Like I'm Right Beside You (BEING EDITED SLOWLY)

Chapter 9

"So how was class today?" Madeline was talking to me over the phone. She only called to talk about herself again.

"It was alright. I've had better days," I didn't want to bring up Nathan. I was afraid she would bash him out.

"It was because I wasn't there huh?" I could hear her grinning on the other end.

"Yeah..that's why" I lied.

She started talking about how she had found a new boy band to listen to. I wasn't really interested in that conversation.

While she went bragging about how she could already memorize the band member's faces, I thought about something else.

"I'm not running away. It's just that.."

Was Nathan really shy or just running away? But from what? His face then came into my mind. I went over the best features he had. It didn't really attract me. Perhaps I was so desperate to move on that I wanted to be attracted to him?

"... and so then I saw we were compatible!" Madeline squealed.

How much more of this did I have to bare?

As I sat there my eyes went to my shelf that was across from my bed. The CD.

"Here Anne, I want you to be the first one to have this," he handed me the CD.

It was 'Never Gone', their newest album. His message in black marker read: For my beautiful Anne for when I'm not around 🖤

"Oh Brian! I can't wait to listen to it. I'm going to play it all day," I smiled big.

He grabbed my hand and kissed it, "If you like it then I'm happy that I spent all those days and nights in the studio"

His eyes looked deeply into mine. "Let me know which one is your favorite." His voice became soft making me have butterflies.

"Well aren't you going to answer me?" Madeline interrupted my thoughts.

"Uh no..?" I cringed. "What do you mean no?? Your birthday is coming up and you have to agree. You have to agree that I can take you somewhere!!" She yelled through the phone.

I pulled the phone away from my ear. I put the phone back, "Why?? Can't we just stay here at my house?" I whined.

She huffed, "Annie no. I already have the plans. You cannot say no and maybe we could invite your new friend."

"New Friend? What new friend?" I asked.

She scoffed, "Nathan remember? He should come! He's good looking."

"But we barely know each other," I said

"So?? Doesn't that name sound familiar to you? Nathan? Does it ring a bell?" I could hear her eating.

I made an ugh face "Not really and fine, he can come if he wants, but nothing too big please." I didn't want it to be a big deal.

"Ok fine. But you will go to this. I promise it's not a restaurant. Say yes please Anne," she begged.

"Fine I will go, but as long as you don't take me anywhere fancy afterwards," I said.

She sighed, "Fine I won't,"

Madeline finally hung up after hours of talking to me. That was the only thing she brought up of me. I wish she would listen to my day more...

The weekend finally came around. I was looking forward to one thing only, spending time with Nathan.

I decided to text him.

Me:  Good morning! What is today?

Niall: Good morning 👋🏼 um a paper due?

Me: 🤦‍♀️ did you forget?

Niall : OHHHHH our hang out..yeah about that..

Me: what?

How could I think he wanted to hang out with me?

Nathan: Is it alright if we hang out at your place?:)

wait..what?

Me: sure that's ok! What time?

Nathan: how about 5pm?

Me: ok! Text me when you're coming:D

I wonder why he wanted to come to my house instead? Maybe he didn't feel like going out. Or maybe he didn't want Madeline to be with us...

UH-OH. I remembered my Backstreet Boys stuff. I had to hide them. Niall couldn't know about that past.

I ate some breakfast and went immediately to trying to make my shelf better. I doubt he would come into my room, but still. Just in case.

I put old books in front of the stuff and tried to make it blend.

I saw my old boring math book and used that. Who would want to look at math?

Nathan might treat me different if he knew. He couldn't ever know.

NATHAN'S POV

"Nathan over here! Why have you been hiding all this time? Are you really attending Cal State Fullerton? Is there anything going on between you and Annie?"

I rolled onto my side and opened my eyes. The news about me on tv was still in my head.

What would I do if Annie found out who I truly was? She was going to find out sooner or later. Maybe I would tell her...

If I told her she might tell everyone. Ok then maybe I should just be quiet for now.

Finally the weekend. I needed it to relax and be in my house all day. I didn't feel like going out. And if my fans are looking for me then I shouldn't be out.

My phone buzzed.

Annie ☺️:  Good morning! What is today?

Me: Good morning 👋🏼 um a paper due?

Annie ☺️: 🤦‍♀️ did you forget?

I had almost forgotten she wanted to hang out.  I couldn't risk going out right now. What if there was paparazzis or fans?

Me: OHHHHH our hang out..yeah about that..

Annie ☺️: what?

Me: Is it alright if we hang out at your place?:)

Annie ☺️: sure that's ok! What time?

Me: how about 5pm?

Annie ☺️: ok! Text me when you're coming:D

I'm sorry Annie, but you can't know just yet.

And with the news making me paranoid I decided to change my look before heading over to Annie's house.

Maybe I could finally live a little normal.