Literal Beings

Chapter 4

8:43 p.m. It was dark outside, and we had eaten dinner. My mom had just ordered takeout from some Chinese restaurant. It was good though.
Colby and I had set up our base downstairs next to the furnace, the t.v playing Greys Anatomy. We both sat in our bundle of pillows and blankets, joking and laughing about our friends and crushes.
I was helping Colby and Scarlet get back together in a group chat, telling Colby what to say. Scarlet didn't really get what she had done wrong, but it was just about the fact that Colby was left out. Or, she felt left out. Said that Scarlet, me, and Cherylyn were 'linked in arms.' I mean we're good friends, but I would never leave my other half out of things.
So here I am, helping them build a friendship again.
Footsteps, from the kitchen. I looked up from my phone to see who it was, and saw familiar black hair. Nathan walked into the living room, leaning against the wall. He was wearing a loose t-shirt with baggy pants. He stopped across from us and frowned.
"You guys got in an accident?" He hissed, glaring at me. For a moment I forgot to breathe so I inhaled stale air; trying to find words to say. "Y-Yeah. Just a bus accident. We're all good though." I responded, looking back down at my phone. He walked over to me and sat down beside me, looking over my shoulder to see who I was talking to.
I couldn't tell him to go away right now, because I'd come off as an ass. Colby doesn't know he told me he likes me. Nobody does.
Colby looked at me and lifted an eyebrow. She texted me saying, "What's with that face? You look like you just ate something rotten."
I turned off my phone, making sure that Nathan didn't see it.
I didn't look at him, just moved my hair away from my face. I pursed my lips. He smelled like peppermint. M̶y̶ ̶f̶a̶v̶o̶r̶i̶t̶e̶.
I finally gave in and turned to look at him, his deep blue eyes swallowing me up into his abyss. I tried taking my eyes away but good god he's got as enchanting eyes as Logan does. He smiled at me, crossing his arms.
"So, what happened? I bet it'll be on the news tomorrow." He spoke, still staring me in the eye.
Colby answered for me, "Oh it was really scary. The new bus driver we had was turning a corner and bam! The whole bus tipped. Some windows broke, but Alice and I were okay. Some kids were unconscious though... it was pretty bad."
I started nodding, confirming her story. "Yeah it was scary." I said quietly. I haven't said anything to Nathan in almost a year.
Nathan sat back, moving away from me. "Oh yeah that sounds bad. My friends were texting me about it and I knew you were on that bus; had to check." He was still talking to me, as if paying no attention to Colby. I turned back to my phone, turning it on and going back to the group chat.
Nathan got up, sighing. N̶o̶ ̶w̶a̶i̶t̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶'t̶ ̶g̶o̶. I scooted closer to Colby as he left the room. She looked over at me, expecting me to say something.
"Well?!" She said angrily, "Spit it out; what was going on between you two?" She searched my eyes, trying to find an answer. Colby knows me well, well enough to know that I don't usually ignore family members.
I shrugged, not knowing what to say. "You looked disgusted." Colby shook her head. Her phone then started buzzing, her attention leaving me f̶i̶n̶a̶l̶l̶y̶. Her mom was calling.
"Yes mom, I'm fine. Yes we ate dinner. Yes I'm in bed. Okay- okay! Yeah, I know, I'll remember." Colby sounded aggravated, fidgeting with her blanket.
My phone buzzed as well, and I looked down to find Logan James has added you as a friend!
Oh my god. Logan added me back- oh god. T̶h̶a̶n̶k̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶l̶o̶r̶d̶!
I turned on my phone, immediately sending him a snap of me and Colby.
She hung up after I took the picture, pouting at me. "Hey, I wasn't ready!"
"Yeah well, Logan added me back." I snook a glance at her, and she was smiling widely. "Oh my gosh yay!!" She squealed, waving her hands in the air. I smiled back and waited for him to respond.

10:11 p.m. Still hasn't opened the snap. I was fidgety, wondering if he just didn't care about me. Well actually, now that I think about it, why would he care about me? We barely know eachother. Maybe I'm just another girl who's in love with him. He does have a lot of admirers.
Colby put on the next episode of Greys Anatomy, yawning as she slumped down in her pillows.
"Hey, wanna play Truth or Dare?" She asked suddenly. I looked over at her, cocking my head.
"Uh sure... as long as you take my hair out of braids and comb it." I grab my brush, handing it to her. She reluctantly pushed herself over to me, sitting behind me as she undid my braids.
"So.. truth or dare?" She asked.
"Truth." It's always good to go truths first- plus they are easier to do. Dares are more scary because they can make you do anything.
"Hm... oh I have a good one. What was up with you and Nathan earlier?"
I hesitated before answering, "You really want to know?"
Colby snorted with laughter. "Well, duh! Why would I ask? Now spill."
I sighed and looked at my hands, "About a year ago, he told me liked me." I whispered this quietly.
She stopped combing my hair and I looked up at her. Her eyes were wide and she looked shocked.
"Damn! If my cousin was that hot and told me he liked me," she shook her head, smiling, "I would so just totally forget about incest and freaking marry him."
My stomach twisted again. "That's gross." I scrunched up my face, not able to imagine me marrying Nathan.
"Not to mention incest!" She chirped, giggling. "But seriously... he is one of the most handsome boys I've seen in a while. And I don't think many boys are handsome!" She spoke as if trying to prove a point.
"Yeah well he's ... not my type." I say nimbly, knowing that isn't the truth.
She finished combing my hair and sat in front of the furnace, rolling around. "God I'm soooo warm!" She said happily. She grabbed my cat and started petting her, looking satisfied.
I pulled up my phone. Logan had opened my snap.
I let out a deep breath and smiled. Now that's better.
"Truth or dare?" I ask, putting my phone down and scooting over to the furnace with her.
"Hmmm." She thought for a moment, "Truth." She winked at me before playing with the cat's tail.
What do I want to ask her? Why she is so interested in me and Nathan...? No. What about... Logan? How does she know about Scarlet liking Logan! Bingo.
"How do you know that Scar likes Logan?"
She was quiet for a minute or two. I opened my mouth to say something only to be interrupted, "Well, that's because she told me. Not to long ago, it was last week. When all of this drama wasn't happening. We were in class, and it was Logan's turn to read something. I just remember her turning to me and saying, "I think Logan is really cute. Don't you agree? He's just so perfect..." Of course I didn't think that way, but I was surprised. Practically like... everyone likes him."
It was my turn to be quiet. I was deep in thought again, thinking about him. Of course I knew everyone likes him... how could they not?
"It's foolish of me to even think I have a chance." I scoff, shaking my head. Colby looked at me, "Seriously? If anyone has a chance, it's you."
"But-"
"You're like the most popular girl in the grade."
"I-"
"I know a lot of kids who like you. Who call you pretty. Who say you're amazing. You're popular. So, if anyone has a chance, it's you."
I was silent now. Dead silent. The ceiling seemed to have my undivided attention. I am not popular. At least.. I don't think I am. People never talk to me.. sure I have a few friends but-
Oh god wait.
People do talk to me. People do stare at me. People do try to have conversations with me. I just... never seem to realize.

