My Hero

My Hero: Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

The next day, I trudged downstairs. Rose frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I mumbled.

Rose opened her mouth to speak again but she knew to drop the conversation. I got my breakfast without another word and went back upstairs to eat. I was still speechless from the night before. I was angry, sad, and scared all at the same time.

After eating my breakfast holed up in my room, I heard my sister talking downstairs. "Hello Nate."

My stomach dropped. I quietly walked into the hall and listened closely. "Hey Rose, may I speak to Jane, please? It's important," Nate mumbled the last part.

"Sure. She's upstairs."

I dashed back into my room as I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I crawled under the covers of my bed as I heard him come into my room. "Janey?" he called out.

I stayed silent, still under the covers. I didn't want to talk to him. Just yet. I wasn't ready for all of this. Nate sighed, sitting on the foot of my bed. "Janey, I'm really sorry. I had to tell you."

I stayed silent but rolled over under the covers so my back was facing him. Nate patted my leg. "Janey, please listen to me. I had to tell you sooner or later. The sooner the better, right? Why aren't you talking to me? Why are you mad?" he asked, his tone sad.

I sighed and got out from beneath the covers. "I'm not mad. I'm just overwhelmed by all of this."

Nate looked at me sadly, his expression full of desperation. "Janey, I'm really sorry. Just please talk to me. I want to be with you for as long as I live but if you keep ignoring me, our time together is going to be shorter and shorter."

I frowned. "I'm sorry. Really, I am. I just need a bit of time to think. Your news hit me really hard."

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No. Stay, please. We can talk about it."

Nate's face lightened. "I'll stay as long as you like."

I smiled. "Thank you, Natey."

Nate got under the covers with me and all we did was talk. We talked about everything from that summer in grade 9 to now. I wasn't mad or sad now. I was scared; scared of how short our time together may be. Nate just laid there with a big smile on his face. Was he scared?

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After awhile, Nate left. "So, what was so important that he had to talk to you about? You guys talked for a long time," Rose said.

I shrugged. I couldn't tell her right now. She would make a big deal out of it. "Stuff. Who are you bringing for a date to the wedding?"

"Richard, of course. I suppose you are taking Nate?"

I hadn't thought about it until now. I should ask him later. "Maybe."

Rose smiled. "That's good. I'm going to the corner store for a bit to get some sugar. We ran out," she said, putting on her shoes.

I shook my head, stopping her. "No, I'll get it. I feel like taking a walk anyways."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Rose raised an eyebrow but shrugged, taking her shoes off. "Alright."

I put on my shoes and went outside, walking to the corner store. I quickly found the sugar and made my way to the cash register. "Hi, just this," I said, handing him the sugar.

The cash register did a double take as he looked at me. "Whoa, Jane Simmons?" he asked, wide eyed as he looked at me.

I nodded although I didn't really recognize him. He did look a bit familiar though. "Uh, yes. I'm sorry, have we met?"

The cashier nodded. "I went to school with you all through High School! It's me, Liam Benson!"

It took a couple of seconds for me to think about it then it hit me. Liam Benson was also part of the school play with me. He was the Hatter. We bonded throughout the production but once it was over, we kind of drifted. He was the only one I was close to through those years. "Oh yeah! You played the Hatter, right?" I asked excitedly.

Liam laughed. "That's me!" he said, quickly scanning the sugar and putting it in a bag for me.

I handed him my money, fascinated. "Wow, you look great!" I said truthfully. He definitely got better looking with age.

Liam smiled. "Why, thank you. You look really great too!"

I smiled. "Thanks! So, have you been doing anything lately? Go on summer vacation?"

Liam shook his head. "Nah, it's been a boring summer. All I've been doing is working the cash register," he said, looking down at it with a bored look.

I laughed. "That sucks. Well, we should catch up! Go out for lunch or something."

Liam's smile widened. "We should! Here," - he said, taking out a piece of paper and writing his number down - "this is my number. You can call me if you like."

I took the piece of paper and put it in my pocket. "I'll definitely call you later. Bye!" I said, waving as I walked through the door.

I smiled. Maybe Liam could help me cope with the Nate situation?