Chapter 4: Date? Pt 2
Sorry for the delayed update, but here I am now! Did you miss me? Enough stalling let the show begin!
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I kept giggling like an idiot and for some reason I couldn't breathe. My chest felt like it was tied up in knots and the crushing weights wouldn't go away no matter how hard I tried to get rid of them through laughter… it just had to be Ladybug…
"S-sorry…It's just that…" I covered my mouth to hide my sad downward lips and instead shifted the focus from me to him by pointing at his flushed face."...your face it's totally red like a tomato, it's so cute." His face went from a light red to a deep burgundy.
"Stop it…You're making me flustered!" He said, as he hid his face in his hands trying to hide his embarrassment.
"You're so goddamn cute! What did Ladybug do to capture your heart?"
"Is that even a question? She's brave, confident, intelligent, beautiful, and she wears pigtails." Yeah right…wait pigtails?
"Wait pigtails?"
"W-well…I-I-its uhhh..I-its c-cause…"
"Do you have some weird pigtail fetish!?"
"No! I-its j-j-just that…girls with pigtails are k-kind of my type…" I started to play with my hair and frowned.
"Well…I think pigtails are for little girls! I mean…they're cute and all, but people just gotta grow up. What self-respecting woman wants to be treated like some fragile flower girl?"
He shrugged nonchalantly. "It's just my personal preference." I frowned more intensely…
"What about my hair…? I have most of it down but I always have these strands loosely tied." I asked nervously playing with said strands.
"I think it suits you. I'm not going to lie you have really pretty hair." Badump.
"I think you have pretty hair to…" His eyes grew wide and he looked down sheepishly, ears dusted with pink blush.
"T-thanks…" Thankfully before an awkward silence formed the bus screeched to a stop and opened the door.
"W-well come on tomato head!" I stood up quickly and made my way towards the bus.
We sat down. We didn't say anything and silence bloomed from our non-use of words. However, this time the silence was more comfortable…I got the window seat so I stared outside, observing the passing sites, as the bus drove on. Nathanael offered me an earbud. With a quite 'thank you' I put it in my ear and resumed my sightseeing. Nathanael was right about this being quicker and I got to see a lot of Pairs just by sitting here. I silently memorized the names of the streets and watched the people live out their daily lives…I usually don't like being on the sidelines…but it was nice to be a wallflower every once and awhile…especially when you had another wallflower growing beside you.
Paris, with its striking juxtaposition between modern and classic architecture was quite the sight to see, as was the free art that flourished against brick and concrete walls…I wonder if any of those are Nathanael's…probably not. He doesn't seem the type to vandalize, even if it was for 'the sake of the art'…Several restaurants dotted the wide avenues and I could see many high class people drink Champaign in the more regal restaurants while the more economic ones housed your average citizen drinking a pop soda, or occasionally, coffee, if the restaurant offered any. Ancient stone created the walkways that people stepped on, they were literally walking in the footsteps of their ancestors.
I was so absorbed into sightseeing that I almost didn't hear that our stop was coming up if it weren't for Nathanael. Getting up from our seats we were about to get off and let the new people in when the bus jerked to a stop. I was able to catch myself and regain my balance. Nathanael…not so much…Without hesitation I grabbed him by the wrist and harshly tugged him towards me. This just caused his feet to get entangled and he fell backwards, luckily I had my arm out to catch him. He opened his eyes, clearly surprised he wasn't on the ground, but was instead in my arm in a dipping position. He looked up at me with a flush face. Without even thinking I said.
"I think you just fell for me." No sooner had those words left my mouth before everyone on the bus started to whistle and cheer; praising the 'young loving couple'…I had never regretted saying something so much as I did at that very instant. Without saying anything else I rushed both myself and Nathanael out the bus.
"Smooth."
"Shut up." I snapped back, face flushed. Nathanael just giggled in that disgustingly cute way of his.
The smell of cherry soda and stale popcorn filled my nostrils. I could hear the polite murmurs of people talking excitingly about a certain film; some waiting in line and others exiting said film. I even saw a few kids run towards the mini video arcade that the theater provided. I looked up to see what movies where playing. One of them caught my eye… I recall seeing a few trailers for the film. It looked decent.
