Thirty:- That's Rough Buddy
"Uggggghhhhh. Shut up, chirpy!"
Nathan was about to have a headache from regretting that he called Theodore. The moment the other male picked up; Nathan couldn't get a word in with all of Theodore's wailing from being worried that Nathan wasn't in school and Jadrianne was nowhere in sight.
[Loud Chirpy: IS SHE OKAY?! CAN WE VISIT?! PLEASE! YOU NEVER SKIP A DAY-]
"DO YOU KNOW WHAT 'SHUT UP' MEANS?!" He barked when he pulled the phone to his face. The people at the bus stop—where the two teens sat—stared at him in shock at his outburst. It's not every day you get to see someone look as if they were on the verge of exploding.
"Look," he sighed, "She's fine. We went to the hospital and now she's gonna head to her home to rest. I already called the school that I'm not going so, you guys do whatever you want. Tell that Fay girl, the weirdo here is alive."
[Loud Chirpy: B-But!]
There was shuffling heard on the other line. Nathan furrowed his eyebrows when another voice spoke tonelessly.
[???: So . . . you're skipping to take care of your girl?]
Nathan's eyes widened. "Brad?!" His face flushed when he recalled the term Brad mentioned. He cleared his throat and tilted the phone to the side opposite of Jadrianne. "She's not my girlfriend," he whispered through gritted teeth. He wondered how many times he had been hearing people calling her his girlfriend. Just because he took her to the hospital to treat her and all doesn't mean they were in a relationship, right?
Brad chuckled and Nathan swore he knew the guy was smirking.
[Brad: I didn't even say her name though and you're already shy.]
"If choking someone through the phone was possible, you'd be in the hospital yourself, Whitley!" Nathan hissed. The sound of Brad's amused laughter was the last thing he heard before he hung up. It's only the afternoon and I'm already worn out. He sighed, ruffling his hair.
"Hey, you okay?" Jadrianne asked, concerned.
His heart squeezed when her bright emerald eyes looked up at him. To him, she looked like a clueless kitten. He shook his head and sighed. "I need to get my shit together."
After regaining his breath, he snapped his head to her. "Where's your place?"
"Hm?" Jadrianne blinked. Nathan sighed and lightly flicked her forehead. "You need to rest so, we have to get you home," he clarified. Jadrianne needed to process what was being said. "Um, I can get home myself. Thanks for bringing me all the way to the hospital when we could've gone to the clinic."
"That's an overly long 'Thanks'," Nathan said.
She giggled at that. Why the hell that sounded good? Nathan clenched his fists. "Well, I'm all bandaged up so, I'll just head back home on my own. You can go back to being the top-student you are." She smiled. Nathan wasn't having any of it. The thought of her going back alone in her current state didn't sit well with him.
Without hesitation, he grabbed her shoulders. "Don't complain when it's my turn to save you, stupid." Jadrianne gazed at him for a moment. "Nathan," she spoke, "if you think me confessing to you was a way for you to feel guilty then please, don't. I don't like that."
Hearing this, Nathan felt a little sting. It's not . . . like that, stupid. He mentally wanted to punch a wall. He grabbed her shoulders and decided to take a breather before levelling his gaze to hers. "Let me take care of you," he insisted.
Soon enough, the two rode the bus together. Jadrianne didn't say where she lived so, Nathan just followed her until she reacts for them to stop. Jadrianne sat by the window while Nathan sat near the runway. After what he said, the two didn't exchange any more words. Jadrianne kept quiet throughout the bus ride. Before, he would've thanked God for finally having her mouth shut, but her silence now only made him fidget.
He looked at her from the corner of his eye. She was staring out the window, watching the buildings and trees go by as they pass through the town. Nathan started to wonder where she lived since she's new to town. Did she really travel this long to school? Does she have a family with her? What house does she live in? All kinds of questions ran through his mind.
