Chapter1 Part 2
Dumb Debutantes, Passion Pleas, Even Dumber Debutantes!
I see how they're checking her out. They are so into her. They can look, but they better not freaking touch her! Hold on, Nathan. She's not your girl and never will be!…..
Remember? She told you that when a few months ago when you kissed her... You're pathetic!
"You're right, Brandi. Who would rather have a girl who a cared about him, had class and brain when they could be dating a bulimic slut with the IQ of an earthworm? Right, guys?"
"Exactly!" Brandi declared before realizing her mistake. I was laughing with the rest of the table. " Wait! I meant."
Haley waved her off with a slight flick of the hand.
"Too late. You already said it." She scoffed and took a few steps back.
Heading for the counter, the lead singer of the group performing stopped her. Kim, Nikki and Brandi were practically salivating at the shirtless, eight pack having chocolate guy with a cemetery plot tattoo over his heart and both nipples pierced. and I thought I was the man for one nipple ring. Dude has some serious gonads! If he was on the menu right now, these horny hookers sitting with me would have all skipped their diets tonight. It was sickening! Better him than me. I get tired of being eye candy. I know how women feel when they say guys stare into their chest or ass all night. Hell, they do me the same way. Like I don't have great eyes or a perfect smile and yes, yes a brain!
"Hey, Haley! The guys and I wanted to thank you for hooking us up earlier." Dark Angel please tell me that's a stage name! Please! Please! winked.
I watched Haley bashfully shrug and reward him with an illuminating smile. I'm shooting daggers at that stupid ass "angel" now. I don't even like this group that much!… Okay, I do. But stop giving Haley the look damn it!
"It's cool. Oh, let me know if your friend likes those lyrics I wrote." Her eyes full of hope and her voice dripping with sweetness. She's never this frickin nice to me!
He taps her nose with his finger.
"Will do, Shawty. If you keep writing them like that, you'll blow up before we do." He chuckled and waved high while backing away, ignoring the people around him that were trying to gain his attention .
" Whatever, Anthony!" She called to him with a giggle while batting her eyes, and flipping her hair over her shoulder. Anthony! WTF? I'm one of their biggest fans and I didn't know dudes real name!
Haley James, quiet, sweet, my property! Haley James is flirting with some damn body. I have just reached the Twilight Zone! I never got her to do that with me and trust me, I tried, over, over and over again! She was always caught up in how it would effect Luke when I try to make a move. At least that's what she claimed. I guess it's just me...actually, I know. If I could only forget...
I drop my head to the counter after handing my order to one of the kitchen staff. If it weren't packed in hear I would beat my head against the bar until I passed out. Of all nights, Nathan would have to show up with his damn entourage! Doesn't he see how crowded it is? Damn would it hurt the poor rich boy to help us out? He knows were short two waiters since the Lawson twins got locked up for knocking over the Seven Eleven after the last shift last Friday night. It is his family business! Lazy ass bastard!
I'm soooo glad senior year is almost over. I hate high school with a passion! I don't fit in there and I never will! The only friend I have is Lucas. Yeah, Nathan hangs out with us sometimes, but it's not the same.
When he's with us he's so real, funny and smart, then one of his little posse comes near and he has a sudden case of amnesia, totally forgetting who Luke and I are. They pick on Luke and me constantly! Sometimes they're downright cruel. He never has our backs. I refuse to be that kind of person so fight every feeling I have for Nathan with all my might. He could easily suck me into his world . He has so much power over me it's terrifying and I rebel. I don't want to live like him.
I think it pisses me off more because I know he isn't like them. He can actually be very sweet, thoughtful and caring, but I don't have time to be my part-time pal or a quasi girlfriend because he would be my everything. Can you believe had the nerve to think I would date him, to kiss me so gently and so sincerely that I swear I melted into carpet of the Scott's beach house, to tell me we belong together while he's still dating a girl that has sawdust for brains and saline filled breast! Right! Like I would subject myself to being around those bratty dimwits a second longer than I have to. Didn't he learn anything when one of those slack-jawed yokels slipped him some bad E at a party four months ago? He almost had a heart attack! He could have die! I could have lost him! Opps...didn't mean to say that last part. Then, the Gutless Wonders had the nerve to pull up to the emergency room, roll him out of the car and drive off! Gawd, I hate them!
