If We Fall Again

Chapter 10

FEW YEARS BACK:

The routine had become second nature for Elise and Nate. Every day after school, they would walk home together—Nate always a few steps ahead, Elise trailing behind, watching his broad back as they made their way through the familiar streets. She’d crack jokes now and then, testing to see if she could get him to laugh, but Nate had this way of holding it in, only letting a smile slip through when he thought she wasn’t looking.

As the days passed, their conversations grew more comfortable, more natural. They talked about school, about teachers they didn’t like, and sometimes, about nothing at all. Slowly, their exchanges became closer, until one afternoon, as they reached the corner near her house, Elise made a joke.

“You know, you’re gonna need to call me every day now,” she teased with a grin, handing him her number.

Nate nodded, and although his expression remained serious, there was something warmer in his eyes. He took her number without hesitation, tucking it into his pocket. "Alright," he said, "but you better pick up."

One day, after cheerleading practice, Elise joined Nate as usual, still trailing behind him. She was in her cheer uniform, hair still tied up from practice, when suddenly Nate stopped walking. She nearly bumped into him.

"Why do you only talk to me when no one’s around?" Nate asked, turning to face her, his brow furrowed with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Elise blinked, caught off guard. She’d always assumed Nate preferred to keep to himself when they were in public, especially at school. He never seemed to be the type who wanted attention, so she figured it was just easier this way.

"I thought... you didn’t want to talk in front of people," she admitted, a little sheepish.

Nate’s expression softened, and for a moment, it looked like he might smile. "No, I just wondered. You’re always so quiet when we’re at school. It’s different when it’s just us."

Hearing that, Elise’s heart swelled with a mix of happiness and surprise. She hadn’t realized he’d noticed. "I didn’t mean to make it weird," she said, grinning. "I guess I just didn’t want people to think I was bothering you or something."

Nate shook his head slightly. "You don’t bother me."

That simple statement made Elise’s whole face light up. She gave him a playful nudge. "Alright then. I promise I’ll talk to you next time I see you at school. Deal?"

Nate looked at her for a moment, his eyes studying her face, and then he nodded. "Deal."

As they resumed walking, something had shifted between them. It wasn’t just the routine anymore. There was something real in their connection now—an unspoken understanding that made Elise feel like maybe, just maybe, she was more than just the girl who walked behind him.

By the time she got home, she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. The promise she made to Nate echoed in her head. Tomorrow would be different. Tomorrow, she’d talk to him in front of everyone.

And that thought made her happier than she could have ever imagined.

__

Elise woke up with a bounce in her step, something that hadn’t happened in a while. As she moved around the house, her parents noticed the unusual glow on her face. At the breakfast table, her mother was the first to comment.

“You’re in a good mood today, Elise. What’s going on?” her mom asked, raising an eyebrow.

Her father chimed in as well. “This better not be a distraction from your studies. You know how important school is.”