Cuts and Romance

Chapter 17: Midnight Stories, Goodbyes, and Bad Dreams

We listened to A Daydream Away by All Time Low as we lay down on my bed. Just holding hands and looking at the ceiling and occasionally at each other.

As the song ended i asked Nathan "What do you mean about me having nightmares?"

He looked at me and said "Not really nightmares. Just bad dreams. You whimper and cry and call out my name and your mother's. But never your father. I suppose you forget them because i make it all go away somehow by comforting you." He said this so thoughtfully i was embarrassed.

"Nathan.... Of all the girls that you know i mean look at Embi. She's cute and well into you. Why me?" I asked.

He stroked my cheek and said "Well Embi and I thought of dating each other once but... She's like a little sister to me. It would feel strange and weird. I chose you because... Well i told the reason already downstair when we were having dinner. You're strong and beautiful. Kind and loving. And well your eyes are very attractive."

I smiled at his last comment and said "Well your eyes are attractive too. In a dark warm way." He laughed softly and kissed me. Just a quick kiss but it sent my heart from a steady walk to a 50 meter sprint.

"So what's the story?" I asked

"About what?" He said.

"About you guys, Hazel, Embi and the rest." I said.

"Ahhh. I suppose you should know them. Hazel is somehow my big sis. We met a few years back on valentines day. She's a few years older than me. College girl. Graduating. The first time i met her she was wearing just a volleyball jersey and shorts playing a guitar. And i thought damn she's beautiful. And soon enough we chatted and became friends. Three days later we were siblings. As for Meinand and Karylle. Well they are a package deal. Karylle is the most outgoing of us extremely friendly. Unlike me, Completely happy being alone sometimes. As for Embi i told you already she's my little sis. Nothing more nothing less." He said thoughtfully.

"Hmmmm that's nice. The way you think of your friends as family." I said.

He looked at me wistfully and said "It wasn't always like that. Some leave, some hate and some just forget."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

He sighed and said "Well some people just take things for granted. And some just forget. And others have the skill to make themselves look like the victim and I'm the bad guy."

I looked at him and said "I won't do that to you. I promise."

He smiled and said "I know." And he held me close and sang me to sleep.

Someone was nudging me. "Goodmorning sleeping beauty. Rise and shine we have school."

I smiled and said "Goodmorning to you too Nathan." I heard him laugh and felt him get up.

"I'll see you at the car."

"Mm-kay." I replied. He gave me a quick kiss. And i got up and watched him as he climbed out of my window. I sighed happily and did my daily routine. I met my mother downstairs after i took a bath and as i was grabbing breakfast she nudged me playfully and said "Have a nice day Mary." I just nodded and when i finished i brushed my teeth and hurried off to see Nathan.

"It's not really fair that you can look so good everyday." He said when i got into the car.

"Flattering really. But total rubbish." I said as i smacked his arm playfully. He laughed and drove us to school. As soon as we arrived we went to our room with only a minute to spare. As soon as the professor came in the whole class except me naturally looke dazed and incredibly sleepy. I smiled and shook my head as Nathan's attention wavered an finally his head dropped and he fell asleep. But then i remembered. Nathan was just below me in the honor roll. How did he made it there with this attitude? It was a complete mystery to me and i just let him sleep until lunch. When the bell rang I woke up Nathan. He grumbled a bit and stretched like a cat. He smiled at me and we headed to the cafeteria.

"Nathan how come your just below me in the honor roll but you sleep mostly through classes." I asked as we we ordered our food.

He grinned and said "Well i read all the books and who said i was sleeping? I'm just closing my eyes and well wait until the professor bores me to sleep. But they never do." I shrugged and Nathan and i headed to our table with his friends. Well our friends now. As usual we chatted laughed and well mostly joked and bantered until the bell rang. We all left to our respective rooms. It was science time. And we were discussing about prosthetic limbs and mechanical substitutes for organs. At this Nathan suddenly sat straight and tensed. The professor droned on about the technological advances and mostly any organ these days could have a mechanical substitute. Lungs, liver, and even the heart. I watched Nathan as his face darkened. And wondered what could he be possibly thinking. The bell rang and the professor gave us homework. As soon as the class ended.

Nathan said "I can't stay with you tonight.... I have something to take care of."

I looked at him surprised and asked "Why Nathan?" I was slightly hurt.

He stroked my face gently "Im sorry Mary but i guess it's business. But don't worry it's only for tonight. Okay?"

I just nodded still hurt. Nathan just sighed and mumbled an apology. I just looked forward and ignored him. Until the final bell rang.

"Mary..." Nathan called and i turned and said "Look Nathan im sorry if i ignored but i dont really appreciate secrets."

He looked at me sadly and said "I know you dont but trust me okay? Please. You'll know what it is when you see it." I just nodded and kissed him on the cheek to show that he was forgiven. We headed to the truck and we drove home. It was a silent trip back home. Each of us not knowing what to say. As he parked the truck I immediately left and headed to the door. He chase after me and kissed me goodbye.

I smiled at him and said "Nathan. I forgive you okay. I understand that everyone has secrets. But promise me that someday you'll tell it okay?"

He smiled and said "Of course." And he left. I went inside and my mom welcomed me back home and immediately asked "Is Nathan going to stay the night again?"

I just shook my head and said "He said he has something to take care of."

My mom said "Well Mary he is a very busy boy." I just nodded and headed upstairs and changed my clothes and layed down on my bed and waited for my mom to call me for dinner. 10 minutes later she did and it was nothing special. We just talked about our day and well that's about it. I cleaned the dishes as we finished. Leaving me alone with my thoughts and mostly missing Nathan. As I finished i went straight to bed and fell asleep. That's when the nightmares start.

I was in a long dark corridor. I know very cliche. But i was there it seemed to go on forever. There were doors on every side each a different style a different color. I opened a black one. And heard screaming. It wasnt just a scream of horror but it spoke of agony and pain. I ran to the sound and saw myself lying down in a fetal position being beaten by hooded figures. I screamed and left the room and called out for Nathan and my mother but they weren't there. The dream changed and all i saw was a flash of bright light and i woke up.

I woke up in cold sweat. Wishing Nathan was here to keep the bad dreams away.