Monday rolled in, I was in no hurry to head back. As promised, I arrived at his dorm room an hour before class started. To my surprise, there was no immediate answer when I knocked on the door.
"Yo! Nathan, if you don't answer the door I'm gonna head to class by myself." Suddenly, as I turn to look at the hallway, Nathan, half-naked, stands in front of me.
"Calm your tits, I'm here," he walks past me and opens the door. Out of force of habit, my eyes trace along his back. I realize how small his shoulders are, of course, still bigger than mine.
"Shit," he says, I zip my eyes away, hoping he hadn't noticed my leering, "I forgot my stuff, I'll be right back, just get my stuff together for me, will ya." Before I can answer, he's already out the door and down the hall. I grab what I assume he uses as a backpack - pretty cheap for a rich kid- and stuffed it with the papers I had done for him. I can't help but notice his homework left on his desk. Out of bad habit, I notice smudges of something having been erased. I look over the questions and find that the new ones are the different answers. I try to think back and remember what answers I put, only able to remember a few. But it's enough to remember that I had given different ones from the new ones. I know it's Nathan's writing since I had to take a few hours to mimic his handwriting. What is this kid up to? I hear someone out in the hall walk past and put everything back in its place. I'll worry about it later. Nathan walks in, pulling his shirt down. I then notice the bags under his eyes. He holds out his hands for his backpack and I comply. We head out together to the school. He surprises me again by walking me all the way to my class.
"You're acting different," I pry, he scoffs and leans against the lockers.
"What is it, babe? I thought you'd liked to have me walk you." Like a dog, I thought to myself. He leaned in closer, I looked away, my cheeks burning.
"See you at lunchtime, babe," he whispers, just in time for… Jefferson!- of all people in the entire school, it had to be Jefferson to see me.
"Mr. Prescott, Ms. Thorne," he cleared his throat. I couldn't see Nathan's face too well, but I could still notice a smirk on him.
"Later, Mr. J," he spoke with a shallow enthusiasm and stalked off. I rubbed my forehead with my knuckles. I could already hear what Jefferson was gonna say.
"I had no idea you… enjoyed the company of Mr. Prescott," his words lingered as he stared at the direction Nathan had gone towards. I was still perplexed, however. This was an odd reaction. I blew my hair out of my face and answered.
"We only just got together, so…" I attempted to lighten the mood, I wasn't comfortable with his reactions, "it's ok if you don't know all the rumors in the school." He roared with laughter, I smiled awkwardly. Everyone was staring at the student and teacher being so friendly. With the Nathan rumors still fresh in people's minds, there was no doubt this was gonna be something people will just eat up.
"But," he cleared his throat again, "in all seriousness, be careful around him. I hate to enforce the 'status quo' (he curled his index and middle fingers in the air), but, he is from a different... Circumstance, than you." I squinted my eyes and rolled my eyes discretely.
"I'll… keep that in mind," I answered in confusion, he patted my shoulder and headed off.
Later in the day, I found Warren and handed him my keys to use for Jo.
"You remember your job?" He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Yes ma'am," he spoke with sarcasm, but before I could scold him for it, Nathan passed by and led me by the shoulders to the courtyard.
"Since when are you so friendly with the beta-nerd?" he asked, letting me go and reaching into his pocket, drawing a cigarette to his lips.
"Since he spread that rumor about us," I scowled at him, thinking he'd actually notice.
"What? Begging him to take those rumors back?" he got closer to me, laying his arm on my shoulder, "already intimidated about dating me?" I shoved his arm off me, his stupid ass laugh echoing in the courtyard.
"No," I affirmed, "it's payback for the shit he started. Dating is the least of my problems." He breathed out his smoke and handed it out to me, a smirk on his mug. I took it begrudgingly, I noticed then, the people staring. I took a seat at a table, Nathan mimicked my movements and sat across from me. After a few puffs, I handed the fag back to him.
"I want to say I'm surprised teachers aren't approaching us," I glanced back to him, "but then again…"
"What're they gonna do? Give me detention?" he answered, a big grin on his face. Suddenly, the memory of the corrected homework came into mind again. I was tempted to ask him about it, but the matter of bringing it up proved to be my folly. Instead, I just asked about his schedule for me today.
It was still haunting me at the end of the week, and at the end of our agreement. It's weird, just when I was getting used to our routine, things were coming to an end. The day went as planned for the last time. I got my things and headed for Nathan's room. At the boy's dorm, Nathan stood outside his room, an unlit fag in his mouth.
"What's up?" I could feel myself skip over to him, "we going out with a bang?" He smirked and held out a pair of keys.
