All The Love He Does Not Know

Chapter 7: Nate

I pulled up outside Aliyah's house and opened the back door of my car where she was fast asleep curled up using her hands as a pillow. I lifted her up and carried her cradled in my arms to the front door which immediately opened and her mother welcomed me inside with a shocked look on her face.
"Oh my god Is she ok?" She had a worried tone in her voice.
"She's fine she's just asleep."
"What happened?"
"We went to a party."
"A party?" She shouted but immediately quieted down making sure not to wake anyone.
"Yes and she had a little too much to drink."
"And you didn't?"
"Just one but I was ok to drive not legally but I wouldn't have if I knew she was gonna be put in danger." I explained.
"Your a good guy Nate thank you for bringing her home." Her words made me feel like a gentleman but I knew I wasn't really.
"I would accept that compliment but if I was a good guy she wouldn't be like this I was suppose to watch out for."
"She's ok and it wasn't your fault."
"I know."
I pulled Aliyah up keeping her in position with strain surging across my arms.
"Am I able to put her down somewhere?"
"Yes sorry just bring her in here this ones her room."
"Ok no problem."
We walked down the hall and I stepped into her room and placed Aliyah down on her bed as she began to wake slightly.
"Nate?"
I pulled the covers up over Aliyah and sat down on the side of her bed.
"Yeah I'm here."
"Where am I?" She asked with a groggy voice.
"You're at home in your bedroom."
"I- I said I didn't want to come home I'm gonna be in so much trouble." She whined
"Maybe, but at least your safe now."
"I think I'd rather be unsafe than here to get yelled at."
"No you wouldn't, not with all the creeps that are out there in the world."
"You're a great friend."
"Me? Why do you say that?"
Aliyah's eyes began to close as she rolled over moments from falling asleep.
"I'm not sure I just.... That yourrr..ahh,"
She squirmed around in the bed trying to get comfortable as she continued.
"I think I like like you."
"Like me?" I enquired confused of where they words were coming from.
"Yea," I heard Aliyah yawn as she continued to speak.
"But I know you wouldn't you know.. like me."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because you have a girlfriend and we're just friends."
Neither one of us spoke for a few seconds and then I peaked over to see that Aliyah was already asleep. I didn't know if this was Aliyah talking or just the effects of the alcohol but I knew how I felt. I stood up and leant over to Aliyah kissing her on the cheek softly and carefully so that I didn't wake her.
"I like you too."