Flashback
It
was the night before Winter break begins, Luke and I were in the
locker room doing some much needed inventory. Lucas, starting forward
had been invited to the team and friends party at Tim's house. I
think Luke was trying to get me alone. Promise not to tell Luke.
Pinky swear, damn
you! Thanks! Our
make outs are definitely cringe worthy to me! Yuuuuck! Its like
kissing your grandmother's stuffed dead dog that use to try and bite
your ass when he alive. I'm sorry, but he just doesn't do it for me
in the romance department. But he's the only person in this world I
trust besides my granddad, so I let him be a friend with make out
benefits. It's not like a have any other guys making a line outside
my door!
Anyway, parties really aren't our scene and my granddad could use the help. Coach Whitey Durham is my maternal grandfather, the best man I know and my legal guardian since I was fifteen. It's just the two us, but that cool. If he hadn't taken me in, I would have no one. It was getting late and we were about to call it a night when Luke got a call on his cell.
"Hello?"
"You're words are slurring together, Tim! How did you even get my number?... Why do you have Nathan's phone? What the hell do you want?" Luke yells and peaks my interest.
I have had this really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach for a while now and it's getting worst. I think I'm going to vomit. Maybe it's the nachos I had at the game
Apparently Brandi has taken over the conversation because I can hear her crying and squealing as I stand a few lockers away from Luke. Her voice is really making the bile rise in my throat. I watch his facial expressions change from that of curiosity to what appears to fear and anger. He's white as as sheet.
" If anything happens to him, I swear to Gd you all will all live to regret it!" He shouts and ends the call before clutching my hands and pulling me toward the exit.
"What? What's wrong?" I plead, with the threat of tears already filling my eyes.
"It's Nathan. He went to Tim's party!" Luke gripes, his hand trembling with fear.
That's why I feel faint. I don't why I have this connection to Nate, but I'm sure something extremely bad happen to him. I feel sick every time he screws up royally. Awful things always happen when he sneaks off to be with those losers! He was still grounded from the time Karen found a topless Brandi giving him a strip tease in the hot tub. I threw up like three times that night.
At Halloween, his so-called buddies left him at a party in Charlotte. He got into an argument with some guy after overhearing him say his dad sucked at basketball. The guy and his boys jumped Nathan, beating the holy crap out him. For some reason he called me at 4 am to pick him up. My granddad was at a convention, so I tended to his injuries and hid him out a my house the whole weekend and the following two Teacher's Workdays waiting for his wounds to heal up enough for him to face his parents. He was always doing shit like that and Luke and I are always protecting him. Too bad he doesn't do the same for us!
We got to the hospital in record time. After explaining our relationship to the teen abandoned at Emergency we were quickly taken to a ward of several private rooms. We lied and told The doctor Luke was Nate's brother so he would tell us how he was. He explained how Nathan heartbeat had not regulated and how they were having trouble bringing his body temperature down to a safe level. Lucas was terrified that we were going to loose Nathan. I held him and comforted him until I could convince him to go in and sit with Nate while I called both their parents and my granddad. Myself, I couldn't bear to see him like that. It was just too hard.
It was another full day before he stabilized, but he was still asleep. Keith and Deb took this opportunity to head to Tim's house for an explanation before pressing charges. At the insistence of his Uncle Dan, Luke took Karen down to the hospital cafeteria for some much needed food. My granddad knew I need to stop hiding out and confront Nathan for some reason, he's always understood this thing between Nathan and me. He patted my hand and took a seat in the waiting area before giving me a go ahead nod.
I peaked inside the door glass of Nathan's room. He was so still and silent, nothing like the boy always trying to tickle me or telling me corny jokes. It was eerie.
His father had dozed off on the sofa in the far right corner of the room. I took a deep breath and entered the room for the first time. I stood in front of the hard plastic chair that had been placed closely by his bedside and stared up at his tall form. After sneaking a glance to see if Mr. Scott was still sleeping , I turned back him. Slowly his eyes opened and focused directly on me. I thought my heart would leap from my chest as I opened my mouth to alert his father, but Nathan place his index finger over his bottom lip to shush me. I obliged and burst into the tears I had been holding back for the past twenty six hours. His ice cold thumb swept across my cheek, wiping the salty water away.
" Hey! I should be the one crying. I've been waiting forever for you to come see me." He whispers with a husky laugh.
