Chapter 8 Finally

"Look, if this is about Nathan, we're just acquaintance because he's my classmate in Ethics and-"

"Acquaintance but he kissed your hand?"

My jaw stopped mid air, slightly open in stun, How did she even know about that? There isn't even any meaning behind it. I shrieked in my spot when she took a step forward along with her friends as they cornered me. A few understudies who saw what's happening just looked at us, somewhat teaming with the cheerleaders.

"Who do you think you are exactly? Do you think Nathan is going to feel in love with you just because he notices you? Don't you know I'm his girlfriend?"

what? He has a girlfriend? All of a sudden I felt weak when Natalie pushed my shoulder, making me nearly lose my balance. I closed my eyes as I felt her face creeping closer to mine. A few students chuckled at my situation. They are not helping as they are low-key having fun of my misery.

"News flash dear, because he wouldn't be intrigued by somebody like your breed." she looked at me from feet to head as the girls behind her snickered and did a high five.

I didn't say anything as I just kept my gaze on the ground. I know what she's saying. I know I don't stand a chance to someone like Nathan. I'm out of his league but I didn't assume he would like me or anything.

"You're boring, weird, and not to specify you look like a Mom who got divorced."

I bit my lip as I listened to the other students cheer her. She pushed me again onto my shoulder and this time I tripped on my shoes and fell on the ground. I want to stand up against them and let myself clarify that what they are considering approximately Nathan and I are just pure imaginative that is beyond accurate.

"What's the problem, pooch? Cat got your tongue you couldn't even protect yourself? You're waiting for your prince charming? Huh, please, dear, they only exist in fiction." I felt her fingers playing with my hair. She even pulled a few strands of it that made me grunted in torment. I really don't have the energy to say babble things to her. I just need her to get out of my way.

The less I talk, the better. So that there wouldn't be more issues here.

"What is going on here?"

The commotion halted when all of a sudden we heard a familiar tone of voice making its way through our spot. When I looked up there, I saw Nathan's serious expression. This is the first time I saw him looking like he wanted to punch somebody in the face. When he looked down, his brows lifted in disarray.

"Natasha? What are you doing there?" he went to my spot and offered his hands to me. I was reluctant to hold it at first since a lot of students are presently whispering like bees while pointing. The group of girls who's humiliating me all of a sudden shut their lips.

"Nathan! Hello there honey, what are you doing here?" Natalie abruptly acted so sweet then she wrapped her arms around his torso. She was about to kiss him when Nathan looked away then his eyes landed on mine. I couldn't read his mind as his eyes remained blank.

"Natasha, take my hand. Let me take you to your next subject."

I really don't know what to do or what to say as I was just gaping at him when he lifted me up on the ground and helped me to stand up straight. Natalie looked so shocked her face turned red since Nathan didn't kiss her back. She felt embarrassed all of a sudden.

"W-what? You're actually dating that junk?" She pointed her long nails at me.

Nathan didn't even bother to set eyes on her. He just interlaced my fingers with him as he dragged me away with the sea of individuals that's following us with their gaze. But before we could take off, he suddenly looked from his shoulder, doing a side glance then let out a wicked grin that made the students gasp and my jaw dropped on the ground. Not because of his sexy appeal, I get that already.

But because of what he said.

"What if I am?"

Then we left, leaving them puzzled. I was not in the mood as we strolled away. I feel like I'm intoxicated and I need to toss up all the pointless shits I've found out today. I feel like I'm still dreaming. I pinched my cheeks but I just ended up hurting myself.

"Don't do that, you're not dreaming. This is all real."

We suddenly halt on our tracks. He looked me in the eyes so intently that I almost backed away.

"I'm sorry for Natasha. Natalie isn't even my girlfriend, she's just a fling that's been clinging to me." he let out a frustrated sigh.

"I'm sorry I got you into this mess. Anyway, how are you now?" He looked so sincere when he asked this question.

I didn't say anything as I just gazed at his face. I'm having a moment of consideration if I should leave him alone here and just go to my next class. But I end up opening my mouth and saying what I really feel.

"Can I be honest with you? I'm really not fine at all. Their sharp words cut deep into my heart and I don't know how many restless nights I will take before it gets out of my head. I'm so sorry Nathan. I think we shouldn't hang out any longer. Those students out there unleash their contempt for me because of you."

