Mr. Gardner

Together Now?

Nathan's POV

"How could you tell?" She asks sarcastically whilst shaking her head in frustration.

"Let me call AAA for you and we can get it towed to your mechanic." I say softly, not wanting to see her so upset.

"Nathan... I can't afford that." She whispers, tears starting to well up in her eyes. I open her car door and immediately pull her into my arms, rubbing her back.

"It'll be alright, Mila. Let's go inside, I'll make you some hot chocolate." I say softly in her ear, still holding her tight as she breaks down in my arms. She just nods as I slowly release her, instead putting one arm around her shoulder and walking her back in my house.

I would give anything to take all of her sadness away right now.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Gardner..." She says through her tears and I furrow my brows.

"Call me Nathan outside of class. Mila, don't you ever be sorry. I'm going to call AAA and bring it to my mechanic, there's a reason my Chrysler is still running." I joke and I actually see a small smile on her lips.

I sit her down on my couch and lay a blanket on her, she immediately wraps herself in it. "Thank you, Nathan." I smile and shake my head.

"It's really no trouble. I'll go make you that hot chocolate I promised." I walk into my kitchen, unable to hide my smile. It sucks that her car broke down, and I do hope it's nothing major, but I'm so happy it happened. For once I won't feel so lonely in my own house.

Don't try anything stupid, Nate.

"Hi, my name is Nathan Gardner. My friend's car broke down in my driveway and I was wondering if you'd be able to come and tow it to Brother's Auto?" I say once AAA picks up. "Great, I'll call my mechanic to let him know it'll be there for him in the morning. Thank you very much, bye." I hang up after hearing they will pick it up tonight. "Good news, your car will make it to the shop tonight. I'm going to call my mechanic to let him know it'll be there for him in the morning." I explain to Mila as I hand her the hot chocolate I made. 

"You really didn't have to do all this for me, Nathan." She says, taking the mug from me.

"Nonsense, I wasn't going to make you deal with it alone." She shakes her head, her lips trembling again. "Mila, don't cry, I promise you are nowhere near a burden to me-"

"I just can't afford to repay you! I can't accept your kindness when I can't repay the debt." I furrow my brows, carefully taking her hand into mine.

"Mila, it's fine-" She keeps cutting me off.

"My parents are complete junkies! I had to work so hard for so many years just to be able to attend college because they'd waste every dime on some fucking drugs! Now my stupid car will need money put into it that I simply do not fucking have!" She suddenly yells and I become speechless. That's why she's attending college so late? Her parents were too selfish to save some money for their incredible daughter to follow her dreams. I shake my head and pull her into an embrace.

"I'm so sorry your parents didn't help you through this. You're such a strong independent woman for working hard to reach your goal. I promise if you ever need help I will be there to help you. I will never leave you to fend for yourself, Mila."

"I couldn't ask that of you, Nathan."

"You aren't, I am offering it to you. Accept my help, Mila, just focus on reaching your goal before worrying about the minor issues. You've gotten too far to stop now." She just nods and hugs me tighter, and I couldn't be more happy than in that moment.