Life is Hell

Chapter Eight - Nathan Prescott

Monday morning and as promised I was waiting in front of the Prescott Dormitory for Nathan. He really didn't seem to be in a hurry to get to class. "There you are" I said once he finally appeared. "Holy shit, what are you doing here?!" He asked shocked. "You're in need of a friend and so am I, so why not be there for each other" I said. "I don't need a pity friend" He said and walked past me, by holding my arm so I wouldn't get in front of him. I winced, causing him to turn around. "What was that?" He asked. "What was what?" I asked, ignoring the pain in my arm. "Nathan stop!" I said as he pulled the sleeve of my cardigan up.

I will never forget the look on his face once he saw my arm. It was filled with scares and cuts, the newest being from yesterday. "Clare" He said and I had to fight my tears. "Okay, no class for us today. Let's talk" He said and took me into his dorm room with him. I sat down on his bed, while he stood in front of me. "Why are you doing this to you?" He asked. "It's nothing!" I said, trying to downplay my injuries. "Nothing? This is definitely something Clare!" He said and opened my jacket. Since he already knew about the secret not even my mom or sister nor Frank knew about, I let him. He pulled it down, being able to see every cut and every scar on my arms, both my arms. "Did you try to kill yourself?" He asked. "No, no I didn't. Shit! I guess I have to spit it out now, do I?" I asked and Nathan was still looking at me.

"My father died when I was 13 years old. My sister was 14 at that time. We both were super close to him and when he died, Chloe acted out the way you know her and I locked myself away. I was feeling numb. To feel something, I cut myself. I started feeling feelings again about three days ago, but... I don't feel them all the time and I still miss my father so fucking much, I am not even able to describe it in words"

He sat down beside me and wrapped his arms around me. He comforted me. I lied my head onto his shoulder, a few tears were rolling down my cheeks. "It's okay to miss him Clare" He said in a calming voice. I still couldn't believe that the Nathan Prescott was calming me down and actually being a friend to me. "And maybe I misread the situation on Friday. Maybe Chloe was trying to help me" He said. "She was! She isn't a bully" I said and lifted my head. "I'll put a good word in for her with Wells" He said.

"Thank you, but you don't have to. I saved her butt on Saturday" I said. "I'm still going to talk to him. After all it's partly my fault she was almost expelled" He said. "Thank you Nathan, that means a lot to me" I said. Nathan got up and handed me my jacket. I pulled it on and closed it. "Thank you"

I got up and grabbed my bag, so did Nathan. "Please don't tell anyone about this" I asked him. I didn't want anyone to find out about arms and especially not Chloe or mom or Frank. "Trust me, I won't" He said, put an arm around me and let me to the school building, where of course Principal Wells was already waiting for us. "Miss Price, how am I not surprised to see you in trouble again?" He asked. "It's my fault, she wasn't feeling well and I made her skip first period. It was my fault and I understand when you have to call my father, but I'm also sure he wouldn't like it when there is any trouble, especially with his son's girlfriend" He said and I looked up at his words. Did he just-?

"Of course Mr. Prescott. Just go to class and pretend like nothing happened. "Thank you Principal Wells, oh and I'm sorry, I must have misread the situation on Friday. Drew North was the one that bullied me, Chloe Price was just trying to help me" Nathan said, keeping his promise. "Thank you that you're letting me know Mr. Prescott, I will take care of it right away" He said, while Nathan and I walked  off. "Girlfriend? Don't remember being asked out or anything" I said. "Well, it did the job, didn't it?" He asked and I had to confess that he was right. "What class do you have next?" I asked him. "Drama. Can't wait for the fucking drama" He said. "It's not going to be as bad as you think Nate. Worst they can do is kick you out, so what? You're into photography anyways, aren't you?" I said. "I guess you're right! Maybe we should just skip the rest of the day" He said and I would have loved to say yes, but I couldn't.

"You might not get into problems because of that, but I will. I'm still a Price and Wells won't stop till he has both of us out of the school, after all we're just her on scholarship and I don't want to play the I'm sick card over and over again" I told him. "Okay, let me at least walk you to class" He said and I agreed. "Chemistry, Mrs. Grant" I told him. He grabbed my hand and let me to the chemistry lab. "Might as well act the part" He said and kissed my cheek, before walking towards to the drama lab. I watched him disappear before entering the class myself. I went to Mrs. Grant and told her that I wasn't feeling well and that I'm better now, then she let me take my seat next to the chemistry Einstein of the class, Mister Warren Graham. Chloe would have mastered this class in no time, if only she would have put some effort into it.

"Cracked the code yet?" I asked him as I would normally ask him. "That still doesn't make any sense Clary Price" He said. That was his nickname for me. "I know that Einstein, just like you repeating explaining stupid stuff to me" I told him. "Guess this is what I do" He replied, making me laugh. "I missed that laugh" He said. I guess, I did have friends, just didn't notice it and luckily Warren wasn't one of those who let me push him away. "Didn't have much reason to laugh" I told him. "I'm glad you are still in there Clare" He said, before putting his attention back on Mrs. Grant.