Was I Just A Bet?

(9) From Dinner to Disaster

Nathan's Point of View

7 pm. Hotel Alluvia. My eyes scanning the entrance every now and then as I sit here in the corner most table of the hall with my brother.

"Who is she? your girl friend?" He spoke up again, like 6th time in the same minute. Why mom why? Right now I am sitting with my 11 years old brother who is shooting questions at me without even listening the answer to the previous one. Noah is my total contrast. He is a all time active chit-chat box that you can't turn off. "Is she pretty?" I told ya, he won't shut up until I give him the answers.

30 minutes ago-

"No mom. No. I am not taking Noah with me. At all." I said to my mom who stood in front of me crossing her arms. Her looks are like - 'Ain't giving s**t to what you say. When I say, you listen'

"Yay. I am going with Nate. I am going with Nate" He danced, shaking his booty.

"No your not" I said shaking my head. "Mom, you can drop him at Aunt Melissa on the way. Can't you?"

"No. Not at all. I don't like her daughter. She forces me to play doll house with her" Noah said pulling his tantrum continuously since 15 min. He is liar. Aunt Melissa's daughter never forces him to play with her, he is the one who is following her always. No, I mean you look at his face when she is around? He is like totally transferred into a gentleman from a badass.

"What will happen if you take your small brother with you? Noah has promised me he won't bother you" Mom said picking up her purse, walking towards the main door.

"Yes, Nate I won't bother you. I would remain shut up" He said in a girly voice.

"Noah , be a good boy. Bye Nate. Have fun with your girl" Mom said shutting door as she walked out. Fun? When Noah is right in front of me, and fun with Gabriella? Yeah we would talk about books.

Note the sarcasm.

Current situation -

"Someone said he would remain quite" I said, again looking at the entrance. I am sure Liam and Caleb are already here, waiting where I told them too. I just hope they are not pulling any pranks around, 'cause they are their pranksters self everywhere. But they are hilarious at times ( only for the students, every single teacher in our school is pissed at them) And what happened a week ago was a remarkable success in their journey of pissing every teacher at Eastside Charter. Seriously.

A week ago-

The class was silently going through what Mr. Smith told us to. He was the teacher, in which's class not a whisper could be heard, like you literally have a invisible tape sticked to your mouth. Typical history teachers. Just give me another reason why I am sitting in history class when the only reason I had (to take up history) is gone, out of my sight. Sitting on the teacher's table he was reading some newspaper with his spectacles sitting on his nose. I bet he boggles up every damn thing he read, like he is capable of saying out the whole f*****g history book without even glancing at the page. I feel sorry for his wife, women back than had bad choices ( talk to Mr. Smith and you won't find more boring person in the whole frigging world). He and his wife would be like-

"I never did this Tom. I never in my life threw your favorite shirt away." She would say.

"No you did it on 5 May 2006, and we were in the same argument on 16 September 2007." He would say.

"I am going Tom, away from you. I am done with your accusations" She would say, crying.

"You said the same thing on 14 January 2011 and you never went and we made everything okay on your favorite bed at 11:50 pm." He would say.

"What? I mean, do you remember every date and time when we make out?"

"Not even make outs, I remember your birthday, our anniversary, the date you knew you got pregnant, also when you had that amazing haircut, when you started walking again after that accident. Everything, darling. Everything." he would try making up.

"That's why I married you" She would say and they would make old unwatchable love on her favorite bed.

I cringed and stop thinking. That was stupid. This was a signal that I am hungry.

I was sitting on the second seat, purposely today, with Caleb. Liam and a girl named Ava sitting with him in front of us. Just then Liam started whispering ( clear enough for the teacher and other side by students to listen )

"Ava, I am really sorry. I never expected this to happen" He said "That was the biggest mistake of my life, really" Ava looked as if she was going to start crying.

"My parents don't know yet. What I am gonna tell and how?" She said worriedly.

"If only I would have used protection. Its all my fault" He said looking down. Just after he said 'protection' Mr. Smith glanced at him.

"Not entirely yours. I am equally responsible for what has happened Ava" Caleb said putting a hand on Ava's shoulder. "We just don't know whose mistake was it Liam, I didn't think of using the protection either" Until now Mr. Smith was looking up from newspaper to Ava and Liam. He looked as if he had eavesdropped the whole conversation. Damn Damn.

"We would work a way out. I am gonna help you out. You are not alone in this Ava. You are not gonna pay for my and Caleb's mistake your entire life" Liam said.

"Me too. At least, until, we know whose mistake was it" Caleb said before Ava broke into tears. Mr. Smith immediately stood up from his chair and said-

"Liam and Caleb, I want you to in the principal office now" He said "And you too Ava"

"But why Ava, sir? What is her mistake? I and Caleb broke her eraser, she hasn't done anything" Liam said waking up from his seat showing Mr. Smith a broken eraser's two parts.

