~Flashback~
Warren's P.O.V.
"Nathan is really cool when you get to know him." Rachel kept repeating to the small group around her. Which really only consisted of Max Caulfield, Chloe Price and myself, as we all sit outside the dormitories. Chloe was the first person to let out a sound of disgust at the thought of seeing Nathan Prescott.
"Fucking Prescotts think they own everything. Nathan is just a jackass with his parent's money in his wallet. What's not to like?" Chloe stated as she took a cigarette and a lighter from her jacket pocket.
"Chloe. Be nice." Max warned as her small hand touched Chloe's thigh. The blue haired girl's face softened at the contact. She placed the cigarette in her mouth and pressed the heat of the lighter on the opposite side. Chloe took in a breath of smoke, but before she let it out she clasped her hand around Max's.
The display of affection made me remember when I first met Max. It was a year go, sophomore year, and she was the just so adorable with her being so tiny and innocent looking, she always looked like she was in her own little world, but beyond that I learned that she is just a person who cares a lot and is willing to help anyone no matter what. A little on the nosy side-okay, maybe more than a little- but that's okay. All of that right there is what caused me to develop a crush on her.
And as soon as I was about to make my feelings known, she let me know that she had just got in touch with her childhood friend again and that she was in love with this person. Of course it crushed me in that moment, but looking at them now-a year later-I'm glad it happened.
"But, I have to say.. Just thinking about going to a Vortex Club party makes me uncomfortable, and I'd really rather not go. I'm sorry." Max said as she rolled her eyes at the look Chloe gave her. Rachel let out an aggravated sigh and crossed her arms over her chest. That was until she looked up at me with a hopeful stare.
"Please go the party with me, Warren. We'll be in the VIP section." Rachel pleaded with me. I sighed and looked down at the grass beneath me. Do I really want to party with the people that bully me everyday? I looked up at Rachel once more and she looked completely desperate. And she already knows how much I hate saying no to people.
"Fine."
And just like that I was going to my first ever Vortex Club Party. Of course Rachel hyped me up about how fun it was going to be, but I knew better. There was going to be flashing lights, obnoxiously loud music, and high school kids drinking and doing drugs. I knew there would probably be people pressuring me to do those things.
And maybe I'll do some drinking, but not drugs. I'd rather not ruin my 4.0 GPA by fucking my brain up with these chemicals.
"Damn, you look good, dude." It almost took me off guard when I saw Rachel standing there in my doorway, waiting for me. I looked down at my outfit and I was wearing a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a white tee shirt with rolled up sleeves, topped with a jean jacket, and grey vans. A far cry from my normal get up, but it's a party. A Vortex Club party at that. I can't waltz in there with a tee shirt of a kitten breathing fire. I'm already a target for bullying as is.
"Thanks." I say with a weak smile. I have to look up at her because she's just a little bit taller than me. So is Chloe, actually. I sigh as that fact crosses my mind. Rachel wrapped her arm around my shoulder and gave me a comforting squeeze.
"Don't be nervous, it's no big deal, really." She kept on reassuring me until we finally got to the double doors of the Otter's Lair, as Max liked to call it. I took in a deep breath as I opened the door for us both, only to be introduced by red flashing lights and super loud music.
It was pretty cool, actually.
"Right this way." Rachel led me through the crowd of people and to the curtain on the other side of the large room, and suddenly it was a lot more chill. People were sitting on couches and only a handful of people were dancing, and they even had their own little mini bar.
"Seriously, Rachel? Nathan let's you pick whoever you want to come to this party and you choose him, of all people?" The stuck up voice belonged to Victoria Chase, who was standing against the wall with a drink in her hand, and of course she was surrounded by Taylor and Courtney, who were just laughing with her. It was expected so it only hurt my feelings a little bit, but not enough for me to become emotional.
"Victoria, seriously-just shut up for once." Rachel said through a hard glare, a sight that made Victoria and her groupies shut up instantly. This is why everyone loves Rachel-She is always quick to stand up for or against someone. I'd probably have a crush on her at this point if I even thought I had a chance.
"Hey, Rachel, what's up?" This particular voice belonged to Nathan Prescott, and his grin never wavered when he went to greet her. He had a cup in his hand that was probably filled with vodka or whiskey. He's wearing his usual red jacket and his light brown hair is slicked back. He looks great, I had to admit. Handsome, even.
"Hey, Nathan!" Rachel exclaimed as he neared us. I'm not sure if Nathan was drunk or just tipsy as he staggered toward us, but he seemed sober enough to play it off as coolly as he did.
"This is my friend Warren Graham."
