"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
"They can fix my eyes?" Nate nearly chokes out.Lucy unclasps one of her hands and waves it in the air. Tim lays his hand on Nate's shoulder as she does so. "I shouldn't say that, but there's high chance that this could approve your sight to almost being 20/20. Those are high odds, Natty. The procedure is the safest we have yet to see and the doctors seem to think very positive about it."I think the gears in my brain have grinded to a halt. Procedure? Nate has talked about possibilities but he has never confirmed one. "When?" Nate asks. There's a smile that could ignite the sun itself, so bright I have to look away. My eyes roam the faces of his loved ones, all equally happy about the news. Even little Charlotte is jumping for joy as she still clings to my leg. "We can schedule it as early as next week," Tim answers, gripping Nate's shoulder again. His lips are pressed together as if he is trying not to cry in front of his children. "Of course, there will have to be a pre examinati
I hook my foot on the downspout and lift my weight onto the ivy vine leading up to Nate's window. I watch my footing, afraid of making too much noise and his parents will run out with a flashlight to see that it's only little ol' me, sneaking into their son's bedroom like the midnight bandit. When I get eye level with Nate's window frame, I can see him sitting at his desk, a lamp lit beside him, and his headphones in his ears. He is blankly staring off into space. I tap on the window. His eyes shoot in my direction and his brows lower in confusion. I take a try at lifting up his window, thinking it may be locked, but am surprised when it lifts up effortlessly. "You sure are trusting," I comment, hoisting myself up and through the window. "What are you doing?" Nate asks while removing his headphones. "Did you just climb up the tressel?"I don't know why he is so surprised. He knew I climbed out the window this morning."Your parents were just asking for trouble by placing that so
"Truth?"I lift my face to angle towards his and wait for him to continue. We still lay in Nate's bed, the aftermath of what we just did setting a warm glow throughout the room."The night that you fell asleep at my place, you said that you loved me in your sleep but I didn't tell you because I thought maybe I was dreaming. I've dreamt about you telling you loved me from the moment I met you. Because I've loved you from afar for so long. I was just afraid that my dreams were clouding my reality and I was no longer able to tell them apart. You do that to me, Kelly." His fingers touch my skin over my ribcage. "You're like an angel invading my dreams.""I'm no angel," I assure him and snuggle my face back into his chest. I should acknowledge that I said those three words in my sleep but I can't say that I am surprised. Even in my unconsciousness, I have Nate on the brain. "You are to me."I pucker my lips on his chest, letting them linger in the sweetest way. He is the angel. I want to
I lean against Nate's locker with a stupid grin on my face as Nate tells me once again to not make a big deal out of his birthday. I promise him that I won't but we both know that that is a lie. "If I did happen to make a big deal out of your birthday," I say as I crane my neck around to see his face, "what exactly would be considered too over the top?"Nate shuts his locker and leans against it with his shoulder, facing me. "Singing. Definitely singing."My mouth pops open. "You can't be serious.""I'm being very serious.""Why?" I ask grinning up at him. I didn't have anything planned per say but I did have something in mind. I already talked to his small group of friends about surprising him at my house for a surprise party and they were all for it. It would be kept small and comfortable. Like a normal night out with his friends plus me. "Because." Nate swoops down and kisses my forehead. "You are a terrible singer, love."My skin warms at his endearment. "I am not." His fingers