Chapter 1: Sparks and Spite
I had always been the kind of girl who kept my life meticulously organized. As a top student and a dedicated tutor, I prided myself on helping others succeed. But everything shifted in an instant. When I glanced at the name of my newest tutoring assignment, my stomach lurched with unexpected tension. It was none other than Nathan Scott. Nathan, the stepbrother of my childhood best friend Lucas Scott, the same Nathan who constantly teased and tormented Lucas. I knew it was wrong to tutor him, especially since my best friend already had his issues with Nathan. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, feeling it would be a betrayal. So I decided not to help him at all. After all, it shouldn’t be that difficult to refuse, right?
Just as I was about to leave the tutor center, someone suddenly approached me. It was Nathan. Oh great, could this day get any worse? I thought to myself. He looked down at me and asked, ”You’re Hayley, right?”
I froze. ”Can I help you, sir?” I replied, trying to hide my irritation.
”I’m hoping, you’re my tutor,” he said.
”Right, I don’t think so,” I responded firmly.
”But your name’s right here,” he said, pointing to the paper.
I grabbed the paper from him, already knowing I was listed as his tutor. There was no way I was going to help this guy. ”I’m friends with Lucas Scott,” I said, hoping to make my point clear.
”Well, I’m sorry to hear that,” he retorted with a sarcastic smile.
”Forget it. I’ll find you someone else,” I said, turning to walk away.
Suddenly, he hurried after me. ”Look, there’s no one else available, alright? I’d be fine if there was” he said, his face surprisingly sad.
”If there were,” I corrected him.
”See, you’re helping me already,” he said with a grin.
”I can’t help you, and on top of that, i won’t help you, okay?” I snapped, walking away, my frustration simmering.
There was no way I’d ever tutor Nathan. He was such a jerk to Lucas. Wait, lucas, i stood their knowing I’d forget something. Oh shit. Realizing I’d forgotten to help Lucas with the cakes for tomorrow’s delivery. Panic set in as I raced toward the café, knowing I might not make it in time. The night was dark and cold, and I couldn’t see a thing. I had no idea what time it was, but I feared it was already too late. When I finally reached the café, I was dismayed to find it closed. Lucas would be furious. I peered through the window, but saw no sign of anyone inside.
Feeling stressed and defeated, I turned away. Just then, the door creaked open.
”Hayley?” Lucas’s voice called out.
Relief washed over me as I hurried inside, drenched and shivering. Lucas handed me a towel.
”I’m so sorry, Lucas,” I said, my face flushed with embarrassment.
”Stuck with something important, I suppose?” he asked, his tone flat.
”Sort of,” I admitted. ”I promise it won’t happen again.”
”It’s all good, my mom came by to help out, but she just left,” he said with a warm smile.
”Oh, that’s great! I wish I could’ve thanked her before she left,” I replied, trying to mask my awkwardness with a forced smile. ”I guess I’ll just thank her tomorrow.”
”So, what was so important that you didn’t show up today?” he asked, his tone curious but not accusatory.
Panic surged through me. There was no way I could tell him about the Nathan situation, it was way too embarrassing. I scrambled for an excuse. ”Uh, well… I failed this math exam, and the teacher had a long talk with me about it,” I lied, hoping it sounded convincing.
”Hayley James, failing an exam? You’re like the smartest person I know. That doesn’t add up,” he said, clearly puzzled.
”Well, the test didn’t think so,” I mumbled, feeling my excuse unraveling.
He looked at me with concern. ”Are you okay?”
”Uh…” I hesitated, trying to think of a way out.
”Hayl—” he started to say before I quickly interrupted, grabbing my phone. ”Hi, Mom! Yeah, sure, I’ll be there in a minute,” I said into the phone, pretending to have a conversation as a desperate escape. I sprinted away as fast as I could, my heart pounding not just from the effort but from the guilt gnawing at me. I had just lied to my best friend, my only friend. The weight of it made me feel so small, so stupid. Lying never sat well with me, and now the shame was unbearable. I had to come up with a lame excuse, and I’m sure he saw right through it. I could only hope he’d forget about it by tomorrow.
I arrived home, the weight of guilt pressing down on me. Without thinking, I rushed to my bed, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Just as I began to settle, a noise broke the silence, it was coming from my bag. I got up to check and found my phone vibrating. An unknown number flashed on the screen. Hesitantly, I answered.
”Hello? Who is this?” I asked, anxiety creeping into my voice.