"Dare." After a long while of silence, I spoke. The t.v was still playing Greys Anatomy, which sadly I wasn't even paying attention to, as it hit 11 p.m.
Colby looked up at me from her phone, shocked that we were still playing. "Oh I have a good one. I've been thinking about it like- this entire time." She smiled devilishly.
"Yeah... what is it?"
"Nathan is in bed right?"
"Yes..."
"Oh god this is gonna be hilarious!" She chuckled then spoke again, "I dare you to go upstairs, while he's in bed, climb on top of him and try to kiss him. I will go up too to confirm you did it."
"What?! No-"
"Shut up and do it, I just want to see his reaction. Like I said, it'll be hilarious. Plus you have my permission to tell him it was a dare."
"I am not going to kiss-"
"Ah! I said try! You don't absolutely have to."
I sighed deeply, putting a hand to my forehead. God. Good god. I really don't want to do this. I looked at her, pleading with my eyes to give me a different one.
She only shook her head and pointed at the stairs.
I got up, reluctantly, and headed up the stairs. Colby followed behind me, giggling. She was excited, I didn't know why. Trying to kiss your cousin is just so gross.
When we made it to his door I hesitated. Colby grabbed the knob for me and slowly opened his door. I gave her a quick glare before heading into his dark room.
His fan was on, so he couldn't hear us going in. He seemed to be asleep in his bed, and I suddenly felt horrible for having to wake him up.
I tiptoed over to his bed, glancing back at Colby for like the third time. She shooed me with her hand, still holding that devilish smile on her lips.
I set down my knee on the side of his bed, slowly, trying not to be loud. I put my other knee on the other side of him, so I was hovering over his stomach.
One last time I gave Colby a look. She rolled her eyes and put a hand to her hip. I stuck out my tongue at her before turning back to Nathan.
His breathing was rigid. He moved his head a little, which startled me, and I froze. I waited a few seconds before I put half my weight on his stomach, this time trying to wake him. I slowly bent over, my face inches away from his.
That's when he opened his eyes.
I froze in my place, my eyes locked on his. He didn't move and neither did I.
I felt a hand on the back of my head and it pushed me down, my worst nightmare coming true.
It was Colby, Colby who'd pushed my face closer to his. Our noses touched and I snapped my head back up. "Colby!" I growled at her while she squealed again. "That was hilarious!" She snorted with laughter, holding her stomach. Nathan sat up, his hand around my back to make sure I didn't fall.
I felt my cheeks flush pink again, thank goodness that it was dark in here. Nathan brushed a hand through his hair, looking confused.
"What was that for?" He said groggily.
"It was a dare..." I managed to say, shrugging.
Nathan narrowed his eyes at me before pushing me off his bed. Colby caught me but I let out a loud shriek anyway.
"Jesus!" Colby said, covering my mouth.
Nathan mumbled something before laying back down, his back to us.
"Sorry!" Colby mumbled at Nathan, although she was clearly not sorry. She still had a smile on her face.

We got out of his room, closing the door behind us.
"I hate you." I say, playfully hitting her.
She started laughing again, "Oh come on! You didn't even kiss it was fine!" She waved it off easily. "Plus he didn't really care, guess he doesn't like you anymore."
"Or he just likes to sleep?! Psycho," I hissed before heading back downstairs, Colby following behind.
We snuggled back into our blankets and pillows, continuing to play Truth or Dare.
"12:47 a.m. We should go to bed," I yawned, turning on my phone. Colby didn't respond as she played with my cat once again. I squinted to see my phone screen, my eyes watering a bit, before I saw that Logan had sent me chat.
I gasped, opening it immediately.
Logan: Hey, listen. Fuck off, okay?
I was taken aback, not sure of what to say.
Me: Um I'm sorry.. what?
I waited for him to answer, which surprisingly only took him a minute to do so.
Logan: Fuck. Off. We can't be friends. And what makes it even worse is the fact that you're so in love with me. So just stop. I don't like you, and I never will.
Me: Excuse me, but I don't like you. What's so wrong with us being friends anyway?
Logan: Because.
Me: ...?
Logan: You don't know, do you.
Me: About what exactly...?
Logan: Nevermind. Goodnight. And don't talk to me again.