Burning Coldness

|ANIMOSITY|

It was Friday, and Nathaniel’s week passed by quickly. It is quick interesting how time passes by when you are busy. This year he became the head President of all clubs, so he had even more responsibilities than last year.

However he didn’t mind it, on the contrary, he was being contented with being a leader. He even loved being a basketball player, and not because of the status. It helped him relax, and took his mind off school. Just for a couple of hours, he could forget all about the pressure in maintaining high grades, and let out all the pent up stress through exercise. He always tried his best, and always encouraged his teammates to practice well. So it wasn’t a surprise to anyone that he became the head leader.

He just announced that the practiced was finished, and flashed a tired but still dazzling smile at his teammates. Despite being wasted, he managed to smiled back at him.

“You played very well. You killed us.” He said between panting. His best friend, Harold sighed, and exaggeratedly slumped down on the bench on the changing room.

“Come on, it wasn’t that bad, plus we have to bring our best game this year, it is our last in this school.” He said with an encouraging smile.

“I guess, you are on point. But I am telling you, I don’t know how much more of this I can handle.” Harold teased again while wiping sweat off of his forehead.

“The ones who can’t handle it, can quit right now!” Nathaniel said a bit louder so everyone can hear him. He tried to sound serious as much as he can, but tough Harold completely obliterated his effort by tapping his shoulder.

“You little softy who are you going to kick out?” Harold cooed while laughing in between those words, and making funny grimaces with Nathaniel’s face.

“Alright, I get a point. I am a softy with a heart. Now, will you please stop laughing?” Nathaniel mumbled while gently pushing Harold off of him. He doesn’t like the feeling of being much closer with boys. With his cheeks slightly red, he returned his attention to his teammates who were watching the whole scene amused.

“But seriously guys, I love you all and I wouldn’t kick out anyone out of the team, but we really have to push it this tough year. I know that this is not the last year for all of you, but for me, it is. I want this season to be the most memorable one. I’m asking you to please help me.” He smiled at them expectantly.

The majority smiled back at his little motivational speech, and even cheered in support. They loved Nathaniel, no one was really able to say no to him and his genuine smile was enough to lure them to do what he asked to do.

After their tiring training, Nathaniel went home to change, and then went to Hamper’s, a little coffee shop that his parents owned. He would go there some days after school to help them out, and that way, he could earned money for his weekly allowance. He also worked there most of the days this summer, so he saves some money on the side. He wanted to go on a trip across Europe someday, and it was never too early to start saving.

As he opened the doors of Hamper’s pleasant smell of coffee, fresh bagels, and familiarity enveloped him.

“Hello, there!” He passed the counter and went to hug his parents.

“Hello, Nathan!” They greeted him in unison. “How was your day, honey?” His mum asked him.

“It was fine, I had a practice and I have the feeling some guys’ won’t go easy on me. But I’ll manage them somehow.” He trailed off.

Despite the general belief that everyone loves him, he knew that wasn’t true for all of the people in the school. He could sense when people disliked him. He couldn’t do anything about it. He was pleasant to them, so if they still not chose to like him then, it was their problem and not him.

The only person he was attempting to somehow to win over was Andrew, but that proved harder with each passing day. He didn’t see Andrew these past few days, but when he did, Andrew didn’t acknowledge him at all. He didn’t really know why he was even trying. Even though animosity was the mutual feeling between Andrew and him, something still drew him to that guy. There was something about that guy that intrigued him so much.

He didn’t want Andrew to dislike him or even treat him as a competitor. He wanted to get to know him, and to see if there is anything behind that cold stare and faux smile, or that is really who he is.

His dad brought him back from his reverie by a gentle tap on his shoulder. “Of course you will, you always get through to people with your gentle heart.”

“I am not so sure about that anymore.” He replied with the thoughts of Ice King on his mind.

Nathaniel finished his shift quite late. He was dead tired, and he couldn’t wait to go home. His parents left home a while ago and he was the one who tasked to lock the café. Allyssa was waiting for him outside, she wanted to see him at least for couple of minutes and walk him home. How pathetic of her. He doesn’t really like this girl. He only sees her as a good friend, but not a potential girlfriend.