”Hayley?” The voice on the other end was oddly familiar. My heart skipped a beat as I tried to place it.
”Who is this?” I repeated, more urgently this time.
”It’s me, Nathan,” the voice replied.
Not him again. Panic surged through me. ”Wrong number,” I snapped before hanging up and tossing my phone onto the bed.
Now, I was even more confused. Exhaustion washed over me, and before I could make sense of anything, I drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
Chapter 2: Between Conflict and Connection
My alarm blared, jolting me awake, too late. Yesterday had been such a whirlwind that even the alarm struggled to pull me out of bed. With only 20 minutes to get ready, I sprang up, hastily shoving my things into my bag. I threw on a simple outfit, brushed my hair in a rush, and quickly slipped on my socks and shoes. I bolted out the door, racing to catch the bus. Thankfully, I made it just in time.
As I settled into a seat, the guilt from yesterday still gnawed at me. I tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing on anything but the negativity. When I arrived at school, I headed straight for my locker, only to find Lucas standing there, waiting.
”What happened yesterday? You seemed off,” he asked, his voice a mix of confusion and concern.
”Nothing, really. Can we just forget about it?” I replied, my voice tinged with sadness.
”But—” he started, but the bell cut him off. Before he could say anything more, I turned and walked away, leaving him with more questions than answers.
I took my seat as the math teacher handed back our math exams. When I saw my score, a perfect 100%, a wave of pride mixed with dread washed over me.
”Great job, Hayley, as always,” the teacher said with a smile. I forced a smile in return, but my attention was already drifting to Lucas, who was sitting beside me, his eyes fixed on me with a mix of confusion and hurt.
In that moment, I remembered the lie I had told him yesterday, that I’d failed the exam. The realization hit me hard. His expression spoke volumes, disappointment etched across his face. I opened my mouth to apologize, but before I could utter a word, he stood up and walked out of the classroom.
A sinking feeling settled in my chest. I knew I’d lost his trust.
I rushed after him, but before I could catch up, someone stood right in front of me. It was Nathan, and he thrust his math exam into my hands. ”Thanks for the help,” he spat, his voice laced with disappointment . I glanced at the paper and saw the big, red ‘F’ at the top. Before I could say anything, he stormed off, leaving me stunned. What mess have I gotten myself into?
I blinked back angry tears, trying to keep my emotions in check as I continued searching for Lucas. Finally, I spotted him by the lockers.
“Lucas!” I called out, but he kept walking, clearly trying to ignore me. Desperate, I ran up to him. ”Please, Lucas, hear me out,” I pleaded, my voice breaking.
He stopped and turned to face me, waiting for an explanation.
“I’m so sorry for lying, Lucas. I feel awful about it, so guilty. Please, forgive me,” I begged, tears streaming down my face.
He looked at me, his expression heavy with disappointment. ”You didn’t have to lie,” he said quietly. ”You know how I feel about lying, especially when it comes from my best friend.” His words cut deep, the pain in his voice evident.
“I’m sorry, Lucas, but I didn’t want to tell you the truth,” I said, struggling to find the right words.
“What truth? Just be honest with me,” he demanded.
I took a deep breath. “Nathan wants me to tutor him. I know you can’t stand him, but I feel guilty about it, even though I shouldn’t. I was just so confused.”
“Nathan? The guy who always gets on my nerves?” he asked, his voice rising in frustration.
“Yeah,” I admitted, my heart sinking.
“Absolutely not. You know how I feel about him,” Lucas snapped.
“It’s just tutoring, Lucas. It’s not like I’m doing anything else for him,” I argued.
“Are you seriously defending him now?” Lucas’s voice was filled with disbelief and anger.
“You know what, just forget it,” I said, turning away before he could say more. Anger and frustration bubbled inside me. Yes, Nathan can be a jerk, but he genuinely needs help, and I can’t ignore that. I stormed off, feeling conflicted and hurt, knowing I had to do what I believed was right. I grabbed my phone from my bag and dialed Nathan’s number. He answered almost immediately.
“Nathan, I’m willing to give you a chance,” I said, my voice carrying a mix of resolve and reluctance.
“Really?” His excitement was palpable.
“Meet me by the bridge tomorrow at 11 p.m.,” I instructed.
“See you soon, Hayley,” he replied, his tone full of anticipation.
I ended the call, feeling my heart race. What was this feeling inside me? I wondered to myself as I walked away, the weight of my decision settling in.
