Nathaniel's a pushover.

He's such a doormat.

Roland and Gwen's date is in this Chapter.

/(0-0)/

Gwen POV

"Will you go on a date with me?" Roland asked me, holding a rose. I couldn't make sense of this situation. A date? I averted his eyes and looked around. I could see a pair of golden eyes watching us, but the eyes quickly looked back at the crime novel they were reading. He was watching us, I knew it. I remembered what Iris had told me. A couple of casual dates couldn't hurt, right?

"Sure." I smiled at him. He let loose a breath of held air.

"Thanks, so, how about tonight? I'll pick you up at 7:30. Make sure to wear something nice, okay?" Roland scratched the back of his head and I nodded. "Okay then! Bye, Gwen. I have to some things to do around town." Roland walks off and I head to the school again. I could feel golden eyes watching me as I left.

At 7:30, I was ready to go out. I brushed my hair one more time when I heard the doorbell ring. I walked downstairs and saw Roland.

"Good day, m'lady." Roland said in a faux accent.

"T' you too." I answered in the same accent. We both laughed and he led me to his car.

The date went fairly well. Roland and I were walking around the park, when he turned me around.

"Gwen..." He leaned forward. I took a step back, but he only pulled me closer.

"Ro- mrggh." I was about to stop him when he crashed his lips to mine. I pulled away immediately. I didn't like the kiss at all. It needed something, though I wasn't sure what.

"Yep." He says and laughs.

"What." I cock my head to the side and glance at him. This causes him to chuckle again.

"I knew that I was gay." He shakes his head. "I just needed confirmation." He looks at me. "I'm sorry, Gwen. For making you go on this date and stuff."

I punch his shoulder. "Ha, its okay. Though the kissing thing was kind of weird." I held in a sigh of relief. Roland was gay and I was safe. "But, when did you suspect that you were gay?"

"Oh. Ha, that's a funny story. In middle school, I was head over heels on love with Nathaniel." My face was twisted in shock. "I just didn't know it at the time." Roland looks at my expression and laughs again.

"Don't worry, Gwen. Nate is completely straight. You can have him all to yourself." He winks at me. My face turns completely red.

"No! It's not like that at all!"

"Ookay.." He looked doubtful. "Anyway, that redhaired guy looks kind of shaky, though. I bet I can change him." He winks again and I giggle. Roland and Castiel. I mix their names together. Rastiel? He hooks his arm with mine and we head home.

At school, Roland isn't completely ready to come out yet. So I play his pretend girlfriend for now. I told him it was okay to spread rumors about the kiss we shared. I was holding his hand and laughing when I was pulled from Roland's grip. My hazel eyes met with the golden eyes that were watching me the other day.

"Gwen.. we need to talk." He huffed. His tone was darker and harder than it normally was. I wasn't aware of this side of Nate. It kind of scared me.

"Hey, man..?" Roland said.

"Gwen.. c'mon." Nate tugged at my wrist.

"Dude." Roland waved in front of Nate's face. "What do you think you're doing?"

"We're doing a math project." Roland took ahold of my other arm.

"Is this true?" Roland looked at me. I was tempted to say no, but the look in Nate's eyes compelled me to nod. Roland cautiously lets go of my arm. "Be careful." he says as Nate pulls me along. His grip is so tight on my wrist that it hurts.

"Ouch." I squeak. Nate sighs and loosens his grip on my wrist. I was about to head off when he pins me against a courtyard wall in the back. His arms encased me, preventing any escape.

"Gwen, did you really kiss Roland?" He whispered, his tone much softer now. His breath fanned over my face and I was unable to answer. His body was close to mine and I felt my heart racing. My thoughts were spinning around my head again. I resisted the urge to kiss him again, though I so wanted too. I knew that would just result in pain, for both him and I. I avoided his golden eyes, which were burning with passion and sadness. There was another emotion there, though I couldn't identify it. Was it.. jealousy? I looked down at my feet. I nodded. His face fell.

"I knew it.." The pain in his eyes made me want to tell him about Roland. I kept quiet though. The words that wanted to spill from my mouth never did. He sighed. I squeezed my eyes shut, so that I didn't have to see his hurt expression. I felt his figure lean down. His face moved toward my neck and he rested his head on my shoulder. I stiffened a bit, then relaxed. His hot breath spilled over my neck.

Nathaniel POV

My head was cradled in Gwen's shoulder. I should pull away, and forget this ever happened. Erase Gwen from my life completely. Though I knew I couldn't. Gwen left a scar on me that would never fade. I sighed into her neck. Her hand lifted my chin up.

