The World We Knew

Chapter VIII

Over the past two weeks Nathaniel and I spent a lot of time together. It seems that any free minute we have is spent with us hanging out. I tried to hang out with Isa a few times since that night, but she was always too busy, even during lunch breaks I barely saw her. I miss her. 

Nathaniel has been a great distraction though and handsome one too. It seems like he is temporarily occupying the best friend spot. Almost everyday after school we either go to the beach, hang out in the library or at my place. Dad also met Nathaniel briefly, thankfully he was acting normal and greated us but then let us be. Not that I expected him to stay long. Even though our short meetings are improving, we are no way near spending evenings together.

Our History teacher - Mr. Smith has proved to be very efficient, so today is our last meeting, where for the last time we oversee every little thing. Every form, every warning, everything is signed, explained or planned, which leaves Nathaniel and I with two weeks off before our experiment starts. I am going to miss our mornings and afternoons, but I guess it’s time to go back to reality. 

I feel my phone vibrates in my pocket. I usually don’t check my phone during class or text, but we have Sociology now and Mrs. Young is cool. I must admit I am very curious as to what it is about since only two people who would text me right now are Isa and Nathaniel. And I am looking forward to every text of both of them. I guess I should expect it is Nathaniel, Isa is currently MIA - at least for me.

Is there a chance for you to go to a meeting alone? I have an emergency and I can’t make it.

I send a quick ‘okay’ back and continue to listen to the lecture. I will check on him later, but at this point there is no need for both of us being there. Everything is already finalized. Focus on school. Right. We are currently studying collective behavior, which I think high school is a perfect example of that. I just can’t decide if high school fits in with the crowd, the mob or the riot. Oh well, maybe a combination of all three?

Call me a nerd - I do admit I like school. Of course not every part of it, but most. So when class ends I happily skip to our last meeting, or well my last meeting. 

“Ah Alexis you are early. Should we wait for Nathaniel?” Mr. Smith asks me the first thing as I open his cabinet doors.

“Today it’s just you and me professor. Nathaniel had personal things, so we agreed I will come to this meeting alone.” I offer him a polite smile and take a seat across from his desk. 

“Very well then. Let’s go through this plan.” He hands me two printed versions of our plan and we take our time reading and overseeing it. I assume the second version is for Nathaniel so I put it in my bag and decided to drop him at his house today. Lucky for me I know where he lives and I took a bike to school today, so the detour will not be too much for me. 

Two hours later and I am already riding a bike towards his house. Professor and I found the plan very well prepared, all the forms are signed and stored in paper version and on hard disk drive. On that drive there is also a plan and some other documents, like the one where the mayor signed agreement with this experiment.

I silently curse - even though I hate cursing, as I ride my bike up the hill and I feel burning pain in my legs. Now I know I will never buy a house which is built on top of one. Finally I reach the top of it and I immediately get down to catch a breath and ease the pain. Of course I also had to decide that today will be the day when I bring home all the PE clothes for laundry, so my backpack is extra heavy. I know I have to improve my system for bringing those home, but I always forget to take them, and next time I bring a fresh one, then I forget to take both home. So that’s how slowly clothes start piling in my locker.

I make my way to the front door and ring the bell. Nervously clutching Nathaniel’s version of social experiment as I wait. I expected either sleepy or frustrated Nathaniel to open the door, what I didn’t expect was for a small girl to open it. “How can I help you?” She asks me in a small voice, it’s very childlike but at the same time it also sounds like she is in some sort of pain. Before I could reply we heard a strong booming voice.

“Annie! What did I tell you about opening doors? You should be resting.” Soon after we hear him, Nathaniel makes an appearance next to this little girl - Annie. As he spots me he narrows his eyes and crosses his hands. “What are you doing here?” His tone is harsh, matching his posture. 

“I-i-i, I just wanted to drop this.” I barely make out, push his plan into his hands. “Sorry, I am going to go.” Turning on my heels, I leave as fast as I could, not wanting to feel his anger on me anymore. In the background I hear some heated discussion, which makes me walk even faster.

“Alexis! Alexis, could you just stop running for a second?” I hear Nathaniel’s voice. Since I know he will catch me before I will be able to reach my bike, I stop and turn around. His brains needed a second too long to register that I stopped and he was about to reach me, so we collided. His hands wrap around my waist, trying to steady as both. And once we restore the balance, he lets me go as if I burned him.

“I am sorry I was angry. Let’s just talk about it inside, if you would like to come of course.” He whispers. I nod and follow him in. Annie still waiting for us at the front door. Once she sees we are both approaching, tiredness leaves her face and child joy radiates off her. “Who is in the mood for some pancakes?” Nathaniel asks and Annie jumps up and down with joy.

“I will make the batter, you can bake.” I offer, feeling small in this huge mansion and not trying to invade in their home.

“It’s a deal, sorry for my silly brother.” Annie says, taking my hand then dragging me to the kitchen. I hear Nathaniel chuckle behind us, the sound of it warming my heart.

As I was preparing pancake batter Annie convinced me to help her with her homework while her brother will be baking us dinner. I loved kids and school work so I gladly agreed. This girl is really smart and full of life. We finished just in time to have dinner. Annie was quiet during, while I briefly told Nathaniel about today’s meeting. She ate half a pancake, I ate three while her brother ate eight. 

Annie got really sleepy after dinner and Nathaniel carried her to bed, making sure she was all set. I didn’t want to be useless so I started to clean the dishes. “You didn’t have to do that.” His voice starls me, making me almost drop a plate. 

“It’s no problem. I need to get going either way, just didn’t want to leave a mess behind.” Replying while cleaning the counter.

“It’s too late for you to ride your bike home. If you have time to stay for an hour longer, I can take you once my dad comes home. Or you can just take my car and you give it to me tomorrow.” He casually leans on his elbows, making his muscles flex which in turn almost made me lose focus.

“There is no way I am taking your car.”

“There is no way I am letting you leave with a bike right now.”

“Fine, I will wait for your dad.” I sigh, knowing I lost this argument.

“Movie?” He smiles, showing off his dimples. I nod and follow him in this maze, which they call home. 

Okay when he said movie, I thought he meant on a TV in the living room, not in a home theatre. I knew Nathaniel is mayor’s son, I didn’t know his house is like this though. I admit it’s fascinating, but I like cosy home better. I would never trade my family’s house for a huge house like this. This feels like a museum, the other feels like home.

“Sorry again for just coming here without checking it with you. I shouldn't have done that.” I apologize again, feeling remorseful. 

“It’s no problem. I was angry because of Annie, she is homeschooled and sick, so I am overprotective of her.” He explains, I don’t want to pry so I just stay quiet and let him either stay in silence or continue explaining himself. He does continue. “I am not hiding her because of my image, but because people are cruel and they make fun of the weak and kind. I am trying my best to protect her kindness, her innocence, because life has been cruel enough to her.”

I place my hand on his, giving it a soft squeeze, showing my sympathy but at the same time not trying to ruin his moment. It’s hard to say anything right in the moment like this. “I shouldn’t get angry at you, I know you are different. The way you helped Annie and treated her like a normal 8 year old girl, she wasn’t this excited in a long time. It was refreshing seeing her smile, and to think I was angry and thought you could me cruel. I was blinded by fear, but I know how amazing you are.” Nathaniel says looking into my eyes. 

At that we both start to lean in, the world seems to stop and my eyes flickered from his eyes to his lips. I feel his breath on my lips just as someone clears their throat, making us jump apart. My heart is beating faster than ever before. I greet Nathaniel’s father and he greets me back.

“I should drive you home.” Nathaniel says as he grabs my hand, leading me out.