The next day
When I arrived at the bridge, I noticed Nathan was already there, waiting for me. It was a surprisingly thoughtful gesture. As I approached, he looked up and greeted me with a smile that made my stomach flutter.
I took a seat beside him, trying to ignore the odd sensation in my gut. “So, what convinced you to tutor me after all?” he asked, his smile broadening.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” I said, trying to sound annoyed.
His grin only widened. “You see this book?” I said, holding up my textbook. “Because this book is me. I am math.”
Nathan raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “What does that mean?”
“It means you can work your whole, I’m Nathan Scott, mr. bigshot scoring my touchdowns on somebody else because-“ i said, but he interrupted.
“I don’t even play football,” he pointed out, laughing.
I rolled my eyes, realizing my metaphor might have been a bit off. “Just forget it,” I said with a half-smile, knowing this session might be more interesting than I expected.
“Whatever. The point is, all your bluster and bravado don’t mean a thing to math, because math doesn’t care and neither do I,” I said, trying to sound firm.
“Well, does English care? Because I’m pretty terrible at that, too,” he replied with a sheepish grin.
“Please don’t waste my time,” I said, my annoyance softened by a small smile. “I’m already taking a huge chance on you, despite my instincts screaming that you’re full of… well, let’s just get started, okay?”
He returned my smile, and once again, my stomach did that weird flip. It was getting more confusing by the minute. As I stood up to leave, he suddenly stepped in front of me. “Thank you, really,” he said, his voice unusually polite. For a moment, I wondered if he might actually be nice, but then I remembered who I was dealing with, Nathan Scott. The notorious jerk, I reminded myself.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” I replied with a playful smile.
“I can’t remember the last time I had such a good time,” he said, grinning. Nathan Scott actually enjoyed spending time with me? That was unexpected… and kind of cute. I found myself at a loss for words, so I quickly blurted out, “Well, that’s great,” with an awkward smile.
“See you tomorrow?” he asked.
“Don’t hold your breath,” I shot back sarcastically, trying to keep my cool.
Just as I was about to leave, he spoke again. “Actually, Hayley…” I paused and turned to face him. “Let me drive you home,” he offered, his tone surprisingly sincere. My heart raced. Why was he suddenly being so nice to me? And, more confusingly, why was I starting to enjoy it? “No, I’m okay, really,” I insisted, but he persisted with a gentle smile. “Just hop in.”
I finally agreed, sliding into the passenger seat. He even opened the door for me—how gentlemanly. I couldn’t help but think he was only being nice because I was tutoring him. As he got in and started driving, I smiled to myself.
“What street do you live on?” he asked.
“1901 Chestnut Street,” I replied.
When we arrived, he parked and got out to open the door for me. I hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the gesture. As I stepped out, I found myself staring into his deep, ocean-blue eyes, suddenly realizing just how attractive he was. A flutter of butterflies filled my stomach, surprising me.
“Thank you again,” he said with a polite smile.
Our eyes locked for what felt like an eternity, but must have only been about twenty seconds, before I finally turned and walked toward my front door. I waved goodbye, and he did the same, watching me until I was safely inside. I looked back and gave him one last smile before closing the door. He returned the smile, then drove off into the night.
As I stood in my hallway, my heart was pounding, and that sensation stayed with me all night long.
Chapter 3: Lost in the chaos
I had just woken up, my heart still racing from the whirlwind of emotions the previous day had stirred up. I felt a strange mix of confusion and excitement swirling inside me, like I was on the verge of something unknown. I couldn’t quite grasp why I felt this way, but I tried to push it aside as I got ready. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down my clothes, adjusting my hair until every strand fell perfectly into place. I didn’t usually put this much effort in, but today felt different, like something important was about to happen, even though I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Maybe it was just the leftover excitement from yesterday, or maybe it was the strange flutter in my chest that hadn’t stopped since I woke up.
With one last look, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, stepping into the crisp morning air. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, helping to clear my head as I walked to the bus stop. Everything around me felt slightly off-kilter, the usual sounds of the neighborhood, the distant hum of cars, even the way the light filtered through the trees, it all seemed surreal, like I was watching the day unfold through a haze.
The bus ride felt like it took longer than usual. I sat by the window, my thoughts spinning as we passed the familiar streets. I tried to distract myself by listening to music, but nothing seemed to quiet the strange restlessness inside me. When we finally pulled up to school, I stepped off the bus, taking a deep breath.
