INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

CHAPTER XXXII: NATE

PART TWO OF INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

When the bell rang at exactly five in the afternoon, everyone in the room started clearing their desks, fixing their bags then walking out of the classroom. Chattering died eventually when the lobby became empty. It was the end of the week so the students were planning to go to parties, hang out with friends, or go somewhere for the weekends. Nathan Ashworth, however, wasn't one of those students. While he usually hangs out with his peers on weekdays, his weekends were reserved for his family. They don't have particular plans for weekends but for him and her sister, being with their mother at home is enough.

He was the last one out of the classroom. His friends already bid him goodbye because they knew that his weekends were usually booked. Only a few handfuls of students stood near the lockers when he passed and some of them waved at him, which he returned with a smile. He wasn't popular but people came to know him when he won physics contests while playing football at the same time. However, when he entered senior year, he stopped playing to concentrate on his studies. He thought the students will call him a nerd but surprisingly, most of them praised him. Marigold University is the only university and one of the ten colleges in his city. Her sister and he didn't want to study in another place or country for high school so they opt to stay near their home. But he knew that they have to go somewhere for college. The schools in his city didn't have mechanical engineering so he has to move after their graduation. This was his plan long before they entered high school but his sister insisted for him to stay in a local college like what she planned. She hates moving far from their mom.

When Nate left the school building, he saw some of his friends hanging out in the field near the school's gate. They were probably planning to play football. He walked near them to say hello when one of them noticed him.

"What's up Nate," Jason called. The others turned then shouted greetings. When he came, he remained standing but gave each of his four friends a fist bump.

"Too bad you can't come tomorrow," Alex, a red-hair girl, said to him. She was talking about her send-off party before her move to another country. Her father, a lawyer, found a new job with a larger pay.

"Yeah, sorry about that," he replied with a sad smile.

"But I'll tell you if I can hang out for few minutes," he added. It would be the last time he can see her. She was quite charming but his friend courted her before Nate realized he had a crush on her.

"Really?" Alex was smiling widely at him. Nate nodded to answer her question. His mom and sister probably won't mind if he says goodbye in person. Her house was just two blocks from theirs.

"That's fine. Aunty will appreciate it," Maxwell said then grinned at him. He had his arm on Alex's shoulders. Nate grinned back. He was glad that the two dated because Maxwell is not just a very cool person but also sweet and attentive to his girlfriend.

"Where is she?" Maxine, Maxwell's younger sister, asked. She was two years younger but it didn't stop her from hanging with her brother's friends. Eventually, she became part of their group and became Jason's girlfriend after a fistfight between Jason and Maxwell.

"At home. She was sick yesterday." She was asking about his sister. She went on a field trip two days ago then went home with a cold.

"I'm sorry. How is she?" Maxine shifted towards Jason who was eating a burger. Nate adjusted his backpack behind him as it was getting heavy.

"Good but still on bed rest." He noticed that the sky was turning orange as the sun sets.

"See you," he told them then turned to leave. The three waved while Jason, who too busy with his burger, just nodded at him.