I don't want to see his reaction. I turned my back on him. I feel so wretched opening up my rags to him. I should have just kept it to myself. I shook my head and was about to run away when I felt him embracing me behind. I froze on my spot as I felt his chin rest on my shoulders.

"It's okay to cry. I understand your pain. But do remember, Natasha."

He suddenly turned my body to face him. He brought down his face on mine until our noses were almost touching. I silently swallowed as I gaze at his eyes. I felt like it's sucking me into a dim pitch dark hole that you can't escape once you're imprisoned.

"I care for you. I actually-I know you'll freak out but I actually..."

His face reddened when I didn't break my eyes with him, as I innocently held up for his words. He let out a curse beneath his breath then he suddenly rested his head on my shoulder. He does this a lot to me.

"I-I actually can't stop thinking about you after the night we went to the carnival and ever since I always think of kissing you...but!"

He might think I'm freaking out since he held my arms then brought them up to his lips. Well, truth to be told, I am panicking inside but not in a terrible way or anything. Suddenly, he looks so unreal before me. His face is ruddy, eyes are lowered on the ground, lips are nibbled, he's embarrassed for some reason.

Adorable.

"But I'm not thinking something bad about you, okay? I respect you, Natasha. Believe me I-" before he could even finish his sentence, I spoke.

"Do you need to hang out tonight? I'm free. I don't have a night shift." I grinned at him. He was shocked for a minute, not able to say anything. All of a sudden, his lips reach the both corners of his eyes. He looks so upbeat.

"We could hang out in the park. There's a lot of food stalls out there. I can treat you."

"Okay, see you later."

"Uh...okay." he put his arms in his pockets. "See you."

I look at him one last time before striding away to my following class. I skipped the first subject because of what happened prior. Usually, I would maintain a strategic distance from him and just proceed with my boring life without Nathan around. Due to unexpected occasions, he somehow managed to capture my trust. And I know it's not that simple to give it to him. But I genuinely feel his sincerity towards what I'm thinking or what I truly feel. Because for a long time, somebody really cares.

"Hi!"

I saw him waiting for me outside the classroom. He was talking to some students, when I greeted him. He looks at me then his face suddenly lifts up, as if he saw something that boosts his serotonin.

"Sup, how's your class?" he ignored the other student's who's trying their best to catch his attention as his eyes landed on mine.

"It went fine."

"'Yo Nathan, I thought you wan-"

"Sorry, Jacob. Gonna hang out with the boys soon. I promise!"

Before those dudes could even protest, Nathan abruptly held my hand then we proceeded to his car in the parking lot. We were chuckling and teasing each other as we were strolling on the street. We can't forget the looks of those students' faces when Nathan didn't bother hanging out with them as he chose me instead.

He suddenly turned the radio on in his car then we vibrated together. I suddenly feel comfortable around him. I looked at him as his eyes shone when the light hit his face. He looks so genuinely happy. When we got to the park, we went to the playground where kids were running and pushing each other.

"Hey! That's cheating!"

"Not fair!"

"Who stole my toy car?"

I tuned out a whistle. There's a lot of kids alright and I saw a few Mothers not far in our area, busy chit-chatting with each other.

"Hey kids! Can we join you?"

I did a sideways look at him, confused. Before I could say anything, a few kids hop over me and they suddenly played with my hair and shirt. Nathan roared a laughter then he begun to chase the kids. I want to get up but they thrust me on the ground and put sand on my body. Oh, great.

A small girl's wail all of a sudden rings in my ears. I looked around and saw her crying on the ground whereas a small boy was giggling at her misery. My eyes wrinkled and was about to take action when Nathan showed up before me then he carried the small girl in his arms.

"Hey, that's not a right thing to do mister. You need to say sorry."

The boy shook his head and he persistently denied to apologize but Nathan said something to him that as it were both of them could hear whatever he whispered. The boy realized something and he hurled out a deep sigh. He went to the girl that's in between Nathan's arms and he abruptly embraced her. I couldn't help but be staggered by the view in front of me. I turned my attention to Nathan who was grinning. He was not the man I thought he was.

Even the following days are bizarre. I got to know him way better. We regularly get together after class. He once went with me on my night shift and he even drove me. We are like twins that are hard to separate. I have never been so happy in my life. Because for the first time in my two decades of existence, I don't feel alone anymore.