Heart Strings <3 ~Complete

Heart Strings Chapter Nine

 ‘I’ll keep that in mind,’ he nodded and chomped comically on the Pringles making a lot of noise.

Nathan looked different somehow or was acting different. Something about him was off, maybe even on. He seemed so weird. Different. Un-Nathan in a way. Not that I even knew him that well, though sometimes, like right then, it felt like I did.

'What?' I zoomed back to reality. Nathan was looking slightly uncomfortable ploughing a slender hand through his unruly black mane and watching me like I had a murderous look in my eye.

'Sorry,' I sighed, snapping out of it.

He chuckled, 'no, it's okay, just wondering what you where thinking about...'

'You.' I blurted stupidly. His eyes widened in bewilderment as a slow smile grew. 'No! Not like that you pervert! Like, you know... You seem different. Somehow.' I huffed. He laughed even more, eyes twinkling in that way only he and Adam seemed to pull off.

'Well thanks. And how do you mean? I'm not different... I don't think.'

'Yeah you are. You looked like a little boy a second ago. And, I don't know. You just seem happier.'

'What? I am a boy! Or a guy anyway, and I told you why I am happy.'

'It can't be because of that!'

'Well, and that I get to see you...'

‘Oh please. That's what you would say.'

'What do you mean?'

‘Come on! You are a total sweet-talking player Nathan. If there is one thing I knew about you before all of this, it would be that you are a bit of sleaze and break every girl's heart. It's a fact.' Nathan looked at me in shock.

'What!? No, are you serious?' I raised an eyebrow.

'Are you serious? It's kinda obvious Nathan. You compliment and flirt till they are gasping for you, you allow them one beautiful session with your highness, before, kaput, you're gone.' Nathan was just sat, staring at me astonished. I smiled sarcastically. 'And you are about to tell me you haven't realised, aren't you?'

'B-but, I, it's not like that... I'm not... Am I?' I laughed.

‘Poor guy, you have girls falling for you left, right and centre and you haven't even realised!'

'I-'

'Seriously Nathan, it's not like they raped you or something, you kissed them right back, and all the rest...'

'But, it’s not like there are loads of them or, anything.'

I laughed, disbelievingly, 'yes, there are.' Nathan seemed to space out for a while before chuckling and locking his eyes with mine.

'Okay, fine, I get one night stands with girls. That's nothing to be proud of.'

'It shouldn't be, but it is. Especially for guys. You can get anyone you want.'

'Nah. You are exaggerating just a bit.' His face was shadowed with mischief. 'I can't get you, now, can I?'

'And that's because I've got Nick.' His eyebrows shot up, almost disappearing into his long, sweeping fringe.

'So... If Nick dumped you or something, you'd want to go out with me?' I gasped, feeling hot all of a sudden. 'Of course not! And Nick would never do that!'

'Really now? What's Nick like then?' I glared at Nathan. He only grinned with a flash of his teeth and nodded at me to tell him.

'Well,' I began, 'he is really sensitive...' Nathan coughed, but motioned me on when I sent him a Special Sephy Death Glare. 'He's kind...you know,' I tried to rack my brain for more, but nothing would come. I sighed. Probably because we'd just fought. 'He's just amazing okay?' Nathan raised an eyebrow.

'Yeah… Like how?'

'Well he's...he's, mature! He isn't always messing about like some people I know, and he isn't loud either. Just quiet. I can have a nice time with him without... you know...' I said, throwing him a meaningful look.

'So basically he is boring and never makes you laugh...'

'Hey!' I protested, 'I never said that!'

'But you meant it,' Nathan insisted, annoyingly enough.

'No, I didn't. He's not boring! In fact we're always... You know. Having fun. But mature fun.' Nathan's eyes grew wide and his cheeks seemed to redden slightly. But that was probably just my imagination.

'Not that kind of fun you nun-chuck!' I shouted, embarrassed, earning myself several annoyed looks. Just then the detention register was taken. Me and Nathan answered when necessary before he looked at me again.

'Whatever. What you do in your time is none of my business,' he said quickly. 'You said he isn't loud, but from what I've known, you aren't exactly quiet yourself.' I pouted and looked away. 'What I'm trying to say is how can you love him if he never makes you laugh? How can you love anyone if they don't make you laugh?' My heart was beating strangely.

How can you love him if he never makes you laugh? What the hull is that supposed to mean? 'I never said I loved him anyway.' I faltered.

'Oh! That's all right then...' Nathan said sarcastically.

'Stop! Stop it, Nathan! You don't know Nick and you barely even know me so just stop!' I cried out feeling full, somehow. My chest hurt and felt like it was swelling up. I could hardly breathe. Why was I being so sharp?

Me and Nick were fine! Right?

No. That was just it. We weren't fine. We were terrible. And I couldn't even understand why. He was never available when I needed him anymore and recently he'd been so aggressive and argumentative. We weren't getting on, but I didn't want it to end. That was why I was being harsh and stupid. That was why.

We were silent. It was deafening. I kept my eyes down, eyeing my torn up shoes, yet I still felt Nathan's deep blue eyes boring into me. Searching for something I didn't want him to see.

I shivered; Nathan had touched my arm so gently I could barely feel it. I looked up at him hesitantly, straight away wishing I hadn't. He looked sorry.

'I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry Sephy.' I opened my mouth to say something but nothing would come out, so I nodded instead. 'Hey, where should we meet up after school then?' he asked, sounding slightly more cheerful.

'I dunno. Some café I guess,' I said flatly, lowering my eyes to the floor again.

I felt two fingers lifting my chin and before I knew it, Nathan's face was right in front of me. I noticed a slight shade of brown and green in his eyes that I had never noticed before which was almost hidden by his boy-ish fringe, like a coat of black. I attempted to pull my eyes away but they were trapped.

'Please smile Sephy. I'm really sorry. I was way out of order, okay? Friends?'

I took a heavy breath in, and tried to steady myself, to keep myself on the ground.

Darn those butterflies in my damn stomach.

'Fine, I forgive you,' I smiled weakly. 'But only acquaintances.'

'Aww come on!! I'll buy a drink for you at the café! Friends...? Please?' he mock begged, fingers slipping away from under my chin.

Suddenly there was too much space between us, but I laughed and pretty soon he joined in.

One by one, the darn butterflies in my stomach dropped dead.