Drawn to You

Chapter 4

 “I didn’t know you were up already,” Nic’s voice says. I look at his reflection in the mirror and watch him sit on the floor.

I glance at him and smirk, “Why? Are you disappointed you don’t get a chance to splash ice-cold water on me?”

“Maybe,” he winks. I roll my eyes.

“By the way,” he adds, “would you mind telling me why you’re all dressed-up? You seem to have quite a little more effort with your…fixing-yourself-up thing today.”

“Didn’t you listen to Mr. Chad in science yesterday?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“We don’t take Science together.” He reminds me.

“Oh,” I straighten up, “right.”

“Well? What did he say?”

“That the principal told him Mark’s returning today.” I say, trying hard to sound nonchalant. I see Nic’s mouth twitch into a slight grimace before he manages to compose himself.

“I see,” he says drily. “Do you think that he’s still…you know…with you? I mean, even after leaving for Australia?”

“I’m not sure,” I shrug, “But I don’t really care whether or not he still feels the same way. All that matters is he’s back. Because regardless his feelings, I’d get to spend time with him anyways, as friends or …more.”

“Right,” Nic says. My eyes flash to his clenched jaw, and for a moment, I think he is gritting his teeth.

“Are you…?”

“I’m fine,” he says forcefully. “Just…tell me when you’re done getting ready and we can…walk to school together. I’ll be out in your front porch.”

“Okay…”

After putting my brown plaid shirt over my white tank top, I rush to the front door to meet Nic.

“Hey,” I say, but it sounds like a gasp, “Did you wait long?” I ask as I decide to unbutton the first few buttons of my shirt to reveal the white tank top beneath it.

Nic shakes his head.

I look at him and softly say, “That’s a relief…I guess.”

He nods, and together, we walk to school in silence.

The moment we enter Spring Leaf High, I immediately scan the hallways for Mark without meaning to.

I find it difficult to find him due to his dark hair and pale complexion—which is pretty much common in this school—but after another series of looking, I find him by the corner talking to the last person I’d think he’d interact with. Nathan Greene.

Nic, who has been following me from behind, runs into me. “Oof,” he says as he rubs his nose. “Why’d you stop walking so suddenly?”

I ignore his question for a while before pointing at Mark and Nathan. “I …don’t know,” I say, “I just…didn’t expect to see Mark talking to Nathan.”

“Same…here,” Nic says, wearing a puzzled expression I’ve grown to love and find adorable.

My hand finds Nic’s arm and I drag him along with me as I meet the boys. Nic and I walk over to them and Mark’s eyes land on us.

“Elena!” He smiles a little too brightly. “You’re here!”

“Yeah, I am.” I say as I feel heat rushing through my cheeks. Mark’s eyes stay on me for a while before it lands on Nic.