As I walked through the gates, I could feel eyes on me, or maybe I was just imagining it. The sense of anticipation that had been following me all morning grew stronger, like I was on the edge of something, but I still didn’t know what.
I headed toward my locker, trying to shake off the weird feeling, but it clung to me, as persistent as ever. Today was going to be anything but normal. I just wasn’t sure why yet.
I made my way through the crowded hallway, weaving between groups of people. My heart was still pounding, each beat echoing in my chest like a drum. I wasn’t even sure why I felt so nervous, nothing had happened yet, but I couldn’t shake the feeling.
When I reached my classroom, I hesitated for a second before stepping inside. The usual buzz of chatter filled the room, but I barely noticed it as I found my seat. My hands were slightly shaky, and the knot in my stomach was getting tighter. I tried focusing on my breathing, hoping it would calm me down, but the strange rush inside me only seemed to grow.
Suddenly, I felt a wave of dizziness. My pulse quickened even more, and I knew I couldn’t sit still for much longer. I had to get out of there. Without thinking twice, I grabbed my bag and hurried out of the classroom, my steps quick and unsteady as I made my way toward the bathroom.
As I rounded the corner, moving faster than I should have, I suddenly collided with something or rather, someone. The impact jolted me back, and before I could regain my balance, my eyes landed on who I had run into.
Nathan Scott.
”Whoa, are you okay?” His voice was smooth, casual, like bumping into someone in the middle of a hallway was no big deal. Meanwhile, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest for an entirely different reason now.
I stammered, feeling my face heat up. ”Uh, yeah, sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
He flashed a half-smile, his ocean eyes scanning me for a moment. ”No worries,” he said, leaning back slightly, as if this whole situation was almost amusing to him. ”You’re in a rush or something?”
I nodded, still trying to gather myself. ”Yeah, I just—uh, needed to go to the bathroom.” My voice sounded awkward, and I immediately regretted how ridiculous that probably sounded. Great.
Nathan chuckled softly. ”Well, don’t let me stop you.” He stepped aside, giving me room to pass, but his eyes lingered on me just a little longer than I expected. ”See you around.”
As I hurried past him, my heart raced even faster than before, if that was even possible. I couldn’t figure out if it was from the sudden encounter or from the strange feeling that had been gnawing at me all day. Either way, my mind was a mess, and it didn’t seem like it was going to get any clearer anytime soon.
As I hurried to the bathroom, I couldn’t stop thinking about my encounter with Nathan. It wasn’t just the fact that I had literally bumped into him, it was the way he’d looked at me, his eyes lingering just long enough to make my pulse quicken. Nathan Scott was one of those guys you couldn’t help but notice. Confident, charming, and a little too good looking for his own good. And now, for some reason, he was stuck in my head.
I splashed cold water on my face, trying to shake off the flustered feeling, but it didn’t help much. Even as I walked back to class, I found myself replaying the moment, analyzing every word he’d said, every look he’d given me.
When I sat back down at my desk, my mind wasn’t anywhere near the lesson. I stared blankly at the board, barely hearing the teacher’s voice as my thoughts wandered. Nathan’s easy smile, the way he’d chuckled when I’d awkwardly told him I was in a rush, it all felt so surreal. Why was he talking to me? And why was I so affected by it?
I shook my head, trying to focus, but it was pointless. My heart still hadn’t settled, and every time I thought of him standing there, his eyes on me, that strange rush of nervous energy came back.
The minutes dragged by until, finally, the bell rang. I snapped out of my daze and packed up my things, glad to be out of the classroom. As I made my way to my locker, I tried to push all thoughts of Nathan aside, but they kept creeping back in. What was it about him that had me so rattled?
I opened my locker, grabbing a few books for my next class, when I suddenly felt a presence beside me. Before I could even turn around, I heard a familiar voice.
”Hey,” Nathan’s voice was smooth and casual, just like earlier.
My heart leapt into my throat as I looked up to see him standing there, leaning casually against the lockers next to mine. He had that same half-smile on his face, the one that made him look effortlessly cool. ”What’s up?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though my pulse was racing again.
He glanced around for a second, then back at me. ”I was wondering… You got any plans later?”
I blinked, my mind scrambling to make sense of the question. ”Uh, not really. Why?”
Nathan gave a small shrug, but there was a hint of playfulness in his eyes. ”I was wondering if you could tutor me later,” he asked, flashing a charming smile.”
I couldn’t believe he actually wanted me to tutor him again. I never thought he was serious about it. My heart raced, a rush of excitement surging through me.