Suddenly, he laughed. The sound surprised Jadrianne and she turned to see him covering his face as he did. "Oh my God, I'm going crazy," he lilted. The fact that he was laughing after insisting that he follows her home actually irritated her. How could he laugh now? Did he think this was funny? He shouldn't have skipped school just for me. She thought as she leaned closer to the window when she scooted away from him. After his laughter died down, he glanced and noticed an amusing sight.
"Huh, you're sulking?" He hummed, curiously. He leaned forward with his head tilted to look her closer. Instead, she squished herself against the wall away from him, but she winced since she leaned against her bruised arm. "Oi." He pulled her chin to face him. "Since when you know how to sulk?" He grinned.
For the first time, he found it endearing that her cheeks are puffed up with her eyebrows pushed together glaring at him. "Heh, you look like a bunny." He smirked. She huffed and pulled her face away. "Didn't know you could be mean like that," she mumbled. Nathan wanted to burst at that moment; not in anger, though. He didn't know this . . . adorable side of her. For Jadrianne, she didn't know that coy side of him either. However, she didn't hate it either.
Without them realizing, their tense and quiet atmosphere became light. Now their shoulders were touching. After a while, Jadrianne got up and pressed the button indicating the bus to make a stop soon. The two got off at the bus stop and watched as the bus drove off.
Nathan followed her as he kept his pace with hers. Before he knew it, they were both standing before a tall building. Nathan stared up and gaped at the sight. That's crazy tall. Are those glasses or mirrors? He wondered. "What are you standing there for? Waiting for flies to crash land in your mouth?" Jadrianne's voice snapped him out of it.
He looked at her. "What?"
Jadrianne gestured for him to come. "We gotta get in if you wanna take care of me." She smirked. The original roles are back once Nathan got annoyed at that. "Zip it, rug-face." He stomped after her.
After the elevator ride, Nathan could not be anymore speechless. The moment they reached her level and she pushed her apartment door open, Nathan wanted to slam his head against the wall. Jadrianne turned around. "Please don't go banging your head when you enter people's houses," she requested.
He rolled his eyes and stepped further inside. It wasn't what he expected. Wait. Why am I even expecting? He thought. "Your place looks like you're making space to kill someone," he commented.
The place was spacious enough for a family of five at least. Despite that, it had a minimalistic interior. He looked to the shoe rack and noticed there weren't many shoes except for a few sneakers. The kitchen could be seen from the living room as well despite the tall wooden dividers that had gaps which were attached to the ceiling. There were other doors to other rooms as well, but they were all closed; preventing him from seeing inside.
A question popped into his head. "By the way, shouldn't you contact your parents or something? I mean, you gotta tell them you were at the hospital and not going to school, at least." Jadrianne stopped in her tracks and Nathan waited for her response. Instead, Jadrianne ignored his question and made her way to the kitchen.
"You can sit down if you want. I'll make us some drinks," Jadrianne offered. Did she just ignore my question?! His jaw tightened but decided to brush it off.
"Wait! It's fine!" He rushed to her side. "I can make my own stuff. You go take out your meds for later." Jadrianne grinned and kissed his cheek. "I have bruises; not broken limbs. I'm fine," she assured. Nathan was stunned from the light attack he received, but he shook it off. "That shouldn't even be said so casually," he said.
It was a sight to see. Nathan was genuinely concerned for the girl he'd wished to jump off a building. After taking note of the details of this expression, Jadrianne gave in. "I'll rest after I make you a drink," she emphasized when he opened his mouth to interrupt. Before he could nudge himself to stop her, she already ambled over to the kitchen. Clenching his fists, he sighed and dragged his feet to sit on a stool across the kitchen counter.
"Any preference?" She asked without turning to face him. "Do whatever you know." He shrugged. While watching her casually make his drink, he took notice of the little details he never thought he'd take the time to.
