Head Over Boots

3. My Old Friend

Waking up the next morning it took me a minute to acclimatize and realize that I was home in Blue Ridge and wasn't in Savannah. My alarm clock was flashing telling me it was already 9 am, late for me to wake up, probably owing to the late time we got home last night and the long drive I had.

Stepping out of my en suite after showering I noticed Nate's shirt hung on the back of my chair. Deciding that I should probably return it before I forget I picked it up before heading downstairs to get some breakfast. I got a lot of questions off Luke about that shirt last night, I don't mind him being overprotective until he starts asking a million questions.

I quickly read the note that Luke had left on the counter telling me that mom was painting, he was at work, Charlie was at football practice and he would pick him up on his way home. Throwing my yogurt pot in the sink, grabbing Nate's shirt and slipping my sandals on I made the short walk down the road to their house.

I found myself slightly nervous after I knocked, waiting for the door to open, wondering why I didn't just give it to mom to give back to June. Because it would never get there, I tell myself as the door swings open to reveal Nate.

"Hey, Avery," he looked slightly surprised to see me but did not seem upset, thankfully.

"Hey, uh I just came to return this," I held up the shirt, "thanks for letting me borrow it," I suddenly heard shouting and laughing coming from in the house behind him.

"Thanks. My friend and his girlfriend are over if you wanted to hang out with us?" he kindly offered, taking the shirt from my outstretched hand.

"No it's fine, I wouldn't want to intrude," I decline, not wanting him to feel obligated, but I should already have learned that Nate doesn't take no for an answer.

"Honestly, you'd be doing me a favor, I'm feeling like a total third wheel!" he rolled his eyes, leaning against the door frame, running a hand through his brown curls.

"Okay, I guess I can come in for a little," I agreed as he stepped back, letting me into the cool house out of the hot Georgia sun.

I followed him into the spacious living room, finding a guy and a girl wrestling over what looked to be a TV remote. My suspicions were confirmed when Nate walked over and easily pulled the remote out of the guy's hand.

"Jesse, we are not watching any more Real Housewives, you have a problem man," Nate declared as he took a seat on the sofa not occupied by the quarreling couple. "Ignore them, they'll shut up in a second, come sit," he turned to me, motioning to the sofa he was sat on.

"Hey! Who are you?" the guy, Jesse, exclaimed, returning to a normal sitting position on the sofa. He was promptly hit by his girlfriend and the pillow that was thrown by the guy to my right.

"Don't be rude!" She scolded him before turning to me. "Hey, I'm Rachelle, this idiot is Jesse." She had a friendly smile that complemented her long blonde hair and petite figure.

"I'm Avery," I shyly smiled, wishing I could be more confident, college was meant to do that, clearly it failed.

"Right, what do we want to watch that isn't Real Housewives or Project Runway?" Nate looked pointedly at Jesse.

"You two can watch whatever you want, me and Avery are going to have some girl time in the kitchen, I've been stuck with you idiots for far too long!" Rachelle bounced up, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards what I assumed was the kitchen.

Nate must have seen the mildly terrified look on my face as he called her back. "Don't scare her alright?"

"I won't," She carried on towing me to the kitchen as Nate game me a reassuring smile.