He wasn't

Chapter 17

He Wasn't: Chapter Seventeen

I pressed the car lock and it beeped in response. It was four in the afternoon so I bet dad is taking his afternoon nap. I picked up my bags and dragged my suitcase up the porch and rummaged my pocket for my house keys. My heart was beating so fast, maybe because I know I will see Nate again, soon.

"Who's there?" dad yelled, as he came down the stairs.

I laughed under my breath and shook my head. "Its me," I said, peeking at the window.

Dad hurriedly opened the door before I can twist the knob. I can feel him smiling at the other side. I just smiled, thinking it's really good to be home again. I glanced over my shoulder, hoping someone might be looking behind me, but no one was there.

"Sofie!" dad shouted as he gave me a big bear hug. He let go of his hug and kissed my forehead. "Why didn't you tell me you're coming today? I should have made you food."

"Umm," I said. "Surprise?"

Dad chuckled, and took my bags and headed to the living room. I followed him and flopped on the couch and sighed in exhaustion.

"So what made you come back here?"

I said nothing. Could it be that dad noticed I came back looking for Nathan? I smiled for five seconds and laughed nervously. "What do you mean? of course I want to be here before the next semester starts?"

I don't think dad bought it as he shook his head and smirked. He went to the kitchen and after a minute he popped out again holding a plate of cookies and placed it on the coffee table. I slowly took a cookie while dad gobbled the rest. We both paused for a second and then laughed.

"Oh my gosh dad, I missed this," I said, gasping for air. 

"Why don't you go out and get some fresh air before dinner?"

"I think I will," I said, getting up and heading to the front door.

It was getting chilly, even for a summer afternoon. I walked dow the porch and down the pathway leading to the lake. As always, the lake is very calming as I see it glitter like thousands of diamonds shimmering in the moonlight. As I look down and stared into space, I realized the things I shouldn't have done a long time ago, when I met Nate, I should have told him how he meant to me, how he makes me complete. I couldn't deny that I guess it was a fling at first, when we first met. But that's how it all starts for everyone right? It's just up to you if you want it to remain as a fling or if  you'll be mature enough to think it can be something more. Now I'm here, staring into space and full of questions if this is the right thing, to go back here, assuming he is waiting for me. 

"Sofie?"

In an instant, I turned around and saw Nate, looking as handsome as always. He was panting as if he had ran. I froze and my mind went blank. Now what? I felt that I want to cry.

"Nate..." I said, my mind still blank.

He smiled and ran to me. He bend down and hugged me very tight, his chin resting on my shoulder. I felt the warmth of his body against mine, his heart was beating very fast and I could smell the scent that I was longing for. I hugged him back, much tighter and even though we haven't said anything it was clear that we missed each other very much. It's then I realized, nothing haunts us like the things we never say.

"I missed you so much," I murmured.

Nathan sighed. "I think I missed you more than you did,"  he let go of his hug, and grabbed my hand and led me down the pier.

"Where are we going?" I said, with a confused face.

He glanced over his shoulder. "To the part where we last were,"

We sat on the end of the pier, we talked for about an hour what has happened while we were apart. Nate proudly ranted the manager of one of the bars he was going to made him a regular. So he now plays there every tuesdays and fridays and the pay was beyond what he expected. As for me, i told him that my favorite artist took one of my paintings and will put it in her exhibits. Nate looked very happy for me and he told me how lonely he was. 

As he talked, I couldn't help but gaze into his eyes, all of him. I couldn't believe I'm talking to him again. Then it made me wonder why I fell for him. But then, when you're attracted to people, it's because of the details. Their kindness, their eyes, their smile, the fact that they can make you feel comfortable and make you smile when you need it the most. By the time we finished talking, I looked up and saw the moon was now hidden, by clouds, darkening the sky. On the horizon, lightning flashed and a moment later a soft rain began to fall, making Nate jump up and taking my hand, running towards a near old abandoned shack.

"I'm sorry," he said, drying his hair with his hand. "I wasn't paying attention to you, I just keep on talking and I didn't know that it was going to rain," he chuckled, I smiled. I missed that.

"It's fine, neither of us knew it was going to rain,"

The trees, heavy with leaves rustled in the breeze as thunder echoed through the abandoned shack. We were both silent , all I could hear was how loud my heart was beating.

"The rain isn't that strong, you want to go home now?"

"No," I said. "I kind of love thunderstorms," I looked down on my feet, making it hard to admit that I actually do like thunderstorms.

Nate smiled and pulled me closer, I could feel him breathing in my scent. His clothes were still wet and he smelled so manly. As we both watched, the rain intensified into a steady downpour, falling diagonally from the sky. It was getting dark and neither of us were moving. There were no lights or candles in the shack so the street lights near us provided the only light, casting half of Nathan's face in the shadow. Thunder exploded overheard, and the rain became much stronger and harder, making big puddles in the dirt. Despite the rain, I was thankful the temperature was warm. Off to the side, Nathan spotted some chairs. He left my side to get them, then we both sat down. It wasn't that comfortable but it was better than standing.

As Nathan took a seat next to me, I suddenly knew that coming here had been the right thing to do. It was the first time that we'd really been alone, but as we sat side by side, it felt as though we'd been together forever.