Miserable at Best (Sequel to Our Never Ending Melody) (NateWantsToBattle)

Chapter 26

His words from this morning echoed in my mind. "I really hate myself."

Does he really mean that?

Does he really hate himself that much? What reason does he have to hate himself?

Is it what happened with Hunter? Or Morgan? Or even what happened while him and Morgan were on break?

I can't seem to understand what he means.. But whatever it is, I can't let him think that way.

Him saying he hates himself, could lead to suicide.

Phoebe and I stayed home today.

Morgan, so desperately wanted to go out with her sister, and dragged her boyfriend with her. Nate, has proven that he isn't feeling well today.

I wonder how he's holding up.

Nate's mother went with them. I'm assuming she knew her son wasn't feeling. Guess she has that instinct in her. Being a mother an all. I'm sure Morgan will develop that soon, Nate too.

But they left 4 hours ago. They should be back soon.

Speak of the devil, I look up from my work, hearing the front door open then close. I saw Alex walk into the kitchen, carrying a few bags, and Morgan followed with her fussy daughter.

I then see Nate follow slowly balancing several bags, which I'm assuming are heavy. He seemed to struggle with carrying these bags. His mother followed him closely, keeping her eye on him, carrying her own luggage as well.

"Nathan, Hun. I can take some of those." She insisted as he struggled to walk to the kitchen table.

"No, Mom! I'm okay. Morgan asked me to carry these bags, and I'm going to do it." He muttered, his voice straining as he, himself was straining.

I saw his mother shake her head he was stumbled to the table. "As Stubborn as your Father, Nathan Smith."

I watched him struggle to set the bags down on the table. As soon as he did, Nate dropped to the ground, on his side, before rolling onto his stomach to push himself up.

"Hey!" Morgan moved away from their daughters playpen, going to her boyfriend. "Nate, are you okay?" She asked.

He sat up slowly, rubbing his head lightly. "Yeah, Morgan. I'm alright." He answered.

He then sat there for a moment, staring at the floor, as he did this morning.

"You sure Nate?" I ask him, standing up slowly.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm okay. Just light headed."

I watched his mother kneel beside him, before pulling her son up carefully. "Maybe you should get some sleep, dear. You almost looked fried." She suggested.

He does. His hair is a mess, and needs to be trimmed. His face looks hollow, and his eyes are dull.

"Mom, I'm okay. I don't need sleep. I really am fine." He said leaning against the table.

There was a look of uncertainty in his girlfriends eyes, but she soon turned to their daughter with a sigh. "Well, I'm going to put her to bed, are you sure you're okay, Nate?" She asked once more looking at him.

"Yes." He answered before she gave a little nod.

I then watched her walk away, with her sister and daughter. She walked down the hall, giving her boyfriend one last glance. His mother gently tapped his shoulder, before following Morgan.

As soon as they were all gone, I heard Nate let out a sigh of relief. I saw him collapse in the chair behind him, resting his head on the table.

"You moron!" I hiss at him, sitting down. "You are NOT fine!"

"Yes, I.. Yes, I am." He breathed quietly.

I saw him glance to his arms, stretching his arms.

"You're hurting, aren't you?" I calm down, seeing his settle down.

"I've never felt pain like this." He murmured quietly. "But I'm okay, maybe I just pulled a muscle."

"Pulled a muscle? You? Pulling a muscle?"

"Shut up, Brett! I'm no robot." He told me.

"I know, I know. Relax" I laugh at his reaction.

"Go lie down then. Get some rest. You really pushed yourself."

"Well." He said, standing up. "I'm going to lie down, not because you told me to, but because I'm tired." He told me, before grabbing his phone, leaving me alone.

Oh, Nate.. How long will you be able to hide this secret?