Psycho But Not Really

p s y c h o - 36

"Nate stop.." I put my hand over his chest, Nate stopped and looked at me, "What.." he said, anger rising up, "Nate, let's just take things slow, I'm still processing my feelings towards you.." I said, and backed up a little.

"Get out" Nate said coldly, I looked up at him, "what?" I raised my voice, "Althea get out!" He screamed, I flinched, "What's your problem? I want us to work out again, okay? But I need to gain your trust once more for that" I said, but Nate only looked down, "you know what? Fine" I left and slammed the door.

"Argh!" I screamed, and went to Melanie's room, where Lenny and her were watching Manny crawl. "Why do boys have to be so difficult" I barged into the room, "no offence Lenny" I added on, Melanie chuckled, "Sweetie, you're both young, Lenny and I were on and off when we first met, it was difficult but we learnt to work with each other and be honest" she said, and looked at Lenny who nodded in agreement.

I sat down with the two adults and asked them for advice, it was helpful, I'm glad to have such experienced people in adulthood, and parenthood.

"welp, I should start making food, Len, go put Manny down for his nap", Melanie walked off, and I followed her until I reached the living room, I saw Marcl sitting down texting on his phone, thats when I realised I didnt have my own phone with me. As much as i wanted to storm up to Nates room and yell at him, I didnt, instead I sat down with Marcl.

"Hey" I greeted, Marcl immediately turned his attention to me and smiled, I missed his bubbly smile, "Hey" he replied back, we both talked about little things, "So, how are you dealing with Jennie and college?" I asked,

Marcl looked down, and fiddled with his fingers, "about that..." he paused, I looked at him, with one eyebrow raised, "Jennie doesn't exist, and I don't go to college, after graduating high school, Malcom found me, and told me to watch over you", he sadly said, and lowered his gaze.

I sat there staring at him, "another lie.." i scoffed, and stood up, but Marcl held onto me, "Thea! wait!, when I kept seeing you with Nate, it had my blood boiling, I hated it..", I looked at Marcl in awe.

Did he just confess?

"Kids! Dinners ready!" Melanie interrupted and we all came into the kitchen, seating ourselves. Coincidentally I was sitting in between Nate and Marcl, as Melanie and Lenny sat across from us, and Manny in his high chair, still tired from his nap.

"So... I still want to know if you kissed Nate or not, in the car earlier today.." Lenny said making the air thick, Marcl looked at me, "You kissed him?" My eyes widened, "N-No!". Nate interrupted me.

"Why do you care if I kissed her?" He said, now I was in the middle of an argument, Nate and Marcl staring at each other, I looked at Lenny, 'You did this' I mouthed. "Because I don't want her to get hurt again" Marcl said, through gritted teeth.

Melanie quickly held Manny and ran to their room, knowing the big fight would start. Here it comes... 3...2...1

"Me? Hurt her, never!, at least I didn't lie about my social life!"

"At least I wasn't the one who used her!"

"At least I wasn't on malcoms side!"

"At least I wasn't plotting to kill her!"

That was it. I had enough. I stood up!

"Enough!, I don't want to be stuck in the middle of an argument and love triangle" I screamed, Lenny dropped his fork. I looked up at them both, Marcl looked down as Nate still stared at me. "Who said this was a love triangle?" Nate said.

So I guess he doesn't like me...

My eyes held sadness, I gulped the lump in my throat, "I see... so I finally start to build up our relationship again, and you admit you don't like me anymore. Great" I said, and left. I always found myself crying, I laid in bed for the rest of the night. Nate has these uncontrollable mood swings, and I hated it.

Nate

Like always, I messed it up.

Our almost kiss in the car and my room, felt amazing, that was the closest we'd been since falling apart.

I just got so mad that Marcl cared, Lenny had to bring the almost kiss up, I was now in my room, I could hear Althea's sobs, I think the whole house could. I finally got the energy to get up, and walked out of my room.

It was about three am, dead silent house, I gently made my way to the balcony, I pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit it up, puffing some smoke in and letting it out. I knew Althea wasn't a fan of smokers, but I only smoke when I'm stressed.

California. It isn't the best place, but it's the safest we can get away from Malcom, I sighed as I dropped the cigarette and kicked it off the balcony. Trying my hardest to go back to my room, I heard Manny start to cry, I let out a groan knowing Melanie and Lenny were too tired to feed or make him stop.

I quietly went into their room, and picked him up, then the light was on, I saw Lenny's squinted eyes, "Nate?" He said, in a croaky voice, "Yea, I'll take care of him, he might as well sleep with me" I said, and left.

Manny joined me downstairs where I made him his formula, he drank down the bottle, and stared at me. Babies were weird, they teach you so much without talking. "Your uncle Nate is very stupid", I said to Manny. Manny only laughed and spoke gibberish.

I ended up talking about my opinions and feelings about this whole thing to Manny, I found it stupid, but he actually listened to me. I laid Manny beside me in bed, he was under my arm, I rubbed his stomach as we both fell asleep that night.

•••

Nate needs to get his stuff together...