PRETENDER

Chapter 12

It was Saturday and my father's birthday. My family ate breakfast together. After we ate, we gave our present to him. The first one who gave a present was Naomi.

"Happy birthday to the best dad in the world". She hugged and kissed our father, then she handed him her gift. My father opened it and it was a mug and best dad wrote on it. It was a simple gift but my father was happy about it.

He laughed, "Thank you sweetie for the gift. I loved it."

I was next, I gave my gift to him and hugged. "Happy birthday dad". He opened it and it was the one I bought online, multi tools with his name engraved on it.

He smiled, "I loved it Nathan, thank you so much."

My mom said, "I've already given my gift to your father last night". She winked at him.

I said, "Mom please don't say that in front of us."

My mom laughed, "I'm sorry. Tonight we are going to have a party for your father. Nathan and Naomi please be prepared and look good later."

Naomi answered, "Easy peasy mommy."

We all laughed. I was not excited for it. Always smiling at people makes me tired. This is our life, I need to get used to it.

I was wearing my dark suit and fixed my hair. My father's party started when I entered. There were a lot of people who I didn't know. My father introduced me to them and all I did was smile, nod and said nice to meet you.

I was tired standing so I sat beside my sister.

She said, "Exhausted?"

"Yeah."

When I turned around to look at my father, I was so surprised. My dad was talking to the Radcliffes. I totally forgot about possibly them coming to the party. They greeted my father, since most of the tables were occupied they sat two tables from us. Chloe didn't notice me and I thought it was good.She was so pretty in her white dress. I was sad staring at her. My sister noticed it.

She said, "Are you okay Nathan? You're still in love with her , right?"

I nodded, "My love to her has never gone. I can't forget her and it hurts. She still hates me but I can't blame her because I am so stupid."

She giggled, "It's true."

Chloe caught me staring at her so I immediately looked away. I was uncomfortable and I needed to be away to the party. My father will not need me here because I didn't know most of the people.

I said, "Naomi, I need to go. If dad or mom will ask about me please tell me that I was going to take a rest for a while then call me. But if they don't ask me just don't say a word."

"Sure. I understand why you need to go."

I immediately walked out to the party so that my parents would not notice. This is our home but I didn't know where I should go. First, I was in the pool and sitting on the chair. Then I walked to my room since that's my favorite and comfortable room for me.

I took off my suit, unbuttoned some of my buttons and I rolled up my sleeves. I laid on my bed and put headphones on my ear. I was listening to sad songs and I closed my eyes but I can't sleep.

After an hour my phone rang, it was Naomi.

"Hey Nathan where are you?"

I said, "At my room. Did they ask me where I am?"

"No. I was eating this muffin and it was so delicious. Then I remember you, sugar can remove your worries in life. I will deliver it to you since I'm so bored in here."

"Do what you want Naomi, thank you."

After 15 minutes someone knocked at my door. "Nathan it's me Naomi. Can I come in?"

I answered but my eyes were still closed. "Come in."

I heard she opened the door then closed it. I said, "Just put the muffin on the table then go back there Naomi. Mom will get angry with us if we are both not there."

Naomi didn't say a word and I was waiting for the sound of the door open. But there's no sound like she was standing. I was annoyed knowing she was there so I took off my headphones and stood up. I need to push her away here. I was so shocked the one who was in my room was not Naomi, it was Chloe.

I confusely asked, "Chloe?"

She was staring at me and her eyes were about to cry. She was walking slowly toward me then she stopped and started to lightly punch me on my chest.

She cried, "Naomi told me everything, about your engagement. You didn't tell me because it was because of me."

I hugged her tightly so that she would stop punching me. "It's okay Chloe. It was done."

She pushed me and slapped my face. "Naomi told me you still love me. If you love me, why didn't you do anything? You made mistakes Nate but you didn't do something to prove that you love me. At night when you tell me all your secrets you didn't follow me when I walked out the door. You only texted me once and never texted me again. When I passed in Stanford, you never message me. There are lots of ways to prove you love me but you didn't."

"Because I was so scared. Scared knowing you don't love me. At Jacob's party, I learned that I was wrong and knowing I hurt you so much. It hurts me knowing it and seeing you crying. I love you so much, Chloe."

"After you talked to me in my car, I broke up with Jacob. I can't pretend to him that I love him. I love you so much too, Nate. Please let's stop this nonsense conversation, we prove to ourselves that we both love each other."

She kissed me and I kissed her back. She stopped and smiled then she pushed me to my bed. She jumped on top of me then kissed me again.

She stopped and said, "I want you to be my first Nate. Let's do this now."

I was confused, "Huh?"

She giggled and whispered in my ear, "Unzip my dress."

When she said it I knew what I would do. Then we did it, that was our first. We both lay on the bed naked. Staring at the ceiling, both of us never expecting this to happen.

I said, "I can't believe this was your first. Captain of a cheerleader is a virgin."

She giggled, "Correction, was a virgin. You're not bad Nate for a first time."

I laughed, "So are we good? You're not mad at me."

"You're really a dumb ass. Of course we're good."

"Just to clarify things. I think we need to go back to the party. Your parents might ask you where you are."

"Yeah you're right. Let's go wear our clothes". Before she stood she kissed me again. "I'm so happy Nate. But please don't tell it to others first. It's hard to explain when you're at the party."

"No problem."