"Bro, you look like shit" Mikel mused "No shit" I say rolling my eyes too tired to say something more. "No darling you look absolutely gorgeous" Bleu beamed. "I mean, look at those sexy eye bags, and this oh so hot, birds nest of a hair you carry about, top model material" he added. Mikel couldn't hold in his laughter and Bleu joined in, laughing their asses off. Idiots.
They're not wrong though. I look like utter shit. After Nathaniel had dropped me off yesterday, by 4 in the morning, I barely got any sleep. Came to school in my sweat shirt and shorts, didn't even bother doing my hair. I definitely look like crap. And these idiots aren't helping with the already forming headache I have.
Finally the bell goes off and I leave those two idiots to banter with themselves. I have history next so I guess I'll just catch up on some sleep then. No one listens to the teacher anyways.
In the hallways I lock eyes with Brittany and she whispers something to the other airhead next to her and they laugh obnoxiously loud walking in my direction. I couldn't give less of a fuck about her right now. She walks right up to my about to make a stupid comment and I shove her shoulder with mine, rather harshly, effectively moving her out of the way. I could here her calling out my name but I don't have enough serotonin to entertain her bullshit this morning.
*****
History class was everything I expected it to be. But, I didn't see him. I was really hoping to see him because we had History together too, which usually made the class more tolerable. He wasn't there. And my mind couldn't stop thinking about him. Out what happened last night.
I've never seen him smile as much as he did. And my God, it's such a beautiful and contagious sight. The way he was moving on the ice. The way his muscles flexed under his black shirt. The way his eyes were twinkling with utter joy under the sparkling lights of the building. He looked Godly. I'm never not amazed at his beauty. How can such a duche have such amazing features.
He hasn't been a duche to you blockhead. My subconscious reminds me. Yeah I guess it's true, he's been really good to me these past 2 weeks. And I have no idea why. It's just strange, I've never had a "friend" outside Mikel and Bleu before, and King just casually waltzing into my life like he's in some teen beach movie doesn't sit right with me. I don't like it, do I?
I'm brought back out of my reverie by the sound of the bell. I walk out of class, to the cafeteria, my eyes scanning the room but he wasn't there, and I hadn't seen him for the rest of the day either.
What if he's avoiding me? Maybe I'm bugging him too much? Maybe he didn't like yesterday? Or am I just thinking about it too much. He can't avoid me, it's school right? We're bound to cross paths. But still. Maybe he didn't like yesterday as much as I did that's why he's been avoiding me. But how can he be avoiding me when I haven't even seen him in school yet. I'm just thinking too much, it's not possible, he has his reasons.
Mikel takes me home because I'm too tired to ride my bike back. I really need to get rid of that thing and get an actual car. I walk in and I'm greeted with the amazing smell of warm peanut butter cupcakes. Only one person makes these perfectly
"Sweetie you're home, how're you doing" Trish walks into the living room clad in her usual sundress and an apron tied to her. I grab her in a bear hug and all bask in her usual Vanilla scent.
"Trish, God I've missed you so much" I pull out to say then go back in for another hug."I've missed you too, sweetie," she replied, her voice warm and soothing. We held each other for a moment longer before I pulled away, a genuine smile on my face.
"How have you been?" I asked, my genuine curiosity mingling with the warmth of being in her arms again. It had been two weeks since I've seen her. This place is always so void without her.
Trish smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, you know, the usual chaos. But seeing you makes everything better." Her soft tone made my heart swell with gratitude for having her in my life, I honestly would be a mess without her.
We settled into the cozy living room, cupcakes in hand, sharing stories and laughter. It was like no time had passed since our last conversation.
"So, how's was staying with your mom like?" Trish inquired cautiously, knowing that this topic was a something I've always dreaded.
"Rachel has been... Rachel," she sighed. "You know how she is. Always on the move, chasing one thing after another." I say, leaving out all the horrid parts. I'm really not ready to deal with that right now.
She nodded, understanding all too well. Trish took a deep breath, as if collecting herself. "We did talk, though. She called last week." Her voice wavered slightly.
I reached out and placed a hand on her arm, offering comfort. "How did it go?"
A small smile tugged at the corners of Trish's lips. "We caught up on some things, exchanged a few words. But you know how it is with us – it's always a roller coaster."
I chuckled softly. Roller coaster was an understatement when it came to describing the relationship between my mother and Trish.
Our conversation shifted, moving to lighter topics. We chatted about school, Mikel's stupid adventures, and Bleu being Bleu, charming as always. But no matter how much I tried to divert my thoughts, they kept drifting back to one person – Nathaniel.
After kissing Trish goodnight, I got to my room. The project Nathaniel and I were working on was still sitting on my desk, waiting to be finished. I sighed, wondering how I could possibly focus on anything when my mind was occupied by thoughts of him.
I sat down and opened my laptop, trying to at least make some progress. But as I stared at the screen, my thoughts wandered again. His smile, his voice, the way he looked at me, his jawline, goddd his jawline, Nathaniel's jawline is a work of art, sharp and defined, accentuating the angles of his face. Everything about him is just undeniably attractive, Every movement he makes is graceful and deliberate, his posture radiating a confidence that commands attention, every moment we spent together ,it was all etched into my mind.
As if on cue, my phone dinged with a new message. Speak of the devil. "Good evening, Ms. Cupcake" the text read and I couldn't help the embarrassingly wide smile that split my lips. "Hello Mr. Asshole" I sent.
"I'm sure that tiny heart of yours missed the fuck out of me" he replied. And he was obviously right. And I obviously would not let him now that. "Missed? I couldn't care less" I fired back, less than a second later. Soon enough, he called and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Hello Cupcake" his deep rusty voice boomed from the speakers. I wasn't expecting that, his voice sounded deeper, sexier?
"Hey asshole" he chuckled, and my smile grew wider. He barely smiles and I made him chuckle. "You couldn't even stay 24 hours without hearing my voice huh?" I mustered up the courage to say.
"Yeah sure, I'm a hundred percent sure you searched the whole school for me cupcake. You don't have to hide it. Just admit you missed me" I could hear the smirk in his tone. And I rolled my eyes at his stupid snide comment.
"Like I said, I couldn't care less" he scoffs "sure you do". "Why didn't you come to school today?" I finally mustered the courage to ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
"Busy day," he replied, his tone stiff. "You know how it is."
I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "Yeah, I get it." No, I don't get it. But I don't want to ask even though I'm dying to know.
We moved on to other topics but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he wasn't saying, he was obviously not telling me something, but as nosy as I am, I wouldn't let it take over.
Finally, as the night grew deeper, I yawned, unable to hide my exhaustion any longer. "I should probably get some sleep," I mumbled, a hint of regret in my voice, I don't want this to end but I really need my sleep.
He chuckled softly, his tone warmer than before. "Yeah, you should. Don't want those sexy eye bags getting any sexier."
I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging at my lips. "You're ridiculous."
"Hey, it's a talent," he quipped, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Goodnight Cupcake".
"Goodnight asshole".
As I hung up, I realized it was well past 1 am. I nestled into my pillows, my thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. Nathaniel's presence, his words, his effect on me they were impossible to ignore. And as much as I loved it, I hated it.
With a sigh and a contented smile, I closed my eyes, knowing that I was in way deeper shit than I had ever imagined.