Playing With Lightning

Taking Chances

“Pumpkin Pie,” I called out into the apartment. “Please be at least half dressed.”

“It’s your lucky day,” Nathan emerged, fully dressed and sipping from a cup of tea. “Or your unlucky day, take your pick.”

I rolled my eyes and walked past him into the kitchen, going straight to the fridge for a glass of juice. We sat across from each other at the table, him with his tea and me with my juice, having an intense stare off.

“As fun as this is,” he said finally, quirking an eyebrow. “Is there a reason you’re here on a Sunday morning? Is there a reason you’re even awake on a Sunday morning?”

“Do I need an excuse to come see you Nath?” I asked, acting offended. “Okay, so maybe I do have a teeny thing I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Go on,” he prompted, putting down his cup and leaning forward in interest.

“It’s about Taylah,” I said simply and he groaned, falling back against his chair. “Don’t be like that, I’m not going to lecture you or anything. I just want to talk, bestie to bestie.”

“What’s to talk about?” he shrugged. “It’s not going to happen.”

“Why the hell not?” I asked like a spoilt child who didn’t get that pony she wanted. “My couple-radar goes off the charts with you two! Your cute level is like makes-me-want-to-vomit-sunshine-and-rainbows high. What’s not to like about her? She’s hot, she’s funny and sweet and she’s totally 100% available.”

“And 100% not interested,” he said almost under his breath. I literally face palmed then and there.

“You idiot Nathan Sykes,” I sighed. “You cannot actually be serious. Oh god, you are serious. Are you actually that blind? She’s bloody crazy about you!”

“Wait, what?” he looked up, confused.

“I am breaking every single best friend code here,” I bit my lip hesitantly. “She’s liked you since you met, and you’re such a douche bag that you couldn’t see it. I mean, it’s not like she’s exactly subtle about it or anything.”

“You’re lying,” he said suspiciously and I just raised my eyebrows, what possible reason would I have for doing that? “Okay, you’re not lying, but what about Tom? He’d kill me if I went anyway near there.”

“Don’t be so sure,” I smirked. “I’m way ahead of you. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about there.”

“Well, I still don’t know what you expect me to do,” he ran a hand through his hair.

“Ask. Her. Out.” I poked him in the chest with each word. “She’ll be at my house in fifteen minutes. I can give you an in, you just have to take it.”

“I – I don’t know,” he said unsurely. “What if she says no?”

“Do you not trust me at all? Just come on, will you?”

So, ten minutes later we were at my place again with the others, besides Tom and Taylah. I was up in my room while the boys were in the lounge. Tay came in and flopped down on my bed, her arm whacking me across the head.

She sat up as her phone beeped, pulling it out to check. She smiled slightly as she read and I tried to read over her shoulder but she jumped up, trying to be subtle.

“Who are you talking to?” I asked suspiciously.

“Just Katie, you know, from school,” she shrugged and ran off down the stairs. I got up and followed, ending up sliding to a halt in the lounge room. Tay was in the kitchen and I gave Nathan an obvious look, nodding my head slightly out the door.

“Be right back mates,” he said as he stood up. “Gotta use the loo.”

I followed him out a few steps, standing behind the wall so I could hear them and peek around the corner without being seen. Nathan walked up behind her and she jumped, laughing as she spun around.

“Hey Nath,” she smiled, putting her phone down.

“Hey,” he said nervously. “What’s going on?”

“I have amazing news!” her grin grew until it was practically splitting her face in two. “But did you have something to say?”

“Uh yeah, but you can go first,” he waved his hand in invitation. “What’s your news?”

“Okay, so I met this guy the other day, right,” I saw Nathan’s face fall, but he picked his smile right back up again. You could barely tell that it was forced and looked like it was causing him physical pain. “We’ve been texting pretty much non-stop, and he finally just asked me out!”

“Oh, wow,” Nathan managed to get out. “That’s great, when are you guys getting together?”

“We’ve got our first date tonight,” she said excitedly. “I’m so nervous!”

“Don’t worry, he’ll love you,” he said with a sad smile. “Well, I better get back to the lads.”

“Wait, Nath,” she stopped him. “Didn’t you want to tell me something?”

“Oh yeah, it doesn’t matter,” he walked past me as he left and I grabbed his arm to stop him. “Thanks Maeve, but uh – well you heard.”

“Nath, I’m so sorry,” I said honestly. “I had absolutely no idea, I swear.”

“It’s fine,” he shook my hand off and started backing away. “Just, don’t tell her I was going to – you know…”

I turned around and stormed into the kitchen where Tay had her phone in her hand again. I plucked it from her fingers and she looked up at me in annoyance.

“What the hell?” I demanded.

“I know you’re probably mad I didn’t tell you,” she said quickly. “But, I didn’t want to get ahead of myself if it didn’t work out.”

“What happened to your feelings for Nathan?” I was almost whining at her.

“I can’t spend my whole life waiting for a guy who’s never going to even give me a second glance, even if it is Nathan Sykes,” she snapped, snatching her phone back. “Blake likes me for who I am, I thought you’d be happy for me!”

I just stared at her, what was I supposed to do? I had just royally screwed everything up. I was just trying to help out my best friends, and look where that had gotten me!

“Whatever,” she shook her head. “I’m out, I have a date to get ready for.”