Now I wasn't much of a horror fan. However, the image of Nathanael clinging to me as a I patted his red hair reassuringly was tempting…I don't know what it is about Nathanael but I really want to hold him…It might be because of his short stature…I really wanted to hold him close to my chest and spoil him rotten…Curse my maternal instincts.
"So what movie do you feel li-."
"That one, Remember me."
"Y-you mean the scary one…"
"Yeah…but…I get it if you're not man enough to watch it…We can watch some RomCom if you want, Cherry boy." He flushed and furrowed his brows.
"T-that's not what I meant…I mean…." He puffed out his cheeks and ran his hand through his red hair. "I was just concerned for you."
"Whatever." He pouted.
"I-I just want to make sure you're actually going to watch it and not have nightmares…cause then I'll feel guilty…" He persisted.
"Well then you don't have to worry about ME getting nightmares. So hurry up tomato boy…or should I call you chicken boy now?" He growled and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"D-Don't blame me if you get nightmares!"
With that we got in line and waited our turn. While we were in line we decided to think about what snacks we wanted to get, we would have just snuck in the macaroons, if we hadn't eaten them all…In the end we decided that we would get two drinks and a large sized popcorn that we would share between the both of us.
"Do you want it buttered or salted?" Nathanael asked. I placed the tip of my finger on my chin in thought.
"Hmm…I like buttered at home, salted for movies." He nodded, and payed for both the popcorn and sodas, I was paying for the tickets.
Nathanael was just being spiteful, he even said as much, 'since you picked the movie you pay'. So, if I hadn't chosen a scary movie he would have payed for the tickets and the snacks.
The seats where moderately filled and we made our way up towards the middle, seeing as most of the seats up top where already taken. The movie wouldn't start for another five minutes. I decided to turn my phone off in the meantime. In the corner of my eye I could see Nathanael move around nervously. I grinned.
"Is someone getting cold feet?" He stiffened.
"N-no…" His stuttering wasn't very convincing…I actually felt kind of bad for forcing him to see a movie he wasn't comfortable in seeing…
"There still time to leave, you know. The movie hasn't started."
"No way! I'm staying, plus you already paid…Unless…you're scared. I'm sure there's some cheesy RomCom movie we can go watch instead." He said mockingly.
"I'm not scared! I'm just concerned about you."
"Whatever." I frowned. De ja vu…The lights dimmed and we both knew it was too late to turn back…Our pride was at stake… The music stated. Sonorous sound waves bounced off the walls of the theatre and high pitched chords struck randomly. This is it….
Oh my god! We're only half into the movie and it's already messing with my head…Nathanael was shaking like leaf in my arms and I was hiding my face in the crook of his neck…I was so scared I couldn't even enjoy the softness of his hair and delicate feel of his skin…
"Leaving so soon..." A feminine voice that was as sweet as honey bounced off the walls and no matter how frantically he searched for the source he found none. He was alone, was he hallucinating again? Was this real?! Why!? He didn't want to be reminded…
"Stop it! You're not real. Not real, not real, not real, I'm fine…not my fault, not my fault…!"
"I trusted you…"
"Please…."He whimpered helplessly. He hid himself in a desolate corner; his eyes tightly shut, hands over his ears, as he frantically shook his head to get rid of any demons in his mind.
"Said we stay together…Well…despite everything you've done…I still love you…Join me…Stay with ME FOREVER!" His eyes shot open and-
"Ahhhh!" I tighten my grip around Nathanael's waist and he hid his face in my hair.
"Ahhh….! I have go to the bathroom, crazy bad!" I practically shouted. I didn't have to go to the bathroom, but I was ready to book it.
"Me to! Let's go…" We rushed out as fast as we could…
Silence…We didn't say anything…We were still shaking and I hadn't noticed that I was still holding Nathanael's hand…
"…Do you want to sneak into a Disney movie?"
"Yes, please…"
"That was a good movie...got to give them credit. Not only did they deal with a subject most movies don't have the balls to talk about but they also did it in a very clever and creative way." I nodded in agreement.
"Hey, want to play a few rounds?" I asked pointing at the mini arcade just left of the exit door.
"I'm not much of a player…but okay, we can play a few rounds."
"How about we make things more interesting…"
"Interesting, how so?"