I guess confusion was written all over my face, because he fingers traced my jaw line and stopped at my chin, lifting it. Unsteady blue orbs locked down on my watery brown eyes.
"I needed to see you first, because when you're around I know I'm alright." He choked out between heavy sobs Never had I seen him cry before. Never!. " Everything is going to be o'kay now, Hales. I promise." He reassured as I stood on the tips of my toes and stretched my arms up and out so I wrap them around his neck as he held me until we both were exhausted.
Finally, I sat up and let my eyes wash over him. That ill feeling was gone.
" Nate. I... I..." I stammered with a blush.
He returned a sexy smirk and began playing with the ends of my long loose locks. He did that every chance he got. I guess the boy has a hair fetish.
" I know." He stated confidently.
I let out the breath I was holding and placed a lingering kiss on his forehead before rising and walking to the door and pulling the handle. I knew if I looked back I wouldn't leave and I desperately needed some alone time.
" I'll come see you at home, tomorrow. Goodbye, Nathan." I spoke softly before tearing down the hall and praying I get to my granddad before I completely break down.
" Goodbye, my love." He waved to breeze that slammed the door.
In her haste, Haley didn't hear Nathan's recant or realize Mr. Scott had only been resting his eyes. He had seen the scene between his only son and the sweet girl his family adored.
Luke and I spent the majority of the next two weeks entertaining Nathan while he was on bed rest and then house arrest for sneaking out while grounded. His parent forbade him to see his other friends and he really didn't seem to mind. I swear he was almost happy about it.
On Christmas Eve, Nate and I ended up alone at the beach house. Luke was helping his dad finish "Pimpin" Trey Morrison, our student council president's ride as a Christmas present from his parents. The perverted creep had asked my out like three times. Hmmmm... His cars going to be choice!... Should I? Nah! Dan was still at the dealership and Karen was doing some last minute shopping.
Nathan helped me with my heavy dress coat on the frothy winter day and I hung it in the foyer closet. I could feel his eyes on me once I turned around to face him. He was staring at my chest! Horn dog! I was about reprimand him, when he burst out laughing and pointed at me.
"Great shirt, Hales." He chuckled and I looked down, finally remembering I was wearing a holiday novelty shirt. Luke and I compete every year to see who can come up with the best. The one I'm wearing has Santa hemmed up in a corner while eight elves attempt to murder him with a variety of toys because he owns them back pay. The caption read: When Elves Attack!
"Thought you might like it." I giggle and follow him to the kitchen where he points to the items on the counter.
" Mom left us a tons of holiday movies and stuff to make s'mores by the fire." He tossed a couple of marshmallows in his mouth. " What do you want to do first?"
We decided on The Grinch That Stole Christmas and A Christmas Story, each taking a position at each end of the sectional. Halfway through second feature, the fire was getting low and I was growing colder and colder. Nathan seemed comfortable under a large fleece throw that had gingerbread men all over it. His eyes remained on the television when he made a comment.
" I'll put more wood on the fire and you share with me. I won't bite you, Cupcake." He stated softly with a hint of sadness to his words.
I threw a pillow at him when he rose to fix the fire and he blocked it.
" Didn't I tell you not to call me that! I'm not Brandi so it's just weird!" I blushed, slipping under the warm throw and tucking my legs underneath my small frame. He had been calling me that since his accident and always trying to play with my hair. The boy is strange!
" Who says I want you to be Brandi, maybe I want Brandi to be you." He answers nonchalantly as he joins me under the fleece covering.
"Whatever, Nate." I reply with crimson cheeks and shy eyes.
I could never take a compliment well so turned away
from him. I hated when he said stuff like that to me, like I'm
beautiful or sexy when I know I'm far from it. C'mon, he's dating
every teenage boys dream, sex in a Senior t-shirt. There's no way he
can mean the things he says to me. There's no way I could compare to
someone like Brandi. I knew he was about to argue with me, but there
was knock at the door. Hells
yeah! Saved by the bell!.
Nathan
went to answer the door. He's been gone for a while now, so I got up
and took a peek into the foyer. Damn! Looks like by mentioning her,
I've conjured up Brandi!
She's flawless in her lavender pea coat with matching knee boots and hat. She has her arms folded like a defiant child while Nathan is standing there with door wide open.
"But why can't I stay, Snookums?" She whined.