I felt a small smile tug at my lips. ”Yeah, I could help you. When do you need it?”
”How about after school? We can meet in the library,” he suggested, his tone casual but somehow confident, like he already knew I’d say yes.
I nodded, trying to keep my cool. ”Sure. After school works.”
”Cool,” Nathan said, giving me another one of those half smiles before straightening up. ”I’ll see you then.” With that, he walked off, leaving me standing there, still trying to wrap my head around what had just happened.
I slowly closed my locker, my mind spinning. This confusing, chaotic day was getting stranger by the minute.
I watched Nathan walk away, still feeling the aftershocks of our conversation. As I turned around, my smile quickly faded when I saw Lucas standing there, arms crossed, his expression tight with anger. He was cornering me, his tall frame blocking any easy escape.
”What’s going on with you and Nathan?” he asked, his voice low but sharp, his eyes narrowing.
I blinked, startled by the question. ”What? Nothing’s going on. He just asked me to tutor him.”
Lucas didn’t budge, his jaw clenched as if he wasn’t buying it. ”You’ve been avoiding me,” he said bluntly, his tone accusatory. ”And then I see you laughing and talking with Nathan like everything’s fine? What’s going on, really?”.
”Lucas, I love you, I really do. You’re my best friend, and that means everything to me. But as my best friend, you have to understand that I’m a tutor, that’s what I do. And yes, that includes tutoring people like Nathan, whether you like him or not. I know you can’t stand him, but he genuinely needs help, and I can’t just turn him away. I’m sorry if this bothers you, but if you can’t accept that, maybe we’re not meant to be friends after all.”
Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to find the right words. After a moment, he looked at me, his expression softening but still serious. ”Okay,” he said slowly, ”I get that you’re tutoring him, and I’ll try to accept it. But promise me one thing.” He paused, his eyes locking onto mine. ”Promise me it’s just tutoring, and nothing more. Don’t get close to him, alright?”
I hesitated for a second, the weight of his request hanging between us. My mind flashed back to Nathan, his easy smile, the way he’d looked at me earlier, but I quickly pushed the thought aside. I owed it to Lucas to keep things simple, to not let this situation get more complicated than it already was.
”I promise,” I said, meeting his gaze.
Lucas seemed to relax a little, nodding as if he’d found some peace in my words. ”Alright. That’s all I needed to hear.”
But as he turned to leave, I couldn’t ignore the steady thrum in my chest, that familiar rush that came every time Nathan crossed my mind. Even though I’d promised it would just be tutoring, my heart had its own rhythm, one I wasn’t entirely sure I could control.
The rest of the school day felt like a blur. I went through all my classes, barely paying attention as the hours dragged on. My mind kept wandering back to my promise to Lucas and, of course, to Nathan. By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, my heart was racing again, but this time, it was because I knew I’d be seeing Nathan soon.
I made my way to the library. The quietness of the space felt calming, yet the anticipation buzzing inside me was impossible to ignore. I found an empty table in the back corner, dropping my bag onto the chair next to me. Nathan was late. I glanced at my watch, trying not to feel disappointed.
After what felt like forever, the door creaked open, and I saw him walking in. Nathan made his way over, an apologetic look on his face.
”Hey, sorry I’m late,” he said, slightly out of breath, his trademark half smile appearing as he sat down across from me. ”Practice ran longer than I thought.”
”It’s fine,” I said, trying to sound casual, though my heart was pounding just seeing him. ”Let’s get started.”
We dove into the tutoring session, working through the problems he struggled with. I found myself explaining concepts while occasionally glancing up, only to catch Nathan looking at me. Every time our eyes met, there was this unspoken connection, like we were both trying to figure out what was happening between us. The air between us seemed to thicken with each look.
Between math problems, we started talking about random things, like favorite movies, the music we liked, our family situation, even small childhood memories. The conversation flowed easily, and for the first time, I felt like I was really getting to know the person behind Nathan’s reputation.
After a while, Nathan leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. ”You know, Hayley,” he began, his voice softer than usual, ”I’ve never really talked to a girl like you before.”
I blinked, feeling a little caught off guard. ”What do you mean?”
He smiled, but there was a sincerity in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before. ”You’re different.”
Different. The word hung in the air between us, and I couldn’t help but smile. ”Is that a good thing?” I teased.
Nathan chuckled. ”Yeah, it is.”
