Heart of the Ocean

Chapter 4- Fated

Seeing Nate, I pulled up short with my breath hitching in my throat. The panic that had been building inside me threatened to spill over at the sight of him. It was like a roiling tempest in my stomach, whirling and crashing in anger, self-loathing and despair.

“Oh. H hey, Nate.” I mumbled lamely, rooted to the spot, eye fixed firmly to my shoes laces.

Nate’s shadow fell over me. “You missed the end of the seminar” Nate whispered, his voice tender, “Do you want to talk about it.”

I moaned and shook my head furiously, wishing he would walk away.

“You don’t have to talk, I get it. But I don’t think you should be alone right now. Why don’t we go into your flat and get you a nice hot cup of tea?”, Nate’s fingers gently pried the carton of ice cream from my clenched fingers, “Ice cream is for when you’re alone. But you are not alone. You’ve got me”.

Numbly I let Nate lead me inside and into the empty communal kitchen, thankfully no-one else had to watch my lame breakdown. Since the first week of freshers, where I had hidden in my room for most of the parties and drinking, I had barely seen any of my flat mates. I only came into the kitchen to make food and then take it back into my room to devour. I was never any good at making new friends.

It was slightly surreal watching Nate’s bulk casually making himself at home in our tiny kitchen, his very presence felt larger than life- certainly larger than the room. He didn’t need any guidance as he seemed to know where everything in the kitchen was located: freezer, kettle, tea spoons, honey, tea, mug.

Watching Nate go about the mundane task of making a cup of tea started to make me relax a little. His confidence let you know that you were in safe hands. I let out a gentle sigh of exhaustion.

Nate turned slightly, watching me out the corner of his eye. It was almost as though he was worried that unleashing the full force of his smouldering gaze would drive me back to hysterics. But knowing that he was watching me, worrying about me had the opposite effect. I was touched that in this strange new world of strangers someone had worried about me.

“Here we are. The finest tea I could steal from the cupboards.” Nate declared, pushing a large steaming mug of tea my way, “I’ve taken the liberty of adding a good dollop of honey. My Gran always said honey was the key to soothing the soul”.

He grinned sweetly at me as he took a sip of his own mug. He winced “Far too hot that it” and muttered a few words under his breath and tapped a finger against the cup. As his nail struck the side an earthly chime pulsed through the air.

I blinked in alarm. How did he make that noise?

Nate met my eyes conspiratorially “Now it’s the perfect temperature”, he whispered, taking a large swig.

“How did you do that?!” curiosity had freed my voice from hiding.

“Family secret. There’s nothing to it once you know how.” Nate laughed good naturedly.

“That’s not exactly an answer” I grumbled.

Nate’s booming laughter filled the room, “I’ve learned never to reveal my hand all at once. Besides, I need my secrets to make me mysterious”. His eyes narrowed in an attempt to look dark and dramatic.

A smile pulled at the corner of my lips and a laugh caught in the back of my throat, making my croak like a demented frog. I slapped my hands to my mouth in horror.

Nate’s eyes widened and he stared with mouth open in shock, “That was quiet the noise, Clio. You have a natural talent at imitating animals. Were you classically trained?”.

For a split second we stared at each other, both struggling to remain serious and straight faced.

Amazingly, I broke first. I burst into a full belly laugh that shook my body from head to toe. Nate quickly followed my example, his laugh shaking the table.

Eventually, my laugh ebbed into giggles, my side’s aching, “who says that? You are such a weirdo?”.

Nate looked at me indigently, “I’m not the one who croaks like a demonic frog?!! Honestly, I half expected one to come jumping out your mouth” he chuckled.

By the time our fits of laughter had died down my tea was cool enough to drink without the need of creep tricks. The tea was warm, excessively sweet and 100% soothing.

I closed my eyes in pleasure and let the warmth seep into my whole body. Miraculously, I felt the knots of tension begin to loosen and my body started to relax. I contended sigh escaped my lips.

“Thank you” I said simply.

Nates shrugged, “Starting a new life at university isn’t easy for anyone” his voice turned gentle, “I don’t know what you were going through when we bumped into each other. And I’m sorry if I said the wrong thing or looked at you the wrong way. I guess I was just trying too hard to be charming. I wasn’t trying to be cruel.”

I lifted my eyes from my mug to meet his gaze. His eyes were intent and sincere but a small part of me was still holding on to my past. I knew that people could say one thing one day but break you down the next.

But there was something about Nate beyond his insane good looks. He was warm, full of life and energy. His laugh was infectious, and his eyes were kind. I felt myself drawn towards his orbit.

“Please believe me” Nate whispered.

I shrugged half-heartedly “I’m not very good at this. Whatever this is”.

“I hope we can be friends, Clio” Nate said, “Honestly, when I saw you, looking all lost and confused my protective instincts just took over. I couldn’t not help you.”

Nate suddenly looked guilty “This is going to sound weird but hear me out. There’s something about you Clio. Something about the tilt of your head, the way you walk, the way you…. Say my name. Something about you just makes me want to know you better. I hope you let us become friends.”

Nate’s words were sincere and vulnerable. It sounded like a cheesy pick-up line but he wasn’t asking to get into my bed, he was just asking to be my friend. And for better of for worse I felt drawn to him too.

I was too embarrassed to look at Nate.

Finally, I replied, “You are 100% weird Nate. I’m sorry if I thought the worst about you. That’s on me. I was too caught up in the stress of uni to give you a chance.” I grinned sheepishly, “I would love to be your friend”.

I looked up, my eyes once again meeting Nate’s. As our eyes locked, I felt something click inside me, like a key inside a lock. I have never been one for fate and destiny but something about this friendship felt like it was meant to be.