The World We Knew

Chapter VI

After we leave Kaden at his house, I take his seat and Nathaniel drives us back towards my home. Radio is turned off and once again we are embraced in comfortable silence. Every once in a while I let my eyes wander to Nathaniel. It’s almost meditative watching him drive, he moves so swiftly. The way his breathing is so even and calm, the way his muscles move, his eyes never wandering off the road. I need a distraction. Looking outside just isn’t working anymore.

Thankfully we are already near my home, since I recognize my street. But history repeats itself when Nathaniel drives past it again. Should I say something?

“You won’t protest this time?” Nathaniel asks with an amused voice.

“I was just about to.” I mean I was at least planning to in some time. “Where are we going, since it doesn’t seem you made a mistake?”

He briefly looks at me. “I was hungry. So I figured you might be too.” Then shrugs casually and shifts his attention back to the road. I can’t believe him. He is very nice, just has a weird way of showing it.

“So you just decided to kidnap me?” At my question he chuckles and answers my question with a question of his own.

“You do like Greek food, right?” I admit by this point I am too stunned to even think properly. Did he just make plans with me but without me?! Nathaniel takes my silence as a yes and takes a few turns before we arrive in front of Georgie’s diner. I heard of it but never eaten here, apparently they serve Greek-American food. 

“Drive-in or eat at the diner?” He looks at me, his gaze almost scrutinizing. Oh now he cares about my opinion? Stop pretending like you are not enjoying all this - my subconscious reminds me. Oh, shut up, wrong time for your input.  

While I was arguing with, well myself, Nathaniel made a decision and we are now in line for a drive-in. I hope he doesn’t think I am crazy.  “Since you were too busy talking to yourself over there, instead of answering my question, I decided for take-away and I know the perfect spot to watch sunset.” He breaks my thoughts and chuckles when I blush. I mumble a quick thank you.

I am sure this all could count as k********g. Or a date. My subconscious makes another remark. But I know very well this isn’t a date. We have been talking for a bit over a week. And if not for this project, that would never happen. We would never be friends.  

When it’s our turn Nathaniel decides on Baja wrap and orders me Caesar’s one, since I told him I like that salad, we also order fries and two pineapple juices. Once we order, we go to the next window to pay. 

“Your order costs $36.” The lady says and I reach for my wallet. 

“Leave it to me.” Nathaniel says and hands over $40. I decided not to argue with him in front of this lady and possibly hold up the line, but I will give him money later. Once we get our food we drive for a short amount of time and we are parked on a remote side of the beach, just on time for sunset. I hand him his food and we start eating. Munching on our food, we watch how the sky gets colored in gorgeous shades of yellow, orange, pink and purple.

I sigh in content, personally I think sunsets and sunrises are one of the most beautiful phenomena that happens on Earth. And to think some people take it for granted. 

As I finish I once again reach for my wallet. “What are you doing?” Nathaniel’s harsh voice reaches my ears. 

“Giving you money. This dinner is on me. You already paid for gas and lunch today.”  I am not someone who takes advantage of people’s kindness. My replies earns me a laugh. As much as his laugh sounds wonderful, I don’t know what’s funny.

“Alexis I wanted to pay for this dinner. And I lost lunch bet fair and square. I also wanted to drive you home. So you don’t owe me anything. It’s the other way around, I probably should have asked if you want to even accompany me.” I fidget with my fingers - a habit I have for when I am nervous. 

Probably?

“It’s fine, it was nice. Thank you for dinner then and well for this whole day.” I smile a little and buckle up my seat belt again. It’s getting late. Nathaniel understands my gesture and does the same. Driving me home, we do put the radio on both slightly jam as this great day comes to an end. As usual he waits till I am unlocking my front door before he drives away. 

My Sunday was spent cleaning and doing laundry, calling my brother and Isa - who told me all about her date with Matt. I didn’t share my evening with Nathaniel with her, because she would definitely read too much into it. And I do admit I am feeling selfish over these serene moments we share. I even spoke two words with my father, this time he didn’t run away which was definitely surprising. As the night came, I became very nervous for tomorrow’s presentation.

They didn’t leave me alone at night too. I kept turning around, overthinking every line, every part of the plan, making a backup plan if everything fails. When my alarm clock went off I was sad as well as happy. Happy because I can stop torturing myself with sleep, but sad at the same time that now I have to face this situation and not be in the shelter of the night.

  I force myself to get ready. Putting some foundation under my eyes, to cover my lack of sleep, I skip breakfast today since everything else took longer, because my energy is on the low. This morning I also don’t enjoy my walk as I usually do. I feel like a boxer walking to the ring, preparing for a battle. I am truly overthinking this, it’s just a silly representation. I should relax.

As usual, well usual for the past week, Nathaniel is waiting for me at the library. I don’t know how he can look so energetic and ready for this. As his eyes land one me he frowns. “What happened to you?” He asks. 

“Thanks for pointing out how horrible I look.” I groan and hide my face in my palms.

“That’s not what I meant, you just look tired. Why did you come early, you could sleep in?” Nathaniel moves a bit further down the couch, places down his hoodie and says: “Here, use this as a pillow. I will wake you up before school. Relax now.”

Obviously too tired to argue, I took his kind offer and as if he was what I needed to calm my nerves, I fall asleep. Last thing I heard was him - humming some song.