If Only (18+)

Chapter 9 (Part II)

Here's yet another cover I made & immediately changed due to how it made my story come off as a fantasy-siren-thriller.😅

Also, today is my birthday so I won't be able to read your comments until later tonight!🤭😁🥳💜

Enjoy the chapter, darlings!♡

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Walking through the double-doors, Nathan and I entered the library and began to look for a vacant wooden table.

"Writing another essay again, güey?" I heard a voice call out, and saw a toffee brown-skinned boy hop over the desk students checked out their books from the library. 

He smiled wickedly and slapped Nathan's hand before pulling him into a manly hug. I awkwardly stood to the side, hoping Nathan's friend wouldn't notice me.

"Who's the beautiful chica?" He smirked, looking over Nathan's shoulder to wink at me.

"Her name is Valerie, and back off Dylan, she's my partner." Nathan lightly pushed Dylan away.

"My bad, I didn't know she was off the market," Dylan grinned sheepishly, raising his hands up in a surrendering motion. 

Nathan rolled his eyes and sat down at an empty table, and I followed suit, keeping my head down so I could hide my red cheeks.

"So, you didn't answer my question..." Dylan trailed off, giving Nathan a pointed look.

"Because it's none of your business," Nathan grunted out while picking up his rather large school bag and began to dig through it.

I hid the small smile that sprouted on my face with my hand.

"Well, maybe Miss Sunshine over here can tell me." He smirked, then winked at me.

I stared at him wide-eyed, astonished with his behavior.

"Go away, Dylan. We're trying to work." Nathan deadpanned, not looking the least bit amused.

"Fi-i-i-i-ne, I'll go." Dylan drawled, then went back behind the main desk, grumbling under his breath.

"You two seem to get along well." I pointed out.

"Oh, really? I didn't notice." Nathan replied sarcastically.

I huffed a breath and faced the opposite direction of him.

"I'll be right back," He said before he left me all alone at our table.

Grabbing my pencil, I began to draw small doodles of planets and stars on the corner of a piece of notebook paper.

"You're Valerie Chilton, right?" Dylan asked, pulling me out of my daze and making my heart jolt.

"Y-yes, that's my name," I answered, then nervously tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Look, I've heard some things about you, and I just want you to know that you better not bring Nathan into any of your bullshit." He said in a firm voice, surprising me.

"I wasn't going to do anything..." I trailed off confusedly, not really sure what he meant.

"Look, Nathan may not look like it, but he has a big heart. Frankly, he can be an asshole sometimes, but I don't want some girl like you ruining him." Dylan stated in a hard voice, and before I could reply, he walked out of the library.

My heart thumped inside my chest, and my ears felt hot.

Why does he want me to stay away from him? I don't understand what he's trying to prevent from happening...

Swiftly, I felt a warm hand softly clamp onto my shoulder and spun me around. Facing Nathan with wide eyes, my heart pumped erratically, threatening to burst out of my chest and run away with my fears, along with my sanity.

"You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you okay?" He asked, his brows furrowed together with concern.

"I'm fine," I said, looking down at his hand which was still holding my shoulder.

His thumb rubbed against my white blouse, and Nathan cocked his head to the side. Then, he looked up and stared deep into my eyes, stripping me bare until there was nothing left to see.

"What's on your mind?" He asked.

"N-nothing." I stuttered, looking at the table in front of me.

I don't get Nathan or Dylan. I thought Nathan was just being nice so he could blackmail me in the long run, but after what Dylan told me, I don't know what to think anymore.

"Are we still pretending that you don't have a black eye and busted lip?" Nathan questioned, pulling out of my thoughts.

Swallowing the small lump in my throat, I looked down at my fingers, hiding behind my platinum blonde hair.

"I tripped," I lied, in hopes that he would drop the matter.

Why is he being so nosy? I wandered.

His hands moved my hair back, putting my face on showcase. Gently, he caressed my face and frowned as he inspected the damage.

"I don't believe you. Now, tell me who did this," He demanded, frustration and anger lacing his voice.

I can't tell you, I mentally whispered as small tears welled up in my eyes.

Forcing me to look at him, he stared deep into my soul. Gasping, I was shocked at the rawness and intensity of concern in his stormy grey eyes.

What is going on? Why is he comforting me? Is he going to use this to blackmail me?

Briskly, I took his hands off my face and placed them in his lap.

"It's fine, I really did trip. My lip has been hurting all weekend," I laughed awkwardly, then cringed when I felt my lip try to split from the force of my fake smile.

He stared at me for a moment with his dazzling stormy-grey eyes, then sighed.

"Alright, let's get started on this essay, shall we?" He said, letting go of the conversation and drift away into the abyss.

I don't know why, but I felt disappointed when he changed the subject, instead of pushing me to tell him what really happened.

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Chapter 9 (Part II): Finished!😚✔️

What do you think Dylan meant when he told Valerie to stay away from Nathan?🤔

Please vote & leave a comment about your thoughts on the story so far❤️

Until the next chapter😘,

~ The Kalopsia💜