Chapter 6
I stare at the phone as if it was a figment of my imagination; something out of place. Because there was definitely something out of balance if Nathan Collins was at my front door on a bright, November morning.
The pounding on the door, which has escaped my notice has gotten louder and I rush towards it, not even bothering to check how I look. Nathan has his fist up, preparing to knock again and I see that our expressions mirror each other. For a second, I see relief pass through his features before it's gone and back to his smirking, playful demeanour.
"Well hello there, I don't think I can see that the morning look is definitely for you. You've had better days." Frowning, I look down and give myself a once over and gingerly pat my hair. I open my mouth to reply when Nathan brushes past me. He walks straight to the kitchen, as if he's been here a thousand times. Only once actually. Immediately, he starts eating the leftovers and plops down on the kitchen stool.
"Cat got your toungue Anderson?" Still a bit confused and flustered, I grab the plate he was holding and slam it on the table. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"My, is that one way to welcome a friend?" Scoffing and rolling my eyes, I arch an eyebrow at him. "Friends? As far as I recall, 'people like you, don't associate with people like me.'" I spit back his words from the last time I saw him and I see the smile vanish from his face.
"Oh, come one. You took that one seriously?" I shake my head, not believing what I was hearing. Not only was my foor injured because of indirectly helping him, he had the nerve to come here and say we were friends? Wait, why the hell was he even here?
"Collins, if you don't tell me why you're in the next 10 seconds, you might just have a second helping of breakfast in a jail cell, granted it might not be as good as this one. What is it? Did you need help with your school work again? Got a big test that you need to pass to stay on the team? Life got a little boring and you decided to prank big ol' gullible Pamela?" I realized I was rambling and I was pacing in front of our T.V but I didn't care.
I like order. I like predictable. Nathan being concerned and sending those texts, him being here was not predictable. It was a unwanted tilt to my very straight, and untilted path. Feeling a pair of hands gently grabbing my shoulders, I freeze and stop pacing. "I'm sorry."
Those two words drip with sincerity and I close my eyes, wanting to believe that they were really true. But just like that, I the chip in the trust I had in him attacked poked the others and reminded me why I couldn't, shouldn't trust him.
It wasn't only with what he said in biology. It wasn't just the pranks. It wasn't just his reputation. It was just because, he was right. People like him do not associate with people like me. So far, associaing with each other has caused me, nothing but trouble.
I shurg his hands off and walk away. "Don't worry about it. That biology incident is long forgotten." I wave my hand away, signaling that it was no big deal. "Now if that's everything, I think you should go." I exit the living room with the intention of cleaning up the kitchen, when I feel a pair of arms grab my waist from behind. With the smell of his aftershave and peppermint inhibiting my senses, I was slow to pull away.
"Uh, what exactly are you doing right now?" I cross my arms, willing myself not to shake with our brief contact. "I was worried." Not daring to look in to his eys and feel his sincerity, I start tapping my foot. It was a habit I got because of dancing.
"Well, you didn't have to be. It was only a small cut and I'm fine now." To demonstrate, I twirled and almost stumbled as I put too much pressure on my injured foot. Nathan caught me by the waste and this time, I did look him in the eyes. Biting my lip, I prevent myself from returning is smile. Starting into his eyes, I realize that this was the first time I saw his genuine smile, where his eyes crinkled at the sides, and his eye shifting to almost a blue green tint.
Becoming aware of the akwardness I step away and clear my throat. "Well thanks for worrying, but again I am fine so you can go." My voice was getting softer and loosing the snarky tone that I usually reserved for him. Nathan clears his throat and shuffles nervously. "I was actually wondering if you needed some help. You know, with chores and stuff and getting around the neighborhood with your injured foot."
I refrain from rolling my eyes as I hear his sincere offer of help. I wasn't handicapped, I could limp my way around the neighborhood, thank you very much. "Are you sure Collins? We wouldn't want any of your dear friends seeing you with me." For a moment, I see hesitation and worry flash across his features and I mentally celebrated because once again, I was right about him.
However, that flash of worry is immeadiately wiped away. Back to his old self, he puts his arm around my shoulder and says, "Maybe we could be secret friends?"
~
A/N:
Sorry it took so long to update. I just usually loose motivation to write as it doesn't seem like my stories will ever get anywhere, plus there was the whole first year of college to worry about. But alas, it is summer and I am finished. For those of you still reading this story, thank you. Thank you for patiently waiting and thank you for still being there.
My summer 2015 goal is to finish this story. Oh and maybe also get a hot bod. LOL
<3
