Over the Years
#4: Ella Comforts Nate
Ella had planned on going to class today, but some days more important things come up. That 'some day' was today. She had been getting her things together for class when her phone rang. She quickly answered.
The minute the voice on the other end spoke up she knew this call wasn't going to be good.
"Ella?"
"Dana?" Ella asked with a furrowed brow. Last she'd heard Dana was supposed to be with Nate at his cousin's wedding. They were supposed to be on their way home now.
"You don't hate me, do you?" Dana asked worriedly.
Ella's brow furrowed. "Why would I hate you?"
"You—you mean he didn't tell you?" She asked.
Ella frowned at the shock in Dana's voice. "Who didn't tell me what?"
"Nate, I can't believe that he—you two are so close that I just assumed—"
"Assumed what?" Ella asked.
"That he would tell you that we, um, broke up," Dana said slowly.
Ella gasped. "You broke up? When?"
"Four days ago."
"Four—but what about Ashley's wedding? Did he go alone?" Ella asked in concern.
"I don't know…"
"Why didn't he tell me? That jerk! I bet he hasn't talked to anyone at all."
"I'm sorry," Dana said softly in a tone that was laced with guilt.
Ella sighed sadly. "Dana, I don't hate you and I would love to finish this conversation, but…"
"Later, right? You want to track down Nate, don't you?"
Ella nodded before she remembered Dana couldn't see her. "The others are under the mistaken impression that when Nate's in a funk all he needs is some space, but really—"
"He doesn't. I know. I remember," Dana finished for her. "Go find him. We'll talk later."
"Thanks," Ella said as she hung up. She quickly called Nate's cell phone, but he didn't answer. She tried his house phone, but he didn't answer that either. She huffed and called Jason.
"Hey, Ella. What's up?"
"Where's Nate?"
"Sorry?"
"Nate. Your youngest brother. Where is he?" Ella repeated.
"Oh, he's here. In the car with me and Caity. Hey, Nate, Ella's on the—Why are you shaking your head? Um, Ella? Apparently he's asleep…with his eyes open…and with a mean scowl on his—okay, okay, I'm shutting up. What did you need, Ella?"
"Is he okay?"
"Hey, Nate are you—Oh, I forgot, you're asleep. He says he's fine."
Ella shook her head. "Jason, I'm asking you. Not him. I want your opinion."
"Oh, well, I think he's…moody."
"Moody? Moody, how?"
"Moody like…'if you and Caitlyn don't quit with the PDA I'll pound on you' Moody. And that's a quote."
"And didn't you think that was a little…odd?" Ella asked.
"Yes, I did. I was just giving him his—"
"Space," Ella sighed. "I know. How close are you to his place?"
"Fifteen minutes, maybe. Have you talked to Dana? Do you know why she wasn't with us this weekend? Shut up, dude. You won't answer me so I'm asking Ella."
"Um, no," Ella lied. "I have no idea."
"Yes, you do, but I'm going to trust that you have a good reason for lying," Jason said calmly.
She gulped. "It's not my news to share. I'll see you guys in a bit."
"Okay, by the way, Caitlyn told me to tell you to fix Nate."
Ella smiled softly. "Tell her that I'm going to try."
"Good luck. I've never seen him like this before," Jason said seriously.
Ella sped over and managed to beat Jason, Caitlyn, and Nate by five minutes. She sat on Nate's front steps until she saw Jason's car pull through the front gate. She sprinted to meet them. She waved as Jason and Caitlyn dropped off Nate and pulled away. Nate exhaled loudly when they were alone, and she glared at him sternly.
"Ella, what are you doing here?" He asked flatly.
She rolled her eyes at the hostile look on his face. "I'm here to talk."
"About what?" He asked as he feigned being clueless.
"You know the answer to that," Ella said in a bored tone.
"Ella, I don't—"
"Yes, you do. C'mon, Professor," She said as she took his hand and led him back toward his front door.
"I hate it when you call me professor," He stated in disgust.
"That's because I only call you that when you're being ridiculous," Ella reminded him.
"So, you think I'm being ridiculous?" He asked with a glare.
"Yes, I do. Ridiculous for not telling me about all of this sooner. I can not believe you kept this to yourself for four days," Ella huffed.
"Dana called you, huh?" Nate asked knowingly.
"You should have called me. Why do you insist on suffering in silence? I always have to barge in on you and force you to talk to me. When are you going to realize that I'm here…for you? Whether you want me to be or not, I'm here. Get used to it."
Despite his current mood he managed to grin wryly at Ella. "I guess I'll have to."
"Now, what would you like to do?" Ella asked.
His brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"We're going to do whatever you want to do today."
He smirked evilly at her. "Whatever I want to do?"
"Whatever you want to do."
"If I wanted to hide away in my studio all da—"
"No. No work."
"But—"
"No. Frivolous things only."
"I don't do frivolous things."
Ella laughed. "Lies. I know you better than that."
"Oh yeah?" He asked teasingly. "What do you know?"
"I know that you secretly listen to Shania Twain and know how to play several of her songs."
He blushed. "No, I don't."
Ella chuckled and walked slowly toward Nate's CD collection.
"Wh-where are you going?"
"To your 'secret' CD stash where you store all the CDs you're ashamed of."
He moved to cut her off but she dodged him. She quickly pulled a large plastic case from underneath Nate's CD rack, and smirked at him.
"How did you know that was there?" Nate asked.
Ella chuckled. "Do you remember that night you disappeared for some phone call with some record company guy? And I was left alone in your living room for over an hour? Yeah, I found it then."
"I'm never leaving you alone in my house again."
"I'm glad you learned your lesson," Ella laughed.
"Wait, you snooped around my house to teach me a lesson?" He asked in amusement. "Oh, I have to hear this."
"You left a guest that you invited over alone for a very long time. That's rude, Nate. Very rude."
"So, naturally, that gave you the right to go through my things."
"Naturally."
Nate laughed lightly and shook his head. "I never cease to learn from you, El."
She smiled and winked. "Without me you'd be completely unapproachable and you know it. I make you human."
"Yeah, I guess you do," Nate said with a small smile. "Thanks, Ella."
She shrugged. "It's what I do. No worries."
"No, I mean…thanks for this. This whole time we've been talking…I've miraculously forgotten about Dana," He confessed. "Your 'frivolous' plan seems to be working."
"It always does. Well, for me anyway. It would make sense if it worked for you too," She told him honestly. "Something that also works for me…greasy Chinese food. Sweet'n'Sour chicken? I think so. Last one to your car has to pay."
He chased after her as she ran. "My car? So, basically, either way I'm going to be spending my money? You planned that, didn't you?"
