If Only (18+)

Chapter 13 (Part II)

"This park reminds me of one I used to come to a while back." I sighed, remembering the little boy I met.

"Did you make good memories?" He asked, genuinely curious.

"You could say that. I actually went there to meet with a boy. I gave him some pocket change and gum in exchange for his MP3 Player. Every day, we would meet at the park and he would download songs for me and we would talk about our days. But... one day he just, stopped showing up." I said, a sad smile appearing on my face as I slowly swung on the swing.

"Well, you have Dylan, and me, of course." He mentioned, then brought himself closer to me, our thighs brushing against each other.

"Y-yeah, I do." I stuttered, trying to ignore all of the heat growing inside of my body and the sparks crackling where Nathan touched me.

He stared at the green grass in front of us, his eyebrows scrunched together in deep thought.

Giving him time to think about anything that was bothering him, I barely pushed my shoes against the ground, brushing my thigh against Nathan's in the process. Despite all of the tremors that went through my body, though, I glanced around at the park, watching two grey geese swim in the pond a few feet away from us. The small wind blew my hair all over the place until I finally gave in and tucked most of it behind my ears.

"I don't know why I get pissed off so easily," Nathan suddenly said, breaking the silence.

I looked over at him in surprise, but before I could reply, he began to speak again.

"Actually, I think I do. Mr. Fuck-tard is just an asshole." He snorted, and I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

"I've noticed the tension between you too, lately," I said, then continued in a small voice, "Thank you for standing up for me, but you didn't have to do that."

"I'm not just going to stand by and let someone walk all over you like that. You deserve better than that shitty excuse of a teacher, Val." He replied in such a serious tone, that I cast my eyes downward, staring at the green bladed grass beneath my shoes.

"Well, today seemed different." I pointed out, looking over at him. 

His eyebrows scrunched up in confusion before realization dawned on him.

"Well, he does have a knack for pissing me off, but today I just felt fed up." He explained, and I blushed at the thought of me being the reason why he acted out.

Stop it, Valerie! He's just being a good friend, that's all.

"What was so different about today?" I asked genuinely.

As I stared from his clenched fists on the chains connected to the swings to his tensed up back and his dark brows furrowed together, clear signs of stress I knew all too well, I wanted him to talk. Have someone to rely on. Loneliness was probably the worst feeling anyone could have and I would be damned if he felt that way. He brought me here for a reason, and I intended to fulfill my purpose here.

"It's alright, you don't need to feel sorry for me," he grinned, pushing against me in his swing, "but I don't know. I've already had a lot on my mind from this morning, trying to get my sister to school. She was throwing this huge bitch fit and I was already pissed that my Mom left early for work without even saying anything. I guess listening to Reynolds get on to you set me off."

"Oh, your parents work a lot?" I asked, scrunching my mouth up to the side.

"Yeah, barely have time for Taylor it seems like." He sighed, a tired look on his face.

"I wish there was some way I could help you..." I trailed off, staring at where our thighs were glued together. 

"Don't worry about it, Val. It really isn't a big deal," He spoke soothingly.

I nodded my head, and then it went silent, only the rustling of the trees and the ripples in the water making a sound.

"I'm glad you came here with me." He said, looking over to me.

Without thinking, I leaned my head on Nathan's shoulder. His body felt so warm and my hands itched to grab his. But, my bold act could only go so far. My cheeks burned furiously and once again that wretched voice in my head kept telling me to stop and get as far away from him as possible.

For once in a really long time, I set that voice on the back burner and just breathed.

----

Chapter 13: Finished!😍✔️

So, do you think Nate & Val's friendship is blossoming?☺️🤔

Please comment, vote, & add! It helps inspire me to continue writing & improve💖

Until the next chapter😘,

~ The Kalopsia❤️