He knew she was still in pain when he got glimpses of her wincing when she accidentally let the door of the cabinet hit her wrist and when she leaned on one side where coincidentally her bruised leg was. Besides that, he realized that despite the pain she's enduring, her hands gracefully poured in the water and casually using the utensils even he didn't know the functions of. Not one second of hesitation like her forgetting what was the ingredient or which cup she should use. He didn't say it, but he was impressed. He wondered how it would be like if she was working at the coffee shop with him.
Wait, what?! He was shocked at his own thoughts. Did he seriously imagined her working as a barista at his workplace . . . with him?! He knew he was losing his mind already. What is she doing to me? He audibly let out a heavy sigh.
"Here's a cup of Mocha Praline Frappuccino for that one hell of a sigh," she spoke, breaking him out of his thoughts. He looked down to the beverage presented to him. He couldn't believe the presentation. "How in the whipped cream do you call this a beverage you serve a guest?!" He shrieked. "Why? You don't like it?" She asked. He shook his head vigorously and threw his arms in the air. "Don't like it?! It looks like it came from that goddamn green mermaid lady shop!"
Jadrianne tilted her head to the side. "So? Good? No?" She questioned. "Did you not hear the Starbucks part?" He deadpanned. He couldn't believe her. "Your words and face didn't match. Plus, your tone sounded like I offended the queen of England or something," she quoted. Nathan contorted his face in disbelief. "You're unbelievable! Yes, it looks good it's stupid!" He then took a sip.
"Shit! It tastes good; it's ridiculous!" He exclaimed and burrowed his head in his arms on the table. Jadrianne raised her eyebrow at his feedback. "What I'm seeing now is ridiculous," she commented but still broke out a grin. I guess he isn't used to giving compliments. She mused in thought.
"I'm gonna change. You can turn on the TV or anything. Make yourself at home." She gestured before walking into; what he presumes; is her room. Nathan brought his fancy drink and sat on the sofa bed. It's soft. He thought as he got comfortable. He noticed there weren't any pictures around the place. The apartment didn't give off any vibes that a family was living here. It proposed a question mark to his head. Where's her family? Didn't she say that they weren't normal? He pondered.
He took a sip of his drink. It's sweet. He licked his lips. Nathan didn't think she'd be someone who'd make something so pretty. He grimaced when he didn't expect the word 'pretty' would even be in his vocabulary. He heard the door behind him click open. "Hey, why aren't you turning the TV on?" Jadrianne queried. Nathan placed his drink on the coffee table in front of him and twisted himself to look behind. "It's not like there's anything I wanna watch-"
He stopped himself when Jadrianne casually came out wearing a sage coloured Pyjama plaid short-sleeve shirt and shorts. What made him stiff was the fact that her shirt was unbuttoned; exposing her bandage wrapped torso that was covered with a plain white spaghetti strapped tank top and not to mention, her legs too.
(picture credit: yesstyle.com)
"Hm? Something wrong?" Jadrianne noticed him gaping at her.
It's wrong. This is totally wrong. His mouth and fingers were twitching. Why is she wearing so less than usual?! He was going dizzy at the new sight. "Nate?" Her voice brought him back and he quickly turned around to the front. "Didn't I say . . . n-not to call me that?" He gulped. He heard her chuckle as he sensed her coming closer. "Relax. We're not at the coffee shop, remember?" She sat down at the other end of the sofa bed from him.
"You can breathe easy with me, you know? I let you call me Jade." She gave him a lopsided grin.
That made him even more nervous. He wasn't used to seeing her so relaxed. Usually, he'd always see her fully covered with dark clothes, especially the fact that she never wears shorts to school was making him feel strange.
Nathan decided to change the topic before his mind went to uncivilized places. He cleared his throat and reached out for his drink. "Umm, where's your family? Are they working or at school?" He asked as he sipped. It took her a while to answer but when she did, Nathan felt something in his chest drop. "They're not with me. I live alone."
