Song of Sirens

Chapter 8

Nathan guides me through the cold, crowded British streets, a protective hand on the small of my back. I flinched away at first, but then realised where I was and who I was with, and finally relaxed. He turns down a smaller, slightly less crowded street until we get to a small little café, with warm orange light shining out from the inside.

"Does here look alright?" He smiles, and it's almost, almost  nervous. But his complete confidence still seems to be in place.

"It looks amazing. And warm," I smile and walk inside as he opens the door, following close behind me.

The walls are covered in a medieval-style rose wallpaper with maroon floorboards and the skirting boards are the made of the same wood. Small, light wooden tables are arranged around the café, with a huge burgundy counter against the back wall. This little café is filled with warm, orange light and I let the warmth inside me before peeling my jacket off and hanging it over the back of a chair, which Nathan pulls out for me.

"Thank you," I smile at him when he takes the seat opposite me towards the back of the room.

The scent of fresh baking food wafts through the air, tickling my nose and I close my eyes, giving in to the comfort. A comfort I have not felt in a long, long time. I snap my eyes open to the sound of the waiter asking for our order.

Nathan orders, before looking at me. "I'll just have a hot chocolate thanks."

The waiter smiles and walks away.

"Are you not a coffee person?" Nathan's voice snaps through my thoughts and I lean on my hands.

"No, I am definitely a coffee person. I just don't feel like it right now," I shrug a little.

"I see," his accent is sweet, I love it and I just want him to keep talking. Olive, what is wrong with you?  The little voice snaps me back and I look down before he can see me blush. "Tell me about yourself."

"What do you want me to tell?" I look back up at him, the blue eyes a pool of curiosity. "There really isn't anything to tell."

"You're much too pretty to have no secrets," he catches my blush this time and smirks a little. "Tell me about your parents, your hometown, your old friends, your old loves."

I know my expression pales at the last comment and I can see he instantly regrets saying it. But I'm saved by the arrival of our drinks. I thank the waiter before he leaves and take a mouthful, letting the drink warm me. I wrap my hands around the mug and lean forward a little.

"My mother is dead. She passed away when I was 11. It was hard, but I'm fine now." I had to stop that pity expression before it could appear. "My dad and I argue a lot, which is part of the reason I agreed to move here. And because my mother said I must go to this school. It wasn't really our choice."

He nods, taking everything in. He's a great listener and he appears to hang off every word I say. Probably like I hang off his.

"My town had its charms. The way you could walk down the street any day, anytime and you would see at least one person you knew. It was a small country town, all vintage and beautiful. Bu the people weren't all that great." I shrug slightly. "I had a best friend, her name was Emily. She was the kindest, strongest, most wonderful friend anyone could ever wish for. Em would never let you down. If I needed her, she would walk the 7km between our houses and be there in 45 minutes. And I did the same for her." I smile a little. "She was the hardest person to leave, to be honest."

I look up to find Nathan smiling a little, but I muster one last sentence. "Your turn."

"Well, my parents live back home with my younger brother, Spencer. He's 7, and very, very mischievous." Nathan's face lights up when he talks about his brother and so does mine, I'm certain. "My hometown is small, petite, all brick houses and fireplaces in winter to keep away the cold. The kind of town where it is acceptable for the whole family to wear matching sweaters at the Christmas Eve mass because everyone else is too."

I smile, "It sounds gorgeous."

"It is. I think you would like it," he smiles shyly before hiding is behind a sip of his drink. So I do the same thing, finishing it.

"Yeah, I think I would."

"That just means that you are going to have to visit some time."

"Sounds great," we match each others gaze, siren eyes staring into crystal blue ones.

However, the moment is interrupted when my phone alerts me to a new text. It's from Kat.

 Liv, where are you? You and Nathan are about to miss dinner. And its curry.

I show Nathan and he pulls some money from his coat, placing it under his empty coffee mug, before standing. I follow, shoving my phone in my pocket with a quick reply. We smile at the waiter as we leave and walk out, back the way we came.

We spend the 10 minute walk in silence, then back through the front gates and up to our house.

"Thanks Nathan, that was really nice." I smile in thanks and he smiles back down at me.

"It was. And you don't have to thank me. But we should do it again sometime." His voice is only quiet and I blush a little in the cold.

"Yeah, yeah we should."