Mil SO (Military Significant Other)

8. Complicated

(In media is Madison Rowe)

I think I stopped breathing. I looked at Nash before my eyes connected with Heath's. I was waiting on him to tell Nash to quiet messing around, but he never did.

"Madison is back from her acting... whatever it is. She was looking for you at lunch," Nash continued on. I wanted to bury myself in a hole. Heath was Madison Rowe's boyfriend.

I think I'm going to be sick.

My eyes snapped back to Heath's apologetic ones. He reached for me and opened his mouth to speak, but I never gave him the chance. I stood quickly and felt my eyes sting with tears.

"Don't... fucking... touch me," I breathed. Heath stood and came towards me anyway. I backed up for every step he took.

"Iris," he started anyway.

"No," I said softly as I finally looked up to his eyes. "That was a shit move," I said.

"Iris, wait," Heath tried again. I walked out of the cave and took a deep breath of air. That prick... I was madder at myself for falling for him. I crossed my arms over my stomach and closed my eyes. This couldn't be happening. I was perfectly fine with being friends with them. That was ruined. I felt a hand hold my arm and turned to see Nash.

"Are you okay? What happened back there?" Nash asked softly. I let out a broken sigh before meeting his eyes again.

"Heath... he kissed me... I told him about how my family d-died," I shrugged. "He was my first kiss, only to find out that he has a girlfriend. I hate this feeling," I admitted. Nash sighed before he hugged me tightly. I buried my head in his chest and tried not to cry.

"I didn't even know he... you should talk to him," Nash said softly. I shook my head and sniffled as I pulled off of him.

"I can't do that. Not now anyway," I said. He held my hand in his and squeezed it lightly.

"Come on, Captain," he said pushing my shoulder gently. I gave a light smile and bumped his shoulder back. Nash slung an arm over my shoulder and led me out to his car.

"Where are we going?" I asked. Nash only smiled boyishly and started to car.

"You need ice cream," he said. I smiled and shrugged. It was true.

Nash took me to the closest frozen treat place, which just so happened to be my favorite. It was better than ice cream in my opinion: frozen yogurt. After I went through the line and picked original tart and piled it high with gummy bears, we went to sit down. I dug in and sighed in content.

"Feeling any better?" he asked after a while. I nodded.

"You are a life saver... Colonel," I said with a playful glint. He chuckled and shook his head.

"So what are we doing for the rest of the day?" he asked. I chuckled and took another bite of my amazing concoction. I hummed thoughtfully before looking back to him.

"We could hang out at my house and you could have dinner with us if you want," I suggested. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. He smiled lightly and nodded.

"Sounds like a plan," he agreed. We finished our yogurt before headed back to school. I tried to avoid Heath at all cost, and I almost succeeded. Right as the last bell rang, he caught me at my locker.

"Iris, if you would let me explain," he said, walking up to me and holding onto my waist before I could run away. I sighed and looked up at him as I leaned against the lockers behind me. I hated the butterflies that erupted in my stomach from his touches. He looked... scared and sad.

"Fine, you have 30 seconds," I said, crossing my arms.

"Madison and I were on and of for a while and I sincerely though that when she left for her TV show that we were off. That's what we normally did, but when I met you... I wanted it to be off for good. I wanted you... that's why I kissed you," he explained in a rush. I couldn't help the sharp intake of breath I took at his words.

I most definitely was not expecting that.

"I need time," I whispered, unsure of what to do next. He let out a breath and thanked me. Why, I'm not sure.

"Heath! Babe! What are you doing over here? Come along we have matters to discuss," Madison said, walking up and completely ignoring me. I guess that was better that bad attention. She grabbed Heath's cheeks and pulled him into a kiss. I cringed and turned away from them. Heath broke away from her and looked at me with wild eyes. I only rolled mine and started walking away.

"So we have my 18th to plan and this is a big one..." Madison went on without even acknowledging our wordless stares or me. I sighed and thanked the heavens when I finally spotted Nash.

"Do you have a knife on you?" I asked him once I reached his car. He looked at me suspiciously.

"Why?" He drew out.

"I need you to kill me," I said as I moved to the passenger side. Nash grabbed my wrist and leaned over so he was at eye level.

"Don't even joke like that... please," he asked. The hurt and betrayed look in his eyes left me speechless, so I just nodded. He sighed and closed his eyes briefly before giving me a small smile.

"So what happened?" Nash asked as we got in the car.

"Heath caught up to me... and then Madison caught up to him," I said vaguely.

"I guess the real question here is: do you like him?" Nash asked. I groaned and put my head in the window.

"I want to go back to the three of us being friends. When Heath kissed me... he just complicated things," I said. Nash chuckled.

"This is true. Now I have to pick sides," he shrugged. I turned to him quickly.

"I would never make you do that. You and Heath have been friends since forever," I said. Nash shrugged and drove away from the school.

"Yeah, but right now he's being a prick," Nash said. I chuckled and shook my head. The rest of the car ride was in silence as music filled the car. We arrived at my house with my instruction and went inside.

"Nice place," Nash said as I closed the door. I only shrugged.

"Thanks," I said. We moved to the living room where I turned on a movie. We were quiet as Nash ate the snacks I set out and we watched the movie.

"So... what are you going to do about Heath?" he asked. I only shrugged. "I think I have an idea," he said slyly. I sat up straighter and looked at him.

"What do you have up your sleeve?" I asked curiously.

"You could see if he means what he said," Nash continued. The suspense was killing me. I groaned and motioned him to continue. "Make him jealous," Nash said. I raised an eyebrow at him in surprise.

"How? Who?" I asked.

"Well, since I'm already in on it; we could pretend to date. Drive him a little crazy, and see if he meant what he said," he explained. It was just crazy enough to work.

"So we act like a couple and... if he gets jealous, he meant it and if not..."

"If not, he'll stay with Madison and you'll know the truth," he said. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. It sounded like a recipe for disaster, but I wanted to know the truth.

"Okay... let's do it," I agreed.

~