"What ? You were talking about eraser?" The teacher asked. "Then why you look like your gonna cry, Ava?"

"It was my precious eraser" Ava said and half of the students were controlling their laughter.

"If only we had used the protection cover, it would have saved eraser from breaking up" Caleb stood and showed Mr. Smith a eraser cover of American Stationary. I looked down, trying to control my chuckle. Mr. Smith's face was priceless, like some bird s**t has landed on his face.

He grabbed his books and stormed out of the class murmuring something under his breath. Just after, the four of us ( Ava, Liam, Caleb and I) started laughing like hell along with the other students of the class.

"He actually thought Ava was pregnant" I said between my laughing session.

"And I don't even know who the hell is the father of my child. Like seriously?" Ava said while chuckling, looking at Liam.

"We should mess with this history guy more often. I have feelings that he might run away from our school." Liam said.

We laughed at the incident for more that 30 minutes. History teacher breakdown run, out of the class ,really had an impact on us.

Current situation

"When will she come?" Noah said poking me again.

Just then I saw Gabriella walk in the Hotel, looking here and there. She was wearing a brown skinny jeggings and grey flow top. Her brown hair, like always were open flowing down her back and she was wearing her big glasses with no makeup ( is this girl for real?). She kinda looked cute and her brown soft hair would feel awesome when tangled with my figures.

Nathan Wagner, stick to the bet deal. You have a bloody reason behind this. And thinking about Gabriella's cuteness and how awesome her hair would feel surely won't help. Just stick to the reason behind this whole stupid bet thing.

"What are you mumbling Nate? Don't do that again. I thought you need a doctor" Noah said pulling his head back and scrutinizing me.

"Noah, can you stop over-reacting over something for change's sake" I said, now looking around for the very reason I was here on a dinner date with Gabriella. Nowhere to be seen. Did I got the news correct?

No Ava can never be wrong. And especially when it comes to the information she conveys.

I looked up to saw Gabriella walking towards the table as the receptionist told her. She saw me and a faint smile appeared on her face. She settled down on the seat before glancing at Noah. Noah grinned back.

"Hey" She said looking at Noah. "What's your name?" From Noah's face I could tell that he found her cute too.

"He's Noah. My brother. Felt like bringing him" I said before Noah could. Okay I accept it! I didn't have a better excuse than that ( I would never feel like bringing Noah along)

"Oh no! He never feels like bringing me. Actually mum asked me to ensure that Nate doesn't drink much. Because once he does, he goes all booty-scoot. Believe me I have seen it" Noah said after which Gabriella burst into laughter. I felt embarrassment crawl up my face. I looked at Gabriella who won't stop laughing and Noah's smirk look. Her laugh was kinda forcing a smile on my face that I was controlling.

"He is lying. I am never the booty scooter. And mum- mother would never ask him to do that" I said stopping at 'mum' and putting 'mother' instead. Saying 'mum' would make me sound like a kid.

"Nathan, you should have some sense of humor classes from this guy" She said between her chuckles.

"I don't need sense of humor classes. I am going to show you that" Last night when she said that I had no sense of humor, I made this bet-relationship a mission to get to her and show that I am not that bad at jokes. I mean, not that bad.

"Nate, I am famished" Noah said looking at me. I feel hungry too but that doesn't make me forget that I am going to tell mom about this, she would pull him back on the right path.

Food was already booked so it might be ready until now. I waved at the waiter nearby, he nodded and walked away to get our food.

"So? Are we taking this bet-relationship seriously even outside the school?" She asked me while I looked around to see if there was any sign of someone I was waiting for. No luck.

"Yes" I had nothing else to say. I cannot tell her the reason. I can't tell her anything except the fact that she would be my girlfriend for next month because of a bet ( and that is only half-truth) It would be better if she don't get to know anything. I don't want her feel bad or something of that sort because of my choices and things I want. She is the only way I can get something I want so desperately and telling her about it would just make my chances fade away. No girl wants to feel used and I understand that very well.

She looked at me for a while and then nodded and looked away.

"Also after last night, I realized you are not that bad when it comes to giving company" I said in case she had doubts arising ( which wouldn't be a good sign) But that wasn't a lie, for the while I talked to her, I had my mind drifted away from what happened last night. Well, it happens almost every time he comes and every time I have to find a runaway from all those things. Last night, she was my runaway. And from what happened to her, I knew that she needed a runaway too.

"You weren't either Nathan Wagner, well those bad jokes apart" She said making me roll my eyes. I will get back to you girl. Well, somehow.

