Everybody has a chapter they don't read out loud Unknown
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Nathan does not feel guilty.
On Saturday, two days after their fight, Nathan calls Natasha's cellphone once, but she doesn't pick up.
Nathan doesn't call her back again until five days later, wondering if it was time for him to get chocolates and flowers—though he has no idea why he wants to spend the little money he has on her.
When Nathan tries to call again, her phone goes straight to voicemail. Nathan stares at his cellphone in confusion before he realizes that she's blocked his number.
So, Nathan does what he does best.
He drives over to Steve's and forces his friend to come with him to a party only to later ditch Steve for a pretty brunette that is sultry beyond words.
She tells him her name, but it's so forgettable that Nathan doesn't care to try to remember it. And each time she kisses him with her full lips Nathan can only think of Natasha. Sweet Natasha that would probably break at the thought of him with another girl.
Suddenly, Nathan realizes something.
He does not feel guilty, he feels ashamed.
The brunette says something to him that jars him back into reality, but it's too late for her. Nathan has already made up his mind, and he immediately turns for the door out of the bedroom. His legs seem to carry him of his own accord all the way to front porch, where he tried to calm himself by taking deep breaths of the cool summer air.
"Did you have fun with her?" a voice asks. Nathan fumbles with the cigarette he'd been trying to light until it drops to the floor.
Diana stands beneath one of the porch lights, the glow of it making her seem momentarily ominous.
"You're Natasha's friend," he says calmly. The girl's eyes narrow.
"And you're her ex-boyfriend," she bites back icily. Nathan isn't sure why the statement makes his heart pang with regret.
"I—" he falters for a moment before shrugging. "I guess so."
Diana's eyes rake over him slowly before she smirks triumphantly. "You look like shit, Nathan."
"Thanks," he replies back. He's beginning to grow tired of her and makes a move to turn back into the house to look for Steve.
"Don't you feel bad at all?" Diana asks, voice more curious than righteous. "You made her feel like she was dumping all her problems on you." Nathan merely raised a brow before Diana rolled her eyes. "I admit she tends to do that, but it's not like she never asked you to share with her."
"I don't like to."
Something passed through Diana's eyes that looked like understanding. "Still, it wouldn't have killed you to try to be supportive."
"I know," he says, because yes, he did know he was in the wrong. "But what can I do to make it right?"
For the first time, a small smile lights up Diana's face. "I'm not going to help you," she says.
Before he can help it, he feels all hopes within him deflate at her words. He nods dejectedly before finally turning towards the door.
"Nathan, wait—just, don't half-ass the apology and be sincere."
When he turns questioningly at her, Diana crosses her arms in annoyance. "I'm not a relationship counsellor, I'm seventeen."
Nathan feels a smile pull at his lips before he can stop himself. For a moment he thinks that Diana is a very amusing young girl.
"Okay," he says, smiling. "Thanks, Diana."
"Don't thank me," she replies. "You're still a loser that got dumped."
So Nathan laughs, turning and finally reaching the door to get Steve and go home.
