Chapter Two.

I had a great weekend with Lissy, we watched Fan boys in the basement, and ate popcorn. Only we didn't add butter, so the seasoning salt went straight to the bottom, which wasn't a problem for us, as we absently dipped our fingers in the salt, and licked it.

We were quite the geeky pair once I thought about it, we both obsessed over bands like All Time Low and Mayday Parade, as well as TV shows like Criminal minds and CSI.

I left her house around four, and came back to my house, where I had spent all night writing a report for Mr. Larson, my socials teacher.

It was ten o'clock, and I figured I should get some sleep considering I've spent the night before gawking over Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat with her, making my night sleepless, because of our endless laughter about their interviews.

I took out a fresh piece of paper, and with my pen, I began to write what came to my head.

Yesterday, was completely amazing, I didn't talk to Nate that much, but something inside me wants to know more than just the cutie you'd see on stage, there was a mystery to him, something that felt completely inviting. I'm not sure if this is a good thing, I mean it's never happened to me like this, at least not that I can remember.

I sat there for a second and wondered if he would actually talk to me at school, I hoped so. I mean I can't be ignored now that he's introduced himself to me, or actually communicated with me.

My thoughts became delusional because of my lack of sleep.

My thoughts twisted and turned as I slowly began to drift off, sleepily I shoved the piece of paper off my bed and onto the floor. By that time, I had been knocked out cold.

XXX

I was excited to go to school today, knowing that I had all my hard subjects, one's that had Nate in them.

And mostly because I had gym first. I had curled my hair so it was in ringlets. I wore simple clothes, like a brown tee, and some shorts. I put on my converse shoes in a rush knowing that Lissy hates it when I'm late to come and pick her up. She jumped in the car when I pulled up to her drive way, and her short red hair was blown across her face. She quickly fixed it as I made my way to school.

It didn't take us that long to get there, it was only up the hill, and down the road. I parked pretty close to the doors, if you ever wanted to be closest to the doors, you'd have to be there extremely early, usually it was a mad rush to get the first few parking spaces closest to the doors, another proven point on how us teenagers are lazy.

We got out, and I instantly saw Nate talking to one of his band members, Lissy looked an me and I could tell what she was going to say next.

"Let's hope he and his fat ass talks to you today, because I would sooo kick his ass if he doesn't. I mean, we did go and watch his show.." she said, taking out her phone. Oddly, he looked in my direction and waved. I laughed how Lissy didn't even notice, her eyes were glued to the screen.

I slowly walked my way to the doors of the school, and slowly Lissy followed me. She took out her head phones when we got into the school, she would never risk getting her iPod taken away. She wouldn't survive a day without her beloved nerd rock. Although, I was the same way. I always had it in my back pack, but I usually just used the stereo in my car. I would only use it on the special occasions if I was waiting for an appointment or going for runs.

I got my gym strip out right as the warning bell rang. I sighed, the tiredness hit me like a I collided with a hauling truck. I groaned, and twisted my way into the change room. I still had my phone in my pocket. It buzzed, and I knew it was Lissy. The light flashed different colours and I opened the text.

Must dish the deets 'bout Nate. Have fun in gym (;

I laughed a bit then replied. Usually Lissy and I would just text during class, only it was harder to text in gym, where your phone is in plain sight, free for the teachers taking.

I slipped into my Soccer jersey which I used for gym, and some shorts. I saw Melissa, who I usually hang out with for gym, walk into the door – late, as usual. Leaving my phone under my heap of clothes, I swooped by the door just in time before it closed. I walked into the gymnasium. It was extremely big for our school, with a fairly small population. It had high ceilings and dim lights.

A group of kids that are in this class were huddled around Mr. Madland, the gym teacher. I instantly spotted Nate, looping his shoe laces into perfect bows. I held my eyes on his shoes – which was converse, by the looks of it, they were new.

I didn't even notice but as I looked up at him, he was looking in my direction. At that moment, without even realizing it, I stopped breathing.

