Sunflowers In Her Hair

Chapter Five - Max

It had been a month since my last dream about Nathan.. god that sounds so weird to say. I was living life like a "normal" high schooler, I went to school, hung out with friends, and picked up a few hobbies along the way. Kate got me into knitting and Warren got me into gaming- I prefer the more vintage stuff like 8-bit. I even reconnected with an old friend, Chloe. She's rad and so is her girlfriend, Rachel. Rachel seems real close with Nathan but I never ask her about him, but I can tell she wants to ask? As crazy as that sounds....

... I was walking back to the dormitories from a night of board games at Chloe's house, it was cold and wind.. I should have left with Warren and Kate instead of staying longer. I dragged my feet as the music in my ears faded out, I looked at my phone to see an empty batter. Just great.. I kept walking, holding my jacket closer and closer until it felt like it was going to rip. Then, I heard a car pull next to me, the sound of machines at work to roll down the window made me pick up my pace "max." A not so familiar voice caught me off guard. I stopped and looked at the red car, my heart in my throat "Nathan?" I asked, peering into the dark interior of the vehicle "yeah, you look fucking dead- get in, I'll bring you home." He grumbled, tapping the outside drivers door "oh uh.." before I could answer he snapped at me "hurry up before I change my mind!" I nodded quickly and got into the passengers side door. The car smelled like leather and generic men's cologne, kind of like a suburban dads car. I fastened my seatbelt and leaned back into the warm seat, drawing in a breath "you really didn't have to do this.." I muttered, staring out of the window, I couldn't even look at him.. all I can see when I do is a bloodied and battered face. "I wanted to talk and I had a feeling this was the only way how." He sounded irritated which made me draw closer to the door, my grip on the handle tight. "Well, I'm here so let's talk." I chewed on my lip anxiously, nervous about what he may have to say. "Do you by any chance like sunflowers?" He asked quietly, his irritated tone had turned into a very soft almost embarrassed one "I'm sorry, what? I guess they're alright." I decided to finally look at him, he was wearing his signature red jacket and blue jeans. His hair was a mess however, like he hadn't slept. Same with his eyes, sunken in and dark raccoon eyes. "Right..." he muttered. He must've had something else on his mind "what is it?" I asked, I almost reached out to take his hand that was gripping the arm rest VERY tightly but I stopped myself, I barely knew him! "Do you believe in precognitive dreams?" Wow that was a somewhat loaded question "I believe in the possibility but I don't think I could ever have one." I tried to keep the mood light, he did have both of our lives in his hands by operating a very heavy piece of machinery. "Yeah, yeah me too." He nodded. The car pulled into the parking lot, then into a space. He cut the engine and got out "I'll walk you to the dormitory so the security officer doesn't mess with you." He said as he opened my door for me. Nathan was never really nice to people other than Rachel and Victoria so this was adding onto the shock. I got out "thanks, but I think I can handle myself." I rubbed my arms and started my walk to my dorm "just to play it safe." He mumbled as he walked beside me.

We made it to the front steps of the dormitory without any trouble, I just stood there awkwardly, waiting for him to say bye or just walk away. But instead we were just in this really intense staring contest and it appeared he was winning or he blinked every time I did "so... uh.. I'll see you around, Nathan.." I chuckled nervously, backing away toward the door "..yeah." He nodded, turning on his heel and walking away. Oh my god! What a relief. I hurried upstairs to my dorm and closed the door behind me, I needed to change out of these clothes and into something that wasn't contaminated with Prescott musk- ew gross way of wording it, Max.

Once I was in my pajamas, I crawled into my bed. Tonight felt like a weird fucking fever dream- and I could still smell that damn car! I pressed my nose into my pillow and continued to inhale and exhale deeply.... darkness took over as I felt the weight of the world finally settle.