ONE OF US IS BURNING (ONE OF US IS LYING FANFIC)

Chapter 8: Nate

THE NEXT MORNING

I stayed for the night in Bronwyn's dorm.

She was a little shaken up.

My eyes opened.

I saw Bronwyn,

no glasses,

curled up in her bed,

sound asleep.

She has to be one of the heaviest sleepers I've ever met.

She can sleep through a party next door with booming music.

I got up,

shook her lightly on the arm.

Her eyes flutter open.

"Nate? Is it morning already?" She asks.

"Yep. Come on. Let's go out to eat." I answer.

"No." She whined, covering herself in the sheets and hiding there.

I laughed.

"Come on, sleepy head, let's go." I said, pulling the covers off.

"Noooo, Nateeeee, please, five more minutes?" She whines.

Of course.

Her puppy dog eyes.

They will always be my breaking point.

I rolled my eyes.

No matter how cute they were, we were getting up.

I scooped her up and out of bed.

I wait for her to get dressed.

"Fine. Let's go." She whines and offers her hand to me.

I take it and smile.

As were walking out the door, she says,

"I'm not doing this for you. I just want some French fries, got it?"

I laugh.

"Okay, whatever you say." I answer.

We walk the streets and find out favorite diner across the street we like. 

We sit down and she orders her new favorite food.

I lean across the table and cross my arms.

"So, I've been meaning to ask you." I begin.

She traces her fingers around my usual leather jacket.

"You've been wearing this as long as I remember." She comments.

I roll my eyes.

"What were you going to say?" She asks.

"Yeah, about that. What's with the change of mood all the sudden?" I ask.

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you suddenly obsessed with French fries, get all moody and love all the movies I like?"

She pauses.

What's going on?

I cut in before she can respond.

"Addy told me it was because you were on your period, but-"

"When did you talk to Addy?" She asks, annoyed.

"Last night. I asked her." I answer.

"Why did you just assume something was wrong? Don't do that!" she exclaims.

This is new.

This proves Addy is right.

"My instincts were telling me. I know when something is wrong, Bronwyn."

"Well your 'instincts' were wrong. I'm fine." She responds.

"Calm down. I just wanted to make sure, that's all." I say.

She sighs.

"I know, I'm such an awful girlfriend. I know I've been lashing out, and my mood is changing. My period is just killing me, that's all."

"You're not an awful girlfriend. You're perfect. Now come with me, I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise? Okay." She answers.

She follows me outside the restaurant to find my bike.

"You got a new bike? When?" She asks.

"I've been saving up." I answer, getting on the bike.

I offer my hand to her and she takes it.

I hand her a helmet.

"You got an extra helmet? When?" she asks.

I was waiting for her to turn it around.

And she does.

"Oh my god, Nate! Thank you!" She exclaims and she hugs me.

I customized her helmet.

I got it in a dark purple and had her name written in silver on the back.

She puts it on in excitement.

Then she gets on the bike.

She hugs me tightly like she's always done.

She's never really loved going on the bike until recently.

I remember the first time I took her on it.

It was the day when Simon died in detention she needed a ride home/

That feels like forever ago.

As I start the engine and we ride away,

something feels different.

LATER THAT DAY

Bronwyn and I head to the airport together.

It was time to go to San Diego.

As we were on the plane, 

Bronwyn suddenly starts panting.

"Bronwyn? Are you okay?" I asked in worry.

"Fine, just nervous, that's all." She responds.

But I know she's not fine. 

"You're not fine, Bronwyn. I'm your boyfriend. I can tell when something isn't right."

"I don't know, Nate, are you sure we will be safe?" She asks.

"yes, your plan will work. Besides, it's a Scott family club, it will be guarded. Just try to relax and have fun, alright?"

"Alright."

But deep down I didn't know what would happen either.