When You Left... (Prequel)

Ch.24 - But He's Not

But He's Not

N A T E S P O V (Next Day)

So Marc stayed the night, apparently it was okay with both our parents. Not that I'm complaining, he dealt with me crying last night. Not a sight I wanted him to see like ever, but he did. Unfortunately. Aside from that, it is currently 9am and Marc is still asleep. I don't know why I'm up so early, I couldn't really sleep last night so I guess that's part of the reason. Yes I am tired, but I can't stop thinking about yesterday. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, first I was happy and excited that Marc actually wanted to be with me. Then everything went downhill once I told Drew. Now I don't know how to feel.

Marc told me that we would sort out everything today, things like tell my parents - if I wanted to - and talk to Drew. I'm not sure if I want to tell my parents or talk to Drew, what if this relationship doesn't work out? And I tell my parents now, what are they gonna think? What's Drew gunna think?

Do I tell Luke? Or Jack?

"Morning baby" I hear Marc mumble his voice thick with sleep, I look up at him.

"Morning" I reply quietly looking back down again, he rubs my stomach.

"What you doing up so early?" He asks rubbing his eyes, I shrug. He sighs, "Still upset about Drew?" He asks. I close my eyes not replying, there's far too much going on right now. I feel him press a kiss to my temple "it'll be okay" he whispers, so you keep saying.

I actually don't want to move, I want the ground to open up and swallow me.

I hear talking coming from downstairs signalling that someone is awake, I guess that's our queue to get up. With a sigh I sit up running my hand through my hair, I feel my cheeks go slightly warm as I remember that Marc slept pant-less. Meaning no jeans. "Do you want to borrow a toothbrush?" I ask and he nods sitting up himself.

I stand up walking into the bathroom, I stand in front of the cabinet that just so happens to have the mirror on it. I have to refrain myself from cringing, as I do every morning. Instead I open the cabinet and search around for a new toothbrush, once I find it I close the cabinet walking back to my room. "Catch" I say as I chuck the brush at him, in which he catches. I see why he's on most the sports teams.

"Thanks babe"

My cheeks flush, I have yet to get used to these nicknames.

...

I walk downstairs with Marc in tow, he had to borrow one of my too big shirts as I didn't want him wearing Drew's clothing.

The talking gets louder as we get closer, I inhale deeply then breathe out before leading the way into the kitchen. Dad looks up and mom turns around from where she was making something, "ah morning boys nice sleep?"  I nod even though it's a lie.

"Morning Mr Parker, morning Mrs Parker" Marc says sitting down beside me. Dad smiles

"Please just call me Carie Mrs Parker makes me feel old" mom says with a small laugh, Marc laughs with a nod. Well I'm glad he's having a good time, note the sarcasm. "You're just in time for breakfast" mom says placing plates of food in front of us, Marc politely says thank you and I just mumble a thanks. If you couldn't already tell I am not in the mood, at all.

We eat our food in silence, okay let me rephrase that. I eat my food in silence whilst my parents make small talk with Marc. Why does it always seem that other people get on well with my parents more than I do?

"Nate you sure you're okay buddy?" dad asks snapping me out of my trance, I nod standing up.

"I'm gunna go back upstairs" I mumble putting my plate in the sink, I can hear Marc doing the same. Just before I leave the kitchen I hear him say "it was nice talking to you" my parents say something back which I don't hear as I'm already half way up the stairs.

I walk into my room and sit on my bed, watching as Marc walks in closing the door behind him. He looks down at his phone hearing it buzz, "I gotta go at 4" he says sitting beside me.

I nod staring at the wall, something I tend to do quite often now. We sit in silence for a bit, the only sounds are coming from outside and downstairs. If Drew were here we'd probably be playing my new Rock Band, now that he isn't I don't think I can look at it.

It's funny, I act as if he's died. When he hasn't, he most likely in his bed five minutes away. Yet he might as well be, I'd probably act the same. Maybe a lot more upset, I wonder if he's thinking about me. He's probably thinking what a relief it is to get rid of me, imagine how many friends he could gain now I'm not dragging him down. But what about me? Marc probably going to go straight back to Carter as soon as we get to school, then I'm going to be left alone. No Drew, no Luke and the guys sticking up for me. Just me.

I mean I'd still see Drew, we are in most lessons together and sit next to each other. His locker is right next to mine so we would have to see each other, but he could always ask to move away from me.

"Hey, cheer up baby" Marc days from beside me, I simply sigh hiding my face in my hands. I can't deal with this anymore, I don't want him gone. He needs to be here, with me like he was almost every day. Making stupid jokes and ranting about how much he hates Marc. He should be, being overprotective over me. And cheering me up.

But he's not.