"No," I automatically took the keys, "I'm giving you these." I stared at them, they weren't for a car, more for like a place.
"What're these for?" I asked, holding them out as if they were infected. He opened his room and walked in, slamming into his bed.
"Some 'friends' of yours asked for some greenery, but they didn't want to pay full price and asked to for a discount," his smug face gave away the answer. I clutched the keys in my hand and hung my head. Sluggishly making my way to the other side of the room. Slamming my body on the chair.
"You gotta be kidding me." I looked over at him, a smirk on his face.
"'Isn't there a girlfriend's friends discount?'" he mimicked. I groaned, which seemed to amuse him as he began to laugh loudly.
"When I find those idiots, I swear-"
"You sound like this is a bad thing," he spoke nonchalantly, pretending to be hurt. I was about to retort but caught myself before I said anything that would offend him. The last thing I need is a grumpy Nathan to control me. Instead, I bit my lip and crossed my arms. He chuckles and brings out one of his binders.
"Is that the next assignment?" I asked, he smiled and shook his head, "Then what is it?" He continued to shake his head.
"I'm trying to decide what photo to enter for that contest.
"Really, dude?- don't be like me and turn it in early, we all still got a month," I said, leaning my head back on the chair. He sighed and slammed it shut. Then he rolled over to one side and spoke in a low voice.
"I'm gonna get some shut-eye, you do whatever you want." I nodded and hummed.
Somehow, I ended up asleep too. Only to wake up from the thrashing of Nathan. He was mumbling something incoherent, but it sounded like he was struggling.
"Yo, Nathan," I whispered, trying not to scare him awake. I tapped his shoulder, which only led to him freaking out more. He jumped up out of his bed, knocking me back. Luckily, I was able to catch myself before hitting the floor.
"What the fuck?!" I shouted. Nathan was breathing heavily, swirling his head around and reaching for one of his drawers. With a shaky hand, he brought out a bottle and spilled a few pills into his hand. He gulped them down in one go then collapsed back onto his bed. I snapped my fingers in front of his face before reaching for the pill bottle. I snagged my coat and rushed out of the room, reaching for my phone. It took a couple of rings before Jo picked up his phone.
"Hello?" His words were slurred with a rasp to his voice. He must've been asleep. I felt bad.
"Can you meet me at the Two Whales? It's an emergency." He was suddenly more awake when he replied.
"I don't know, I'm with my girlfriend." Now I really felt bad. I sighed before giving him a suggestion.
"Just… bring her along, too." He chuckled on the other line before agreeing.
I was first to arrive at the restaurant, taking a seat next to the window on the side of the parking lot. It was about 20 minutes when Jo and his girlfriend arrived by bus. His mom must've still been at work. I knocked on the window, getting their attention. The girlfriend looked a little displeased. Jo's arm around her was probably the only thing keeping her from really mugging me. They entered and took the seat across from me, his arm still holding onto her.
"So what's up?" He said, I glanced at his girlfriend, then back at him. I reached into my pocket and brought out a 20.
"Why don't you get us a couple-a drinks, hon?" I said, handing her the bill. She hesitated at first, turning to Jo to see if he approved. He nodded his head and indicated for her to take the money. She sighed and got up, heading towards the booths.
"I have a favor to ask," I said while reaching into my pocket. He sighed heavily, eyeing his girlfriend before leaning in to whisper.
"Look, whatever it is-" he was cut off as I brought out the bottle. His eyes grew in size, then twisted his face in anger.
"When in the fuck did you ever get the idea to abuse prescription drugs?!" He whispered. I rolled my eyes, pushing the bottle closer to him
"This is nothing like that," I leaned back in my seat, letting out the breath I'd been holding, "the rich kid is taking these for night terrors- I think- but I know these aren't the right pills for it." I looked at Jo, his face had gone gentle, a little more sympathetic until he opened his mouth.
"Since when did you care for the Prescott brat?" I let a little laughter out, resting my head on my right hand.
"Dude, I dunno. But I'm gonna be stuck with him for a while longer so I might as well make the living conditions hospitable." He finally held onto the pill and snuck it into his coat pocket.
"I'll see if my mom can find out more."
"Find out about what?" His girlfriend was standing over us. A drink in both hands and another tucked into her armpit.
"I'll tell you later, babe." He replied. I
"Not everything, I hope," I spoke through my teeth, a forced smile to get my point across. He glared back. I stood up and took the drink from one of her hands.
