NS+HJ
She hopped onto the kitchen counter, humming a quiet song. Her beige shorts and red tank top were too big for her; making her have to pull up her shorts and straighten her top every two minutes. Peeking into the toaster to see if her toast was ready, she blew a few stray hairs from her face and tightened her pony tail. Her long, red/brown hair was the talk of the town; no one understood how someone could have such a naturally beautiful hair colour.
She reached up to open the cabinet from her spot on the counter and grabbed a plate. Then she smiled a knowing smile and reached for another one. The toast popped up; perfectly done, and she placed them on the plates before pouring the newly heated baked beans on top.
She didn't start eating; knowing she would have company in a very short time. Seconds later, she heard the front door open and close, and footsteps towards the kitchen. A 10 year old boy walked in, carrying a basketball and a huge grin.
"Hey Haley" he said and walked up to her; planting a gently kiss on her cheek. She smiled and handed him the plates before hopping off of the counter. They sat down at the table and ate together. She couldn't help but smile at his choice of clothes; a t-shirt that almost reached him to the knees, shoes that were a couple of sizes too big, and shorts that were almost long enough to be trousers.
"Nathan?" asked
Haley and looked up from her food.
"Yeah?" he answered;
stuffing the last of his food into his mouth. She hesitated, and
Nathan took the opportunity to steal some of her food. This was quite
common; since they grew up next door to each other and were best
friends. Haley scratched the top of her head and chewed nervously on
the dry skin on her bottom lip.
"I kissed a boy today" she said in a gentle whisper. He dropped his fork and his mouth fell open. Her nervousness grew as she saw his whole body tense and his jaw clench. She was embarrassed; she hadn't really wanted to kiss him and she had promised Nathan never to kiss anyone. He had made the same deal, and she felt horrible for breaking it.
"Who?" he asked through gritted teeth. Shifting in her seat; she tried to think of the easiest way to explain to him what happened. He tapped his fingers on the table waiting for her to answer.
"Thomas…"
she said. "But I wasn't…"
"Thomas!?" Nathan
interrupted. He was fuming. His knuckles turned white and his face
changed into a deep shade of red. "Haley, you know I hate
him!"
Nathan and Thomas had long been enemies; ever since Thomas said Haley was pretty and Nathan had gotten jealous. They were five years at the time, but they both seemed very reluctant on letting it go.
"Please Nathan, listen…" Haley begun and took his hand in hers. "He asked me for help, and then he just kissed me. I'm sorry."
She hadn't looked up from her hands the whole time, but she lifted her eyes slowly to meet his and smiled when she saw that his expression softened. She gave a gentle smile and squeezed his hand. But then she saw that he started to frown, and she became nervous again. Nathan, on the other side, was very clear on his feelings. And he planned on showing them…
Haley chewed on her nails as she sat outside of the principals' office; waiting. The strap on her top fell down as she moved her arm and she adjusted it back up. Her knees were pressed together and she was tapping her feet on the floor. When the office door finally opened, Haley gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. But Nathan was smiling. More grinning, actually. His right eye was swollen and black, but apparently Thomas looked a hell of a lot worse…
"I wasn't going to let him do something you didn't want." Nathan said; completely seriously. Haley shook her head but smiled…