Endgame | A Bronwyn + Nate fanfic

Part 1

Nate's Pov

September 21, 7:00 PM

"Nate, hurry up! Man, anyone would think you've died up there!" Cooper yells up at me. I sigh, pulling on my worn leather jacket and glancing back a my dad, who is out cold on the couch. 

"Yeah, okay! I'm coming!" I yell back, deliberately moving slowly through the house. I do not want to go to Addy's party tonight, but Cooper convinced me. How? By telling me Bronwyn Rojas will be there.

Not that it has to mean anything. She'll probably just be talking to her friends, anyway.

"Mate, come on." Cooper makes it sound as though I've been taking my sweet time for hours. To be frank, I was planning on it, but who am I to keep Cooper waiting? Nate Macauley, that's who.

I shove the door open, wincing as the door squeaks. I really need to get someone to fix this door properly. At least I can half afford it, now that I have a proper job with Knox Myers' dad's building company.

Cooper is leaning against his car, looking bored. "About time. Come on, we'll be late. And what will Bronwyn think of that?" He teases, grinning. Kris is sitting in the passenger seat, Cooper driving. I climb into the back, not bothering with a seatbelt. Kris shoots me a flustered look. I shrug.

After a while, Cooper speaks up. "You should ask her out, man. I bet she'll say yes. Even if she says no, it's not like it has to change anything. Not that she will." He adds quickly, pausing at a red light.

I sigh. Again. "Nah, man. Have you not seen me try?" I shake my head, but Kris turns around again. "Try again tonight. I can go with you." He offers, eyeing the seatbelt resting against the seat. I snort. "That offer is for elementary kids. As if. And it's not like she's going to agree." I add bitterly.

Ever since I started having a crush on Bronwyn in Grade 5, I have known she is way better than me. As if I, Nate Macauley, an edgy motorbike-rider who dealt drugs while on probation for selling drugs, could ever, ever deserve someone like Bronwyn. Ever.

But maybe you could become that person she deserves? A tiny voice pipes up, and for a moment, I feel a flicker of hope.

Probably not.

"Come on, we'll both come with you. You can do it by yourself, or we can make you." Cooper exchanges a knowing look with Kris. 

"Man-"

"Nate, you have to do it. Trust. Have you ever looked back on your life and thought man, I wish I'd been more honest with the people I love?" He quotes Addy. I roll my eyes. "Uh, yeah. Like when I told you I like Bronwyn?" I offer dryly. Kris frowns. "Rhetorical question!" Cooper cries, exasperated.