And when his eyes met mine, his smile faded instantly. He looked at me up and down, studying me, and suddenly I felt so ugly-and I have no idea why. I gulped down a lump in my throat as his eyes met mine once more.
"This party seems really cool so far." I finally speak for the first time being there and gave Nathan a small smile, and soon after he was visibly shaking. I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly, wondering now if he's actually high instead of drunk.. Or both.
"Nathan, what's wro-" Victoria had a rush of concern as she hurried over to him, but she stopped herself on the very last syllable as he proceeded to throw his drink in my face. Luckily I had shut my eyes as a reflex before the liquid had a chance to get in my eyes and burn them.
I thank whoever handed me a napkin and wipe my face calmly, looking down at Nathan with a raised brow. He was still shaking as he gripped the cup tightly in his fist, crushing it instantly, then in a quick motion of his arm, he threw it against the tile. He rushed to the bathroom soon after, Victoria following closely behind him.
"Warren, I'm so sorry. I didn't know-I didn't expect him to freak out like that tonight. Are you okay?" Rachel had asked me but I only nodded and then promptly let her know that I was all partied out and ready to go to my dorm, and even though it caused her to frown, she understood.
That was my very first interaction with Nathan Prescott and I wasn't sure I wanted anymore after that. Rachel was right-we don't know him.. But I'm not sure if I want to.
...
The light from my window woke me, having me let out a groan as I sat up. I ran my fingers through my messy brown hair, my other hand rubbing my eyes. I lick my dry lips as I turn to my cell phone, tiredly pressing the home button to look at the time, ignoring all of my texts messages.
6:00 AM.
I throw my head back on my pillow with a groan, hands on my face. Of course I'd wake up thirty minuets before my alarm actually goes off. And with a few minuets of closing my eyes, I realize that there's no point; I'm just not sleepy. I did go to bed rather early last night though considering the party started at eight and I went back to my dorm shortly after.
I glare at the ceiling as I recall the events from the night before. All I did was talk to the dude and he just throws his damn drink in my face. The only reason I could think he'd do such a thing is out of shear disgust. He is Nathan Prescott, after all. He's probably from the richest families in Oregon. He's the most popular guy in school, for Christ's sake. And this nerd walks into his VIP section, and he most likely felt like I dishonored him or some crap.
Too much Karate Kid, Warren.
Pushing all that into the back of my mind, I decide I should use this time to shower and get some breakfast. I lift myself up from my bed and make it up neatly, then turned to my closet to get to my shower caddy.
And I wasn't at all surprised when I opened my dorm door to find Nathan doing the exact same. He heard my door open and instantly turned to me. We just stood there, an awkward stand off of stares, our eyes the gun, his glare the trigger.
Nathan looked exhausted. He had dark circles under his eyes and they were bloodshot. His usually neat, slicked back hair is unkempt and framing his temples in a charmingly lazy way. My eyes trail down to his clothes, he's only wearing a regular white tee shirt and blue boxers. My cheeks burn as my eyes dart back to his face. His brows were furrowed as he gave me a cold glare.
I clear my throat and hold tightly to my caddy as I finally broke eye contact and walk towards the showers. He followed behind slowly and let out a grunt when I held the door open for him. He walked passed me and sat his bag down on the nearby bench. I turn my attention to mirror in front of me to brush my teeth. I heard him take in a breath as he lifted his shirt over his head and placed it beside his bag. I watched his reflection in the mirror as his muscular back moved as he removed his boxers, but I turned away quickly when his ass got into view. My face burned as the word 'hot' crossed my mind.
I shake my head as I walked to the shower farthest away from his. The warm water hit my skin and I felt myself sigh in relief, the water droplets hitting my chest, calming me. I wash my hair and body, and after I was done I stayed in, enjoying the water hitting my skin, even when the water was beginning to get cold.
"Fuck my life." The voice was tired and thick with malice, and it was soon followed by a loud thud which I could only assume was a fist colliding with tile. I shut the water off instantly, cautiously peeking through the curtains to find a naked Nathan Prescott struggling to dress himself, his cheeks flushed as he mumbled to himself.
"What the fuck is wrong with me?" I heard him ask himself in a not so quiet whisper. He sat down on the bench with his face in his hands, body shaking as he gave up putting on his socks. I had no idea what I was doing when I stepped out and wrapped my towel around my waist and stepped lightly as I neared him.
"Nathan.. Are you-"
"Get the fuck away.." He trailed off, his eyes trailing down my exposed chest and stomach. He turned away quickly, his face returning to his hands. His legs are bouncing up and down, his hands shaking. I gently sat down beside him and I tried my best not to stutter as I spoke to him.
