We're Just Friends [BOOK 1 Of The 'We're Just' Trilogy]]

"Nathan Cheated"

T W E N T Y  E I G H T 

Classes resume today, I sip my usual morning coffee as Nathan talks to Hailey over the phone. Mike was rushed into the ER late last night with signs of internal bleeding due to his cracked rib. Nathan paces around the kitchen and my eyes follow his stressed figure, droplets from the tips of his wet hair drip onto his clean blue shirt, but he's least bothered.

The house is quiet enough to be able to faintly hear Hailey on the other end of the line. Nathan runs a hand through his hair and I cringe at the thought of wet knots in mine from earlier, "Hailey you could've called" He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. I hope he isn't planning on having a crying session again. 

I could hear his soft sobs late last night when I had to use the bathroom. When he walked out of his room this morning I almost screamed, he looked terrible. His face was pale, hair messy, eyes red and puffy and I wanted to hug him but it didn't seem appropriate, besides he avoided looking at me when I was frozen into shock. 

"Well, I don't care! I barely slept last night because of this" And there are our confirmation folks. I glance at the clock and give Nathan a worried glance, classes began in 30 minutes and since everything resumed today the roads would be jam-packed. "Nathan" I whisper cautiously, but he doesn't hear me. "Nathan," I say a little louder, making his whip around "what?!" I flinch at his cold tone "Classes start in 30 minutes.." I trail off, regretting speaking at all when I see his face twist into anger "Fuck classes! my best friend is literally in the ICU!"  

"Nate we have an Italian test-" He glares at me, and I curse myself. "Look I know your friends are bitches but at least I care about mine." 

I blink, wide-eyed. "Don't tell me to calm down- i- yeah.. whatever" He frowns and hangs up, walking away. Well, I guess I'm going to class alone.

That hurt.

With a huff, I throw my bag over my shoulder, grab my textbooks and leave the house without another word. 

The drive to school is filled with soft music and loads of flashing the finger at other drivers. when I finally pull into the parking lot I have 5 minutes to spare, I hurriedly check my schedule to make sure I'll end up in the right class before bolting for the entrance across the short grass field to the creative arts and theatre building. 

"Anna!" I hear someone calling out to me, I almost ignore the person but they catch up with me "Hey, how have you been?" Pierce smiles down at me, I smile back "hey, I've been good. what about you?" he nods "I'm living, thanks for sharing all those pictures. I missed you at the new year's party" He gives me a cheeky wink, making me chuckle "right.." I gulp, abruptly recalling new years night.

"Hey listen, I was wondering if you wanted to go out today?" I frown, turning to look at him as I push the glass door open "Like a date?" He rubs the back of his neck "I mean.. if you want to call it that" I smile "I'll tell you after classes, 11 am?" he nods "see you there" he grins, jogging down the paved path to the other building. 

I get to class just in time, dropping my sketchbook on the table covered in dry pain patches. The smell of acrylics and spray paint hit my nostrils and I suck in a deep breath, I loved this smell. The door flies open and the wind is knocked out of me, sweet baby Jesus...

Tall, Dark hair and bright blue eyes, sharp jaw and high cheekbones. My breath gets caught in my throat when we lock eyes, he offers me a small smile and I return it before moving my gaze to my lap. I notice how hot it suddenly gets- and no it's not the handsome new boy, I roll my eyes when I realize I forgot to take my woollen lined denim jacket off and slide it off. 

This room was a hundred degrees regardless of the hot- I mean, handsome boy. Nathan decides to stroll in right behind the professor "Mister O'Connor, take your seat" She sighs, not surprised he's once again late to her class. He has a blank look on his face and his hair is hanging over his forehead in waves, unlike its usual up-do. He throws himself down beside me, and hot guy from earlier drops to my left.