Over the Years

by angellwings


#9: Awkward Tension

"Nate, you're an idiot."

"Wow, thanks, Dana. That's always what I've wanted to hear my ex-girlfriend say to me," Nate huffed.

"You kept going on and on about how much you missed Ella…to everyone. But now that she's back you're avoiding her? Idiot," Dana told him through the phone.

"Dana, I kissed her. It came from out of no where."

"From what I heard there was mistle toe, and she didn't seem to mind," Dana told him.

"She ran away."

"So?" Dana asked. "You should have gone after her!"

"Perfect, thanks," Nate said dryly. "You're the perfect person to have around the day after a crisis."

"Seriously, Nate," Dana scolded. "Why didn't you go after her?"

"I—I wanted to, but I was afraid that she might be completely disgusted with me—"

"Ugh, like I said…idiot."

"I don't want to screw anything up."

"You're already screwing up, Nate, by not going after her."

"Why did I call you again?" Nate asked sarcastically.

"Because you knew I'd be the most helpful."

"Well, if that's the case then I was very very wrong," Nate said with a roll of his eyes.

"I'm right and you know it," Dana told him.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."


Ella tried desperately to focus on her work and not on the fact that Nate seemed to be avoiding her. She was currently making around five pleated mini-skirts for Tess's upcoming tour. Brown had given her a job at his new label. She was now stylist and designer for all of his artists.

She purposefully avoided Brown's parental gaze when he entered her work room.

"Ella, what are you doing?"

Ella glanced up at Brown briefly but quickly went back to her work as she answered. "I'm making pleats."

"No, what are you doing with Nate?" Brown asked.

"I—I'm not doing anything with Nate."

"Exactly," Brown said in a scolding tone.

"I kissed him, Brown. He's probably severely weirded out because his best friend kissed him. What was I thinking? He'd never fall for me. I don't want to know how awkward things are with me and him now," Ella rambled.

"What makes you think things will be awkward?" Brown asked curiously.

"He hasn't spoken to me since."

"And you haven't spoken to him either."

"B-but…he's…he's the guy! He's supposed to initiate the contact."

"Why? Why does he have to initiate it? Why can't you?" Brown asked her.

"I—I…I don't know," Ella sighed.

"Call him. Work it out. Don't waste time, Love. Trust me," Brown said as he walked away. Ella gulped and stared at her cell phone. She slowly picked it up and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello?"

"N—Nate? I think we need to talk."

"Yes, we do."