It Was You

Chapter Sixteen

I scooped out my mint chocolate chip ice cream slowly out of the container. I knew it was stupid to mope about all because of a guy but I'd never felt this way before. Of all the boyfriend's I'd had, I'd never had to succumb to reaching a sugar high while watching romantic soppy movies. Needless to say I was disappointed in myself.

"Alright mopey," Brea stormed into my dorm room with multiple bags of clothing that she threw at the end of my bed. "I'm taking you out tonight."
I groaned, turning off the TV and sitting up. My hair was a mess, I hadn't changed out of my pyjamas and I hadn't worn make-up for the last few days. I wasn't too fussed. "I'm not really feeling the clubbing vibe."

"That's because all you've been watching is  every single Jane Austen adaption you can find." She began unloading the bags. "I bought you some outfits to try on and some lovely accessories. We're going to spruce you up and show you off. I think you need to forget about Nate and get out there and have fun."

"I dont think that's such a good idea." I wanted to get him out of my mind. I needed too. But I wasn't sure clubbing was the right way to do that.

"Come on," Brea said, jumping up and down. "At least for one night. What harm could it do?"

I rolled my eyes. I knew what I'd be in for; drunk guys and accidental groping and watching couples from afar making out. But Brea was clearly trying to cheer me up in her own special way so I didn't want to shut her down. "Fine." I caved. "But if I have a miserable time then I'm blaming you."

***

I admired my reflection. I was wearing a lime green peplum dress that showed off whatever curves I had. It was a little 'out there' for my taste, making me self-conscious.
Brea slapped on some make-up and straightened my hair. After she was done we made our way down to the local nightclub. I struggled in the unneccessarily high heels Brea had gotten me. They were thick and pointy and I was having trouble balancing, sinking into the ground as we walked.
We showed our ID to the bouncers and strolled into the bass dropping, crowded room. The lights from the DJ booth flashed brightly and unnoticed by the intoxicated groups of people as they bopped around on the sticky hardwood floor.
Before I knew it I was drinking and joining in with them all. Dancing with a bunch of strangers that apparently Brea had already met before.
I didn't know how many drinks I'd had. Brea bought me some, as did a few others. I'd hardly bought one for myself- according to Brea I deserved to be treated.
I wasn't going to argue with free alcohol.

"Havin fun yet?" Brea yelled over the loud techno music.

"Tons!" I shouted back. "I'm just going outside for some fresh hair." It started to get stuffy in the room, I felt I needed a break. Even though it was mostly smokers outside it was still a much cooler temperature.
I stood against the brick wall outside the back of the nightclub, observing people simply hanging out together where they could actually hear and understand what was being said.
My eyes darted to the corner where a guy, a cute guy nonetheless, was either checking me out or thinking how silly I looked standing out there by myself and not smoking. With his lightish hair spiked up with gel and hairspray, he started making his way over to me with a wink in his eye. 

"Hey pretty lady," He said. 

I cleared my throat, "Uh, hi." I replied awkwardly. 

"I'm Rick, what's your name?" He began to lean in closer, his arm resting on the wall above my head. 

"I'm Mia." I spoke so soft I didn't think he could even hear me. 

"Would you like to go inside and dance?" I could smell the rum on his breath as he moved closer in towards me. It was making me feel nauseous and uncomfortable. 

"Um I'm ok out here. Thanks." I tried to move myself from under his grasp but he just moved in even closer. 

"You're gorgeous, you know that?" The guy moved his hand down around my waist and held me against him. Before I could push him off he jumped at my lips, planting a terrible kiss on them tasting of alcohol and cigarette smoke. He moved his hand lower until he reached the hem of my dress and then slowly moved upwards underneath it.
Nope that was it.

"Get off me!" I tried to push him away again but he was too strong for me. I was about to lift my leg and kick him where the sun didn't shine when I heard a voice yell out. 

"She said get off of her!" I watched as the guy was thrown back from me onto the ground. "Are you alright?"

I looked up to see Nate standing in front of me with a worried look on his face. I was very, very surprised to see him here and defending me even. "Yeah, Yeah I'm ok." 

"Don't ever think of doing anything like that again, Josh." Nate said back to the guy who was holding his hand up to his now bleeding nose. 

Nate took hold of my hand and pulled me around the corner. "Nate, what are you doing here?" I asked. 

"James dragged me out here." Nate sighed. "Thankfully he did. Josh is a jerk when he's drunk." 

I lowered my head for a moment before I responded, "Thank you Nate. That was really nice of you to do that." 

"I still care about you Mia. I do." He brushed my cheek gently with his hand. "Even if you don't feel the same for me anymore." 

The words cut through me like a blade. As if I could stop caring for him. As if I could get rid of my feelings. "You know I do, Nate. I just-" 

"You're hurt." He pulled his hand away slowly. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way. But Kate never meant anything to me. I promise you."

I smiled and took his hand back, holding it in mine and not saying a word. 

"I love you." Nate whispered, leaning in close, his forehead pressing against mine. "I can't stop thinking about you." 

"I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. You're always there in my mind." I whispered back. 

"I want you back." I felt his breath warm my face. I desperately wanted to kiss him, to tell him I forgived him and wanted him back too, to tell him how much I wanted to be with him again. 

"Are you sure Kate means nothing to you?" 

Nate nodded. "As bad as it may sound, she never did. I was lonely and lost and confused and she was there. But I never felt anything for her no matter how hard I tried to." 

"And you promise she won't get in the way of us anymore?" 

Nate paused and smiled brightly. "She is in the past. So you admit there is an us still?" He smirked. 

The heat rushed to my cheeks. "If you want there to be?"

He didn't respond with words, instead he pulled me closer to him and kissed me. Not like any kiss we'd had before. It was different. I was whisked away to a world where it was just me and him. We floated on air. My stomach was filled with fireworks, sparkling stars and ocean waves. I didn't realize a kiss could be so amazing, so wonderful, so enthralling. 
It was perfect. He was perfect.