CHAPTER 04: Her Rants

         HOW I wish Nathan and I would have the same classes together. Ever since our teacher started our class, I couldn’t bear to listen out of frustration. I badly wanted to see him, for I wasn’t used to being alone.

         I nearly jumped off of my seat as soon as the bell rings, indicating that classes were over and it’s time for us to have some lunch. That’s when I remembered Nathan’s promise. He’s gonna be there, he said. My rule number eleven was to never believed in anyone. But I break that one right now. For I knew that Nathan’s promises wasn’t meant to be broken.

         I was walking down the hallway when my gaze saw someone at the corner of my eyes. Tyler Smith and his gang. I didn’t know that much about him, and I don’t want to know either. He’s mysterious, yes, but I’m not a detective so I don’t care.

          I continue making my way into the Cafeteria. When I arrived there, I saw Nathan, with the others. I nearly frowned as I remember their faces. It was those who were talking to him earlier this morning. Seems like they’re serious in befriending Nathan.

          They are a bunch of geeks and nerds too, like my bestfriend. Oh well, I think that’s how it works. Nerds stick together. I guess I’ll only be surprised when I saw Nathan talking to any bad boys in our school or to Tyler, to be specific. By the way, I didn’t know that he’s in the same school as my bestfriend and I was.

“Nathan Brooke!” I called his full name, finally catching his full attention.

          When he saw me, he smiled. After that, he bid his farewells to those people who keep on talking to him.

“Let’s hangout later, Nathan,” one of them stated.

          My bestfriend just nodded at them before he walks towards my direction. There, he saw me standing on his way while I place my arms in front of my chest.

“Uhm... What was that?” I asked.

“My classmates?” I frowned at his response, though I cannot hide the fact that I was surprise for a moment.

“Wow. So... They talked to you earlier by the opening ceremony then all of the sudden, you’re friends now?”

“I said classmates, not friends.”

         I narrowed my eyes on him, trying to scrutinize what he just said. When he didn’t say another word, I decided to finally release my remorse.

“Classmates who are hanging out after class on the first day of school...” I whispered.

“Well, they are more than acquaintances to me now. I’ve known them for years and they often talk to me before... So basically, yeah. Maybe they are my friends now.”

         I rolled my eyes towards him before walking away, trying to find a table for us inside of the room. I’m tired of standing around facing my nerd bestfriend.  

“Hey, wait!” He almost run just to step up with me. “Are you mad?”

“Nope. Why would I be?”

“You know that I can heard the sarcasm in your voice, right?”

“That’s good.”

“So you’re indeed mad. But why? What did I do?”

“What are you guys going to do later after class anyways? Play game boards like chess or something?” I asked, ignoring his question.

         I sat down when I found an empty and available table. Nathan nearly sit beside me but I didn’t allow it. I pushed him away, causing him to turn around and sit on the opposite side of the table.

“What’s your problem?” he asked, his brows almost touching each other out of confusion.

“Nothing. I’m just asking.”

            He rolled his eyes on me and I nearly laughed at his cute facial expression but I stopped myself from doing so. I don’t want him to think that everything is already back to normal, when in fact, it wasn’t. 

         I don’t know if I’m the only one thinking about this but, my high school life started pretty bad since I found out that Nathan is not one of my classmates. For a moment, I though it was unfair that he’s having a new friends while here I am, still a loner who couldn’t live my high school life without him.

“Are you... Okay?” he asked.

“Y-yeah.” I tried to smile.

“Are you sure? Because you’re acting very weird, Nat. Come on, spill it out. I’m always ready to listen to your random rants and life dramas.”

         Though I didn’t feel like talking about it, I still tried to explain myself rather than to act weird and uneasy in front of him all day long.

“I just... Wasn’t it unfair? You have your new friends... While me, still just me.”

          He looked at me in disbelief. And then it turns out to be amusement. I caught a smile slowly forming on his lips before he say anything.

“Are you jealous because of my new friends?”

“Gross,” I whispered. He just chuckled.

“Aren’t you happy for me?”

         I thought about his question, trying to process it inside of my mind. That’s when I realized how selfish I’d been. If I can’t be happy for him, then I’m not a true friend. That’s how it works, right? I felt bad, seeing how unfair I’ve was to him lately.

“I am happy... Please don’t get me wrong. I was just surprised at how fast those changes happened. It only been hours and now...” I trailed off, looking down to hide my ashamed face.

“Nat and Nat always stays together, no matter what happens, even if you and I found some new friends. We will always be best of friends, you know. So please, stop worrying about nonsense stuffs.”

           He flicked my forehead, causing me to glared at him. Now our eyes were finally staring at each other.

“I guessed I was the one who’ve been selfish. I-I’m just... I’m s-scared to be alone.”

“Not that strong, huh?” he asked mockingly. “You won’t be, Nat. Just like what you’ve promised to me last week during our trip to the mall. I’m returning that promise. We are not going to leave each other alone. Always remember that I got your back, even though I’m just a nerd.”

“Yeah. My nerd bestfriend.”

“Only yours.” He winked at me, making me feel uncomfortable for the very first time.