Not All Skin And Bones

"All Alright"

~ a few girl-talk-filled hours later ~

I twiddled my thumbs nervously as I waited for Daniella to walk back into the room. Nate was in the kitchen. Maybe what he did wasn't as bad as I made it seem. Maybe I just came off to strong and harsh as always, maybe we are the same in that way.

"I forgot to ask, where's Nate?"

"Kitchen."

"No, my godson."

"Oh. He's with his shit father, of course."

"Oh." Daniella gulped, she knew better then bringing up Marcus into our discussions but then again I guess she couldn't put two and two together in her current state of mind.

"Nate's a good guy, right?" I looked to the floor as i spoke regretfully to Daniella, should I really be dwelling on this?

"One of the best, why? I mean, sure, he's having a rough time now but haven't we all been there?"

"He just seemed like a douche."

Daniella chuckled and began to press a bottle against her lips, I didn't notice her grab it before hand and instantly my senses kicked in. "NO. Daniella what the-"

"Relax!" She exclaimed defensively, she turned the bottle to show me the label as if she was in a commercial for it. "It's root beer, damn. You really think I'd throw away two clean years down the drain like that? "

"It's natural to relapse."

She'd just cried her eyes out- I didn't know what to expect from her, she was rarely like this. It must be bad; her heart must hurt.

"Yeah- well," she shrugged; taking another sip and setting the bottle down. She let out a throaty exhale as she cleared her throat. "most people lack motivation as I do."

It was true. Daniella was the most head strong and determined person I knew, which kind of contradicted her fear of commitment.

A small tapping came from the echo of the door frame, it was Nate, leaning calmly against the door like when I first met him. Was this my chance to start over a bit; rewind?

"Hey listen, Daniella, I gotta go pick up some stuff to fill in the gaps for my lousy packing, you alright now?"

Daniella nodded, it's hard to believe Nate and her had only really had an actual conversation earlier today when Jack left and Andrew didn't pick up.

"Yeah Nate, I'm okay now, thank you."

He nodded and sucked in his lips to a cheeky, smug smile, his eyebrows raised as he clapped his hands together. "Whelp. I guess-"

"Can I come?" I blurted a little to desperately. I honestly needed to make this right.

He cocked his head slightly towards me; not sure as to whether or not I was joking. "Um?"

"Please." Now I really sounded desperate, but I just felt as if Nate was the genuine guy that shown through his lyrics, and we got off on the wrong foot. I want to know him.

He let out a small breathe, to which I couldn't decipher the emotion behind. "Alrighty then, throw on your sneakers and lets go."

...

We settled back into the car with several clothing filled bags and necessities. " Quite a stash we bought, eh?"

Nate's grip on the wheel tightened as he tensely held both arms straight outward, grasping the handles of the wheel. He swallowed and stared straight; no response.

"Nate?" I spoke, but still nothing. "Nate?"

"Look." He cut me off, still in the same position, but with a softer gaze. "If you're trying to pick a fight with me, don't bother. I'm hot-headed lately, yeah, okay, I get it. But honestly, I don't need anymore people against me right now so please cut me some slack."

He finally began to move as he turned the car steering wheel with complete ease.

I took a breathe before saying words that might be hurtful or plain.

"I'm not trying to pick a fight, Nate. I'm hot-headed too, so when we met I immediately assumed you would do something irrationally rude to me, like many others have, but then i realized I was at fault for making assumptions about someone I have yet to know. I'm sorry. I will cut you some slack, and maybe enough to where we can be friends." I hadn't realized I'd been looking down this whole time, but as I looked up and smiled he had one on his face as well.

"thanks" he grinned, glancing over at me. I stared out the passenger window; pleased by our efforts to create a friendship, it was a rare thing for me, and looking at the way his body relaxed, it was rare for him too.

...

Sorry I've been gone for so long- it's just- nobody really reads this story :p so I forget (vote and comment please!)