Barely An Angel (Completed)

35~ No Looking Back

Nathan's P.O.V.

The walk home with Ramona was painfully silent. There was so much I wanted to say, and yet I wanted to say nothing at all. I just wished she would let me help with even the smallest part of the situation; I just wanted to be involved, and be near her.

Once we had both stepped up to my front door, I kept my eyes forward. I just knew she was staring at me, waiting for me to say something. But I kept quiet. I didn't want to say anything when I knew all I would say was 'Please, let me help you.' Or 'What can I do?' And I knew she'd just shut me down.

Ramona sighed in defeat after what felt like an eternity of awkward silence. "Bye, Nathan," she whispered, slowly turning away from me. I didn't look at her until I could just barely hear her footsteps clip, clap softly against the pavement of the road. When I finally did turn to the side to look at her, I just barely caught a glimpse of her hair swaying in the wind before she ran off with her insane supernatural speed. And then she was gone. I was alone, on the doorstep of my house, not making any movements that indicated I planned on going inside.

Instead, I reached inside my jacket pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper: Anna's letter, with the address that I knew Ramona was searching for this very instant. She hadn't noticed when I bent down and picked it up off the floor after she'd dropped it; I had waited until her back was turned.

I knew she wasn't going to let me help her, so I'd have to take that initiative myself. I was about to turn completely around and follow in the direction Ramona had gone, when the front door to my house opened abruptly.

"Nathan, honey, come on in," my mom beamed, holding the door open for me. I quickly shoved the letter back in my pocket before I entered the house. I didn't want my mom to see it and ask any questions.

"I have a surprise for you," she gushed, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the living room. Whether or not she had seen me outside with Ramona was unclear; if she had, she wasn't acting like it.

"Wait, mom, can you just tell me what it is? I don't really like being surprised," I laughed nervously.

"Nonsense!" She waved away the thought as if it were a nagging mosquito. "It's a good surprise, trust me!" She continued pulling me by the arm into the living room, but covered my eyes as soon as we entered. "Keep your eyes closed for a second, 'kay?"

I smiled, shutting my eyes tight as she removed her hand. "Alright. But, like, no jump scares, alright?"

"I told you, it's a good surprise," Mom insisted. "No jump scares, I promise." The next few moments were silent, save for her footsteps as she left the room. After a few moments, I heard her whispering as if she was talking to someone else in a nearby room. When she returned, there was an extra set of footsteps in her wake.

"Alright, honey, you can open your eyes now!" She squealed. I listened, opening my eyes. I instantly met the gaze of my mother, but my eyes shifted to the man who stood beside her. He was smiling so wide, he looked like he had just won the lottery or something. His steel gray eyes glistened with the beginnings of joyful tears.

"Wh-who...who is this?" I asked, confused. I had no idea why my mom would consider meeting this random guy a good surprise.

"It's me," the man murmured. "I'm...your father."

My heart tightened in my chest, my eyes stinging with fresh tears. "A good surprise, huh?" I scoffed at my mom. I turned to the man that claimed to be my father. "And where were you all this time? Why...why show up now? Do you honestly expect me to just...welcome you with open arms or something?" I cried. He stepped closer to me, but I jerked away from him, shoving past him and stomping towards my room.