Hi,

Chapter 14

I'm just standing there, frozen, watching them make out like a total creep. I can't move. I still remember the feeling of Nathan's hand on my chin in class the other day, how his eyes had roamed over me with an intensity that was almost frightening but mostly intoxicating. Now, that little brunette gets to experience all of it, too. Except instead of a tender touch, his hand is firmly gripping her butt. Their kiss looks frantic, lacking the passion that makes it worth it. I have to look away; this is completely insane. Why do I feel this way? Jealous? Annoyed? Envious? Ugh...

I walk away, desperate to find a spot where Nathan can't reach me and keep torturing me. I slip into the girls' cabin, claiming a bed and opening my phone, scrolling mindlessly. Just when I think I'm alone, I hear the cabin door creak open. Maybe it's June or someone looking for their stuff. I glance up and find William standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"Can we talk now?" he asks, almost shyly.

As he approaches, I instinctively put my hand up to signal him to stop. I have no intention of being alone with him in here. I lead him outside to a secluded spot on a log, just on the edge of the forest where we can talk without prying eyes, but still close enough that people would see if he suddently attacks me. I sit and glance at him briefly before my gaze drops to the ground. His puppy-dog blue eyes are locked on me, and despite his innocent look, William is anything but. He has his insecurities, trust issues that have always put a strain on our relationship.

After a long moment of silence, William clears his throat.

"I've been a jerk; I know that," he starts, and I look up, listening intently.

"I really like you, Mack. I just want to feel like you like me, too. It drives me insane when I feel like you don't. I didn't mean to force you into anything or be mean; you know how I get. That whole Nathan situation... it was just the last straw. I know something happened between you two, but it's over now. I'm ready to overlook it and put this whole insane drama behind us."

His words are eerily familiar, almost rehearsed, except for the part about Nathan. I don't think he understands that Nathan won't just disappear.

"William, I'm sorry this happened, but we just weren't working. We always argue about the same shit, and it never improves. I'm sorry this is how our relationship ended, but I'm not sorry it ended. I care about you; you're a great person. I think we'd work better as friends, and I know you know that too."

His eyes cloud over, and he opens his mouth to speak, but before he can get anything out, a guy bursts in and sprays string confetti all over my head. I'm too stunned to react. William, on the other hand, jumps to his feet, shoving the guy away from me.

"You f*cking idiot, get lost!" he shouts.

I'm fed up with people spilling stuff on me—first cherry cola, now confetti. My hair is a mess, and all I can do is sit there, defeated. William sits back down next to me. As I start removing the confetti from my hair, I feel his eyes on me. I decide to ignore it until I feel his hand gently sifting through my hair, pulling out the silly string. I look up at him, confusion washing over me. I don't think he's ever made a romantic gesture without it being a prelude to something more.

"Think about it, Mack. I can be better," he whispers softly.

Suddenly, everything around us goes quiet, and I look over to see Nathan standing behind the fire, holding the confetti guy in a tight grip.

"You're going to have to apologize to her," Nathan commands.

I stand up, bewildered.

"What the hell, dude? I was just playing, please let me go," the guy pleads.

"Are you dense? Apologize," Nathan repeats, pointing at me with his chin.

I cover my mouth in disbelief. How can Nathan be so aggressive? I can't believe he thinks he has the right to play the hero when he's the biggest jerk here. Nathan glances at me for just a moment.

"Sorry," the confetti guy mutters, glancing in my direction.

"That's how you do it, knucklehead," Nathan replies, glaring at William.

I can feel William tense beside me, taking a step toward Nathan as he leaves. I quickly turn to William, placing my hands on his chest.

"I'll handle this, William. This isn't your problem anymore," I insist.

His gaze on me hardens, and I can see he's hurt, not just by Nathan's arrogance but also because I practically asked him to back off. He probably wishes I would drop this and just be with him, but I can't.

I leave William behind and follow Nathan into the woods.

"What the hell, Nathan?!" I call after him.

He keeps walking, so I keep following him.

"Was that really necessary?" I demand.

Nathan picks up his pace, and I'm struggling to keep up. I'm getting out of breath, anger fueling my exhaustion.

"There was no need to be so violent," I continue.

Nathan suddenly stops and turns around, a smile creeping across his face.

"Naah... stop that, Kenzie. You liked it," he laughs.

It's a deep, low laugh that almost makes me forget my frustration.

"Liked it? Seriously? How delusional are you?" I retort, matching his arrogance.

"Just enough, I'd say," he replies wittily.

"That guy didn't deserve that at all; it was just confetti," I argue.

"Oh, I see! You think I did that for you? That's cute," he smirks, walking toward me.

"No, I—"

"Yes, you do. But let me be clear: I did that to show your pathetic boyfriend that he needs to defend his territory better. I had to make a point," he explains, stopping just an arm's reach away from me.

"His territory?" I repeat, feeling offended.

He dramatically taps his finger to his lips, pretending to think hard, then smirks again.

"Right, you guys broke up. Hmm... why was that? Oh, that's right—because of me," he recalls, smirking.

This guy...

"Need a new owner?" he teases with a cocky look.

I stare at him in disbelief, stepping closer.

"I'm not an object to be owned, and I'm not some animal you can control. You're disgusting, Nathan," I say firmly.

He grins, looking down at me with an arrogant gleam in his eye.

"You'd like a leash..." he whispers, his voice low.

I groan in annoyance and shove him away before walking off. The conversation echoes in my mind, and before I know it, I'm wiping tears from my cheeks.

________________________________________________________________________________Author's notes

Hi, I was thinking of giving a name to this chapter.

But just that one.

It'd be: "Silly string fantasia"

But I dont want any of you to have any funny ideas... So I wont ;)

Dont worry tho, it gets funny...

-with love