"I don't know if I can do this, Prescott." Warren trembled by the thought of all the negative outcomes rushing through his mind, "I mean, seriously, how the hell do you have the will to buy these drugs and put them in girls drinks so easily?"
Nathan scoffed, "I don't have the will to do anything, Graham." He stared steadily into his eyes, trying to hide his look of fear, "It's the threats that are pushing me to do this. I don't want to do this at all, but I have no choice in the matter. And you know that... you've witnessed it yourself." The adolescent tried to stay calm.
Warren stayed silent for several seconds, not knowing how to rebuttal what Nathan pointed out. The timid teen stood there, planted in place, having difficulty to stride forward. Warren felt he needed a push, but in all honesty, he didn't want to go through this at all. Just by the thought of drugging girls at the party made him sick to his stomach. The reserved bairn hesitated and tried to stall as long as possible, but once a few minutes passed, he was pushed without realizing until he heard the voice of Frank Bowers. Warren glared over at Nathan, both pissed and terrified of what just happened and what is about to occur.
"What the fuck took you so long?" Frank glared at the teen, turning his heels and going in his RV, "Christ... get your ass over here if you want your damn drugs." He walked out seconds after, holding out a paper bag.
"What's in it?" Warren questioned by the cause of curiosity and hesitation.
"The stuff you ordered, dumbass." Frank glared, "Now hurry up! I don't have all day!"
Warren flinched by the sharpness in Frank's tone, automatically handing him the wad of cash Nathan handed him earlier. The teen slowly went to grab the bag, his conscience telling him not to grab it. Frank growled and shoved it against the adolescent's chest with force, making the teen stumble backwards, close to falling, but he caught himself before falling to the ground.
"Ah... geez..." Warren held the bag with one hand while his other hand rubbed against the stinging pain on his chest, "Um... thanks." He mumbled, noticing too late he was suddenly being somewhat kind.
"Whatever..." Frank said, turning around.
Warren looked in the bag, curious on the contents inside it. As his curiosity got the best of him, he didn't realize a dog was heading towards him until he stumbled back, falling to the concrete, landing on his butt.
"W-What the fuck?!" Warren was startled by the sudden attack of licks coming from the dog, "H-Hey, where did you come from little guy?" By habit, a smile came gliding across his face as he petted the dog, "Well, aren't you just a sweet little furball?" He chuckled, rubbing his cheek against the dogs.
"What the hell...?" Frank murmured, looking at him, shocked, "He usually hates you. When the hell did...?" He fell silent.
"Hm? Oh! S-Sorry... I... I should get going." Warren stood up quickly, walking away from the area.
Frank's dog barked and ran up to Warren with a bag in his mouth. Warren jolted by the bark and turned once feeling a nudge against his leg. His eyes partially widened by surprise before they turned into a gentler look. A smile crossed his face as he knelt down to accept the bag and pet the dog, ruffling it's head gently before standing up, thanking him, telling him to return to his master. Warren watched the dog until it returned to Frank then looked into the bag as he walked away.
"What the hell was that?" Frank mumbled, petting his dog, dumbfounded by his dogs actions.
"Did you get everything?" Nathan questioned, concerned, "That dog didn't attack you, right?"
"Hm? Oh! Y-Yeah, I got everything and no, he didn't. I'm fine as you can see." He chuckled, confused, "Why?" Warren asked, cocking his head to the side.
"That stupid mutt always barks and growls at me whenever I come and buy the drugs." Nathan groaned out of irritation, "I don't understand why it always tries to attack me each time."
"Have you ever been in physical contact with an animal? Ever?" Warren questioned, filled with disbelief and slight concern.
Nathan's eyes squinted, looking over at Warren, skeptical to even answer, "I..." The annoyed teen sighed deeply, "I did when I was ten and I ended up in the hospital for a couple days..." He looked down, his jaw tightening after remembering, "My sister was the only one that came to visit and the only one that helped me out." His hands suddenly clenched tightly, "Ever since then, I've feared animals..."
"Then there's your reason." Warren spoke instantly, "Animals tend to feel your emotions and act on it."
"What are you talking about?" Nathan wanted clarification.
