CheckMate (Completed)

Chapter 16

(Nattlie's pov)

My lessons before tea break went well. Leon was not in sight. Which was good, no in fact it was great. I don't like him more as a friend and it needed to stay that way. Right?

Yes! What am I thinking? Leon is either a friend or less. This was all I could think of walking into the cafeteria.

So far so good. No Leon means no feelings. Yes I am my own person and won't be rude to people and clothing wise I don't care what they have to say, but it still meant Leon and I couldn't be. That is drawing the line.

I may be a bit different but dating or liking Leon would be crazy, social suicide.

I took a seat opposite Beth. She looked up at me but didn't say a word.

"Look I'm sorry ok? I just feel different about some stuff now and I'm not in the mood for people judging me or telling me not to" I said trying to explain why I had a moment before school.

She gave me a smile.

"As you should know by now I'm not these 'people' you speak of. We sister's for life. No hate."

I took her hand which was on the table and gave it a loving squeeze, agreeing to her words.

That's when it all went wrong. Luke came to a halt at our table and slightly behind him was Leon.

Instead of anger as I was hoping for, I felt the complete opposite. I felt the butterfly farm in my stomach again and I could feel my palms sweating.

"Hi there sexy. Come to ask me to the dance I see" said Beth seductively to Luke.

Luke laughed before answering.

"Nah sorry sweet cheeks I'm here to ask Nattlie"

I looked up at him then at Leon. My face only showing shock.

Beth gave my hand a nudge with her own.

"She would love to!" replied Beth in my behalf.

"No!" I scream out loud, "I mean...ah I think I have someone else who is also planning to ask me"

I looked at Leon quick, making eye contact, hoping he got the hint.

He didn't move. Didn't make a sound.

I felt hurt. Even though I forced myself to dislike him strongly I still melt in his presence.

He looked down and didn't say a word. He just... stood there.

Maybe he wants me to go with Luke. Maybe he doesn't like me. I am stupid thinking he would ask me, stupid thinking he could even possibly like me. He most probably thinks I'm stupid as in book stupid compared to him.

"Natts?" said Beth bringing me back to reality.

"Ahhhh... Ummm... sure. Looks like the guy wasn't planning to ask. I guess I'll go with you then" I said trying to force a smile and hoping it didn't look fake.

"Great! I'll pick you up at your house then?"

I gave a nod to Luke and looked one last time into Leon's eyes before they both turned to walk out of the cafeteria.

"Of my gosh girl! Like only the hottest guy in school asked you to the dance! You should be over the moon. Why aren't you excited?" said Beth as soon as she knew he won't be able to hear her.

"Ahh..." was all I could say before the bell rang. Who knew, saved by the bell. I gave a quick smile, grabbed my books and walked quickly to my next class, trying to avoid having to answer.

I sat in History, hurt. He didn't want to go with me. He didn't even try.

There's a pain in my chest. It feels as if something is squeezing the life out my heart, out of me. I can feel the tears in my eye threatening to fall but wiped them away before they could.

I had never cried in school and it wasn't gonna be my first.

Maybe Luke is the better choice. I know where I stand with him. Besides he looks just like Leon and our personalities are more alike then Leon and mine. Maybe saying yes to go with Luke was the right  move.

But Leon isn't Luke and Luke could never be Leon. Leon is different and that's why I like him. He's special and this is why having Luke as my date is the better option. No more getting hurt by someone I dearly care about. I'm protecting myself from future disappointments.

I sat there the rest of the lesson looking at the screen with the documentary about Hitler.

Not really paying attention. Just existing with the one question in my mind.

Why did  Leon not ask me?

(Leon's pov)

How could I have been so...so stupid. She was practically asking me to ask her. Why couldn't I just man up and ask her? I must have looked like a stupid goldfish. Just standing there. Doing nothing neither saying anything.

She must hate me. I know I would if I were her. I think it's best if I just stay out her way for a while. Luke is best for her and in good time she will learn so.

If only I was more like Luke. Maybe then I wouldn't dissapoint her and maybe she would like me.

I don't think she did what she did because she likes me as more than a friend dont you worry. She would never like me in that way. The past weekend we had such fun. She must have wanted to go with me because we get along more and she's still nervous with Luke.

Wait... Luke.

He didn't stick to the plan he was only to apologise today. Not ask her to the dance?! How could he, he...

Oh no! Is all I'm thinking. No I can't be! I can not be jealous of Luke for being able to go with Nattlie! That's when I remembered when I told myself I would be over her in a few days and Luke can happily have her.

But I'm not over her! He can't have her yet.

I need to clear my head, it's starting to spin and cause a headache, as it's school no music is allowed and my gym is at home. The only other way to clear my mind would be a game of chess.

And that's what I planned to do at lunch break. A good game of self vs self chess.

(Nattlie's pov)

Lunch break came and I wanted to ask Leon why but he wasn't with Luke.

I decided to ask Luke where he might be. I gave him some story about me wanting last minute help for the maths test in two days but Luke himself didn't even know where his brother was and said he might be playing chess in one of the classrooms.

Not really much of a help as 'one of the classrooms' means any one of the 493 classrooms in the school which would take all year to search from one classroom to the other.