Just then the waiter came along with three dishes in his hands and put it down on the table. One had fried chicken which I pulled towards myself. This restaurant has the best fried chicken ever. All crispy and amazingly tasty. Okay! I know I am football team's quarterback and eating this is prohibited for our whole team but what's it gonna hurt if they don't know? And I really stay away from grease ( until I enter this restaurant)

The other dish had cheeseburger which was already getting eaten by the famished Noah who literally ate half of it in the first bite. He is slowly becoming like me. That's probably a good sign.

"Like seriously? yeah Nathan you really have great sense of humor, it almost made me laugh" She said looking at her dinner, frowning. Really healthy salad served in an attractive manner. "You think I am gonna eat this? starving myself would be a better option." She started going through the salad with her fork, separating every cucumber layer to expose the down most layer "Bizarre! It has beetroot too. Very funny Nathan" She gave out a forced chuckle.

"What? That ain't a joke. You drink beet juice so I thought you were very figure conscious like every girl is. And every girl I have ever gone dinner with order this same salad." I said. This girl is weird. And weird is not always bad.

"I don't know how someone can eat this and sleep peacefully. If I eat this, I swear, I would finish one whole chocolate ice-cream bucket at 3 am in night and still eat some good breakfast" She said as I chuckled a bit. She looked at me narrowing her eyes a bit ( maybe because I never chuckled in front of her?) and then looked again at the salad. Next thing she did was to push the plate towards nobody and waved at waiter.

"Yes ma'am ?" He said.

"One steak pasta with good amount of cheese" She said. Well.

"What about this beetroot-cucumber salad?" He asked.

"It would be payed for but nobody's gonna eat so if you want you can have it, tho I don't think anybody can ever like that purple-red thing" She said.

"Okay ma'am" He said picking up the salad and carrying that away.

So this girl ( found in many, literally) like grease. But then why the hell she drinks beet juice?

Just then, after waiter departed Liam and Caleb came walking towards us. Finally here! Please say that you finally saw 'the someone' I have been waiting for, and some more good news.

"No sign of her Nathan. I literally had my eyes fixed on the same table and I never saw that one hot girl passed by, checking me out. Caleb told she really had nice figure, but I am like telling him for the previous 15 min that Ava has the best figure" Liam wouldn't stop talking, he is the true brother of Noah.

"Liam, Liam , Liam, hold on. We already have Gabriella, can't you see?" I widened my eyes at him. He is perfect at beans spilling.

"But, she isn't the o-" Liam said. Buddy, we ain't buddies anymore.

"Yes Liam, can't you see she's is here, right here." Caleb said trying to make him understand.

"Oh yeah. Yeah. She's here" Finally Liam. Wait until I meet you in person! "Wait. A. Sec" he said again looking at my plate. Fudge. "You eating fried chicken? But that's something we shouldn't do 'cause we play football and we need to totally avoid grease. But buddy, don't you worry, I will just open my mouth for this amazing chicken and nothing else that could have you taking 20 rounds of big school ground" He said. Yeah bud I totally understand you. That's Liam, a total jerk. He grabbed one fork and started dwelling upon my fine chicken.

And here I thought I am gonna have an awesome dinner after such a long time. Thanks to you Liam.

"Hey Gabriella, nice to meet you. I am Caleb" Caleb said smiling at her.

"Hey Caleb" She said softly, smiling.

"Oh yeah, I totally forgot. Hey cutie! And I mean it in a friendly way" Liam said chewing my fried chicken's piece.

Just then Gabriella's steak pasta came and she started having her not-for-charity dinner.

"So you called your friends to check when I was gonna arrive?" said the smarty-pants, looking at me.

Yes, I am talking about Gabriella.

Why Liam? why? If only you were nowhere around.

"We have this kind of brother-pact, where one goes, the other two come eventually" Caleb tried to save the day. " So Nathan just asked to see if you had come or not."

"Yeah, you see he is already impatient when it comes to you" Liam said grinning. I am gonna kill you. I have more than 2 reasons now. While Gabriella looked down at her pasta, I wanted to know what she was thinking.

Just then my phone beeped acknowledging me about the latest message I received. I unlocked and opened the message box.

She won't be there. The plan got cancelled.

-A

Feeling disappointed and relieved at the same time is quite not possible but I felt them. Together.

"Yeah! Nate was looking at the entrance every now and then" Noah said. FML. Why are you guys doing this?

Gabriella on the other hand, was still looking down acting as if she didn't hear a thing. She looked more concentrated on her food. But I am sure, she was listening.

I clenched my jaw and looked away. I don't know what she will think about me now. Clearly, the way she was handling her fork (clumsily) showed that she was a bit nervous.

My eyes again landed on the entrance, randomly. And what I saw was really unexpected.

"Rachel?" I said, my voice almost a whisper but Gabriella's face shot right up.

What? How?