Pretty Boy (boyxboy)

Chapter Six

My eyes slowly blink open and I squint to adjust to the brightness coming from the small lamp next to me.
Sitting up, I realize Nate isn't beside me anymore. My heart sinks. I'd hoped he'd still be here. I don't want him to think any less of me because of what he saw.

My door opens and Jamie tip toes inside with Nate tagging along behind her.

"What time is it?" I mumble.

She jumps at my voice, not realizing that I'm awake yet.
"Sorry."

She gives me a small smile.
"It's fine. Just scared me a bit. It's almost three."

I rub my eyes and sit up on the edge of the bed.
I groan when I noticed the huge mess all over my floor.
I bend down and begin to gather my books into a pile to put away again.

Jamie touches my back.
"We can clean this up if you wanna lay back down for a little while."

I shake my head.
"Please don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

I sigh.
"Like I'm broken."

She doesn't respond and bends down, helping me pick up the rest of the books.

"I take it you like Hemingway huh?" She laughs.

I grin.
"He's my favorite."
"What about you?"

"I've always loved poetry. Edgar Allan Poe is probably my favorite."

I nod.
"Yeah he's got some great stuff."

Once all of my books are finally back on the shelf, I toss the pillow back onto the bed and stuff my clothes back into the black suitcase. 

"Here you missed this one." Nate tells me as he holds out my brown leather journal.

My eyes widen and I grab it from him, silently praying that he didn't open it.
"Thank you."

He nods.

I rub my palms on my jeans nervously and sit back down on the edge of the bed.
Jamie sits down next to me and Nate places himself on the floor next to us, turning to face me.

It's quiet for a moment before I hear Jamie's voice again.
"Can you tell us what happened?"

My attention turns to my shaky hands in my lap and I shrug.
"It's not important." I remark, lamely.

"It is important. We're your friends. We just wanna help."

My eyes wander to Nate, who is already staring at me intently. He gives me a slow nod, reassuring me that I'm okay.

I sigh.
"He brought up Eva."

I hear JJ sigh.
"Damn Matty. I'm so sorry."
Her hand is placed on my shoulder gently.

"Who's Eva?" Nate asks curiously.

"Nate!!" Jamie scolds.

"No it's alright."

She sighs and gives me a look, letting me know I don't have to tell him if I don't want to.
I ignore it and turn toward Nate.

"Eva was my sister. She died a couple years ago."

His eyes sadden.
"I'm really sorry."

I hate that word.
I hate it.
I hate it.
I hate it.
Sorry doesn't help anything.
But I know he means well, so i give him a weak smile.
"Thanks."

"You know what? Why don't we do something fun tonight? Maybe it'll take your mind off of it." Jamie suggests excitedly.

I laugh.
"Okay. Like what?"

"You can stay in my room tonight. It'll be like a sleepover! We can watch movies or something."

"Yeah. I like that idea." I grin.

"Okay so do I get an invite to this slumber party shit or what?" Nate asks.

"You can stay too. As long as you're on your best behavior." She teases.

Nate's eyes wander to me and he winks.
"No promises."

My cheeks flush and I look down at my lap again.
Jamie jumps up, grabbing her brother and I by the hand, pulling us up.

"Come on! We gotta use the projector in the library for the movies." She exclaims.

Nate and I both smile and her child like enthusiasm and follow behind her.

I stop short, holding Nate back.
"I wanted to thank you for what you did. You didn't have to but I really appreciate it."

He gives me a grin.
"Of course. Gotta take care of my pretty boy."

His pretty boy.
My heart lunges.

I smile at him. A real smile. It's been a long time since I've been able to use one of those.

"Come on. Let's catch up to her before she has us watching Hannah Montana or some shit."

I giggle and follow him into the library.
JJ's already got the projector turned on, shining it brightly onto the dark wall.

"Okay so I really wanna watch 'Camp Rock 2' but I'll be considerate and let you guys choose. So 'The Outsiders' or 'Grease'?"

Nate and I look at each other.
"Outsiders." We both agree.

Jamie chuckles.
"I had a feeling you'd say that."

She puts the movie in, pressing play, and then joining Nate and I on the couch. Nate reaches over me and turns the lamp off, plunging the small library into darkness, making it look even more like a small theater.

He lingers a bit after the light is switched off and my heart rate speeds up. I've never ever had this feeling before. And I'm not sure if I like it or not.

"Ya know, Matt's kind of like our Johnny. He's like the pet that everyone loves." Nate muses.

I give him a look.
"Should I be offended that you just compared me to one of the only characters that don't make it out of this movie alive?" I arch an eyebrow.

He laughs and leans over to pat my cheek softly.
"It's a compliment pretty boy."

I roll my eyes playfully and lightly shove him. He adjusts to lay down on his back, his head resting in my lap and his feet crossing on top his sisters lap.

If possible, my heart rate increases even more as he looks up at me, grinning.

I shake my head, laughing at the dopey look that covers his perfect face.
Wait what the hell?
Did I literally just think that?

I shake my head again, and turn my attention back to the movie, attempting to drown out the thought tugging at the back of my mind.

However, focusing on the movie is made a lot harder when all I can feel is the constant stare of the boy laying in my lap.