“Hello, Ally!” He greeted her, giving her a tired smile. “Hey, there handsome!” She kissed him softly and took his hand. She leaned on his shoulder as they walked home. Nathaniel gave himself a chance to look Allyssa’s appearance closely. Allyssa had a body to die for, he had to admit that.

Whenever he looked at her with his bright blue eyes, he could feel goosebumps raising on his arms. He was slowly petrified. Just as the majority of the students at Saint Helen, she was filthy rich but never did she showed off. He asked her out of this spring, and said “yes” without second thought. Even though she was the cutest girl in school, he doesn’t have that tingling sensation as they kissed.

For now, few months later they were in an unpredictable relationship, and he was happy with it.

Allyssa put arm around his hips and brought him closer to her. The evening was pleasant, the leaves on the trees rustled, and brisk December wind blew occasionally causing them to tighten their coats. They chatted while walking, mostly about school and their classmates. “Do you already know what are you wearing for the party tomorrow?” Allyssa asked him.

“Well, I didn’t have the time to pick out the best outfit that would suit me, I think I will just rummage through my closet and find something nice to wear.” He replied.

“But you have to tell me, we have to match just like the old times.” She nudged him teasingly.

“That’s not a good idea.” He giggled.

“Maybe we’ll piss Andrew off.”

“Goodness, that’s not cool! He might kill us with that icy glare of him. I don’t even know why he’s acting that way. Well, his pen name suites him very well.” She made fake terrified face, and then laughed, Nathaniel joining her.

“You know sometimes, I have a feeling that he hates me, I don’t know though.” Nathaniel trailed off again, getting bothered by the thought that Andrew hates him.

“There is no reason for him to get mad at you, you are handsome and he’s just probably jealous!” Allyssa smiled at him, and gave him a comforting hug. Nathaniel didn’t respond to that though, as he seemed deep in thought.

“Why do you even care so much?” Allysa raising her eyebrow. As long as she knew Nathaniel didn’t really of what people thought about him at all.

“I don’t know. I am just little bit curious. He laughed nervously, and then added “He just stares at me a lot with something on it, and does that creepy smile thing, I don’t know if he might be some kind of a sociopath and bury me alive somewhere beneath some bridge God knows where.” He realized that he started rumbling so he nervously laughing instead. Thankfully Allyssa didn’t notice anything unusual about him, and she joined him.

“He might be a sociopath, but you have to admit he is smilingly hot sociopath.” Allyssa grinned at him, as he playfully slapped him on the shoulder. He wasn’t a jealous type, and he had to admit Andrew was devastatingly handsome as ever.

“Of all the things I said, that’s your conclusion?” He asked raising his eyebrows and trying to frown which just ended up as an adorable pout.

Allyssa just smirked at him and pull him in for a kiss. They were close to his apartment building now. Allyssa’s lips were softened by her lip balm and her stubble scratched his cheek. She ran her tongue over his bottom lips asking for entrance. They were battling for dominance. Their kiss quickly got heated, Nathaniel felt skin tingling with sensation, and small butterflies erupted in his stomach. She started rubbing her hands on his sides, and then slid his hands on his bottom, squeezing it gently.

As soon he felt the hands rubbing his pants, he was pretty sure that it was inappropriate to basically grind in the middle and if any of his neighbors happened to see him, he would have died out of embarrassment.

“You have to go now, Ally. Your parents might wonder where you are now.” Nathaniel moved away from her. Allyssa looked disappointed and by the look of her, she was disappointed, too.

“I will go here at 8:00’clock tomorrow.” She said in a husky voice.

“Okay, that sounds fine. Good night.” He said as he combed his messy hair using his fingers.

“Good night, too.” She pecked him quickly not wanting that to result in another make out session, and sauntered away.

His parents were asleep, so he tiptoed to his room, and went straight to bed. In the comfort his warm covers, he drifted away to sleep almost instantly, he slumber intruded occasionally throughout the night by the image of piercing green eyes.