Inevitable

Chapter 2

I wander for her in a sea of way too many people and finally find her golden streaked hair in the dim light. When I approach her, she is talking to a lady; she's a middle aged lady with a cute sunflower printed dress. Her hair is a dark black but her smile is the very pinnacle of the opposite. I approach them with an instinctive smile. When the women is in clear vision, my smile fades a little. She looks familiar but she doesn't. Who is she? I dig into the very back of my mind to catch any sort of memory of her, but there is none.

"Angeline. I'm glad you're here. This is Elsa Cox; she just moved into the neighborhood." My mother smiles a fake smile to begin introducing us. I don't focus on my her, I focus on the lady smiling a genuine smile at me.

She's nervous, I can tell. Maybe from me, maybe from my too anxious neighbors. "Hi, it's really a pleasure to meet you." I say, meaning it, and returning a smile to match hers. I try to make her comfortable almost with my smile and I know she senses my kindness.

"You as well sweetheart, you're very compassionate." Her accent is surprising, it strikes me hard. It's a beautiful but unusual sound to hear. She gestures to hug me and I don't reject her or make her feel any more out of place than I know she already does. Latching my arms around her small body, I giggle a little. It's lightens her anxiousness or nervousness and I'm glad that I can help this sweet lady that sadly, has ran into my mother.

"How do you like it here?" I wander. I want to keep talking to her, she interests me. Maybe that wasn't the question to ask then. I can tell by the uncertain expression on her face that it wasn't.

"The weather here is a delight.. Very different from what I'm used to. The community seems to be blooming around here very nicely, I hear great things about this area." She smiles, maybe proud? that she has moved here. "My son, though, I technically had to drag him here." Her giggle is light at the end of sentence, making me smile in some kind of way. I envision her with her arms supporting a restless tantrum strung child with the most intriguing British accent. "And everyone is so polite." She adds like it is something she forgot to mention even though I can tell she doesn't mean it. I sure understand that.

"You'll love it here. There is so much to see and do; and you can always come to your neighbors." My mother says and smiles at her. I know Else isn't sure how to respond to this so I jump in to save her and divert the conversation.

"Mom, I'm going to go home. I feel really tired." I say, awaiting her response. It's not a total lie.

"Okay, baby. I'll be home around.." She looks into the distance. ".. Ten." She says and kisses my cheek goodbye. I look back to Else again.

"It's was really nice to meet you. I hope that I get to see you again soon." I tell her and she responds with the same response and smile I give her. Not wanting to, I say bye to all the portions that would be "hurt" if I didn't, so I do. My feet next travel me to Nathan. Finding him is the challenge, though. I circle the large backyard before spotting his tall figure.

"I'm going to go." I rest a hand on his back so he'll turn around to face me. I say this with a little sadness in my eyes; he's the only reason I could even fathom the idea of wanting to stay. I just can't stand it here.

"Why?" He asks with clear confusion. 
He grabs ahold of both of my forearms and scrunched his eyebrows together. He doesn't want me to go. "I'm not ready for you to leave." He says low and pulls me close. Ugh, I don't want to leave him either.

"Come with me? We could ride around until I have to be back home." I suggest, looking up. He's sighs at me, looking downward in disappointment.

"My dad's pretty on my ass about actually 'staying here the whole time for the first time ever' or whatever." He rolls eyes at his dads' request and I don't blame him. Why does his dad have to care so much about this night specifically? We both know that there's nothing we can do.

His gaze shifts from me to the right. He's looking at someone, hard. I turn my neck in curiosity. It's Harry, he's looking back. Harry glares at him in a prideful way and Nathan returns it just as harsh. What is wrong with them?

"Hey." I say while grabbing ahold of his hand to gather back his attention and maybe a little common sense. Confusion clouds me and I ask, "what's this about?" He shrugs it off without giving a real answer.

"Come on." He starts to walk away, pulling me with him by my hand in his. Once we're in the house he finally stays still. We stand there, a few moments silent. He starts to rub his hands down my arms, up my shoulders, and then back down to my hands. I stare at him with more confusion. Is he okay?

"I wish you didn't have to go.." He hesitates, "Or that I could leave with you" he says with a small smile and we laugh lightly together.

"I definitely think that would be better." My voice unintentionally becomes low as he begins to lean in. He attaches his lips to mine, kissing me slow and then faster. There's a small amount of something venomous circulating through me. It's good, intoxicating, sort of. That small fire dissolves quickly when he releases me from his touch.

"I'll see you on Monday, okay?" He says with sadness laces into his tone. I don't want to leave without him, I feel like telling his dad to get over it. But I won't. I nod my head with my lips still slightly agape.