" For the millionth time, Brandi! I'm not allowed to see you. Want me to write that down for ya? Now go away!" He demanded.
" Well, how come Haley can be here? She's a girl...sorta!" she snobbishly pouts.
I want to ram that cute hat so far down her throat she'll be coughing up wool until summer!
"Haley didn't ditch me at the emergency or let someone spike the drink you made me at a party! Now will you please leave?" He begged exasperated.
"Fine! Here. Let's exchange presents and I'll go." She giggled and shoved a box wrapped in gold paper with a red bow at him. He rolled his eyes and shook his finger at the pretty girl.I should have known she would have an ulterior motive.
"If that will get you out of here. I'll be right back. Wait in the foyer. I mean it, Brandi!" He disciplined before heading back down the hall with the gift in his hand. I have never seen him treated her like this. I like it!
Haley took off for the sofa and pretended to be completely immersed by the movie while Nate strolled over the the beautifully decorated Christmas tree and searched through the presents. After a bit of shuffling he came up with package that had the Sunday comics as wrapping paper. As soon as he was halfway down the hall, Haley bounced off the sofa and returned to her spying spot.
Brandi screeched with glee as he approached, but became speechless when she saw the poor and cheap wrapping on her gift. I have seen three year olds do a better job.
"I hope you like it!" Nate smiled and washed her insecurities away. She tore open the box with excitement and pulled out the prize. I dropped to floor and covered my mouth with both my hands so they couldn't hear me rolling with laughter. I don't think I have ever laughed that hard.
"An ant farm! You bought me a damn ant farm! No jewelry! No perfume! A lame ass ant farm!" She shouted as Nathan looked on innocently.
"Well, yeah! You said you've always wanted a pet, but you didn't really have time to take care of it!" He pointed to the sand filled frame that contained about five hundred ants. " Voila! You prayers have been answered."
Oh gawd! I'm going be sick if she doesn't leave soon. This is hilarious. Dang! I should have got this stuff on tape. Luke an I would have hours of fun.
As I gained my composure, I saw Brandi fighting back tears as Nathan starts opened his gift and took it out of the box. Did he just turn a deep shade of purple? His hands shook as he flipped through the pages and held it up high to reveal three page layout in the middle of the book. Oh my Gd! It's not a book! It's a calendar! A monthly layout of Brandi in lingerie and sexual poses. I'm so glad I skipped breakfast now. Ewww!
" Uh. Uh...Wow! Thanks, Brandi!" was all Nate could stammer out.
"Don't I look hot? The photographer said they were tasteful. Isn't it great?" She cooed.
"It's something alright." Her boyfriend said looking rather green as she flipped to certain months and explain her outfits, like the red teddy for Valentines or the USA flag bikini for Flag Day. D'uh!
" I get it Brandi. I'll make sure a find a great spot for it. " He gave her a fake grin and started pushing her out the opened door " Well, I'll see you later. Hales is waiting. Merry Christmas! Bye!" He rambled and slammed the door before she could get a word in edgewise.
He took one last look at the calendar, his face was
distorted like he had really bad gas. Then he did something that
totally surprised me. He tore it up and tossed it in the garbage. Why
would he do that. She so beautiful and popular. What guy wouldn't
want those kind of pictures of her? She is his girlfriend! Hmph!
I don't understand guys.
I
was in the kitchen getting the stuff ready for the s'mores when
Nathan entered.
"Who was at the door?" I vexed while pouring eggnog into two glasses.
He strolled to the pantry from some skewers for the marshmallows.
"Umm...Christmas carolers."
"Why didn't you come get me?"
"Cause they sucked!" He emphasized the last word.
"Oh." I laughed. Sucked, yes. But caroler my ass!
We decided to skip the s'more thing and just roast marshmallows. We sat close by the fire, while we discussed the best gifts we remembered getting
"So my Cupcake loved her Easy Bake Oven. I didn't think you could make toast." He teased.
I smacked him on the arm.
"Stop calling me Cupcake and don't even laugh at me. I we were friend then you would probably have swiped it, Mr. Pasty Chef!." I taught before trying to pull the hot marshmallow from my stick.
"Ouch!" I burned my finger and place it between my lips to suck the pain away.