"I know you don't know me like that, and I don't know you, and last night was.." I take in a deep breath as I stopped myself from rambling. "What I'm trying to say is.. I'm a good listener. I don't like seeing people upset, even people like you."
"..People like me?" Nathan finally spoke up and removed his hands, but his eyes were glued to the floor. I gulped when I realized I probably said the wrong thing, so I didn't waste any time, I had to explain myself.
"What I meant was.. Look, you're popular and you're rich. People will probably assume that because of this, you have no problems. I know that's not the case." I reached to touch his shoulder but he tensed beneath me, ripping away shortly after.
"You don't know a fucking thing about me." Nathan was up now, his brow furrowed and breathing hard. I could see his lean muscles flexing under stress as he had not put a shirt on yet. I felt a lump in my throat as he neared me, his very presence threatening.
"What makes you think you can just talk to me? Like you're even worth my time." His words hurt, but I expected such a reaction. I stood up from my seat, making us even closer than I had originally intended, but I kept my nerve. He had to look up at me because I'm the taller of the two, but that didn't make him any less menacing.
"I don't know what made you like this, but please note that I don't judge others as quickly as you may think. So you can go around and pretend like you're fine, but I know better." My words only angered him more.
"Why do you even care? Don't act like you don't want anything from me.. Everyone wants something." He asked, his voice coming out softer than expected, but I could visibly see that he was seething with rage. I sighed as I took one step closer, nodding in understanding as he stepped back.
"It's just who I am. I.. I like helping people, even when I know that there's not much I can do. I just like being here for people. I don't need or want anything from you, I promise." He studied my features as I spoke, uncertainty in his eyes. I was unsure of my actions as well when I took another step, pleasantly surprised that he stayed still, as I gingerly wrapped my arms around him in a comforting embrace.
It wasn't until after I had done it that I realized how awkward this must look. Our bare chests were touching, my hands flat against his back, my groin that's hidden beneath my towel touching his stomach. I pull away slightly in embarrassment, but was quickly pulled back in by Nathan, his grip on me tight. My cheeks were burning, but I didn't try to release myself from him. I was actually helping him, and it felt good. I could feel his tears against my shoulder as I rub circles against his back.
"It's okay, let it out, you're safe." I whisper in his ear, his body relaxing at the sound. I had to admit to myself that it felt nice having him hold me so tightly. It felt nice being able to help someone like Nathan. It was nice seeming him in this new light. Seeing him as an actual person, rather than his cool-kid persona.
When his crying had ceased and his shaking shoulders relented as the sobs dissipated, I decided it was best to pull away now that he seemed calmer. I watched his face as I took a small step back, admiring how he still looked tired, but he was finally at ease. My hands rest on the muscle of his arms, thumbs rotating against them soothingly.
"How do you feel?" I ask softly as I look down into his ocean blue eyes, trying my hardest not to get lost in them, because now isn't the time.
"Better.." He actually sounded serene. I had to give him a real, genuine smile as I looked down at him, feeling accomplished. His cheeks were burning as he neared me, the distance between us was closing up again, but this time his lips were nearing my own. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I stayed perfectly still, watching as he lifted himself up slightly, our lips lightly brushing against each other.
If it wasn't for the door swinging open, Nathan Prescott would have actually kissed me.
"Fuck!" He once again became tense as he pushed me away-hard-making me fall against the floor, the crash loud as my skull collided with it. I could hear feet shuffling and the door swinging open again, and I could hear another set of feet rushing near me, and not to mention the ringing in my ears.
"Dude, are you good? Can you hear me?" It took me a moment as my blurry vision began to clear but when it did I finally noticed that the voice belonged to Hayden Jones. He helped me sit up, my head pounding from the pain.
"I-I think I'm okay."
Hayden helped me stand and quickly moved to the place on my head that hit the floor. I heard him let out a sigh of relief as he came back to face me.
"You're not bleeding, so that's good. But I would suggest you put some ice on that though." He gave me a weak smile, turning away from me so I could get dressed.
"Let me go ahead and apologize on Nathan's behalf. He's a cool person, don't get me wrong, but he has a tough life. He won't tell anyone but it's obvious he has really bad anxiety because of it." Hayden explained, but I already know. I witnessed it. I saw his mood change from sad, to angry, to calm.. Then he tried to kiss me... then back to angry again in less than ten minutes.
Even through all of that, I found myself wanting to get to know Nathan. Rachel was right-we don't know him.. But maybe now I want to.
...