Chapter 9

Nate sighed and quickly got up frustrated left the room. Rachels eyes followed him out and back to look at Chuck.

"I'll talk to him." He stated and left.

Rachel and Nate had been friends almost as long, if not longer than her and Dan Humphery, but knowing how he felt now, the same way that she did about him. She sighed and tuned back into the conversation between Serena and Blair

Rachel remembered it all to well the first time she knew what she felt for Nate and Dan were completely different. She loved Dan sure, but she really loved Nate. Unfortunately, at the time Nate and Blair were dating, it didn't help that he also had a thing for Serena than as well. Rachel threw herself into her feelings for Nate into Dan and they dated for awhile almost a year before they finally broke it off when Gossip Girl showed up.

Rachel finally decided to runaway and enter Lima, Ohio, to a group of rag tag teenagers that never liked her because she changed herself to be something she wasn't. Still diluting herself that she was anything other than popular rich and talented.

Nate always called everyday to beg her to come home. She quickly denied saying that she needed time apart from New York and the upper east side hiding the fact that where she was at was worse. The ridicule, the slushies making her stop wearing anything expensive again. How she wanted to come home every time she heard Nates voice over the phone.

"She's going to be ok," Chuck said from behind patting him on the shoulder.

Nate stood on the balcony just outside of Blairs kitchen and stared across the amazing view of the upper east side.

"Her life back in Lima was a living hell Chuck. I couldn't protect her than I couldn't protect her there how can I protect her here? Nate ran his hand Shakely through his hair. "I love her, and all I do is seem to screw up."

"1, she can protect herself."

"Yeah, I see how well that turned out with your dad." Nate froze and turned to face Chuck. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"Dud relax."

"How can I relax, your dad just threatened your sister and the love of my life."

"yea about that. You tell her how you feel soon, or I will."

"I will, just not now."

"2nd Rachel feels the same way, she just scared. She's been hiding her feelings for so long that it has her reeling every time you even so much as speak to her and if you tell her I told you I will punch you."

Nate taken aback by Chucks words, he stood and watched him leave.

Rachel watch Chuck reenter the living room. She started to get up but Dan gently pushed her back down.

"His he ok?" Rachel asked, Chuck smiled she was always more worried about others before herself.

"He will be, just give him time."

Rachel looked saddened towards the kitchen and started to fiddle with her jeans. Ignotring the protest of the others she got up and limped towards Nate. She opened the door and upon hearing it Nate turned around in surprise to see her.

"Rachel?" Rachel nervously stepped closer and grabbed his hand pulled him. Without a second thought Nate bent down and kissed her.