as well."

Sara joined the guys in the living room. "Gwen still needed to edit, so she's at her computer," Sara explained when the guys looked at her.

"Okay. Well, I know she'll be at it for a while. I actually have some work I need to do too. I'll see you guys later on," AJ said, excusing himself and heading upstairs to his office.

Nate and Sara finished unpacking the rest of the groceries they brought back with them. Once they were done, they sat on the couch in the living room. Nate was holding Sara while Sara was telling him about the costume Gwen was making her.

"That's great! I'm glad you like it," Nate said, smiling at her.

Nate was still unsure in his relationship with Sara. He was happy, yes, but something seemed off. He didn't want to say anything to anyone because he didn't want to hurt Sara.

When he talked to Becca last week, she called him out on not sounding happy. He was happy. Wasn't he? She had asked why it had taken him this long to tell her. He said it just hadn't come up. But it could have. I should have told her before. Why do I feel so guilty for not telling her?

"You okay?" Sara was giving Nate a quizzical look.

"Yeah, sorry, lost in thought." He smiled at her.

"Okay." Her phone rang. "Oh, I'd better take this. I'll be back." She stepped outside before answering.

Nate stood up. He went to check on Gwen to see how the thumbnail was coming along.

"It's going good. Thanks for showing me that other software to use. I like it much better than what I found." She turned to look at Nate. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sara had to take a call, so she's outside."

"Okay." Gwen was skeptical, but didn't push it. "I think I'll be done in about another hour, then I'll send it to you."

"Sounds good. Thanks!" Nate went back to the living room and sat back on the couch.

Sara came back in. "I had actually better get going. I have some work I need to do."

"Okay. I'll walk you to the door." Nate stood and escorted her out.

"I'll talk to you later, okay?" Nate nodded. "Alright then. Bye!" Sara walked to her car, got in, and drove away.

Nate came back in the house and closed the door. He went to his room and found Penelope, his cat, on his bed. He started petting her and thinking. I do like Sara, but what is wrong? Why do I feel like something is off? What could it be? Do I really like her, or has it been so long I'm just wanting to have love again?

He looked at Penelope. "What do you think, P'nelope?" She meowed at him. "That's helpful." She climbed in his lap and laid down. Maybe I'm just overthinking things. It will all be okay in the end.