The last time I was even this far out of town had been the night Alyssa and I decided we wanted to skinny dip in Lover's Lake, a sad excuse of a puddle about a mile from Lover's Land. It had reminded me of a horror film or maybe even Jaws, which we both joked about while wading in the gross, dark pond water. It hid our rebelling bodies well and it had freaked me out because I couldn't see what was under me.It had been a pretty exhilarating night until Danny and Ryan had figured out where we were and stole our clothing. That had been an interesting night home. And they knew I was afraid of the dark. But glancing over at the person beside me made all my worries fade away. Most of his injuries have faded from a pungent purple to a tauny yellow. He no longers grimaces when he moves. It only took a few weeks. "If I remember right there's a sign that says Private Property right before the road ends. You can pull onto that road and then park in one of the fields," Nate instructs. "Don't
Although I know he is uncomfortable when I compliment him, I don't retract my hand but instead brush a curl that circled his ear off his skin. "I'm scared too," I admit and lay back down. This time, I'm the one that's uncomfortable. I wasn't scared of much, but this kid, the wonderfully amazing guy has me in a constant spiral. The stars above us twinkle and Nate has yet to speak."Do you ever wonder if the stars talk back?" I roll my head in Nate's direction and try my hardest to connect his eyes with mine. He doesn't answer, but gazes at me with no particular destination. His breathing is still labored under his hands crossed over his chest.I continue before my brain can get sidetracked by his eyes, desperate for a change of subject where I don't feel so vulnerable."When I was little I was morbidly obsessed with death. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents and when my grandpa passed away I had constantly asked where we go when we die. Every person had had the same answer: H
"Nate," I groan. My feet dangle over the side of his bed and my hair hangs over the other side, cascading down to the floor. I flip over and prop my hand under my chin and look at him. "I'm bored. Let's take a break.""No breaks," Nate warns, his fingers tapping away at his computer. "Please?" He shakes his head and I fling my pencil at him lightly, hitting him on his slinged shoulder. He flinches in mock pain which sends my eyes rolling. His shoulder was bothering him again and he was instructed to use the sling for another week. To all of our misfortune, he is rather grumpy about it."I really need coffee, at least." I roll over on my back and look at him, upside down and grinning. His lips look harsh just by doing so, the healing skin stretching around the cuts as he laughs at me. But he still looks beautiful. "Bring me one while you're at it." He's taunting me and I love it. I love how comfortable he has become with me. I finally know where we stand together and that informatio
The door to Linc's dings as I walk in and find a booth. Levi gives me a strange look as he sees me sitting alone, a cup of coffee in hand, and a frown on my face. I wave at him a tad shy but he remains stationed behind the cook's counter. The door dings again and I don't have to look over my shoulder to see who it is. I can smell her perfume before she rounds the booth and takes a seat in front of me. "Hey," I say as a greeting because I still don't know where me and my best friend stand after the series of superficial events. "Surprised to hear from you," Alyssa interjects, her face pinched and hair hanging down her back freely. I try my hardest to keep this civil. I would never get anything out of her if I'm not. So instead, I take another sip of my coffee. "Do you want something to drink?" I motion for another coffee to Tiffany, Levi's fiance's niece who hated her job as much as Levi hated her. She is lazy and pops her bubble gum like a firecracker, constantly making me jump wh
"It took a little longer dropping the boxes off then I assumed it would," I lie into my phone. "Do you still want me to come over to finish the project?""Of course," Nate says. His voice is deep and smooth in my ear and it calms my anxiety over the situation. "Okay, I'll be there in--" I slam on my breaks when I reach my driveway. "What the hell?""Kelly, what's wrong? Did you hit a deer?" For the first time ever, my mind manages to zone Nate's voice out.My hands turn white from my grip on the steering wheel. I look like a deer in headlights as I stare at the truck parked in my driveway. What makes me feel like I was hit by a car is the person leaning against said truck speaking to my mother. "Kelly? Kelly!" Nate's voice has grown panicked and it pulls me out of my foggy brain."I have to go," I manage to say and cut the call with Nate.I get out of my car and slam the door shut behind me. This catches the attention of our guest and my mother. "Look, dear," my mother says watchin
The tears have finally started to flow and I hiccup to keep them down. His hands find my cheeks and I rest my face into them, relishing that comfort his touch always brings. "It's not my blood."Nate doesn't say anything but his brows scrunch low over his eyes and two lines form between them in worry. I want to reach out and smooth them but don't because the tears soon blur my vision and I can no longer see. "Kelly what is going on?" His voice has grown stern and through the ups and downs of today, my vulnerable body is affected by the tone. I am almost disgusted with myself. Even in the worst moments I want Nate. "I lied to you." My breath hitches and my grip on his hands tighten, afraid that he will let go. "About what?" Nate's voice softens to a siren lull that makes me sway towards him. His thumbs carass both my cheeks, rubbing back and forth in a way that makes my eyes close. I am fighting a one woman battle and I am losing. I need to tell him before things progress between
The early morning sun cascades sheets of gold into Nate's bedroom. I lay awake, staring at him in the glory of it all. He looks so peaceful in his sleep.Achingly careful, I bring my hand up to move his hair off his forehead and even in my best efforts, he stirs. His arm, which is still wrapped around my waist, tightens, and I am once again flush against him.I lean forward and pucker my lips against the bare skin of his throat, earning a groan from Nate. His hips press firmer against my own as he brings me as close to him as I possibly can. My sleeping mind instantly wakes.Nate's eyes barely open, his long lashes batting against sleep as he looks somewhere between my nose and forehead. His eyes are as gold as the light that is streaming through the window.I hold my breath as his fingers come up and skim over my cheek. "Beautiful," he whispers more to himself. The tips of his fingers move up to my temple and I close my eyes as they roam my entire face; my eyes, my nose, my lips,
I promised Nate that I would meet him in the parking lot after my cheer practice is over and he is done with a makeup test that he missed because of his unfortunate injuries. But right now, as I'm tying my laces of my cheer shoes, I would much rather be at home or anywhere else for that matter.All the girls gather around on the grass, their heads bent together as they look at the little black book with stunts. When I approach them, they all turn and smile. I try my hardest to smile back. "Hey ladies," I say tightening my ponytail. I reach for the book but Alyssa holds it over her head. "Not so fast, Captain." She grins and for a second I'm scared for my life. Alyssa smiling from ear to ear is dangerous. "Are you going to spill about why you missed the last couple practices?"I called in because I was too upset about what happened with Nate. To know that most of these girls were friends with my old group of friends really irked me. Cheer practices, though we do go through routines i