Chapter 3 Meeting at the riverside

Chapter 3

Sarah 's POV

When I woke up, it was noon. Since yesterday's injury was still very visible, I decided not to go to school today because teachers never cared about me. And I couldn't have the energy to deal with stuff like book bags thrown down the stairs, tables and chairs collapsed in the hallway and how to get out of a locked locker. Yesterday's clothes still had dust and grease stains on them, which might cause me to get beaten up again when someone saw that.

Of course, I didn't have any clothes that I could change into, so I had to go to the river in my pajamas to get my clothes cleaned. The weather was getting colder. There were few people on the river at this time of year, so I hoped no one would see me. Then I saw a familiar face.

God, couldn't I have this one little wish? What's Nathan doing here! He should be getting ready for his Coming-of-age Ceremony not taking a walk by the cold river! Please, didn't let him see me! I prayed silently in my mind, hoping I'd run away before he saw me.

But the next moment he turned toward me, staring at me with that familiar scrutinizing look, and I was as fixed in place as a deer caught in the light, afraid to move a step. Nathan walked over slowly and scanned me up and down. It occurred to me that I was wearing pajamas, which were probably a rag in his eyes. Although the clothes I usually wore were rags for him too, maybe much worse than that.

"What's in your hand?" He was asking about the basin and dirty clothes in my hands. For a moment, I felt so ashamed to say this simple answer when it was clear that he had seen me in a wretched state so many times.

Nathan suddenly raised his hand and I thought he was going to hit me, so I hurriedly lowered my head. I didn't expect his hand to go in the direction of the basin, and he yanked it towards him. I subconsciously clutched the basin tightly and fought with Nathan .

But the disparity in strength allowed Nathan to snatch the basin away and I lost my balance and fell to the ground. This heavy fall made me feel like I was going to break my tailbone, and there were sharp little rocks on the ground cutting into the hands that were supporting me. I looked up at Nathan and the basin he was holding. Asudden gust of wind blew and Nathan looked down at me with a slightly dull look. It occurred to me then that he had seen my eyes.

My secret had been seen by him and a great sense of fear crept up my spine and I couldn't stop trembling in front of him again. I wanted to escape the scene in a hurry and was about to get up from the floor when Nathan suddenly crouched down.

I was still sitting on the floor, and he had his arm on my left side and his leg half-kneeling on my right side, holding me in his arms. The gesture was like a "Don't run" warning. I could only helplessly shield my eyes with my hands, which he removed with a gentle but irresistible force. Then he ruffled my hair in what could be called a "gentle" manner.

It was the first time I'd seen Nathan 's face so close and suddenly I understood why so many girls broke their hearts for him. His brown eyes looked like melted caramel in the sunlight, his nose was high and straight, and his thin lips were pursed together as he looked at me intently. As Nathan got closer and closer, the smell mixed with ebony and cedar on him lingered on my nose.

I could only lean back as far as I could, but I could still feel the warmth emanating from his thick chest. He began to trace my face with his fingers and I subconsciously held my breath. I could clearly hear my heart pounding violently until he brushed my lips. "That's too close!" The alarm bell went off inside me and I could feel his warm and moist breath. So I started to struggle and Nathan came back to his consciousness like he was waking up.