"Let's make a bet." He frowned; he didn't seem to like the idea. "If I win you have to hold my hand and shower me in complements…AND do everything I say."
"And if I win." I grinned. Oh sweet, innocent Nathanael you already admitted that gaming wasn't your forte; this was going to be a walk in the park.
"You won't." He frowned.
"Fine, it's a deal." Hook, line, and sinker, I knew his pride wouldn't let him refuse my little bet.
We made our way towards the mini arcade. The arcade was small and you could literally have a conversation with someone on the other side, but it did have popular mainstream games. In the corner was Dance, Dance Revolution and right next to it was a small claw machine that was filled with little stuffed toys from a variety of video games. Arcade games lined the two opposite walls some of the games included but were not limited to Pacman, racing games, and first person shooters. In the middle of the small arcade was an ice hockey table.
"Seeing as I OBIVOUSLY have the advantage; I'll let you chose your death sentence."
"How generous of you…Hmmm…" He said sarcastically and then placed his finger on his chin in thought as he scanned the arcade…There was a slight glimmer in his eyes that I barley caught…I decided to ignore it. He smiled and pointed to the arcade game he wanted to challenge me on…Street Fighter.
"Good choice. I'm going to wipe the floor with you, little red."
-~1 minute later~-
Game over…I lost…Nathanael looked stupid with his happy victory smile.
"Guess I won, huh?"
"You only won 'cause I was going easy on you! Let's play again no fooling around this time." He shrugged nonchalantly.
Game over. Ugh!
"Come one more time I wasn't ready….!"
"Game over." UGH!
"All or nothing!"
Game over. AUGH!
"One more time!"
Game over.
"Again!"
Game over.
"Again!"
Game over.
"AUUGH! Stop beating me!"
"Hey you okay…?"
"I'M PREFECTLY FINE! Come on one more round!" He let out a tired sigh.
You Win!
"Yes, yes! In your face Nathanael! I won!"
"Great! Now let's go its getting dark."
"Really…? I hadn't noticed…guess I was really into it right?" He laughed nervously.
"Guess I got to do everything you say now." Wait a minute…something wasn't right….
"Oh, hell no! You let me win!" He put his hand over his heart in fake hurt.
"I would never!" I raised an eyebrow… "Well… you weren't going to quit any other way…"
"Nathanael…!" I whined
"On the plus side you won…"
"It doesn't feel like it…" I mumbled as I folded my arms and pouted.
"Aww you're so cute when you pout." Badump! What did he just say….? My face turned red. "What…was it something I said…?"
"Did you…call me cute?"
"Well yea wasn't that part of the deal….? If you won I would have to shower you in complements."
"I-I was kidding about that…" I said nervously….I, highly, doubt I could handle all his praise…my heart would explode…
"Oh…Well what do you want me to do…I recall you said you wanted me to hold your hand, right?" He said thoughtfully, offering me his hand. I took it hesitantly. "Well come on, I'll take you home." I nodded obediently…I felt like a child, being held by the hand and being gently pulled along.
The golden disk gently glided down from the sky and the sky turned pink, coated with giant orange clouds. The two teens walked silently, hand in hand, any bystander would immediately assume they were two love birds sharing a romantic late evening walk. But, they weren't…they were just friends…no even less than that, they were friendly acquaintances…Lila reasoned… Nathanael on the other hand was a little flustered with the notion of holding Lila's hand because although he saw her as a new acquired friend he was not blind. He knew that Lila was very beautiful with her olive colored skin, her big, bright eyes, and her beautiful long flowing brown hair. He now noticed she looked even more beautiful against the harmonizing warm colors of the sunset. His left hand twitched...he wanted to draw her…He wondered if she would allow him to draw her…or maybe she would get creeped out…he would ask her another time. But, as of right now both were savoring the peaceful silence that was shared between them. Nothing was said and they could only hear the soft breathing of the person they were holding hands with and the steady sound of footsteps. It was nice…
Lila could see her apartment not too far away. It was tucked in securely by cafes and shops.
"You can let go now…I see my apartment up ahead." He didn't let go. Instead he looked at her and said.
"You think we can do this again some other time."
"I don't see why not…Just as long as you don't beat me in anymore video games, I thought you said you weren't a gamer…I call bullshit." He laughed.
