Hi,

Chapter 4

Nathaniel Collins, I meant it when I said I want you to feel at home here, but this isn't what I had in mind, young man.

I roll my eyes as my uncle's voice cuts through the cold air of the garage. I don't even know what to say, so I just keep punching the old bag I've been training on for the past six years. The bag might have changed locations, but it still feels the same—my bare knuckles slamming into it with a loud, satisfying thud.

"I'll have to hire at least three maids to clean up after that mess," my uncle continues. "You could've cleaned it up over the weekend, Nathan. I gave you the number for the cleaning company. I'm so disappointed in you."

He weighs his words carefully, probably wondering if it's even worth it to keep going, noticing how little I'm paying attention.

"Uncle Jack, tell me how cleaning it up today or right after the party changes anything. I threw a party. That's the problem, right?"

I land one more kick on the bag before finally turning to face him, my eyes challenging.

"It matters because now the spilled drinks are dried and harder to clean," he snaps back.

"Not our problem, is it? There are people you can pay to clean up your mansion, Uncle Jack. All you've got to do is call them and write a check. Or is that too much for you?"

I shove past him, making sure to bump his shoulder. "I'm heading to school. I'll crash at Connor's tonight. My room's a mess—make sure the maids change my sheets." My tone is dripping with entitlement.

I grab my keys and storm out the door. Sitting in my car, I exhale sharply. I hate it here. I hate it everywhere. Uncle Jack has more money than he knows what to do with, and yet he's never helped anyone but himself. Now he's trying to guilt-trip me for throwing a party in his stupid mansion. He can shove it. Acting like I owe him something just because he gave me a place to stay, as if I had any choice in the matter.

I pull into the school parking lot, grab my backpack, and make my way inside yet another hellhole. As I approach my locker, something catches my eye—a piece of paper taped to it. Actually, the same sheet is plastered all over the school walls. Probably just party invites or some dumb announcement.

I tear the paper from my locker, ignoring the weird stares from people around me. What's their deal?

"The hell do you want?" I snap, causing them to look away, but they're still watching, waiting.

I glance at the paper. A grin creeps onto my lips as I read: "So you all heard it. Nathan Collins can get any girl he wants. Prove it."

Idiots.

Two people come to mind right away. That jerk from Friday's party, but there's no way he's dumb enough to challenge me like this. That leaves one obvious suspect. I push through the crowded hallway, my eyes scanning for her. I spot Lex at her locker with her friends, and I stride over, pinning her against the locker with my arms.

"Jealous much, Lex?" I hiss.

"I love when you're rough with me, Nate," she giggles.

"Lexi, without me, you're nothing here. You should know better than to doubt me."

She smirks. "People weren't impressed with your little show on Friday. They think that girl totally owned you. They're talking, Nathan. Saying you're not what you pretend to be."

I stare into her eyes with nothing but pity. She's ridiculous.

"I'll prove it. I'll make her mine."

I release her and turn to address the crowd that's gathered, watching us like it's a soap opera. "Guess stupid never learns," I growl.

I'm so over this place. I pull out my phone and text the guys to meet at Connor's.

Mackenzie POV

This morning is... weird. People are staring, whispering. Could it be because of Friday? I can't believe how crazy things got. I haven't heard from June since that night, and Will's been MIA all weekend. Now he's not even at school.

I'm walking to class, trying not to overthink it, when a group of younger girls points at me.

"MACKEY!" someone shouts from behind.

I barely turn before June grabs my arm, shaking me like a rag doll.

"You won't believe it! When I found him Friday, I thought it was a joke, like I was losing my mind, but he looked at me, Mack, and it was like that scene from A Cinderella Story where Sam realizes Austin is Nomad! And I know you'll say I should've waited, but I know you're just trying to protect me, and I already heard what happened with Nathan Collins, and I know you're the new target. Why didn't you tell me!?"

"June? What the hell? Slow down!" I say, trying to process her word-vomit. "Marco was the guy you've been chatting with? Are you sure? And wait—did you just say second base?"

June throws her hands up. "I knew you'd focus on that! You always try to downplay everything, Mackenzie Morris!"

"Excuse me?" I say, half-amused, half-offended.

"And Nathan Collins! He's trying to make you his next conquest! And you're just... not going to react?"

I raise my eyebrows, trying to decide if I should laugh or cry. Is she serious?

"June, listen. I'm not dismissing your feelings, but you sound insane. This is not Monday morning material. Take a breath and tell me what's actually going on."

June pulls a paper off the wall and hands it to me. "Maybe you should start paying attention. Ever wonder why your boyfriend's not here today?"

I look at the sheet. It takes a second to process, but I realize it's the same one plastered all over school. The words on it seem disconnected from me, yet I can't shake the feeling that they're somehow about me. People always want to believe everything's about them. Maybe that's all this is—just human nature. But something tells me this is going to change my reality.

"Mack, snap out of it!" June snaps her fingers in front of my face.

I blink, trying to shake the uneasy feeling creeping up on me.

I shake off the bad feeling and try to ground myself. "If I understand this correctly, you think this paper is about Friday and what happened between Nathan Collins and Will? June, no one in their right mind would think Nathan Collins is coming after me. That's ridiculous. "

"But Mackenzie—"

The bell rings, cutting her off. I smile at her and nod, making it clear I'm not indulging her in this fantasy.

________________________________________________________________________________Author's notes

Hi, Nathan is a control freak, send help.

On a serious note, I love this. 

Can't Mackenzie be more oblivious? I mean come on girl...

Although, this is quite unrealistic, so we understand why she wouldn't believe in this plot. 

But we arent reading this for realism, right?

You know guys like Nathan don't exist, right?

It's okay... 

-With love