He got to his feet and walked towards me.

"Hey!" He said. I was opening my mouth, ready to speak when I realized he was walking past me. I looked over my shoulder to see who he was talking too.

A guy from his band – the bass player, was dishing out some new album as Nate listened intensively. He was wearing baggy pants – which I highly doubt passed as gym strip, some how he managed to get away with it, and a plain white tee. His brown hair was in waves, and he looked like one of those guys that would go in a MTV show, like The Hills or Gossip Girls. Only knowing his personality, he'd never go in a ridiculous TV show like that. If all, he'd want to do something music related.

The voice on the PA sounded horse and was telling reminders for the band practices and for the jazz choir.

Mr. Madland told us all to take seats on the stage, so I sat on the edge, and looked like I was actually interested in what information he had to inform us with. I knew it looked completely fake though. Mr. Madland was actually quite funny at times, but as a gym teacher he was cruel. He made us work hard, but I relieved on the days he had his iPhone so he wouldn't pay too much attention on how hard I was working.

"We're going to play indoor soccer today, full gym. The teams are..." He kept on talking, and I was listening to what team I was on. When I heard my name, I was disappointed that I wasn't on the same team as he was.

The thing about soccer was everyone hated being goalie, so Mr. Madland peered through the crowd, examining each kid to pick his next victim for the role of goalie. I tried to look away, but I wasn't quick enough. His gaze held firmly onto mine.

"Magggiiiieeeee. You're the goalie." He said. Why did he always pick on the weakest kids? I got up to the goal, which was a cheap net, and stood there. I must have looked weak because every time the ball came up.

I felt my heart pick up when Nate was taking the ball towards my net, I could tell he wasn't all that athletic, but we all know he was way better than me.

I came up to attempt to kick the ball away, and it was too late. We had already collided like two cars in a car accident, his arm, reflexively wrapped around my waist and we fell to the floor. I moaned, hitting my head hard. I felt a pain shoot up through my head. Five seconds later, when I was some-what in my right mind, I felt Nate's arm still around my waist. He started to get up, but kept his arm there, trying to support me.

"You alright?" He said. I was still in a really deep daze and I couldn't remember how it had happened.

He helped me up and I wobbled a bit, his hands steadying my arms.

At that time, Mr. Madland had made his way to where we were standing, and he looked at Nate weird, probably because he was holding me so I wouldn't fall. His brow furrowed.

"Are you okay, Miss Ritter?" He said, taking his glance off Nate.

"ah, um." I said, unsure of my answer, but I was happy when Nate talked for me.

"She hit her head pretty hard, I heard it. Should I take her to the nurse's office?" He said, my heart flipped a bit, and I looked down at his hands that were slowly letting go.

"That would be very nice of you to escort Miss Ritter, Nate." he said, turning to walk back to the sidelines.

Nate helped me off the court as they continued the game, I noticed his hand still gripped to my arm. After we got out of the gym, he finally noticed his hand was still on me, and he let go awkwardly.

"Do you need any help or anything?" He said, looking into my eyes. His eyes were a beautiful rich brown that I bet people would die for, and then I realized I should probably answer him.

"I'm not sure." was all I could get out.

"Want a piggy back?" He added a cocky smile. I could help but blush and nod. I didn't have to worry about me breaking his back because I was pretty light. I climbed onto his back, and I swung my arms around his neck. I rested my head on his shoulder, and I felt like falling asleep...

XXX

I must have fallen asleep because I didn't even remember coming into the nurse's office. I was propped up on pillows, and I looked to see Nate, who was doodling on himself with a random pen he must have found.

"How long was I out?" I said when I knew I was comfortable speaking.

"Half an hour. It's not that bad though, we have fifteen minutes until class ends. Do you feel okay?" he asked, I nodded.

I stood up, and as I did he pounced up in case I was going to fall, his arms ready. To my surprise, I got up fine. I smiled at him, and he helped me get signed out of the nurse's office.