Weight

Part Twenty

Waking up the next morning, I wasn't between Nate's legs anymore, but I was still cuddled up against him. I hid my smile, knowing I was enjoying the feel of his body against mine more than I should.

I unwrapped myself carefully, trying not to wake him up. In order to untangle myself emotionally, I had to untangle myself physically. I was feeling in too deep. I needed to remind myself that this thing with Nate was temporary. It wouldn't last forever, and my heart wouldn't survive if I kept on like this.

I stretched and cracked my neck, a little stiff from sleeping on a couch. Nate snored gently, still sound asleep on the couch. I smiled slightly.

The light creeping in from the bay window told me it was about six o'clock. We missed our run window, but there was enough time for me to make a good breakfast. I creaked the door open, tip-toeing down the hall to the kitchen. I pulled things down from the cabinet, preparing to make waffles. Aside from the everyday bagel, waffles were my favorite.

By the time I started pressing the waffles in the iron, Nate was shuffling down the hall, rubbing the sleepiness out of his eyes. "What's the smell?"

"Waffles!" I exclaimed.

"What for?"

"I'd say to pay you back for the library, but truthfully, waffles are my favorite. This cooking is completely selfish," I laughed.

Nate chuckled back. "Well, are you gonna make me some too?"

I nodded, plopping the first waffle off the iron onto a plate and handing it over to him. "Chocolate chips and strawberries are the best toppings," I suggested.

"I don't know," he playfully argued. "I'm more of a butter and syrup kind of guy."

I scrunched my nose in disagreement, shaking my head. "Nope, you're wrong."

"I think that's a matter of opinion," he said with an eye roll.

"Well your opinion sucks," I countered with an eye roll of my own.

He loaded his waffle with butter and syrup, over-exaggerating his moans of pleasure. I shook my head. "You, doofus," I laughed.

I finished making my waffle and putting my preferred toppings on it, taking a seat next to Nate at the island. I cut the treat into bite sized pieces and dug in.

"I think we should tell everybody we're married."

I choked. "Wha?" I muffled through a mouthful of breakfast.

"I think we should tell everybody we're married," Nate repeated.

"Yeah, I heard you," I said, gulping down water to clear my mouth out. "Why do you want to do that?"

"It'll make things easier, you've got to admit. We can hang out, no questions -"

"No questions!" I repeated, exasperated. "You think people won't have questions about a high school marriage?"

He shrugged. "Fair point," he admitted, "but I just want things to be easier for you, okay? I know this all hasn't been easy, and I just want you to be comfortable."

My heart swelled. "Nate, things haven't been easy for you either, by any standard. I'm here for you, too."

Nate's dad was dying and he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, taking care of a whole business and a his family. The pressure had to be getting to him, so I tried being understanding of why he has snapped. But it made his apologies so much sweeter. He was so busy, and so stressed, but still made time to make sure I was okay.

In a burst of tenderness, I scooted closer and and wrapped my arms around his one closest to me, squeezing gently to make him feel that I'm here. I leaned my cheek against his bicep and sighed happily.

"We have each other, Nate. We're in this together." I paused, breathing in this moment of calm bliss, before placing a chaste peck on his arm and hopping off the stool. "C'mon, we gotta get ready for school."

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Paisley stood, shifting books around between her backpack and locker. "I was wondering who you were texting all day yesterday," I commented, walking up next to her, leaning against the metal wall.

She laughed. "Well, now ya know," she joked with a wink. "Tell me everything," Paisley demanded.

I fought the flush creeping up my neck just thinking about how sweet Nate was. "There's not much to tell," I dismissed.

"Mhm, yeah, that's really what that blush is telling me right now," Paisley quipped sarcastically.

"It was just really sweet," I said, "but nothing happened."

It was true. Nothing had happened. But the kindness and openness Nate showed me made my heart flutter and my palms sweat. And God, did I know what that meant.