Apart By More Than Words

Chapter 21

I'm here again

A thousand miles away from you

A broken mess

Just scattered pieces

Of who I am.

I tried so hard

Thought I could do this on my own.

Weeks later

"I have some things to take care of." "I need to do alone." "We'll meet up later." "Monday." "I'll be careful." "And we'll talk soon." "I love you to Nate." Serena said as she took a breath and hung up her phone.

Nate had some work to get back to. So, Serena decided to take the opportunity to tie up some lose ends.

Heading back out to California for the weekend to catch up with her friends. Get an update on her teens. And pay back the flower vendor. Get reacquainted with the place that became her refuge. But before she left. She had to see someone and was thankful that she had the time and was honestly nervous but knew it needed to be done. As she knocked on the door.

It opening quickly. The expression of the person expressing what Serena felt but couldn't express.

"Serena come on in." "When I got your call I was surprised to hear from you." "But glad I did." "So now I can apologize to you in person." The woman said as she walked inside behind Serena and closed the door.

"Jenny thank you for agreeing to see me and I understand you weren't well." "And clung to Nate because of him being the great guy he is."

Serena said as she cleared her throat trying to not let emotion keep her from speaking.

"Yes I've improved a lot." "But that doesn't excuse how I treated you and I hope you and Nate are in a better place now." Jenny said to her.

"Speaking of Nate." "Let's sit and talk." Serena said to her.

Nate walked into the restaurant relieved to have some down and be able to get his mind off of worrying about Serena and wondering how she felt about everything. They hadn't talked much about her condition. At every attempt to bring it up Serena changed the subject eventually he just stopped trying. She said she would rather stay at a hotel for right now. Since she hadn't planned on staying long and didn't want to inconvenience me. But the truth was I thought is that she didn't want us to get close again. Feeling like putting space between us would somehow make the feelings between us start to lessen with time. And honestly I just wanted to find a way for her to see just how much I was committed to her. She needed her space and time for this life changing news to absorb. I understood and would give her exactly that.

Nate thought to himself. And his dinner guest for the evening arrived.

"Hey Rai." Nate said hugging her.

"Hi Nate." Raina said hugging him back as they sat down.

"I take it your time away did you some good." "You look different in a way I can't place it. Raina said looking at him in his eyes. "You're in love." She said smiling.

Smiling. As he started to answer her. "Yes I am." Nate said blushing as he looked away.

Smiling as she looked at him. "I knew it." "A man in love is easy to spot the eyes tell everything." "Serena is a very lucky woman." "You are a very rare loving, gentle person. You love with your whole heart and hug with both hands tight." "Any girl would consider themselves lost in a dream to have you." Raina said to him. "Watch it he's very much unavailable." Raina thought to herself as she started to drink her peach iced tea.

"Thanks Raina that's really kind of you to say." Nate said looking at her. "What about you have you met anyone special.?" Nate asked curious as he looked at the menu.

"Nope." "A bunch of first dates leading to nowhere." "At this rate I'm convinced I've kissed all the frogs in the pond." "Quality love stories are just for the books I guess." She said as she looked at him.

"What's going on in that head Archibald.?" "It looks like your mind is anywhere but here which is fine but if you're going through something I would love to be able to offer my advice if you think it would help." Raina said putting her hand on his.

"It's Serena." Nate said pausing as he spoke. "She's going through something and she just keeps pushing me farther away." "I want to be there for her but she won't let me and I don't know what to do." Nate confessed.

Her heart aching for him. She pulled him close to her in a hug.

Hugging her back as he quickly wiped his eyes.

"I'm sorry Raina." "I'm ruining this dinner." Nate said as he tried to refocus.

"Don't apologize for feeling and loving." "Thank you for confiding in me." "Without preying I think you just need to be honest with her and ask her why she feels like pushing you away is the right thing." Raina said putting her hand on his. "Let's order dessert first." "That is a way to turn this night in a better direction." She said smiling as she handed him the dessert menu.

"Come by anytime Serena." "It was nice catching up with you." "And I will definitely make sure to check out that place you told me about." "I could you use a new wardrobe and some new people to talk to." Jenny said.

"We should do a spa day or something soon." Serena said as she waved goodbye. "Remember what we talked about." Serena said as she got into her car.

"I will." Jenny said as she waved back.

Serena got into her car and started to drive. Checking her phone taking notice of the text and voicemail she had from Nate from earlier on today that she hadn't looked at. Erasing it while she changed lanes. She would talk to him on Monday until then she only had to focus on herself that was all she could handle at the moment.

Serena thought to herself. While she smiled taking a breath as she turned down her window the welcome to California sign in her view.

As she slowed down taking in her neighborhood. Stopping at the vendor hugging him lightly as she pulled her purse giving him the money.

Smiling as his eyes went wide. "Serena this is way too much." He said taking the extra money out. As she shook her head.

"The extra money is for your kindness." "I've really appreciated your friendship." Serena said as she got back into her car.

Waving as she drove away. Next stop the school. Time to check up on her teens. Their time together impacted her more than she realized.

Serena thought to herself as she drove her smile reappearing as she got closer to the school. Stopping in the parking lot and walking out taking her time.

The sun hitting her face. THE TEEN Center in big letters. Opening the front door and walking carefully inside as she took notice of the classrooms and changes that had been made since she left. Tracing the letters of her name as she walked inside the room closing the door behind her.

The teens turning their heads toward the door. As they spotted her. Jumping out of their seats. Hugging her tightly. Filling her heart with a longing ache of belonging.

"I missed of you so much." Serena said as she sat down. As she sat down in the empty chair saw and caught up with all of them.

Nate walked inside his home and turned on the light. Sighing as he looked around at the empty room. Sitting down at his desk. He decided to write Serena a letter. Hopeful that when she got it they would be able to start and move forward together.

Dear Serena. The letter started out.

Author's Note: Why do you Serena is pulling away from Nate? What should Nate do? Your thoughts on Raina? Let me know what you think of this chapter in the reviews. :}