That's when I noticed Nathan is eyeballing me again. This time he takes my hand by the wrist and pulls it in his direction. My finger comes out of my mouth with a plop. He raises the digits to inches from his warm pink mouth and blows. I really don't know what an orgasm feels like, but I may have had one at the point. His move was super seductive. He kissed the tip of my nail and all the emotions start flooding me. I was scared as hell, so I pulled away and busied myself heating another of the sweet treats.
Nathan rose, but I didn't dare watch him. In less than a minute he returned and sat right behind me so his long legs were to either side of me. Trapping me between the fireplace and him. I was completely flustered as a turned to angle, brushing my face along his navy blue tee. I leaned my head back and up so I could see his sparkling blue eyes.
"What are you doing?" I asked nervously and watched his left arm float around to the from of me with a present in tow. I was a flat, square box covered in mistletoe paper.
" Merry Christmas, Cupcake." He remarked so kindly that I didn't protest the nickname and took the item from his much larger palm.
"Thanks, Nate. I should get yours too." I explained and tried to rise, but he gently placed his hand at my waist to keep my immobile.
" I can wait to later. Open it!" He chuckled with excitement and I broke out in goose bumps.
I raised my brows at him with curiosity and obeyed his request, pulling the green ribbon that held the box closed. I lifted the lid and removed the red tissue covering my present. I'll admit, I'm not the sentimental type. At least I don't think I am. However, I have never received a gift like this before. Not from my father who I haven't spoke with in seven years or my mom, when she was around or my granddad, although my grandmothers pearls are a close comparison. Not even from my boy that's a friend and thinks he's my boyfriend, Lucas.
I lift up the dainty platinum chain and rub my fingers across shiny material as the light catches it and it blings in places. It's one of those bracelets all the popular or rich girls with boyfriends are wearing to school. Suddenly I don't want it anymore. I drop it back to the soft tissue and look up at Nathan. He's crushed and I don't understand why.
" I can't take this. I don't want it! Brandi's your girl!" I raise my voice. I'm getting upset but I don't know why.
" I'm only with her because I can't have you! Don't you get it yet, Hales. I bought this for you, the keeper of my heart. I would never buy anything like this for Brandi. Never." Nathan picks up the bracelet, lifting it so that it's in my view.
That's when I see the engraved area in easily readable print "Naley". It takes me a second, but I get the word play and it's freaking me out. Nathan latches it to my wrist and kisses my temple while I search for meaning and words to explain how my life has been turned upside down in a matter of minutes. He rotates my body so that now were face-to-face and his mystifying cobalt peepers are on me.
" Cupcake, I know this seems out of the blue, but it's not."
"Nate were not even dating. We're only friends half the time! We don't even like each other like that!" I protest.
"I can't speak for you, but I sure as hell like you like that! I have had feelings for since the day we met. I tried to make my move, but Lucas beat me to it. He's my cousin and my best friend, so I've held back because I know how much you meat to him and vice versa, but I can't do it anymore. It's killing me, Hales. Why do you think I'm always screwing up? I do that crap and hang out with those losers to keep my mind off you! It's still a temporary fix. I want, no I need to be with you... Don't you know how incredible you are?... You're so beautiful, smart and funny...and you care about me, the real Nathan...not because I'm Karen and Dan Scott's son or popular or athletic."
"That doesn't mean we should be a couple, Nate." I continue my fight, but he only pulls me closer, putting one hand against the small of my back and tracking his long fingers through my hair with the other.
"Stop fighting this, us! I know you feel our chemistry. How can you not? It's almost explosive every time I'm near you. If I could hold you and touch you any time I wanted to. It would be heaven on earth for me, Hales. Nothing or no one compares and I don't see how they ever will." He pleads with misty eyes. "As corny as it may sound, your my life partner. I feel it, here." Nathan place his hand over his heart and patted it. " and here." He tapped the top of his head with his pointer finger. " Body and mind, Cupcake.
Before I had a chance to debate, he cautiously cupped my face in his wide palms and kissed me. The only person I have ever kissed is Lucas, so maybe I don't have enough of a comparison, but I felt it from tips of my toes to ends of my hair. It was the most glorious sensation in the world. Never had I tasted anything so sweet, luscious, and satisfying as Nathan's tongue in my mouth and his lips against mine. Everything he had just said now made sense and I was ready to surrender.
"Brrrnnng! Brrrnnng! Brrrnnng!"
