Until I Met You

Chapter 7. He Has Blackmail on Me

"Nathan you're crazy." I say stepping back from what he's about to do. "Aw come on, learn to live." He responds chuckling as he takes his shirt off. Holy--okay not the time Iris, focus on what's happening. "I am not learning to live, I'm choosing to live and I suggest you don't jump into that freezing cold lake." Why did I choose to like such a carefree and daredevil of a boy...okay let's not forget how excited and happy he makes you feel Iris, take a chance and jump in with him. "Nope, not gonna happen." I state out loud to myself taking a few steps forward on the dock and looking into the icy waters. "Suit you're self chicken!" Nathan smirks at me and jumps into the lake. Quickly I rush to the edge of the dock waiting for him to come back up. Where is he?? Without warning he comes up grabbing me and pulling me in while I screech surprised. "Nathan Matthews!!" I yell and splash the lake water in his face. "Told ya the waters nice sweetheart." He retorts and smiles happily at me. "Huh, you know what you're right it's FREEZING." Shivering I cross my arms trying to keep warm. "This is a nice way to hang out on a Monday night." Responding sarcastically I sigh. "What made you such an adventurous kid?" I've been thinking about this for a while and I honestly have no idea. He smiles at my question and gets out helping me. We both take a seat on the edge of the dock. "Well, I grew up in a strict home, well no I can't call it strict actually..my Dad is one of those parents who expects great things from their kid and nothing less. I get good grades for sure but sports? Not really my thing. I don't wanna be tied down to just things like that in life. I guess I'm more curious of what's out there you know? I want to take risks and not live a life where everything is planned out for me like what my dad tried to do. When I was growing up he always kept me busy, I've played baseball, football, soccer..anything to keep my dad happy, until.. I had enough of all the running around to make me this perfect child in his eyes. I told him I'd be taking control of my own life. So, I quit all my sports teams, stayed on track with school and lived life how I wanted..well I was staying on track with school until this year. That's when my dad thought I should change schools, I only agreed because I knew I'd get to see you more." Blushing at what he said and taking it all in I smiled feeling satisfied like I finally got to know every part of Nathan. Well I was all happy and giddy until I realized, "holy shit, it's cold as fuck out here." "Thanks, I'm glad you told me...so can we leave or at least dry off some place? I'm freezing my ass off right now." I smile as he stands up laughing lightly. "Sure thing, I have blankets in the back seat of my truck. You can use one of those and I'll take you home." He smiles and helps me up. Why does he..."I'm not going to ask why you have blankets in your back seat, frankly because I'm in fear of the answer." I say walking with him to the truck. "You're funny, they're only there because sometimes I go on spontaneous road trips when I don't feel like going home, we could use them for whatever you'd like though." He responds smirking at me. Blushing I laugh. "Like I've said before, dream on Nathan." I grab one of the blankets and wrap it around myself feeling instant warmth and security from the familiar smell they give off. "Are you smelling the blanket Iris?" Nathan asks chuckling lightly as he starts up the truck. Whelp, this is extremely embarrassing, but it smells just like him..and once again I'm creepy as hell. "Nooo, psh. You're seeing things..." I say denying his question and blushing. "Whatever you say." He chuckles and drives. "What time is it anyways?" I ask and turn on some music. I don't wanna go home. I wish I could just stay out all night with him. "10:30 cutie." He smiles at me. Thank the Lord. "I don't wanna go home yet, my mom said 11:30 didn't she? We still have an hour, I mean unless you wanna go home.." I blush lightly and look at him smiling. "I was hoping you'd say that." He says focusing on the road. "So, spontaneous road trips?" I say curiously. He smiles and responds. "They usually happen during the summer, after graduation I was going to take a two week long trip, not sure where to yet. I just know that'll be the best one I've taken." I smile listening to this. That sounds like so much fun, he definitely enjoys life to its fullest. "You know, I could always use a extra person to be there with me, wouldn't be as fun experiencing it by myself.." Turning my head I meet his gaze. Is he asking me to come along? "Who me?" I've never taken a trip without my mom before, let alone with just a guy..he's such a carefree person I don't know if I'd have the guts to do whatever he's planning on. "Yup." He answers smiling at me then looking back at the road. "I-I don't know..it sounds like a lot of fun but..I don't know." I look out the window thinking. "Come on, it'll be really cool, plus I think you need to take more chances and stop being afraid of what's out there. We can invite everyone, it'll be a good way to do one last thing together in case any of us go our separate ways." That actually doesn't sound too bad except for the fact that I just realized. "Oh my god." I say running my fingers through my still wet hair. "What's wrong??" He asks seeming a little bit worried by my reaction. "I'm a senior..I don't even know what I want to do with my life after high school and I'm a senior.. I haven't even looked at colleges yet." I could always do something with art..but that doesn't make much money. And I know I don't have any experience with music except for the oldies. I hear a light laugh next to me and get brought back to reality. "I was rambling wasn't I?" Looking over at Nathan I smile lightly. "Yes you were and it was cute, don't worry about what happens after high school. We've still got awhile to go till we get out of this hell hole." He says smiling at me then parking. Oh yeah we've been driving this whole time. "Where did you take me now?" I ask looking out the window again then notice the diner. "We're at the place I first saw you." He replies smiling at me and making me blush.  "Are they still open?" I ask getting out when he does. "Yup, how does a chocolate milk shake sound to you?" Feeling him intertwine our hands I smile in response. He's so warm, most likely because I'm still cold from the lake. At least I'm more dry than before. "Sounds pretty good to me." We walk in and sit down a booth. "What would you two like?" I look up to see the waitress noticing she walked over. "We'll have two chocolate milk shakes." Nathan smiles asking for our order. "Alright, it'll be out soon." She replies and smiles walking away. I take a look at Nathan who's fiddling with a napkin on the table. "What are you doing?" I ask as he's folding it. "Trying to entertain myself while I wait for the milkshakes." He responds simply. "That's one way to do it I guess." I giggle watching him. "Mhm, I'd have another way to entertain myself but we can't do that here." He smirks looking at me while I blush red like a freaking tomato. "Ha ha, very funny Nathan." "I'm kidding!" He laughs and begins talking again. "I just like to tease you." No duh, I blush out of embarrassment every 10 seconds you idiot. "Really? Wow I did not notice." Butt head. "Two chocolate milkshakes, here you go darlins." The waitress smiles setting the two drinks down on the table then walking off. "You're cute when you're frustrated." He smiles watching me take a sip from the milkshake. "You think I'm cute when I do anything don't you?" I raise an eyebrow at him and laugh. "Yup, I do." Out of no where I hear a camera noise go off from a phone and look up to notice that he took a photo of me. "Ew no, I look gross and my hairs still wet." I complain frowning at him. "Nope. I'm keepin it forever." He chuckles and puts his phone away. Now he has blackmail of me.. Great.

