Book 1: Beyond Me and You

I Won't Forget

Sunday was a big blur to me. Nathan called and texted throughout the day but I couldn't bring myself to talk to him. The thought of hearing him avoid my questions only made me think of the worse possible situation. I figured I should talk to him tomorrow after school.

Before I knew it I found myself in Dean's car waiting for him to leave the house. Me and him didn't talk much either. He knew Nathan and I weren't in the best place right now and I feel like he blamed himself for part of it. He did apologize a few times yesterday for what Sienna told me, and I just told him it was okay so he could stop bringing her up.

None of this was Dean's fault. All we meant to do what to go to his game and come back home. But things don't always work out the way we want them to and that's something we need to learn how to accept. In life we get so caught up in planning every step we take and when something unexpected happens we're left in shock, paralyzed due to the fact that our plans are completely ruined. It's good to understand that in life we have control over some things, but others are uncontrollable and we must accept those and learn how to adapt to them.

After arriving at school I go straight to my locker while Dean goes to his which is right across the hallway. His friends are all waiting by his locker, including Sienna. Ignoring her glares I put some books away and grab the ones I need for my morning classes. I go to grab a book when the school doors are swung open and people immediately move out the way. Out of curiosity I turn to look only to see Nathan walk straight to Sienna.

He stops in front of her as she stares at him with wide eyes. "What did you tell her?" Nathan demands hovering over her. It's obvious she's intimidated.

"N-nothing" she stutters avoiding eye contact.

"It was a long time ago and it meant nothing. Don't you ever come near her ever again. It's your one and only warning." Nathan says with a threatening voice.

"Dude" one of Dean's friends says as he pushes Nathan back. I don't recognize him, so he probably wasn't at the game this weekend. "Is that a threat?" he asks standing up to Nathan. To no surprise, Nathan stands his ground and looks at him directly in the eyes.

"Yes." He says sternly.

"Oh really?" the guy says laughing at Nathan as he pushes him even harder. I drop my bag and run over there when I see Nathan get ready to lunge forward.

Managing to grab his arm, I pull him back. In no way am I strong enough to hold him back, but as soon as I make contact with him, he stops and looks back at me. "Nathan please don't" I beg hoping he'll listen. And he does.

The guy looks at me up and down. "So this bitch is who you gave Sienna up for? What a downgrade" the guy laughs.

Through my hold, I feel Nathan's muscles tense up. He's trying to control himself. Letting go of him. I go to stand in between him and the guy to stop Nathan from doing anything.

"At least you got a nice ass" the guy says before he grabs my butt. My eyes widen in shock. Before Nathan can go around me, the guy is violently pushed to the floor.

Dean stands over him, holding him by the collar of his shirt. "Touch her again and I, myself, will make sure you regret it. Once I'm done, you'll have to deal with Nathan. You've heard of Nathan Stone right?" As soon as Nathan's full name was brought up, the guy's eyes widen in fear. "I'm sure he's thrilled you not only insulted his girlfriend but also sexually harassed her."

"It was a joke. I'm sorry" the guy begs but Dean lets go of his collar, making him fall back onto the floor. The guy tries to stand up but Nathan is quick to pin him against the lockers. Everyone moves away from him in fear.

"I'll make sure you know that sexual harassment isn't funny nor is it a joke."

I stand there in shock of everything that played out right in front of me. The inability to speak or move was frustrating as I watched everyone move right in front of my eyes. Nathan was fuming with anger. I had never seen him like this, this was a whole new level of anger. His grip on the guy's collar was so tight the veins in his hands were clearly visible.

Dean tries to pull Nathan away from the guy but he couldn't.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again" the guy begs.

"If you ever do anything like that to any other girl, I'll make sure that's the last thing you do."

Nathan drops the guy on the floor and turns to face me. His anger is completely gone as if it was never there and is replaced with worry. He takes a steps towards me and I automatically run into his arms and burst into tears. He wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on my head.

After everything that happened, this moment makes me forget it all for a brief second. I forget about Sienna, the guy, and how I chose to ignore Nathan till now. I hold onto Nathan as if he's my last grip on life and he hugs me back reassuring me that he's here and he always will be.

After a few seconds the bell rings and people desert the hallways leaving us alone. We sit down on the floor with our backs against the lockers. Nathan holds my hand in his and rubs circles with his thumb. We haven't said a word to each other, but the silence is comfortable. I know he doesn't need me to say anything but I want to make sure.

"I'm sorry for acting the way I did on Saturday. You don't need to tell me about Sienna."

He stops rubbing circles on my hand and looks at me, making eye contact. "I didn't tell you about Sienna because I didn't think she was important. Yeah she was part of my past, but even then she wasn't important. I didn't want what just happened to happen, but from the looks of it, it was bound to happen. I should've known better.."

"Hey" I say as I hold his face in my hands. "I'm okay...we're okay"

He places his hand over mine. "You have to tell the principal"

"What?! No Nathan."

"Why not?" He looks at me confused.

"Because..you'll get in trouble too"

"Lark..."

"No. I can't let that happen. Let's just forget it happened and move on. Okay?" Nathan stares at me in silence. He doesn't respond even after a few seconds pass. "Nathan"

"I'll move on but I won't forget it happened. I can't risk it happening to someone else so I'll just keep an eye on him." I stare at him knowingly of what 'keeping an eye on him' means. Nathan catches on and raises his hands in the air as if innocent. "What? I'm just gonna make sure he knows I'm watching him." He goes to stand up and kisses the top of my head. "Don't worry. He'll live."

"Nathan!" I whisper/yell.

"I'm joking. Now c'mon we're already late."