Chapter 6 Date, Or Is It?

• “Because…” I look around, anywhere but his face. I bit my bottom lip then chewed on it. It’s one of my idiosyncrasies whenever I’m anxious.
• “Stop that.”
• “Hmm?” I looked at him and I noticed he’s looking at my lips. I raised my eyebrows, asking a question with my look. He didn’t say anything. Instead, his jaw moved hard, making a sound.
• “Hmm…” he crossed his arms then raised his left eyebrow at me, “I believe I asked you first.”
• I swallowed because of the intensity of his voice. I was about to say something when I noticed those who were looking our way. I meandered my eyes around, sudden panic assaulted me. Before he could say anything, I turned my back on him and ran away. I heard him calling my name but I didn’t look back.
• It’s better this way. I shouldn’t be engaging with someone like Nathan Jones Davis. I can’t read what he’s thinking. What if he just sees me as his potential prey? Those alluring mysterious eyes are making me weak and can fall off my knees instantly.
• I was about to turn in the corners of the hallway when I almost bumped into someone. Good thing I stopped myself before I could crash with the person. When I look up my eyes widen in fear when I see Nathan. How?!
• “I’m serious, Natasha. Why don’t you want to talk to me?”
• Oh, no. He even pronounced my name deeply and darkly with his ranging eyes. Suddenly, memories of my dream with him invaded my mind. I can feel the trembling of my muscles, making me frail. I looked down and balled my fist. I didn’t say anything for how many minutes. We just stood there, feeling each other’s presence.
• “I’m sorry, I’m just scared.” I finally mastered my courage to speak. He didn’t say anything as he chose to listen. I inhale then let out what’s troubling me.
• “You shouldn’t be talking to someone like me, Nathan. Not because of my notoriety. But since I can’t make conversation. I don’t have any friends and people find me boring to be with. You can be one of those students who might think I’m odd, irritating, or even imbecilic. I can take those words, don’t worry. So if you’ll excuse me.” I turned my back on him and was about to require a step forward when I felt him embracing me.
• My jaw almost hit the ground when he put his arms around my waist, securing me. I can feel the heat rising up. I swallowed a trump in my throat as I perceived his hard chest on my back. I can’t seem to find my tongue to scream and push him away. But instead, I looked up because I felt his eyes piercing through my soul.
• “I actually find you cute.” he let out a sexy smile.
• “Look, I don’t mean any harm to you. My only intention is to talk to you and get to know you. Because I feel like you're lonely and you need someone else to talk with. You deserve someone beside you.”
• I felt his chin make its way down to my shoulder. I can hear his breathing beside me and his hot flesh that’s touching my skin. I blink, multiple times. I can feel my heart is doing a somersault and the demons are barking at my brain, begging to make them calm. But I don’t know anymore.
• “Here’s a deal, let me take you on a friendly date today. On the off chance that you’ll appreciate this day, grant me a chance to be your friend. If not, let’s pretend we don’t know each other and we didn’t talk at all. How’s that sound?”
• I didn’t say a word for the whole minute as I was just looking at him the whole time, processing what he said. It’s kind of tempting to bite at his proposal, but my mind is too preoccupied to give him the satisfaction of my answer.
• Trust is a big word. It’s not like something able to give effortlessly to somebody, particularly if that's the first time you met the person. Even if he looks like someone who can’t bring inconveniences, still, it’s hard to allow something that can easily break for seconds but years to construct.
• He abruptly kneeled on the ground, making me gasp. My eyes widened in fear and looked frantically around our area, seeing if somebody might see us. This is scandalous! What is he doing?! Is he out of his mind?!
• “N-nathan-” my voice cracked and I tried to help him stand up, but he didn’t take my hand. He shrugged it off then looked intently into my eyes, as if he’s capturing my soul and tying it on a chair so that it can’t get away from his grip and command.
• “Please, I’m not someone you think I am.” he held my hand, making my cheeks blush furiously. I tried prying it away from him but he didn’t let go of me. He looks at me with pleading eyes, making me uneasy in my spot. I’m sweating bullets right now, conscious because of the intensity he holds.