We ended up talking even more after that, our conversation drifting far beyond math. I found myself laughing at his stories, and it surprised me how easy it was to be around him. The walls I had put up, the ones that Lucas seemed to sense, started to crumble.
Eventually, the library lights dimmed slightly, signaling the school was closing soon. We packed up our things, lingering for a moment before heading toward the door.
”Do you need a ride home?” Nathan asked as we stepped outside. His voice was casual, but there was something in his tone that made the offer feel more personal.
I hesitated for just a second before nodding. ”Yeah, sure.”
We walked over to his car, and I climbed in, feeling the quiet hum of the engine as we pulled away from the school. The car ride was surprisingly comfortable, the city lights passing by in a blur.
”Thanks for today,” Nathan said after a few minutes, glancing over at me. ”I actually think I get math now, which is saying a lot. But… it was more than that. I really enjoyed spending time with you.”
I felt a flutter in my chest, the words catching me off guard. ”I enjoyed it too,” I admitted, my voice soft but genuine. There was no denying it anymore being around Nathan felt different, in a way I hadn’t expected.
He smiled at my response, and the rest of the ride passed with easy conversation and the occasional laugh. When we finally pulled up in front of my house, I turned to him, feeling a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite place.
”Thanks for the ride,” I said, my hand on the door handle but not quite ready to leave.
”No problem,” Nathan replied, his smile still lingering. ”And, uh, thanks again for tutoring me. We should do it again sometime.”
I smiled back. ”Anytime.”
With one last look, I stepped out of the car and made my way toward my house, my heart still racing long after Nathan drove away. It had been more than just a tutoring session, it was the start of something I wasn’t quite ready to admit, but I knew things were about to change.
Chapter 4: Unexpectedly yours
Two weeks had passed since I started tutoring Nathan, and in that time, things had taken a turn I hadn’t expected. The tutoring sessions went really well, Nathan was improving in school, and I could see the changes in him. He was more focused, and I started to believe that maybe, beneath his cocky exterior, there was something more. But it wasn’t just about the tutoring. There were moments, brief but electric, when I felt a spark between us. Sometimes, it was in the way he’d catch my eye, or the way our conversations would linger long after we’d finished talking about math.
Meanwhile, things with Lucas had become awkward. Ever since our conversation about Nathan, I could tell Lucas was keeping his distance. I wasn’t avoiding him, but we weren’t as close as we used to be, and a part of me knew it was because of Nathan. The strange connection I felt with him was making things more complicated than I wanted them to be.
Then, one evening, Nathan called me. His voice was casual, but there was something different in the way he spoke, like he was stepping into unfamiliar territory.
”Hey, Hayley. I was wondering… do you wanna go out with me tomorrow? You know, just to hang out. Like a date.”
I could feel my heart skip a beat, a mix of excitement and nerves rushing through me. ”A date?” I repeated, trying not to sound too eager.
”Yeah,” he said, his tone softening a little. ”I think we could have some fun. What do you say?”
I agreed, of course, and the rest of the night, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The idea of going out with Nathan made me nervous, but it also thrilled me in a way I hadn’t felt before. I spent extra time getting ready the next day, carefully choosing what to wear and fixing my hair until everything was perfect. It felt like more than just a regular hangout, it felt important, like something was about to shift between us.
When Nathan pulled up to my house, I climbed into his car, my heart racing. We made easy conversation, laughing and talking like we usually did during our tutoring sessions, but there was an underlying tension that hadn’t been there before. A good kind of tension. We ended up at a small diner, just grabbing food and enjoying each other’s company, and for a while, everything felt perfect.
But then, things took a turn.
We were sitting at the table, mid-conversation, when a group of Nathan’s basketball teammates walked in. They spotted us immediately and made their way over, their loud voices cutting through the air.
”Yo, Scott!” one of them called out, grinning as they approached our table. ”What’s going on here? Is this… a date?” Another one laughed, nudging Nathan in the shoulder. ”Didn’t think you’d be the type for study dates.”
My stomach dropped as they laughed, clearly finding the whole situation hilarious. I glanced at Nathan, expecting him to brush them off, maybe even say something to defend the fact that we were out together. But instead, he looked away, his expression stiff.
”Nah, it’s not a date,” he said quickly, his tone dismissive. ”We’re just hanging out. She’s just tutoring me, you know?”