"You guys can enjoy a little date; on me." I winked at the girl and left. It took me a half hour to walk back, mostly because of my aimless wandering. When I finally did get the guts to get back to school, Nathan sat on one of the benches outside the dorms. I kept my gaze down as I approached him, I didn't have to look up to see his harsh focus on me.
"I didn't think you'd notice I was gone," I clicked his tongue, then made a movement to the pavement.
"Where're my pills, Thorne?" I finally locked his gaze. His eyes looked swollen a little, his jaw was tense as if trying to hold himself back. My hand attempt to get closer to his shoulder but backed down as soon as he glanced at it.
"I'm sorry," I couldn't speak right, I wondered why I was so worried. What was the worst he could do? Then I decided to take a different approach and sat down on the bench.
"Those pills weren't made for you, so I thought I'd dispose of them," I spoke with a casual tone, see if he could calm down a little with that. He followed my lead and sat down next to me.
"What makes you think I'm not 'abusing' prescription drugs?" He got into a playful mood, his jaw was still tense and his voice strained, but his eyes said otherwise. I don't know what came over me but I went along with it.
"Then I'd have to scold you properly for that." He held my shoulder and shoved me back. He was much calmer at least. He rubbed his forehead, staring at the ground, his playful smile disappeared.
"Go back to your dorm," he affirmed, "I'll see you in the morning." I hesitated to get up, but wanting to avoid what he might do if he was really angry, I decided to do as he asked. Just before entering the door, I turned back around and handed him a small container.
"They're muscle relaxers, they'll help out better than those pills," I kept my hand held out until he caved and snatched them from me. I gave him a half smile then walked off.
Thoughts of Nathan kept me up all night. Morning came but I didn't get up until my radio turned on. I sighed heavily, rubbing my face to remove the sleepiness. I quickly moved to grab my shower things and headed out the door. I came out of the shower room to find girls glancing at my halfway opened room with suspicion. I hurried over, hoping that it wasn't a surprise inspection. The sigh of relief I let out could not have been enough to release every worry that was inside of me. I looked onwards into my room to Nathan and Victoria, standing and sitting on my bed, respectively.
"The hell's wrong with you guys," I breathed out and dropped my old clothes in my closet.
"Waiting for you, duh," Victoria jumped off my tall bed, grabbing her things off the floor. I mirrored her gestures with my own things and followed them out. Stepping out the door felt like the complete opposite of feeling like a celebrity. As soon as we marched out, the floor went silent. Victoria gave the others a spiteful smirk before raising her posture in a posh manner. They seemed to have planned this since Nathan stiffly placed his arm over my shoulder. As soon as we were out the door, I shoved Nathan's arm off me and faced the two troublemakers.
"Okay, what's going on?" I demanded. Victoria sighed, as if she was pitiful, and dropped her weight onto the ground.
"Those goddamn stupid girls!" she glared up at me, "This is your own fault you know, it's not my fault the two of you decided not to be touchy-feely. What the hell am I supposed to do…" she began to mumble incoherently, which is when I turned to Nathan and he began to explain.
"Vic's being a baby about having to handle people's questions." He said in an annoyed tone. She shot back daggers, her lips pursed as if she was about to sob. I sighed heavily.
"You weren't there when all those damn girls fuckin' jumped me," she argued, standing up. I held her shoulder, keeping a fight from happening.
"A'right, a'right I believe you." I exhaled in desperation, "So, how about this," I took a step away from both of them, "we don't do surprise stunts like that anymore and act like an actual couple, right?" They both hesitated, but after a glance at each other, they seemed convinced. I held out my hand, which Nathan surprisingly took with ease, and the three of us continued to the school.
"Okay, lovebirds, say your goodbyes," Victoria jeered, then turned to Nathan, "I'll see you in class." As she walked off, the idle scans became alarmingly obvious.
"Just pretend they aren't there," he whispered, inching closer.
"It's kinda hard when they're looking you straight in the eyes," I retorted through my teeth then bucking at one of the students that had been staring for a little too long.
"Who knew you had such a dedicated fan club," I forced a smile and wrapped my arms around his neck. He scoffed then retorted.
"More like a haters club," despite his low-key deprecation, he laughed at his joke. I tried to pull back from making my face so serious.
"Oh don't take it to heart," he placed his hands on my hips, then gently pushed back, "I'm feeling like going on a date the evening, so you better get yourself ready for that." I rolled my eyes but nodded in cooperation. Despite how affectionate we had seemed, we didn't give the onlookers a show of p.d.a and ended things as quickly as they started. That isn't to say I wasn't excited for the evening to come.
I feel like this is a little shorter than normal but at the same time, I'm not sure ...