"Nathaniel..." This was the first time she'd used my full name since months ago. "I-I'm so sorry." Her hand left my chin and she wrapped her arms around me.

I stared at her face, the hazel eyes that bore into mine, were waiting for me to say something. I kept silent though, my eyes trained on hers.

"I-I know this is a lot to ask. But d-do you want to be friends again?" Her words pierced the silence. I should say no. I shouldn't let her into my heart again. But I only nod. Her face stretches into a grin. I found myself grinning, too. She removed her arms from my waist.

"So, want to grab lunch with Roland?" Gwen says.

"Sure, why not?" Gwen takes my arm and we race off to find Roland.

At the diner, Roland and I split the bill. Gwen insists to pay, but we refuse. Roland told me that he was gay. That kinda shocked me, but I should of seen it coming.

MAY

"Class, I'm glad to announce that we will be having the annual camping trip!" Mr. F told the class before the bell rang. "Now, remember, grab a partner and get your note signed! Class dismissed." I gathered my books and headed out the door with Gwen

"Hey, do you want-" Gwen and I spoke at the same time. I chuckled and Gwen giggled a bit.

"Well, isn't it proper manners for me, the gentleman, to ask first?" I took Gwen's hand and got down on my knees. "Gwen Breese, would you like to accompany me to the annual camping trip this year?"

"I'd be delighted to." Gwen pulls me up, then points to Castiel and Roland. "Look."

Roland was rubbing the back of his neck and mumbling something. Castiel shrugged and said something that sounded like "Cool, whatever." Castiel walked off and I gave Roland a thumbs up.

Next Week

I boarded the bus with Gwen, tugging at my zipper on my jacket. Gwen turned to me and slid her fingers under my hand.

"What are d-doing?" I was blushing a bit. Her hand skillfully pulled my zipper up.

"What does it look like? I'm helping you zip up your zipper." She looked up at me. "Are you sick? You look a bit flushed." Her hand went up to my head. I turned away from her.

"I'm fine, hey where do you want to sit?" I pointed to the three seats that were open.

"Um, how about in the back?" I nodded and we sat down. The bus was going to take about 2 hours. Gwen groaned and stretched, she turned to the window. "I'm so bored."

"Gwen. We haven't even left yet." I rolled my eyes, Gwen had the patience and attention span of a gnat. I flicked her and she turned to me. "Maybe you should try talking to your partner?"

"Well, Mr. So Interesting, entertain me." I told her about the principal latest antics, and about the certainly not edible cafeteria food. She laughed a bit and then unzipped my jacket.

"What are you doing...?"

"What's with the tight tees? The girls have been noticing a bit." She wiggled her eyebrows a bit. I glare at her.

"Auntie only provided me with a variety of tees and jeans." I sighed a bit. She poked me in the stomach.

"You aren't pudgy, that's for sure."

"Well, when I can, I hit the gym." I looked down at the black tee I was wearing. I guess the girls have been staring at me more than usual. I ran my fingers through my hair. Gwen was zipping up my jacket when the bus gave a big thump.

"Whoah.." Gwen fell into my lap. "Geez, how old is this thing?"

"Hey, get a room!" Someone said from the front of the bus. Gwen and I went bright red, and Gwen quickly got up. We both laughed nervously. We talked casually for the rest of the ride and before we knew it, we were there.

"Time for the scavenger hunt! Find these items on the list and come back when you're done!" Mr. F handed us a map and Gwen quickly crumbled it up.

"Ha! We won't need this." She said and took the list from me. "Let's see.." We walked around for a bit and found nothing. The sky was beginning to darken. I checked my watch.

"IT'S LIKE 7:30!" I yelled and turned to Gwen. "Ohmygoshgwenohmygoshohmygosh ." My breathing hitched. Gwen put her hand on my chest.

"Chill, Nate." She said, rubbing my chest to calm me down. "They'll find us, but for precautions' sake, lets make camp.

Gwen and I made camp and the air started to cool. Gwen shivered a bit.

"You seem cold, Gwen." I unzipped my jacket and started to take it off when Gwen stopped me.

"Nate, I'm fine. Taking off your own jacket will only make you cold." She laid down. "Anyway, I'm going to catch up on some rest." I laid down beside her and let my thoughts drift.

When I woke, it was still dark. But everything felt warmer somehow. I realized I was pressed up against something. Something breathing. I was about to scream but then I looked and it was Gwen. I breath a sigh of relief, but then freeze again. I was cuddling GWEN. My heart rate sped up a bit. I checked her again, to make sure she was asleep. She felt nice and pleasant in my arms. Well, whats the harm? A wind blew over us and Gwen snuggled up to me. i put my head on her shoulder. I let my thoughts drift again.