Lost In The Moment

Six

"Nate?" Kelsey called down the hall and I pressed against the wall, hiding in the shadows.
"Nathan?" She called again, stepping forward.
"Kelsey," I whispered and she turned her back to me.
"Nate?" She called again and I ran forward and grabbed her from behind, making her scream. She tried to jump away but I held tightly so she flailed her legs, putting her entire weight on me and I realized how light she was.
"It's just me Kelsey," I laughed, putting her down, and she turned around and started hitting me.
"You jerk! You're such an asshole!" She yelled and I laughed, pulling her close.
"You're ok, it's just me," I said and she stopped hitting me and slid her arms around my waist, holding me tightly against her and shaking, her head against my ribs. When her breathing slowed and she'd calmed down I let her go and she stepped back, pulling her hair from her mouth.
"Asshole," she breathed and I nodded, stepping forward and rubbing her arms.
She sighed, tucking her bangs behind her ear.
"You ready?" I asked and she nodded, shrugging my hands off her arms.
"I was until you went and scared the shit out of me!" She exclaimed and I nodded, brushing her hair off her shoulder. It took everything I had to be gentle about it.
She smiled softly as I placed my hand on her cheek and she rested her head on my hand.
"I'm sorry," I whispered and she nodded.
"Come on," she said, taking my hand in hers.

"Can you hold me in your arms?
In your arms?" Kelsey sang, brushing her hair off her face.
She dropped her hand to her stomach and smiled at me, panting.
"Kelsey Jones everybody!" I shouted into my mic and the crowd cheered. I walked over to her and, ducking down, kissed her cheek.
She squeezed my hand quickly before waving to the crowd and walking away.

I passed Kelsey on her way onstage and she grabbed my hand, stopping me. She didn't say anything she just smiled at me, her Chestnut brown hair shining under the spotlight. I smiled back just before she let go and ran onstage, her ponytail bobbing behind her.

"You hungry?" I asked and Kelsey turned around, smiling, her hazel green eyes were so happy.
"Not really," she said and I nodded, leaning against the counter as she brushed her hair and put it up again.
"When do you eat?" I asked and she laughed, putting her hands on my stomach and resting her forehead on my chest.
I ran my arms around her and held her tight, never wanting to let her go.
"Nathan," she whispered and I smiled, kissing her head. "Let's grab a burger," she said, looking up at me, and I nodded. I let her go, interlacing our fingers and looking at her. She avoided my gaze and started toward the door.

After a dinner that was more awkward than it's been in a month or so we went for a walk.
We stopped at a park and Kelsey leaned against the railing, looking out over the town.
"What's wrong?" I asked and she sighed, running her hand through her bangs and they fell to opposite sides of her face.
"I don't think..." she started before sighing again and turning around to look over the park.
"What is it Kelsey? You can tell me," I said, touching her shoulder but she shrugged me off.
"I can't do this," she blurted out, stepping away from me.
"Do what?" I asked and she shook her head, running her hand through her bangs again.
"This! This thing with us!" She exclaimed and I tilted my head slightly. "I... fuck," she breathed, squatting down and touching the ground to steady herself.
"I'm sorry if I freaked you out," I said and she shook her head, standing up again.
"No, I never should've let it get this far," she said and I chuckled.
"This far?" I laughed and she shot me a look. "What is this far?" I asked and she let out an exasperated laugh.
"This far emotionally!" She said and I stopped and nodded.
"I'm sorry?" I asked but she shook her head. 
"Not your- no wait, it is. It is your fault! You and your beautiful fucking face and you're so damn talented!" She exclaimed, stopping to watch for a reaction but I tried not to give her one. She sighed and turned her back to me, running her hand through her bangs once more.
I chose that time to hug her from behind, resting my head on her shoulder. She sighed, tilting her head to rest on my mine.
"I'm sorry that I've made this difficult for you Kelsey," I said and she sighed again, this time more happy than tired.
"I really like you and thought you liked me too," I said and she chuckled.
"What are we, twelve?" She asked and I laughed.
"Good point," I laughed and she turned to face me, sliding her arms around my neck.
"I'm sorry to do this to you," she said and I shrugged, "I just... a relationship is something I can't do- right now," she said and I nodded.
"That's fine, I'll wait," I said, hopefully hiding that her words were killing me. Her gorgeous green eyes were sad and her bangs separated on opposite sides of her face.
"I'm so sorry," she said and I kissed her forehead before pulling her into a hug.
I heard her sniffle before pulling away and wiping her face.
"Sorry," she sighed, laughing a little, and I smiled and wiped her face gently.
"Stop apologizing," I whispered and she smiled, looking up at me. Her green eyes shining with tears.
"I-" she started before nodding and looking at the ground.
I put my arm around her shoulders and she slid her arm around my waist, leaning her head on my shoulder.
We walked like that the rest of the way back in silence.

"Goodnight Nathan," she said and I kissed her cheek.
"Goodnight Kelsey," I whispered into her ear. I straightened up and squeezed her hand before walking away.
I stopped and looked back at her, she was on the phone, pacing a little. She stopped and laughed, her laugh warming my heart.
I looked at her for a little longer, thinking, for the tenth time since I've known her, that she looks about ten pounds underweight.
I thought back to her turning me down for meals and thought about her being underweight, finally putting it together.
She turned, saw me, and waved. I waved back and turned around and walked over to my bus, getting on and closing the door.
I locked the door and sighed, sitting down at the table and looking at the pad of paper on the table in front of me.
I replayed the events of the night over and over again in my mind, picking apart each expression, each word that she said.
I picked up the pen and, with the night still going through my mind, started to write.