That caught his attention. "What?" He set his cup down and twisted his body to her. "Say, do you really wanna know about me?" She asked. Nathan wanted to see her eyes, but her hair curtained the sides of her face. He thought about it for a while and noticed that her shoulders had fallen. It wasn't every day he'd see her so . . . sullen. He ruffled his hair and scooted closer to her. "You don't need to force yourself if you don't want to," he assured.
She turned her head to him and revealed a gentle smile. Nathan didn't say anything but could only return with a small smile. With that, Jadrianne began her story.
"My move into this neighbourhood was not just 'cause of a mere reason. I'm the one who left my family." Nathan didn't see that one coming. "You . . . ran away?" He couldn't help but ask. She shook her head. "I wouldn't call it 'ran away' if they're the ones who left me first." She leaned her head back against the back of the sofa bed. "What?" He whispered.
He started reflecting whether the fact she doesn't really respond when he asked about her family was because of a bigger reason. "I'm an illegitimate child. I wasn't supposed to be born and my parents weren't supposed to be together. They were from two different dangerous worlds."
Jadrianne recalled her times with her parents. "Were they the ones who left you?" Nathan asked. The dark-haired girl shook her head. "They were the two who loves- ah, loved me," she corrected, and it didn't go unheard. "Loved? Does that mean they still do or don't love you anymore?" Nathan queried. He's never thought of himself as being curious about other people's personal lives. He used to play around with friends in middle school but after his own mother left, he couldn't be bothered with any more interaction.
His chest tightened when he saw a forlorn smile on her rosy lips. "They're both dead."
Another bomb dropped and Nathan felt like he didn't brace himself. Jadrianne sighed. "I'm not all hung up on it though, don't worry," she assured. She patted her thighs. "Welp, I don't think you'd wanna hear any more of my weird depressing story."
"Please." He got closer and grabbed her hand. "Tell me about it," he begged. Jadrianne was surprised to see him like this. However, she noticed the little changes he has, especially when they're together. It warmed her heart, yet she couldn't help but tease, "Wow, you're being really sweet, huh? I might get diabetes from this."
Irritated, Nathan slightly put pressure when he poked her bruised arm. "Ah! Okay, okay! I'm sorry!" She chuckled and grabbed his hand to move it away. She looked at him who was pouting a little with his eyebrows furrowed together. "How . . . old were you when they . . ."
Jadrianne pursed her lips as she tried to remember. "Hmm, I was probably around 8." Nathan felt sorry for her and was shocked to know how young she was to lose her parents and yet she was able to have this relaxed personality.
"You know, you remind me of my mom," she admitted, and it softened Nathan's irritation from before, "She was not someone you take for granted. She's always aiming to be the top. Another unforgettable trait of hers was that she's straightforward and so headstrong."
Nathan watched as she smiled whilst she thought of her mother. "It's one of the reasons why I like you, Nathan," she revealed. That made his heart skip a beat.
"You know, the time you said studying is your painkiller," she started, "You really reminded me of my mother," she told with a nostalgic smile. "She's always up and searching for places to study at any chance she'd get."
(A/N: refer to chap 10)
One end of Nathan's lip twitched up. "Heh. At least she knew the beauty of it." Jadrianne chuckled and shook her head. "You two would've gotten along swimmingly, but that temper of yours would have you beheaded." Nathan blinked at that. "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Jadrianne hummed. "Ah, let's just say you weren't the first Demon Nerd I knew."
That piqued his interest a little more. "Is that why you weren't scared of me?" He couldn't help but be curious about it. He always wondered how she was so casual around him and didn't even spare a glance at the death wish draped before her. His question somehow tickled her.
"Scared?" She huffed a short chuckle. "I'd say you're really cute and nice."
That flipped Nathan's lid. "I AM NOT CUTE! I AM BROODING AND THREATENING AND EXTREMELY PISSED OFF!"
Jadrianne didn't flinch, but her lips twitched up. "Hehe. So cute."
Seeing her smile so carefreely, Nathan sighed and gave up. She's always having fun. I don't even think she knows what 'mad' is. He shook his head at the theory.
