He wasn't

Chapter 18

He Wasn't: Chapter Eighteen

The rain, hard and unforgiving made me question my decision earlier if it was right to stay here, but Nathan didn't seem to mind. Or pretended not to. He leaned back then suddenly realized the chair has no support on the back and made Nathan fell off with a loud thump.

I quickly turned to him and made it impossible not to laugh. I covered my mouth and tried my hardest not to let a single sound out of my mouth.

"Nate! Are you alright?"

He laughed, making it seem he doesn't mind falling. "Yeah, I am, don’t worry about it,"

"I'm so sorry if I made us stay here, it's my fault,"

"No, this perfect," he said. "Perfect weather, perfect place and perfect person to be with,"

"Did I just sensed sarcasm?" I said, glaring at him. He laughed and pinched my cheek.

"Why would I do that?”

I smiled and continue to watch the rain. I keep adjusting the chair because it was kind of uncomfortable sitting to it, there were nails that I try to avoid sitting on.

"Sorry," he said, "I thought that chair would make you feel comfortable,"

"It's okay, my legs are exhausted and my butt hurts, this is perfect,"

He chuckled and looked at me, "Right back at me, huh?"

We both stood up and left the chairs. Nate found some old newspapers and placed it on the ground so we can sit on it.

"Much better?" he asked.

"Yeah, much better," I nodded.

I knew now what I have been missing all these years, when Nathan moved closer to me and intertwined our hands. I found myself wishing I hadn't picked mom to be with, I should have just stayed with dad. I wished I didn't have to go to NYU and I wished I had chosen a different path in life, one that would let me remain a part of his world. 

"You're awful quiet now," I heard him say.

"Sorry," I said. "I was just thinking about tonight."

"Good things, I hope."

"Yeah, good things, don’t worry." I said.

He shifted his seat and I felt his shoulders bump against mine. "Me too. But I'm thinking about when summer's over."

"What about it?"

"It means you'll have to go back to New York,"

A few feet away, the storm was reaching its climax, letting rain pour harder. Water poured off all sides of the house like waterfalls. Lightning flashed again, closer this time, and thunder sounded like a canon. 

Nate scooted closer and put his arms around me so I rested my head on his shoulder. I crossed my legs at the ankles and leaned against him and I wished we could just stay like this forever.

"You're different from most of the girls I know," he observed his voice low and intimate in my ear. "More mature, and... reserved I guess."

I smiled, liking what he just said. "And don't forget, I can paint too,"

"Ah yes, a girl who can paint," he said, "You don't meet them every day. I guess I'm pretty lucky."

I nudged him, as I laugh. I looked outside, and felt the rain beginning to slow.

"Have you ever been in love?" he asked, switching gears suddenly.

His question surprised me. "That came out of nowhere."