Because I'm a Nerd.

Chapter 9- "Okay?"

"Alright. If she asks, I got into a fight at school but that's it. No mentioning this." I instructed Lauren, who merely nodded.

"Okay, so what I am telling you happened some time in July, a little while after school let out for summer. I've missed the first two months of freshman year as a result, but this week, I finally moved away from all of it for good." I informed them.

Then, I took a deep breath and began.

"So, there's a lot behind this face that you don't know. For one, I'm an orphan. Second, Lauren's my first cousin. Third, the only reason I moved to Chicago was because Lauren's parents are my only living relatives left. My parents died in a home invasion. I'm talking to you guys today because I wasn't home when it happened. I had gone to Walmart to buy a carton of milk and a couple of other items. When I came back home, I saw my parents lying in a pool of blood. I ran across the street to Mrs. White and used her telephone to call 911. Then I rushed back with her. Bu it was too late. My parents had breathed their last. Now, I know that it's irrational but I think that I'm responsible for their death in some way. Had I not gone to Walmart they could have been saved. Had I not stopped on my way back for some lemonade, they could have been saved.

We'll never know the truth. But I will always blame myself for it. No matter what. The case wasn't in the papers to ensure no media attention. The police had decided I wouldn't be able to take it. I miss New York. I miss Mom. I miss Dad. There's a lot of stuff I miss. The unrelenting sun. The busy roads. The tasty hotdogs. That carefree lifestyle. All I want is for it to be back. But you know what? All I get is this. I get Lauren, Uncle Dave and Aunt Ellen. I get you guys. And it may seem unfair. It probably is. But I'm going to make do. I'm going to show Mum and Dad what a brave boy I am. I will...." And that's all that took for me to break down. Tears trickled down my face.

Lauren rushed towards me and gave me a bear hug. There wasn't a single person in the room who hadn't broken down. For some reason, the fact that they sorta understood my grief, that they could share it, that they felt how I did, made me feel better. Most of them may not know how it is to be an orphan for the next many years... But they did make me feel like they did. They cried with me. And that would be okay for some time. My parents would never come back. But, in going away forever, they had left me a family. A big, happy family!

I wiped away my tears. Adrian rushed forward and hugged me. Emmett and Evan gave me those guy half-hugs. The ones that girls never understand. To be honest, neither do I. I have never gotten the concept of those half-hugs. But eh! When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Allie also came forward and gave me a hug.

The only person who hadn't spoken so far was Scarlett. It was understandable. She would probably have made my problems hers. Somehow, her silence spoke volumes. I just wanted to make sure she wasn't mad at me. I gestured at the others for some privacy. They all walked away, understandingly.

"Hey.." I said, rather awkwardly.

"Hey.. I'm sorry about judging you. I'm sorry that I didn't believe you when you said you didn't cheat. I shouldn't have done that. I broke your trust. You took punches for me and this is what I give you! You must be mad at me, right?" she said.

Mad at her? Was she for real? I could never be mad at her. Even so, I decided to play along.

Fake-pouting, I said," Ummm... Let's see.... You sure did let me get hit.. I guess I also didn't let you on to my secret so you could help.. We're even! You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. So, you're forgiven." I answered.

"But.. I don't think I deserve that!" she said. This girl! She will be the death of me!

"Nah. You do. Just wrong place, wrong time!" I answered, eager to see her smile again.

"Well, okay! What a slut time is! She screws everybody!" she answered, quoting Peter Van Houten. And I knew I had my girl back. I smiled. She smiled back.

My head still hurt a bit. It had never stopped hurting. But if letting the pain be meant watching her smile... I'd let Jonathan hit me every single day of my life. Every single day.

Because for reasons unknown to me, making her smile was suddenly more important than just about everything else in the world.

A/N:

Hey guys! Anyone still doubt Nathan's sweetness? Personally, he's an angel. An angel!

I'll make the AN snappy. Thanks for being such awesome readers. You guys make me want to write! :)

Most probably, next chapter will be Nathan asking her out. No promises, though. Keep your fingers crossed!

It's going to be a fangirling-filled romance! Enjoy the ride!

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