When You Left... (Prequel)

Ch.14 - Friends?

Friends

N A T E S P O V (next day)

The sound of my alarm blaring scares me out of my sleep, with a groan I feel around for it. Once I find it I stop it already feeling myself fall back asleep, "Wake up Mister, You aren't making me wake up this early too if you aren't awake too" I hear my mum call. I groan again, slowly opening my eyes. I blink to let them adjust, with a sigh I stand up walking over to the bathroom.

After doing my morning routine I walk back into my room slowly, I think I might have fell asleep for a bit whilst I was in there. I pick my phone up checking the time,

12:00

My eyes widen. How the hell is it already twelve? I only have half an hour to get ready and get there, I found another thing I'm bad at. Time management. Mumbling curses under my breath I rush around trying to find stuff to wear. In the end I settle with my red hoodie, red converse, skinny jeans and my grey beanie so I don't have to fix my hair.

I look decent enough, it's not like I have to please him anyway. I pick my phone up checking the time quickly again,

12:15

I have fifteen minutes, looking around I put my notebook and a pencil case in my bag. I check I have my money I got given for today before going downstairs where my mum is waiting for me, she smiles when she sees me. "I thought I was gonna have to come up there and help" She says standing up, I chuckle following her out to the car.

By the time we get there it's ten to one, already a great start! – note the sarcasm. I quickly kiss my mum on the cheek with a 'see ya later', she replies with a 'have fun' before I get out the car. I walk into the all so familiar place I like to call chipotle, the nice smell hitting me instantly. I haven't been here in ages, as surprising as that may sound.

I look around spotting Marc sat at the back corner, oh yay. So much for, nothing happening because there's people to witness it. He smiles at me waving me over, slowly I walk over to him forcing as a smile when I get there.

"Hey! I thought you were gunna ditch me for a second" he chuckles, I laugh quietly as I sit in the seat in front of him. I notice the drink he already has, "Want one?" he asks referring to the drink. I shake my head, I clear my throat before speaking.

"Uh, so what do you wanna do f-for the p-project" there's that stutter again, he simply smiles.

"I don't really mind, what are you interested in?" He asks, I bite my lip. No one has really asked me that before, and when it comes to science I really don't know.

"Um, we could do something about s-space if you want?" I suggest, he nods.

"I love space!" He grins, I smile a little taking out my notebook and a pen.

We talk for a little while longer about the project, me making the notes about it. After a bit, Marc suggest to go for a walk. And for some reason I said yes, so that's how I've found myself walking alongside Marc as he talks about whatever. Im not really listening.

"Wanna get some ice cream?" he asks as we walk by an ice cream shop, I nod and he leads the way. He asks the man for 2 ice creams, not before asking what flavour I wanted.

We walk over to a bench while eating our ice creams, he sits down patting the space beside him. I sit down leaving a space between us, he turns to me and laughs a little. I look at him in confusion, "you have ice cream on your nose, here let me get it" He reaches forwards and wipes the ice cream off my nose before wiping it on his jeans. My cheeks redden as I look down mumbling a thanks, we sit in silence for a little. Just eating our ice creams, I once again find myself lost in my thoughts.

"Nate"

I look up hearing my name, "I'm sorry"

I choke on my Ice cream.

Don't ask how, he pats my back while I cough. "What?" I ask after I regain myself, he chuckles.

"I'm sorry, I know Carter and the others have been hurting you. Verbally and physically, I'm sorry I help them sometimes. They are my friends but I prefer not to do anything, I'll try and get them to lay off you" He explains

I'm dreaming.

I have to be "Are y-you serious?" I ask, I can't believe this. This is Marc, the same Marc that hangs around with Carter. He can't be telling me, me, sorry. That's not something they would do.

"As serious as I could ever be" he smiles, I stare at him not knowing what to say. "I don't like seeing you hurt, sorry it took me so long to realise"

I'm pretty sure I look like a fish right now, my mouth opening and closing not knowing what to say. "Uh, um thank you?" He chuckles,

"No need to thank me Nate, I was wondering. Maybe we could be friends?" He asks

The guy that helped Carter bully me, the guy that helped push me into things and hold me down, the guy would laugh at the things Carter does to me, wants to be my friend? He has to be joking, where did the sudden change of heart come from?

I shouldn't be saying yes, it's wrong, after everything that's happened.

"Yeah, o-okay"

Oh gosh, what's Drew gunna think?

...

"You Said What?!"He exclaims, I bite my lip trying to shrink in my spot on my bed.

"I panicked and said yes" I mumble, he groans tugging his hair.

"You stupid, stupid- oh Nate. I don't know what to do with you anymore" Drew mumbles sitting beside me, oh thanks man. Even my best friend has given up on me, wow am I that stupid?

I sigh looking down at my lap, I'm not gunna have anyone left soon.

I feel him pull me into a hug which I accept, I close my eyes before any tears can well up in them. "I'm sorry, I'm just worried he's going to hurt you. We both know how he is, he's no different to Carter and the others." Drew says quietly rubbing my back. I nod with another sad sigh,

"I know"