Ghost (Second Edition)

Chapter Eight--Silent Affections

Nathan

"So..." Mary murmured on Monday morning over their elaborate breakfast.

Nathan looked at her over his spoonful of baked beans, half of it falling back onto the plate. He raised his eyebrows at his mother, even his father Martin looked up from the paper he was reading. Mary smiled at Nathan.

"Prom is in two weeks!" She trilled, "Have you picked a pretty girl yet? You have to choose soon so we can get your suit, and a dress made." Nathan groaned and went back to eating.

"Come on Nathan." His father urged in his thick English accent, "There are tons of lovely girls at that school, just pick one!"

"What if I don't want to go with a girl? What if I want to go by myself?" Nathan asked, glancing up at his parents.

His parents burst out laughing.

"Oh, Nathan!" His mother giggled as she caught her breath, a hand to her chest. "You can't go by yourself, that will sully our family name."

"Nor will it seem formal." His father put in, setting his paper. "Someone of your status should go with a partner."

"You're lucky I already have a crush," Nathan muttered, looking down at his plate.

"That's wonderful!" Mary clapped her hands beaming, "What's her name?"

"I can't tell you yet," Nathan said, picking at a piece of egg on the edge of his plate. Why had he said that? Curse his big mouth!

"Well, I can't wait to meet her!" Mary sounded joyous as she went back to eating.

This is great! Just great! Nathan said nothing more. This was the worst way to defy his parents, but love was stronger than his desire to behave.

***

After gathering his English book, Nathan went and waited by Luis's locker. Someone—probably Andy—had written 'DIE' on the door with a black marker. Nathan was busy scraping the word off the locker with his nails to block out his fury.

"Nathan?"

The soft voice made Nathan look up, his heart giving a nervous flutter. Luis was standing in front of him, his black hair a mess, green eyes cautious and questioning. He was wearing the same jumper and track pants as yesterday... and the day before... The whole week. Nathan wondered why.

"Hey, Luis," Nathan murmured, positioning himself to block most of the hateful word. It was no use; Luis had already seen it. His green eyes clouded over, and his shoulders slumped.

"You don't need to clean that..." he mumbled.

"It's alright," Nathan said, as he turned to finish scraping the marker off the door. Luis grabbed his wrist to stop him. A zap of electricity ran up his arm to his heart. It made his blood thrum, and his heart beat double time. Nathan felt the heat of a blush creep across his cheekbones, he half turned away to hide it.

"Please, just leave it..." Luis pleaded. He was blushing hard too, the red standing out starkly against his pale skin.

Luis let go of him, his fingers sliding through Nathan's. Nathan looked down the hall to the large white clock above the front doors. They had five minutes before class started. Following the rapid, beating desire of his heart, Nathan made a split-second, probably stupid decision.

"Come with me, I want to show you something." He murmured, clapping Luis on the shoulder, and heading towards the front doors.

Luis looked at him, face still flushed. He hesitated before following him.