My heart sank at his words, and suddenly, I felt exposed. The casual, almost careless way he brushed off the idea that this was anything more than just tutoring stung, like I was nothing but his math helper, not someone who mattered. The guys laughed again, clearly satisfied with Nathan’s response, before walking off, still chuckling under their breath.
I sat there in silence, my throat tight, a bitter mix of anger and humiliation rising inside me. Nathan looked at me, and I could tell he knew he’d screwed up. But it was too late.
”Hayley, wait,” he started, reaching out like he wanted to fix it. But I pulled away, standing up from the table.
”Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?” I demanded, my voice low but sharp. I couldn’t hold back the anger in my tone. ”Is that what this is?”
Nathan’s face fell, guilt flashing in his eyes. ”No, it’s not like that—”
”For a second,” I cut him off, feeling the heat rise in my chest, ”I thought you weren’t actually a jerk.” I shook my head, the hurt seeping into my voice. ”But I guess I was wrong.”
”Hayley, wait—” he called after me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. I was too mad, too embarrassed, and too hurt.
I walked out of the diner, my heart pounding as I stormed away, the cool night air hitting my skin. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t believe I’d let myself get wrapped up in the idea of Nathan being different, of him being someone who actually cared. But in the end, he was just like everyone else, more worried about what others thought than about how I felt.
As I was walking away, i couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal settling deep inside me. I had let myself believe, for just a moment, that maybe Nathan was someone worth trusting. But now, it felt like everything between us had been nothing more than a stupid illusion.
I didn’t know where else to go, so I found myself walking toward Lucas’s house. The cool night air bit at my skin as I hurried through the quiet streets, the events of the evening replaying in my head on a loop. By the time I reached his front door, I was exhausted, emotionally, physically, all of it. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should even be here, but before I could second-guess myself, I knocked.
A few seconds later, the door opened, and Lucas stood there, surprised but instantly concerned. ”Hayley?” he asked, his brow furrowed as he took in the sight of me. ”What’s going on? Are you okay?”
I shook my head, feeling the weight of the evening crash down on me. ”Can I come in?”
”Of course,” he said, stepping aside to let me in. Once inside, I sank onto the couch, my hands twisting nervously in my lap. Lucas sat down beside me, his eyes filled with worry. ”What happened?”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before I started talking. ”It’s Nathan. I… I don’t know what I was thinking. I thought things were going somewhere, but then…” My voice cracked, and I felt the tears welling up. I hadn’t realized how much I’d been holding it all in until now. ”I feel so stupid, Lucas.”
Lucas frowned. ”What do you mean? What did he do?”
I told him everything, the tutoring sessions, the little moments between Nathan and me, the way I’d started to fall for him without even realizing it. I explained how Nathan had asked me out tonight, how excited I’d been, and then how his friends had shown up and ruined everything. I told Lucas how Nathan had denied it was a date, how he’d acted embarrassed to be seen with me, and how humiliated I felt.
”And then I thought about you,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. ”About how I’ve been so caught up with Nathan that I let things get weird between us. I’m sorry, Lucas. I didn’t mean for things to be this way.”
Lucas was quiet for a moment, processing everything I’d said. Then, he sighed and shook his head. ”Hayley, you’re not stupid. You have feelings for him, there’s nothing wrong with that. But Nathan… maybe he’s just not ready. He’s probably scared, especially around his friends.”
I looked at him, confused. ”Scared? He seemed more worried about what they thought than how I felt.”
”Exactly,” Lucas said gently. ”Guys… we can be idiots sometimes. Especially when it comes to girls and how we act around our friends. Nathan’s probably embarrassed, not because of you, but because he doesn’t know how to deal with it. Maybe he wasn’t ready to be seen with someone in a serious way.”
I frowned, trying to understand what Lucas was saying. ”So you’re saying he’s not a jerk?”
Lucas smiled softly. ”He might not be. He probably panicked and said the wrong thing because he wasn’t ready to handle the situation in front of his friends. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you or that he’s not interested.”
I sat back, absorbing his words. It didn’t make the hurt go away, but it gave me a different perspective. Maybe Nathan wasn’t the villain I’d painted him to be. Maybe he was just scared and awkward, like everyone else.
”You should talk to him,” Lucas continued. ”Tell him how you feel. Be honest. If he’s worth it, he’ll listen. And if not…” He paused, his expression softening. ”Well, you’ll know where you stand.”
I nodded, feeling a little more settled after hearing Lucas’s advice. ”You really think I should talk to him?”
”Yeah,” Lucas said. ”I think it’s the only way you’ll get the truth. Besides, you deserve to know what’s really going on with him.”