That's when my phone rang and lead me out of our romantic interlude. I pulled back, panting as I tried to regain a normal breathing pattern. Nathan was holding on to me for dear life and rested his forehead against mine.
"Brrrnnng! Brrrnnng!"
"I have to get that, it might be my granddad." I whisper before placing a tender peck at the tip of his nose. He nodded, but I could tell this interruption was killing him.
"Brrrnnng! Brrrnnng!"
I race to the coffee table and answer my mobile device.
"Brrr.."
"Hello!" I say in haste, not taking the time to check the caller id.
"Hey, Babe. Whassup?"
"Luu Luke. Hi." I stutter as guilt washes over me in a giant wave and Nathan reached out to me, leading me over to the couch to rest on his lap. I'm practically numb as I rest there, but I do feel his fingers skating through my hair. It's so relaxing that I almost forgot I was on the phone.
" Dad and I finish, so I be over to hang out with you guys in a few. I can't wait to give you my present."
"You didn't have to get me anything, really Luke." I cough out in a robotic like fashion and feel the weight of Nathan's stare.
" Well, see ya in few. Bye, Hales." Luke sang joyously.
"Bye, Luke."
"Love ya!" He hung up. Wait! Did he just say he loved me! No! Not now! Why did he have to go in do that!
I stood up and began pacing as my brain digested all the new revelations of the evening. Nathan sat silently and watched my every move. Finally, I convince myself there was only resolution. I looked at the most precious gift I had every gotten and rubbed the pads of my fingers over each letter as the water from my eyes made little puddles over the shiny metal. Apparently, Nathan is just as intuitive when it comes to me as I am to him. He leaps from his seat and marched over to me just as I freed the clasp.
"Nooooo! No! Don't do this! There's an us here now!" I reached out the bracelet, letting it dangle from between two of my fingers and suck up my tears.
"I'm sorry, Nate. I can't. Luke just said he loved me and I'm going to stick with him. He's the only person I can always depend on besides my granddad. You have to understand how much I need that."
He pushed the jewelry back at me and he's crying too.
" No! It's yours! Put it back on, Hales. Put it back on!" He insist as he tries to latch it back to arm. "I can be that person too. I swear."
I frantically shake my head from side-to-side and shove my Christmas gift at him, but he refuses to take it. I know there isn't much time before Luke will arrive so I stuff it in my pocket and head for the foyer closet to get my coat. Nathan was right on my heels.
"Don't! Please, Cupcake. Please!" He groveled as he wrapped his long arms around my body and his damp cheek against my back. His emotional state was only heightening mine as I peeled myself out of his embrace.
"Please tell Luke I had to go home. I can't chose Lucas over you, Nate. I'm safe with him. I don't have to worry about him abandoning me for his evil friends or having to be his other girlfriend. I'm always first with him. I just can't depend on being that with you." were my harsh words before practically ripping my coat from its hanger and dashing out the door."
flashback end
"Haley!...Haley!...Ha-leeey!"
"Wha...huh?" Carl the cook is tapping me on the shoulder.
" Your orders are up!"
"Oh! Yea, I knew that!" I tried to play it off as I came out of my daydream and head back to Nathan's table with their food and drinks.
Surprisingly, when I get to the table. The college guys have move the both adjacent to them to chat with some girls around their age. The blond guy gave me a wink. Nathan is no where to be found. Nikki and Jake are dancing. Tim is in the corner trying to hit on another chick. Meanwhile, Kim is trying to console a weeping Brandi. I place the empty trays on the table with a /iclunk!/i and the two hateful heifers give me salty looks.
"Thanks for ruining my life, Haley!" Brandi barks at me like the little snippy dog she is.
"Don't mention it." I bounce back having no idea what they're talking about. I started serving the food and hoping tonight would go by really fast.
" Gawd! All I said was you probably hooked the band up with more than some free drinks and Nathan gets all pissed! I mean c'mon. We know the quiet type like to get their freak-on so don't even deny it!" She accuses and rolls her big green eyes at me."He's always so damn protective or watching you. Being the perfect girlfriend, I put up with his bullshit! Now he has the nerve to break up with me because I called you a slut!... Whatever! He'll want me back tomorrow."
There was a spring in my step for the rest of my shift. I was extremely proud of Nathan for finally defending me. Yet, by the end of the night our lives would get caught in a whirlwind of events that will not only intertwine Nathan and I, but change our universe for evermore.
