Nathan
“Call me what you want, I am not a bad person. I was just looking out for her, she’s a good friend Mom; I couldn’t just let her get hurt. Yes, yes Mom, I will see if she wants to go out later, maybe I can talk to her then. In person rather, over the phone just isn’t the same. Yes, okay. See you later then. Bye.”
Nate tossed himself onto his bed and sighed. He really liked Hayley, since he met her in the third grade. She and Lewis were practically made for each other. He couldn’t help but feel furious with Lewis for hurting her like that. Karla, that is a different story, he thought dating a popular girl like her would earn him the brownie points he needed to win Hayley over. Nate shuddered, such terrible memories. Karla was vindictive and persuasive with her choice of words and just how she spoke and moved in general, Nate pushed her to the back of his mind. Where she belongs. He picked up his phone and dialled Hayley’s number. He was surprised how fast she actually answered it.
“Hello?” she panted.
“Hayley, have you been running?”
“Ha! No, sorr- sorry, just let me catch my breath quickly.” Nathan raised his eyebrows and then frowned.
“Okay, I’m back. What’s up?”
“Well, I believe you’re single.”
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“Nate, I told you that yesterday, don’t act like you found out from someone else.” She teased. Nate chuckled, “Yeah, whatever. I was wondering, if you aren’t busy or anything.” He didn’t even get to finish his sentence when she interrupted him.
“No.” Hayley replied quickly.
“No? I haven’t even asked you yet.” Nate sounded a little shocked, damn; she doesn’t want to see me.
“Oh, shit, that, that sounded awful, I meant No I’m not busy.” He smiled briefly.
“Oh good, you have somewhere to be later.”
“I do?” Hayley said, “And just where might that be?”
“Have you been outside yet?” Dumb question.
“Outside? Yes, why?”
“Can’t let a beautiful day like this go to waste.”
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“Still don’t know what you’re on about, Nate.”
“Been to the beach lately?” He asked sarcastically. Please let her be free. He thought.
“Oh, the beach. Yay, I can’t wait.” YES! Nate exclaimed in his mind but then added in:
“It’s not really a date or anything; we can go as just friends right?”
“Huh? Oh yes of course.” She sounded disappointed, Nate smiled deviously.
“What time would you like me to come over?” He asked.
“Anytime will be great, the later the better, we can watch the sunset.”
“Sounds so cliché...” Nate teased.
“See you later Nathan.”
“You know I hate that, I only get called Nathan when I’m in trouble.”
“You are the troublemaker here.” Hayley teased and he laughed to himself, how ironic, seeing as how she had made the move on him...
“See you, Hayz.”
“Bye.” He hung up and did a little victory jig on the bed, then got up and got ready.
Nate couldn’t help but feel ecstatic as he pulled up in the road of her house. He took off his helmet and placed it on the seat. The gravel crunched underneath his shoes. As he got to the door she opened it before he got to knock. Someone’s excited. He thought to himself.
“Well don’t you look cute?” Nate said as he gave Hayley a long hug. His arms draped around her waist. It felt good to have her in his arms, like she belonged there.
“Thank you, I went through hell to look this great.” Hayley joked.
“Come on, let’s get going, don’t want to miss the sunset.” Nate took her hand and tugged her out the door. Her hand was cool and soft and a lot smaller than his own.
“Are we walking?” Hayley asked as she scoped the scene for a car.
“No,” Nate turned the corner and picked up a helmet for Hayley.
“I didn’t know you had a motorbike!”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” Hayley sat behind him on the bike, the gravel in the road was thrown back as he rolled on the engine and the bike set off. He smiled to himself. This was totally worth it. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. Nate got goose bumps, he felt so serene. The smell of salt and water wafted in the cool air at the beach. Hayley took a deep breath in as she soaked in the scene. Nate pulled up next to a small fence near the beach and got off the bike.
“Wow, it’s beautiful.” Hayley gasped as she looked out across the landscape. Nate looked at what she was looking at. The white sand formed a blanket that stretched for miles out.
“It is, isn’t it?” Nate smiled slowly as he looked out at the waves breaking on the shore. And so are you. Hayley looked at him; he could see her through the corner of his eye.
“Race you down there!” She yelled and set off, sprinting her way down the sand towards the water. Nate grinned and raced off after her. He was fast, a lot faster than her, but he decided to leave her a few paces ahead of him. Laughing as he caught up with her, he grabbed her waist and picked her up.
“No!” She laughed.
“Gotcha.” He whispered into her ear. This seemed too good to be true.
“That’s totally unfair, I demand a rematch.” She teased breathlessly.
“How about we just take a walk?” Nate said, putting her down on the ground again.
“Sure.” Hayley smiled.
They walked next to each other; Hayley was so close his arm brushed hers every time they moved.
“So, Nathan. Why did you want to see me so badly?” Hayley asked him. Now wasn’t the perfect time to tell her just yet.
“What’s wrong with a guy seeing a girl he likes?” Wrong thing to say, you really did yourself in now Nathan! He thought to himself. It was too late to back out.
“You like me?” Hayley said as they walked and tucked a curl behind her ear.
“Yeah, Hayley, I really do. I mean. I always have and well, I just didn’t know how to tell you.” He admitted. He looked behind them and saw their footprints marking a trail as they walked. Hayley’s arm once again brushed against his. He had butterflies, tickling his insides.
“Nate, I...” He could tell what was coming next. He braced himself for an easy let-down. Oh, Nathan, why do you always screw up everything?
“I think, I feel the same way about you.”
Nate felt like he had just been hit in the face, his heart almost leapt out of his chest. He couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. He looked down at her and slid his hand into hers, locking his fingers with hers. He didn’t say anything, just kept walking and held her delicate hand in his own.