"Anyways, what about your dad?" He asked, leaning back on the sofa.
Jadrianne made a thinking face, looking up. "My dad . . . "
Nathan picked on the skin at the corners of his fingers as he waited for her to continue. As he did, he wondered: Did she look more like her dad or her mom? But then if she said her mom was like me her mom wouldn't be reckless like her so . . . maybe her dad?
"Well, I guess you could say he was . . . kind."
"Eh?" That was too simple to describe someone she claimed to have loved her dearly. "That's it?"
Jadianne grinned as she leaned her elbow on her knee with her cheek against her palm. "Why? You're that curious about me?"
Nathan flushed into a blushing mess. "DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF, YOU CHICKEN WRAP!" Jadrianne laughed at his words. "Sorry. You're just fun to tease." She patted his head as though he were a big puppy to which in her eyes, he was sulking like one. Nathan was beginning to think that her liking him was a part of her teasing. Jadrianne noticed the look in his eyes and neutralised her playfulness.
"My dad was a well-respected man. I wasn't the only one who looked up to him," she mused. "He and I share the same carefree traits, I gotta say." She giggled. The dark-haired girl looked over at the boy from the corner of her eyes.
"You must think I'm just someone who knows nothing but play around every time, huh?" Nathan didn't think she'd realized his thoughts immediately. She looked down at her lap. "Nathan," she spoke with seriousness in her voice it made his breath hitch in his throat, "I confessed not to get you to say it back. I said it to make sure you knew."
The sad smile etched on her rosy lips. Nathan couldn't help but feel guilty of his own thoughts and feeling. He knew nothing of this girl and here she was; telling him that she's not what he thinks she is. Nathan's memories and experience with a woman was only of his mother smiling at one time and leaving their home in another.
"Jade . . . I'm sorry." He rubbed the back of his head, guiltily. He couldn't believe he was actually feeling guilty; especially towards Jadrianne. The girl sighed and shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. You're not to blame," she assured, "You just have the face that asks to make fun for me."
"Y'know. That's not what normal people say after the word 'sorry'," he pointed out. Jadrianne chuckled. Nathan sighed and decided that he should be honest with her after the little history of hers. "Hey, um, I-I'm not the kind someone could date . . ."
Jadrianne smiled adoringly at him. "If you open your heart a little more, there'd be plenty of people who'll like you." Nathan huffed. "Hmph! Yeah, like who?"
"Like me," she said.
Nathan realized how serious she was. The girl held a strong gaze from her emerald orbs, and it moved him. Throughout nearly two months she's been around him, this is the first time he has seen her look so determined. It nearly impressed him.
"I-I don't know how to like or . . . date someone," he admitted, leaning himself forward with his elbows on his knees. "Me neither." Jadrianne waved her hand. "That's not encouraging," he pointed out, yet he manages to chuckle at it. That made her half-smiled. "We'll learn together." She scooted closer to him.
Nathan was hesitant; not because of the person who suggested, but because he's actually nervous for himself. Despite the many confessions he receives on a day to day basis, to actually not want to reject someone was not what he was prepared for.
Jadrianne sensed his nervousness and cupped his clasped hands with hers. "How about this? Let's go on a date this weekend?" She suggested. Nathan's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "What?"
She shrugged. "It'll be like a test run! We can spend the whole 24 hours together and if you don't think we could move further from there then . . . we can just stop being involved in each other's life."
Nathan studied into her bright emerald pools to see if she was being playful like always, but . . . she wasn't. The last sentence of hers didn't sit well in his stomach either.
With a sigh, he gave in. "You said we'll learn, right?" Jadrianne smiled and nodded. "I knew the Nerd in you would accept it." She winked.
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Another long ass chapter! Partly because I was watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S while I type and then it turns into a distraction, hehe ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Chapter playlist:-
1. Bubbly – Colbie Caillat
2. All about you – TAEYEON
3. Unforgettable – French Montana ft. Swae Lee