𝗱𝘆𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘂𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 || [1] Nate Jacobs

7

Jules and I sat in the cafeteria with everyone else and enjoyed our lunch. Talking to her brought a permanent smile to my face. And when she was startled by the sudden loud music, I only fell in love with her more.

The football coach hyped up the crowd and shortly after, the players were hopping around the cafeteria acting like wild, brainless idiots. I didn't really acknowledge them but Jules was searching the room with her eyes the whole time. When the cheerleaders came in and did their dance routine, Jules pointed to someone standing on the sidelines.

I see Jules waving from her spot by Rue and I return it. Then I continue to focus on the cheerleaders.

Looking back I don't know how anyone could have missed the obvious signs. Nate Jacobs had barely managed to take his eyes off Destiny the entire performance. He occasionally glanced at Maddy, but the new girl caught his interest. He somehow felt like she would be part of his life for a long time.

————

After the pep rally, I follow the cheerleaders back to the locker room and change back into my outfit. Most of them are still in the showers or already on their way to class. "Maddy, did you drive here today?" "No, why?" she replies and I exhale loudly. "BB picked me up this morning, but she has an exam in the next period and I have to go home immediately. Rosie is sick," I say and she starts typing on her phone. "Cassie's mom is picking her up right now. Maybe you'll see her in the parking lot" Feeling relieved at the good news, I kiss Maddy's cheek before grabbing my bag and leaving the locker room.

In the parking lot, there are few people already getting into their cars but Cassie and her mom are not among them. Sighing, I take up my phone and intend to call Cassie, but a voice interrupts me. "Yo, Destiny" Irritated, I look over at Nate leaning against his truck. How does he even know my name? "What?" I ask dismissively. "Let me take you home" A few people look at us curiously and I already know that our conversation will create new rumors. "Why? I don't even know you"

"Yet," he says with a grin.

————

Nate and I don't speak as he drives, but I notice him glancing at me from time to time. It really annoys me and I don't feel like dying in a car crash. "Keep your eyes on the road, Jacobs" He chuckles and stops at a red light. "Don't you trust me?" Nate asks and I look at him like he's stupid. "I don't know you" "You held a knife in my face. I don't think we could get any closer," he tells me and I roll my eyes. Suddenly, I feel something warm on my knee and almost jump in surprise. It feels comforting which is a red flag in my eyes. As I turn to look at him I notice he is already staring at me.

"Why offer me a ride home? You said it yourself. I held a knife in your face. So what do you want?" I ask him and push his hand off my knee. "I want to get to know you" That's bullshit. The stop light turns green again and he starts driving. It's not hard to notice how handsome he looks while doing so, even though I'm trying not to look. Ugh, I hate myself for feeling somehow attracted to him. "I know your lying," I tell him and look out the window.

————

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I quickly take it out to escape any further conversation with Nate.

Maddy 💅🏻💸: bitch why are you with Nate?
Desi 💕💸: he's taking me home
Maddy 💅🏻💸: and why tf would u get in car with him? he's crazy
Desi 💕💸: I don't care...I need to get to my daughter
Maddy 💅🏻💸: I'll beat his ass if he touches you
Desi 💕💸: I can handle myself

"Who are you texting?" Nate asks and I notice that we're already in front of my house. He knows where I live? "Why do you care?" "Because I'm trying to get to know you," he answers, and I can tell that he's getting frustrated. "And I'm not. Thanks for the ride tho," I reply and open the car door to get our. But he suddenly grabs my wrist and I look back at him warily. "Can you stop being difficult and just tell me?!" His outburst almost makes me laugh and I roughly slap his hand off mine. "Look at you having a temper tantrum. I've dealt with some of those before and I'll tell you right now that you won't get your way. Now leave alone" He stares at me for a second before he chuckles in amusement. "I like you. Let me take you out tomorrow" "No"

He rolls his eyes and I get out of the car.

"Did Maddy tell you about the guy from the party? She blacked out and he still fucked her," he says all of a sudden and I look at him in confusion. I honestly don't know if I should believe Maddy but Nate does, apparently. "She doesn't want to talk about it," I answer and he nods slowly. When he looks up his eyes have gone dark. "His name is Tyler Clarkson. He's 22" Disgust spreads through my body and he smiles when he notices my reaction. "That's statutory rape," he adds. That's awful but what does Nate expect from me?

"Then call the police if you know all of this. What am I supposed to do? Find Tyler and beat his ass?"

————

I carefully place Rosalyn in her crib and sigh in relief when she doesn't wake up. I've been feeding, cuddling and caring for her for hours and she never fell asleep. She kept whining and rubbing her eyes because she missed her daily naps.

"Finally" I carefully step away from her crib and lie down on my bed. Watching Netflix or listening to music would wake her up again and that's why I take my phone and scroll through Instagram. Being friends with Maddy, Cassie and Kat, who drastically changed her appearance, really increased my numbers of followers in the last two weeks. Most of them are the popular girls, football players or some weird college guys.

The first picture I see on my homepage is one of Cassie and McKay watching a movie. I smile at the cute caption she wrote. Cassie told me about all the awful ex boyfriends she had. I'm happy that she found a sweet guy like McKay. I like the picture and keep scrolling until a pic of Maddy pops up. It looks like she is in a bowling alley. "Looks like fun" I tap on the list of tagged people and frown when I see the name @nate.jacobs18. Why is Maddy with him? I still like the picture and comment a heart before closing the app and turning on my side.

Rosie's peaceful face makes me smile and I put my phone on my nightstand and watch her until I fall asleep.

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AN: opinions and/or feedback?