"Thanks for tonight Nathan." I smile at him getting out of the truck. "No problem cutie, I'll see you at school tomorrow." I smile and nod in response waving as I go into my house. Smiling happily I close the door behind me and sigh. "So!" Getting freighted by the sudden voice I jump. "Jesus Christ mom! You scared the crap out of me." I say putting my hand over my chest. "Oh sweetie you're fine, how was the date? And who's this boy?" She smiles curiously. "Ew mom, can we please not talk about this? You know I hate having these conversations about boys with you." I respond sighing. "I usually wouldn't bother you but seeing some random boy I don't know come down our stairs is a bit shocking to deal with so tell me." I have a great relationship with my mom, I love her to death. But nothing makes me more uncomfortable than to talk about boys with her. Groaning inwardly I tell her about Nathan and I. Not all the details but the simple side of it. Just that he's a guy who I've been talking to for a while, he goes to my school, blah, blah, blah. You get the picture. Now let's skip to the part where I'm in my room because her getting all mushy on me about love and stuff makes me wanna puke. Grabbing a vinyl CD from my shelf, I put it on the record player and lay back on my bed with my sketch book, listening to music. This is usually what my days consisted of back in California. Yeah, I hung out with my friends for sure, but not as much as the ones I do here. I've had conversations with Jasmine and my other friends, the time difference really makes it hard for us to talk though. I knew it'd turn out that way so I didn't expect them to be texting me 24/7 and saying how much they miss me or whatever. I'm glad I have friends like Kayla and Adrianna to be there for me, sometimes I think I don't deserve people like them. Sooner or later, I fall asleep tired from how late I stayed up.

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Tuesday

       "Hey guys." I yawn as I sit at down at the lunch table with my tray of food. "Someone tired?" Adrian asks giggling. What's she all cheery about. Looking over I see Nathan  looking as tired as I am. Oh. "You guys go somewhere last night?" Chase asks chuckling. "If we did it's none of your business." Nathan laughs. I really wanna talk about the summer trip Nathan thought of to everyone... "So..uhh"  after I decide to speak everyone at the table turns to look at me. I hate being stared at.. "Nathan and I were thinking.. What if we did a 2 week trip? All of us..you know after we graduate. In case we were going separate ways then it'd be a good way to all hang out one last time..." When I finish talking I'm still being stared at and Nathan smiles at me happily. He seems excited, I wonder if he's ever actually been on a trip with others instead of just himself. "I agree, that's a good idea. I've always wanted to go on a real vacation, especially if it's with my friends it'd be pretty cool." Adrian smiles almost instantly after Adrian says she's in Jace says he'll go too. You sly little-- "Yeah sounds good to me." Kayla says smiling. "I guess I'll go..sounds better than nothing." Hunter agrees obviously wanting to actually go. Then Chase and Miles agree too. That was easier than I thought. "I can't wait, I'm excited now." I smile.