"I assume ever since then you began to try and hate animals and tried to scare them off, but every time it just backfired, right?" A faint smile came across his face as he huffed out a small laugh, looking over at the troubled teen before looking over at the dog that was playing with Frank, "Well, if you ever want to interact with animals, all you have to do is approach them slowly, be calm, and show... affection." Warren looked back at Nathan, "All it takes is a smile."
Nathan scoffed, looking away from Warren, thinking the idea was just straight up stupid. But even though doubt crossed his mind, something inside him felt as though Warren had somewhat of a point. He didn't want to ask himself, let alone admit it, but he thought to himself on when the last time he truly smiled. Without Nathan even realizing it, he began spacing out, his mind, whether he wanted to or not, tried to remember at least one good memory before his dad pushed him into doing these misdeeds.
Three Years Ago...
"Hey, Nathan!" Someone yelled out from behind.
The young teen turned, following the owner of the voice, "Hm? Oh, hey, Sam, what's up?" Nathan waved with a faint grin before looking forward and down at his camera.
"Is that a new one?" Sam asked, standing closely beside him.
"Yeah, my sister bought it for me. An early birthday present." Nathan exposed a childish grin without even noticing as he admired the gift, "Isn't it just beautiful?" He chuckled faintly.
"Not as beautiful as that smile of yours." Rachel passed by the two teens with a giggle.
The two teens jolted by the sudden approach and quick leave. Nathan's heart leaped by the sudden words. Confused, surprised, and flattered by the sudden compliment which made him smile sheepishly. As for Sam, something simmered inside her stomach which left her to questioning herself on why she was annoyed by Rachel's sudden approach and unexpected words.
"I don't blame her." Sam spoke up, trying to grab his attention off of the carefree teen, "You do have a very nice smile." The girl grinned, "Those faint rose colored lips curled up, exposing those pearly white teeth of yours. Something rarely any of us see." A giggle left her lips.
"Yeah..." Nathan mumbled, looking down, hiding his faintly crimson colored cheeks that were burning up by the feel of embarrassment.
"Oh, by the way, seeing as to how your birthday is coming up, would you care to celebrate it together with me?" Sam looked over shyly, having slight difficulty on keeping her eyes on him, "Victoria can tag along. Just the three of us? Well, four if your sister's available?"
Nathan glanced over, his eyes landing on Sam's. He felt his heart beat begin to rise as his lips urged him to smile. While his lips wanted to curl up again, his mind kept him away from it. But even though his mind kept him away from the happiness that was arising, a bit of it filled his heart. A small nod came from Nathan, accepting Sam's offer as a small grin slid across his face.
"Yay!" Sam cheered a little like a stereotypical school girl, "Okay, I'll have everything planned!" The teen hugged him without any thought before rushing off, "I'll see you tomorrow!" She waved.
Nathan shook his head with a chuckle before looking back at his camera.
Present Time...
"What the hell was that?" Warren stumbled back, "What... What the hell just happened?"
"Huh?" Nathan shook his head, clearing his mind before looking over at the confused teen.
"Did you... did you just have a flashback?" Warren tried to steady himself, looking over at Nathan, "Is that... Is that one good moment that happened in your life before? Did you actually smile?"
"What? No! Of course not! Shut it! It's none of your fucking business!" He glared instantly, walking ahead of Warren, "Let's just get out of here and hurry up with this already. I don't have all day!"
"You don't have to worry about this." Warren chortled, "You're not the one in-?!"
"Yes, I am! I'm the one that has to plan all this shit out! The one that has to make this a hitch or else I will fucking die! And you know that, Gayram!" Nathan poked him in the chest, pissed by Warren's sudden statement.
"Alright, I'm sorry." Warren held up his hands, surrending to Nathan's agitation.
"Christ... Think of the fucking consequences, Graham. Because if you die in my body... who knows what the hell would happen then." The agitated teen bit the inside of his mouth, his heart racing by the countless thoughts, "You have no fucking idea of what could possibly happen if things go South."
"Okay... I'm sorry..." The apologetic teen looked down, guilt spreading through his body, "I'll put as much effort as I can so nothing horrible will happen to either of us." He placed his hand on Nathan's shoulder, hoping to comfort him.
"Whatthefuckever... Let's just go already..." Nathan brushed off Warren's hand, walking ahead of him.
"Okay..." Warren stayed back for a few minutes. He tried to analyze on what just happened before following behind Nathan, hoping things will end on a high note. If not today, then at least any time soon.