"I'm not a gamer but when you're friends with people like Kim, Alex, and Max you usually end up playing. It just so happens I'm the master of button mashing."
"You had an advantage." Lila pouted.
"Funny, I remember hearing you say YOU had the advantage…"
"Well…You're a tomato."
"Tomato…? Is it because of my hair? I would really appreciate it if you stopped referring to me by my hair color…and constantly reminding me of my height."
"Not gonna happen little red." He pouted and Lila let out a giggle.
"What floor do you live on?"
"Third floor."
"Okay…" A brief silence hung over them until Lila decided to speak again.
"What am I going to do when school starts...?"
"Just tell them what you told me…about the rumors and the pressure…I'm sure they'll understand if you tell them the truth…" Expect it isn't the truth. Lila thought…
"I think it's too late for that…They'll just think I'm lying…Besides I got you…that's all I need." He flushed…
"I still want you to have more friends…I'm not very social and I feel like you need more people to hang around then just me…I'll introduce you to some of my friends…Then you can have more emotional support and social interactions…"
"…Nathanael…" Lila stopped walking. Nathanael stopped as well, he didn't hear Lila call his name because she said it so softly, the only reason he stopped was because they were now in front of Lila's door number.
"This is your number right?"
"Nathanael…" She said a little more loudly…
"Yes…?"
"W-why…"
"Why…what?"
"Why are you so nice to me…why do you go to the trouble of trying to help me, when you don't even know me…?" He let go of her hand and stared blankly at her. This caused Lila to freak out internally; she could never really tell what was going on in Nathanael's head.
"I'm not really sure…I guess after seeing you cry…I couldn't bear the thought of seeing you shed any more tears, I didn't want to see you become sad or bitter…it doesn't suit you're pretty face." Badump. Lila's heart skipped a beat and Nathanael remained blissfully unaware of that fact. "I'm very introverted and I'm not good at expressing my emotion…I have lots of emotions…but I keep them to myself…I always bottle them up…I-I didn't have anyone to talk to and it was hard…it was hard being by myself…So when Rose and Juleka wanted to be friends…it really helped. I felt lighter and happier because I could vent, because I had friends that would listen and give me advice and wouldn't judge me. I wanted you to feel lighter to…"
Lila gently reached out her hands towards Nathanael's face, and gently brushed his red bangs to the side, and looked into his eyes, searching for any false emotions…but there were none. Nathanael's eyes were as clear and as true as the purest shade of light mint blue. They were filled with genuine concern and care. His reasoning for his desire to be her friend was innocent and pure…Never before in her life had Lila met anyone like Nathanael before. All her life, back in Italy, the only people that were praised and loved where the people like Chloe.
The people with money and gossip and good looks were idolized and everyone else followed their lead. They would lie and spread false rumors to gain popularity or to discredit someone…That was how Lila learned how to lie, learned how to shield her true intentions and feelings so she wouldn't get hurt. But, it was different here…Gently she leaned foreword with half closed eyes…She was being selfish again…but right now…she wanted to be selfish…Nathanael was frozen in place…Why was she leaning forwards towards him…she was close, too close…what was she doing…He unconsciously leaned back and his pulse skyrocketed. They were so close when suddenly…
The door opened and the pair froze….An Italian man around his early thirties or late twenties stepped out from Lila's apartment…He had the same colored eyes as Lila and the same olive colored skin. The main difference was the man's jet black hair, strong jawline, and sharp nose. That was when Nathanael knew if this man was who he thought he was…and given the two teens' position of close proximity he was royally screwed…He hoped that if there was a God that this man was merely the landlord…or maybe this was Lila's next door neighbor and Nathanael got the apartment number wrong…But then he heard the one word he feared most come out of Lila's mouth…
"Pa'pa!" Fuck…Guess I'm becoming an atheist.
So, how was it? I hope you liked it. I decided to play around with different POVs. I thought it would be kind of boring with only one POV and it (the story) would lack depth with diversity in POVs. So from now own I might switch it up a bit, but the main POV will still be Lila's. In any case I hope you enjoyed your treat and I'll try to update sooner next time. Thanks for reading my story and don't forget to leave a review.
P.S. this was probably my longest chapter so far. :)