The Brightest Stars

Kristen

It's been a week since we've talked.

It feels weird. We've never been mad at each other for so long. Yet, I've never touched the subject of her past before so now I know not to anymore.

I let my head fall on Nate's shoulder as we sit on a bench near the front of the school. His hand finds mine and holds it tight. We've been seeing each other a lot lately. After school and early mornings like these.

Though despite the passion we have for each other every time our lips meet, my mind bothers me about Belle. I let a quiet sigh escape my lips and Nate kisses the top of my head.

"What's going on, pretty lady? Is it still bothering you?"

"We've never been separate for such a long time. And Belle is dangerous without someone there to look after her." I let a smirk slip on my lips as I look up at Nate. He chuckles and starts to take his backpack. We only have a few minutes left for our first class so I put up my armory in order to avoid Belle's firmness.

"Well. It'll rub off. Whatever they're teaching her in that debate class, it's working." He gives me a playful grin, but it falls when I shrug. "Kris. It's going to be okay." His brown eyes shine in his almond-shaped eyes. He gives me that small smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "Once one of you talks to each other, it will be fixed. I promise."

I give him a light push and a teasing smile. "That's you and your guy friends. With girls, it's different. Especially on what we fought about..." I grab my bag and camera and make our way toward the entrance. Several people have already started to run inside with only a minute left to have the loud bell ringing in our ears.

"Talking about my guy friends," Nate says as he puts a strong arm around my shoulders. He gives me a quick kiss on my cheek that sends a giggle up my throat. "Will you be hanging out with me today as well? Yesterday week you tagged along with us. And it seems like my pal, Max, seems interested in Annabelle if you ask me."

The mention of her makes my heart fall and I sigh. We stop at my locker as I take out my Government book. He leans on the other locker next to mine and watches my every move; his look sending goosebumps up my body.

I close my locker and lean on it to look at him. I give him a small smile and playfully say, "I don't know. Do you want me to hang out with you today?"

Nate returns my smile and takes a hold of my waist. He pulls me towards him and gives me a quick kiss. I make sure my brother isn't around as I give him another kiss. "You know I always want you around, pretty girl."

"Very well then."

"But." Nate takes a gentle hold of my arm and I stop walking to look into his tender smile. "I want you to talk to Annabelle today. You two need to solve whatever is going on between the two of you. Your friendship with her is much more important than me."

My heart melts at his words and I lean in to kiss him. I don't care about the tardy bell ringing in my ears. All I hear is my beating heart pacing faster at each savor of his soft lips. My voice is a whisper as I say, "Okay. I'll listen to you just this time."

Nate does the laugh that sends this electricity through my veins as we hold hands. "That's my girl." He gives me a quick kiss on my head and walks me to my class. By now, there is no one in the hallways and the only echo is the silent joy of our hearts.

Though, my grin disappears as I enter a talkative classroom. I make my way towards the back where my brother and Ty are at. Just in front of my brother is Belle. She quietly takes out her notebook and seems to be looking into her bag for something. She barely notices me as I take a quiet seat in front of Ty.