Smoke After A Flame

Part One

Nathan sat at his computer, furiously typing. It was late Sunday night, and he was rushing to get an essay done and turned in before midnight. The topic was about modern technology and its influence on kids. He hated it. Nathan readjusted himself on the desk chair, trying to find a comfortable position as he clicked submit. He let out a sigh of relief, then slid out the chair away from the desk.
He dragged his feet over to his bed and plopped down. Nathan kicked his feet under the covers, and adjusted himself comfortably. Soon after, Nathan drifted off to a deep sleep, causing him to have the most vivid dream he's dreamt.

The next morning at school, Nathan opened his locker and began to take out a few text books he was going to need. "Hey." A familiar voice said next to him. Nathan looked over and saw Alyssa give him a small smile.

"Hey." Nathan said with a grin as he closed his locker. He leaned up against it and faced Alyssa. "I had the weirdest dream, and it was so realistic." Nathan said.

"Oh really? Do share." Alyssa replied merrily. She adjusted her sweatshirt, and flung her bag over her shoulder. She leaned against her locker, mirroring Nathan.

Nathan briefly described what he dreamt, but left out that the girl in it was Alyssa. Stephanie remained in it. "Ooh, someone likes Stephanie." Alyssa played, elbowing him lightly in the arm. Nathan could feel warmth quickly spread across his cheeks, and he looked down to try to hide the obvious pinkness. "I'm joking, no worries. Your secret is safe with me." Alyssa teased. Alyssa stood up straight right as the bell rang, signaling the beginning of class.

"Ok, well I'm going to class." Nathan said as he scooped his backpack off the ground. Alyssa took a few steps backwards and gave him a smile, exposing her white teeth over her soft pink lips. She gave him a small wave, then turned around and walked away. Nathan sighed as he walked away in the opposite direction, a grin plastered on his face. He shook his head quickly, and walked into his first class across the hall.

Nathan's first few classes seemed like they would never end. All he wanted was for it to be lunch so he could sit with Alyssa and her friends. He didn't mind them, all of her friends are pretty nice; just unable to keep an intelligent conversation.

One more class, and then it's lunch. Nathan thought to himself. He walked into his fifth class of the day, and took in a short gasp as he saw Alyssa sitting in the usually empty seat next to his assigned desk. Nathan realized he was staring, so he walked over and sat down. "Hey, you got your class switched. Or are you just seriously lost..?" Nathan joked.
Alyssa grinned and shook her head. "My new schedule said that my fifth period is with Ms. Calfer. She told me to take this seat and ask you to help me with stuff I've missed." She explained, shuffling through papers in her bag.
"Well, I'd be happy to help. Just holler when you need me." Nathan quickly replied.

Alyssa sat up straight, and turned towards Nathan in the plastic seat. "Thank you, so much." Alyssa chirped, placing her hand on his left shoulder. Slowly, Alyssa pulled her hand back, and it felt like her warm touch was still on Nathan long after it disappeared. He quietly sighed as class began with Ms. Calfer talking about the class agenda at the front of the classroom.

The class went by quickly. Alyssa would occasionally lean over and ask for a little assistance, but sadly no real conversation was made. When the bell rang, Nathan slowly began to pack up, and was surprised to see Alyssa patiently leaning on her desk when he looked up.
"Waiting for me, I see." Nathan said. He waited for a moment, then realized "That rhymes. Wow, okay."

"I applaud you." Alyssa said, white teeth showing from under her pink lips as she gave him a smile.

Nathan smiled slightly and looked down at his backpack. He put the last notebook in and closed it. Alyssa took a step back as he slung it around his shoulders after he stood.

Together they walked out of the class with out speaking. Nathan couldn't help but blush; their hands were only inches apart, every once in a while brushing together. Alyssa silently walked to her normal table, and Nathan closely followed like a shadow.

"Hey baby." Alyssa said with a smile, ending in a passionate kiss with her boyfriend, Jake.

"Hi." Jake replied, pushing a brown lock of hair out of Alyssa's face. The blush that quickly flushed her cheeks could easily be noticed. Nathan shook himself out of a trance and walked over and sat across the table. Giggling at something Jake said, Alyssa laced her fingers through his.

Nathan let out a small sigh, and Stephanie lightly elbowed him. "Oh, someone's jealous." She said with a smirk, facing Nathan.

Nathan's eyes darted down and he shook his head slightly. "No." Nathan mumbled, barely audible.

"It's ok if you like her, you just need to realize she's dating someone else. Don't stop her from being happy. I swear to god, if you hurt her in anyway..." Stephanie said, not really thinking about what she was saying.

"Um...I don't plan on doing that; really any of it." Nathan replied cautiously. Stephanie's blushing was obvious, even as she tried to hide it by tuning her face away.
Nathan couldn't help himself from smiling, but it was quickly wiped away when Alyssa spoke up. "Now what are you saying that's got my best friend blushing?" Alyssa teased. She leaned forward, slightly breaking free from Jake's embrace. "You do like her." Alyssa continued, slightly quieter so only Nathan could hear. She leaned back into Jake's chest as Nathan fumbled with his hands in his lap. Quickly, Nathan pulled his phone out and stared at the bright screen for the rest of lunch.

When the bell finally rang, Nathan shot up out of his seat. He wasn't in the mood to see any more PDA from Jake or Alyssa. Nathan quickly turned and began walking away, but turned when he hear his name called out. "Nathan!" Alyssa shouted after him. "Bye." She finished, Jake quickly wrapping his arms around Alyssa as he shot Nathan a dirty look. With a small wave, he returned to his normal schedule and finished off the last few classes of the day.

Nathan walked into his room and threw down his backpack as he shut the door behind him. Quickly kicking his shoes off, Nathan sat at his desk. He let out a sigh of relief as he remembered he only had to read a few chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; it was his favorite book.

Wanting to listen to music, Nathan pulled his phone out of the front pocket in his jeans and saw he had a text.
Alyssa: hey, I heard Wednesday Calfer is giving us a partner project. Wanna work together?
Nathan: sure, sounds fun :)
N: Do you know the topic?

Soon after he wrote his reply, a new message appeared.

A: no idea. I guess we'll have to wait ;)
N: ugh, ok.

Nathan pulled the book off of his bookshelf and began to read. A smile was plastered on his face, and Nathan could quickly feel heat spread to his cheeks when he had seen that Alyssa texted him.

Nathan blew through the chapters of the book, and time didn't seem to slow down the rest of the day. His mom didn't come home from work until seven, where he silently ate leftover pizza from the night before as his drunk mom lay on the couch in the next room over.

Nathan stepped out of the steaming shower. It was 10:00 and Nathan was exhausted. He threw on a pair of sweat pants, but didn't bother with a shirt as the house was already warm. Nathan ran the damp towel through shaggy hair as he walked down the hall to his room. Nathan swiftly hung the towel over the empty desk chair and glided into bed. Laying there, Nathan thought of the day he had; thousands of thoughts running through his mind.
What was the look Jake gave him?
Why does Alyssa think he likes Stephanie?
Will this ruin the chance of Alyssa and him dating?
Is there even a chance?

With that final thought, Nathan quickly fell asleep.