• He caressed my hand, and somehow it made me feel protected. I gulped and my shoulder calmed down. I looked into his eyes, matching his gaze. We stayed in that position for how many minutes when I heaved a deep sigh.
• “Okay.” I nodded my head in agreement.
• His smile formed a curve that reached up to the corner of his eyes. He suddenly stood up straight then clasped his hands.
• “Great! I’ll wait for you after class then?” he raised his eyebrow, waiting for my answer.
• “Uh, yes-sure-” he suddenly hugged me, took me by surprise then let go.
• “Thank you! I’ll meet up with you. I swear this is not a prank. Thank you!” then he waved while jogging away. When he turned around the corners, that’s when I snapped back to reality.
• Did I just agree to his terms? Oh god. I want to punch myself and suddenly, regret the whole conversation I had with him. I shouldn’t have agreed but I don’t want to make him wait for me for nothing. Well, guess I don’t have any choice then. It’s my fault, my choice, so my consequences to take.
• I stood there for how many minutes before taking a step to my next class. My thoughts are preoccupied the whole time, not really listening to what our teachers say. The whole time I’m thinking of that one particular person who can ruin my life. Or not. Maybe I’m just overreacting to the thought of him noticing me.
• When class was over, I gathered my things then went outside. I looked around, waiting for him to appear but minutes turned into hours, he didn’t. I hurled out a baffling sigh. Even though I anticipated this, it felt like something stabbed me in my heart and injured me deeply leading to fatality.
• I let out a forced smile for myself. I was about to step forward when I heard someone calling my name.
• “Hey! There you are!”
• I froze on my spot, literally astounded since he really came. I slowly looked back then I saw him jogging his way towards my position. He’s waving his hand, eyes are reaching both corners of his eyes, and nose is crinkled. He looks so cheerful as if he saw a relative that he hasn't been with for a long time. When he halted, he put his arms over waist then watched me from feet to head.
• “I’m sorry I’m late because I was looking all over this place for you. I forgot to ask what’s your last subject.`` Then he looked up, gazing where we were standing. He nodded his head, looking like he’s taking notes where he can find me after class.
• “So, are you ready?” he turned his attention back to me, waiting for my answer.
• I didn’t say a word at first as I was just anxiously gnawing my tongue, holding my dear self not to drop apart because of his overwhelming gaze. I want to say I had a night shift and just pardon myself. I'm not really free this time, but the thought of him searching for me enchants my stomach and makes me…feel important all of a sudden. I can see bullets of sweat from his forehead, gushing down. Well, he’s not lying. It looks like he ran for hours just to come and find me.
• I nodded my head as an answer to his question. I yelped in surprise when he held my hand then dragged me away, making me almost lose my balance because of his enormous steps.
• “Great! Thank you! You won’t regret this day!”
• Well, let’s wait and see it for myself. When we stopped in front of his car, he opened it for me. I was having second contemplation before going inside. When he sat next to me, he started the engine then we took off.
• I really don’t have any thought where he is taking me, but some way or another, part of me is excited. Probably, this is my first time hanging-out with somebody for the past years of being alone. I need to ask him where we are going, but I won’t demolish the surprise.
• “So, I hope you’re not nervous at all?”
• Well I don’t need to lie. I want to say my heart is skipping a beat right now and my stomach is doing the strange things they can do but I just shook my head in contradiction then gave him a warm smile.
• “I’m fine.”
• He didn’t say anything as he was just gazing at my face, watching each corner of it. He turned his attention back to the road. We were just quiet the whole ride. I don’t know what he’s thinking since he, all of a sudden, didn’t strike up a conversation and I’m panicking inside. He might think I’m boring at all.
• “We’re here.”
• I looked outside the window and my brows wrinkled in disarray when I saw a lot of individuals strolling, families having a great time, a few couples kissing and a lot of…kids. Hold up, where are we?