Placebo Feelings

Chapter 4 Cause I can sometimes treat the people that I love like jewelry.

 A few weeks had crawled by since Nate's suspension, and he grew increasingly restless. His days consisted of sitting around at home or working, which was getting old fast. He still had one more agonizing week before he could return to school. The only bright spot in his daily routine was Kim, who came over after finishing her classes almost everyday. Nate couldn't help but wonder if she visited so often because she had finally confided in him about her ex or for other reasons. A small part of his mind speculated that maybe she felt safe with him, knowing he would protect her from harm, never hurt her.

Nate didn't know the ex-boyfriend's name, nor had he asked, but he had a vivid mental image of the guy. He was tall, maybe around six feet, towering over Nate, and more physically imposing. The man had brown hair that was swept up like he cared too much about what others thought of him, and Nate couldn't recall the colour of his eyes. If you didn't know the whole story, you might think Nate was in love with this guy based on how much he thought about him. But now, he was on the lookout, and despite his more diminutive stature, Nate knew he could hold his own, both with his fists and his words.

Tonight, his mother was home, which felt unusual since she rarely took days off unless necessary, like the day after he got suspended when she called in to be with him, needing to set him straight. He always felt guilty when she had to miss work for his sake, understanding that she needed her job to make ends meet. He tried to help out where he could, but there was only so much he could do. Nate knew he needed to stop getting into trouble, especially the kind that involved his mother. That would be an excellent place to start.

However, tonight was particularly strange. He had done everything correctly, and his mom was making a strawberry pie in the kitchen. This was odd because she only baked pies on special occasions, and as far as Nate knew. There was no special occasion.

"Mom?" Nate's voice echoed through the house.

"Oh, Hi, honey. How's your day been?" His mother's voice drifted from the kitchen.

"It's been fine, I guess. Why are you home tonight?"

"You're not glad to see me?" Her eyes twinkled with playful mischief, indicating she wasn't entirely serious.

"Of course, I'm glad to see you, Mom. You're just not normally off work for no reason."

"Oh, but there is a reason, Mijo." She flashed him a warm smile.

"What's that?"

"Your friend is coming over, and I want to meet her." She expertly handled the pie crust, rolling and folding it in on itself. "Want to meet the girl that's got my boy's attention." She couldn't resist a little teasing.

"Mom, I told you we're just friends."

"Mhm, a friend you seem to enjoy hanging out with."

"Well, yeah, she's a good friend."

"Okay, Mijo." She let the topic drop, but the sparkle in her eyes and the persistent smile on her lips revealed that she wasn't entirely convinced. She might've suspected there was more to their friendship than Nate was letting on. A beautiful friend, but still, just a friend.

"Why are you making pie, though?"

"I can't make pie?"

"No, normally you make it for special occasions."

"Well, tonight is a special occasion. I get to meet your 'friend.'" She emphasized the word 'friend' with air quotes, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Air quotes, really, Mom?"

"Oh, I'm so lame." Nate chuckled. His mom was a fantastic woman. When he left that night, his dad didn't know what he was missing.