Chapter 4
Rachel's POV
My eyes fluttered open softly, as I looked around the dimly lit bedroom. Where was I? I thought to myself, the unfamiliar surroundings. It was at that moment I felt the warm embrace around me. Carefully I rolled over, pleasantly surprised to see Nate laying with his eyes just barely open, looking at me. "Good morning" he cooed, leaning in and kissing my forehead. I yawned quietly and rubbed my eyes. "Is this happening right now?" I mumbled aloud, loud enough for him to hear. He simple smiled back at my, I took that as a yes. It was making sense again, I remembered the events of the night before, the fall, the singing, the coffee, and I must have fallen asleep. I pulled my hand out from beneath the covers to inspect my palm. It looked like it was starting to heal, but it would leave a scar, with a story to tell along side it. "I'll be right back" I said as I got up, ran my fingers through my tousled hair, and made my way to the bathroom.
I splashed some cold water on my face and looked at myself in the mirror. I'd just spent the night, with my biggest celebrity crush, who was now kissing me. I looked around the bathroom before splashing my face again, to assure I was awake. I dried my face off on a towel afterwards. When I pulled the towel from my face, I saw a stack of clothing neatly folded. I smiled and opened the pile. It was a pair of socks and a dress shirt. I rid myself of the dirty clothes from the night before and put on the clean clothing I had assumed Nate left for me. Throwing my hair up into a messy bun, I walked out of the bathroom and climbed back onto the bed with Nate.
Nate's POV
Before getting into bed alongside Rachel last night, I'd been sure to put a change of clothing into the bathroom for her. I couldn't tell how long she'd been in her clothing from the night before, but I was sure she'd want to get out of them eventually. I waited in the bed for her while she took her time in the bathroom. Glancing into the mirror on the wall, I ran my fingers through my hair a few times, and rubbed my eyes to send away the grogginess. I pushed myself up so I was sitting up, still under the covers.
I heard the click of the bathroom door open, and dropped my hands down to my sides. Rachel stepped into the light clad in my dress shirt and a pair of socks. I smiled and held my hands out to her. "Perfect fit?" I asked with a smirk. When she climbed back onto the bed, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in against me, resting my chin on the top of her head. "I would offer to make you breakfast, but there's no food in my fridge" I sighed, realizing how unprepared I was for a guest. She laughed slightly, acknowledging my gesture towards her anyway. "Which is why I called down to the restaurant downstairs to send up some food for us" I winked, oh the perks of living in a nice apartment building. "It should be here in a few minutes" I said, as I slid out of the bed, reaching out for her hand before walking to the kitchen to get out silverware and start the coffee again.
I was setting the two cups of coffee down on the table when the knock came at the door. I opened the door, thanked the man for the delivery, tipped him quickly, and then brought the food in to the kitchen. "Bon apetite" I declared as I started to help myself.
Rachel's POV
Nate insisted on cleaning up after breakfast, no matter how persistent I was in offering to help. I ventured back into the music room and sat down at the piano bench again, this time just looking around. I heard the sink stop, followed my Nate's footsteps nearing closer and closer. He sat down next to me, and his warm hand settled on my hip, wrapped around my back. I was looking down at the keyboard, tracing along the keys with my index finger when my train of thought was interrupted by soft butterfly kisses on my neck. A smile crossed my face, only to be stopped by a new thought. I pulled away and turned to look at Nate. "What are we?" I asked. I'd enjoyed the night to no end, as any crazed fan would have. But staying up all hours of the night talking together and singing together had to stand for something.
The kisses on my neck didn't stop, but between the contact, a different word flew from his lips to my ears. "We're special" he said, as the kisses moved closer and closer, now tracing my jaw line. I turned to look at him, "But" I paused "what are we?" I repeated my question. This time he stopped and looked at me. "Well, I'm not really sure, I guess" he said shyly and honestly. "I like whatever this" he motioned with his hands, signifying what was going on right then "is" he finished. I smiled, "me too" I confessed. "I don't want to call it dating" he said "because we haven't actually gone on a date" he stated, which was rather obvious. "I wasn't aware" I retorted, the sarcasm in my voice rather evident. "Well Miss Sassy Pants" Nate teased, mocking me with his facial expressions, before retreating, knowing he'd struck something.
"You want to go there?" I joked, hopping up and reaching my hands out to his sides to poke them, conjuring a quick fit of giggles "Aww!" I exclaimed at his childish giggles, while noticing the play on his face focusing at me. I tried to hide, but to no avail. Within a second I was whisked into his arms, spinning in the air. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, before pressing my lips to his.
Nate's POV
What I did to deserve the fun I was having with Rachel at the moment was beyond me, but I wasn't going to let it end. I supported her legs wrapped around me, pressing my lips back into hers. After a few minutes I pulled my lips back and pressed my forehead to hers. "Still need a label" I asked slyly, before pecking her cheek and letting her down, onto her feet.
I plopped down onto the couch in the other room, resting my arm up on the back as she sat down beside me. My fingertips draped over her shoulder. Suddenly a look of sadness overcame her face. "When do you leave?" she asked, her voice shaky like it was when I first helped her off the ground. I didn't want to think about leaving at that moment. All I wanted to do was think about spending time with her. I just shook my head in response "too soon" I finally let out. I could see her emotions weighing down on her as the realization settled in. I took my free hand and cupped her chin and turned it up and toward me. "We'll figure it out" I promised her, before pecking her soft, tender lips to seal the deal with a kiss.