Endgame | A Bronwyn + Nate fanfic

Part 9

Bronwyn's POV

September 22, 10:07 AM

Everyone stands up as we shuffle out the booth. Luis shoots Maeve his most dazzling smile, and I can practically see her melt. I grab her arm and shove her towards him, though not without protest.

She squeaks and clings to my arm, to I have no choice but to walk her over there myself. "Talk!" I encourage in her ear, prying her fingers off my arm and turning around to see Nate watching me. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as our gazes meet, before he glances away, and the moment is over as soon as it begun.

I walk over to him and smile, earning one of his famous Nate Macauley grins. For me, this is practically like discovering gold.

I rarely see him smile anymore, and it's honestly such a shame. It makes his whole face light up- from the small dimple in his left cheek and entrancing dark eyes, to his shiny white teeth and soft lips. I bet they're even softer when I'm-

"Bronwyn? Are you alive?" His voice wakes me out of my thoughts. "Hm?" I mumble absently. He grins at me again, turning my legs to jelly. "I just asked if you...uh..." He raises his hand to scratch the back of his neck, causing his shirt sleeve to ride up his swollen bicep.

Not that I notice, or anything.

"Never mind." He sighs and begins to walk away, but I grab his wrist without thinking. "If I what, Nate?" I press. He sighs again. "If you want a lift home. But it's fine, you don't have t-" 

He stops short as I lean forward to wipe a crumb off his cheek, unconsciously brushing my thumb back across his lower lip. He smirks slightly, and I blush and pull away like I've been burned.

"I'd love to, Nate." For a moment, his eyes shine, and I'm tempted to stop there, to just hop on his bike and drive home with him. "But I can't. Maeve doesn't have her license yet," I explain as his face falls. "Sorry," I add.

My brain goes on autopilot and I pull him into a hug without thinking.

He freezes, then softens and awkwardly wraps his strong arms around me. This is Nate Macauley we are talking about, Bronwyn. What. Are. You doing, A voice hisses at me in the back of my head, and I reluctantly pull away.

The thing about it all is that, despite everything, despite Nate being, well... Nate...

I feel safe in his arms. Safer than I feel anywhere else in the world.

It's probably nothing.

****

I drag Maeve away from Luis and we drive home in unusual silence. I almost run through a red light, but all I can concentrate on was the immediate spark I felt in Nate's arms. A small, candle-size flame, flickering in the harsh wind.

I guess, in ways, we are perfect opposites- he is fire, and I am water. Predictable, dependable, widely known. Yale-bound Bronwyn Rojas. 

Whereas Nate...

He is fast, free, uncontainable, moves quickly. Sought out by many girls, but has the dangerous capacity to set you alight.

And for once, I don't think I would be scared to burn.

A/N~ PLEASE GO AND READ MY NEW STORY!! IT ONLY HAS 2 PARTS AS OF YET BUT IM WORKING ON IT!

IT'S CALLED I HATE THAT I LOVE YOU

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