The Run ©2014 Sydney Wray

Chapter 20

"He what?" She exclaimed, her face lit up in exasperation.

Nathaniel nodded. "He kidnapped her. Basically lied to all of us."

Lavender shook her head. "But that doesn't make sense. The lady in Virginia-"

"Lied."

She frowned. "Are you sure?"

I shrugged. "That's what Walter said."

Nathaniel crossed the room, and sat on the couch, his arms wrapping around his chest. "The guys a phony. We shouldn't believe anything he says."

"Except the fact that my parents really are dead." I said quietly.

Nathaniel stood up immediately, and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him in alarm, hoping he would understand what I was trying to telepathically communicate to him. He seemed to quickly understand, and retracted his hand; though I definitely felt the strong absence of it.

Lavender eyed me, but I refused to meet her gaze. I hadn't wanted to tell her yet.

"But your files said that they had given you up, and even listed the current address." He paused, frowning at the ground. "Which was in Virginia."

I looked up. "Do you think that lady really was my mom?"

He grinned. "Who's up for another road trip?"

~~~~~~~~

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" A mixture of off pitch, and amazing vocals echoed into my door. I grinned in amusement under my blanket. Lavender had never let my birthday gone without celebration. Even when I was in middle school, she would secretly meet me at my foster house to give me amazing gifts.

I let out a small laugh, and peeked out from under the blankets. Nathaniel, and Lavender stood there with large grin on their faces; holding a birthday bag, and a tray holding a small vase, glass of orange juice, and a mouth-watering stack of chocolate chip pancakes.

"Mm. My favorite." I mused, my eyes hungrily searching the plate.

Lavender laughed, and snapped a photo of me. "Of course it is. It has chocolate in it."

Nathaniel gazed down at me, a certain look in his eyes. It killed me to not jump in his arms at that very moment, and kiss him. But I restrained myself.

"Oh go on. Kiss, hug whatever." Lavender laughed, and placed a hand over her eyes.

My mouth fell open. "You-"

"Yeah, yeah." She waved away, still holding a hand to her eyes, "I may have a dumb name, but I'm not an idiot."

I covered my stifling laugh, and looked up at Nathaniel. He smiled, and bent down; planting a kiss on my cheek.

He leaned back, observing me. "Happy birthday."

~~~~~~~~

"So I was thinking." Nathaniel said that morning. Lavender had jumped in the shower, because I still didn't know where we were going.

I looked at him, and widened my eyes. "Uh oh."

He let out a breath. "I'll have you know, I scored a twenty-one hundred the first time I took my SAT's."

I gasped. "Are you serious?"

Nathaniel nodded, his face blank. "So next time you ridicule me about being dumb, think about my SAT's." But he smiled, which let me know he was joking.

I smirked. "Born an ass, always an ass."

He laughed, a deep chuckling sensation inside his chest. "Anyways. I was thinking, I have to bring you on a date soon."