We talked for a while longer, the conversation easing some of the tension between us. It felt good to finally clear the air with Lucas, to let him know how I’d been feeling. He didn’t judge me or make me feel worse, he just listened, like the best friend he’s always been. By the time I left, I felt a little lighter, but my heart still carried the weight of everything that had happened.
When I got home, the house was quiet, and I slipped into my room, collapsing onto my bed. My thoughts were still swirling, but the exhaustion from the day caught up with me quickly. I stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything Lucas had said, about Nathan, and about how complicated everything felt.
Before long, sleep pulled me under, but even in my dreams, I couldn’t escape the confusion and the lingering feelings for Nathan. I knew tomorrow I’d have to face him, and the thought both terrified and excited me. I just hoped I’d find the courage to say what I needed to say.
The night flew by, and before I knew it, it was morning. Today was the day I’d finally confess my feelings to Nathan. My hands trembled as I got dressed. I had never done anything like this before, and the nerves were already hitting me hard. I kept my look simple, not wanting to overdo it, I just wanted to be myself.
The rain was coming down in sheets as I boarded the bus to school. ”Great, perfect weather to confess my feelings,” I muttered under my breath, my voice dripping with sarcasm. The sky was as grey as my mood, and I couldn’t help but feel the universe was mocking me.
When I arrived at school, I scanned the hallways for Nathan, my heart pounding. But no matter where I looked, he was nowhere to be found. Even during class, his seat remained empty. A pit of worry settled in my stomach, why wasn’t he here?
The bell rang, signaling lunch. I grabbed my bag and headed to my locker, frustration and anxiety swirling inside me. As I opened it, Lucas appeared out of nowhere, standing in front of me with a grin.
“Hey, Hayls,” he greeted, his voice playful.
I jumped. “Gosh, Lucas, you scared me, you jerk,” I said, but I couldn’t help laughing as he chuckled too.
His smile softened. “So, are you confessing to Nathan today?”
I swallowed hard, my nerves bubbling up again. “Yeah… I hope so.”
“Good luck,” he said warmly, pulling me into a hug. His embrace was comforting, a reminder that at least someone was rooting for me. I smiled, feeling a little better as I walked away.
Lucas and I didn’t see each other much at school, except in math class. But despite our different paths, we had stayed close since childhood, and moments like this reminded me of how strong our bond still was.
I was grateful to have a friend like Lucas, someone who always seemed to know how to lighten my mood, no matter how anxious I felt.
The day dragged on as I went through all my lessons, and soon school was over. This was supposed to be the moment I confessed my feelings to Nathan, but once again, he was nowhere to be found. I wandered the halls, unsure of what to do, until finally, I gave up and headed home.
As I walked home through the cold, pouring rain, my thoughts were consumed by Nathan. The butterflies in my stomach were relentless, fluttering wildly every time I imagined what could’ve happened if I had found him. But the day hadn’t gone as planned, and I couldn’t shake the growing sense of disappointment.
When I neared my house, something strange caught my eye, a figure standing in front of my parents’ window, throwing small rocks at the glass. My heart skipped a beat as I stepped closer, my breath catching when I realized who it was.
“Nathan?” I called out, my voice tinged with both surprise and confusion.
He turned at the sound of my voice, and before I knew it, he was running toward me. His face was serious, his usual laid-back expression replaced by something much more intense.
“I couldn’t find you all day, Hayley. I’m so sorry,” he said, his eyes locked on mine. Even in the dimming light, he looked beautiful, like he always did.
“I… what?” I stammered, still trying to process what was happening.
He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “Look, I don’t know how to do this. I’m not like you, Hayley.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He hesitated, glancing down for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “I screw up a lot. And when I’m around you… I don’t want to be that guy anymore.”
“Well, who do you want to be, Nathan?” I asked, my voice barely steady as I stared into his eyes.
“I want to be someone who’s good enough to be with you,” he said, his words quiet but full of weight.
I felt my heart clench, but the frustration bubbled up before I could stop it. “You should’ve thought about that last night. I keep putting myself out there, and every time, you push me away. Maybe it’s for the best, because at this point, there’s nothing you could say or do that would surprise m—”
Before I could finish, he grabbed me and kissed me. Hard. Passionately. The kind of kiss that silenced all my thoughts and left me completely breathless.
“Except that,” I whispered, dazed, as we pulled apart. My mind was spinning.
“You shouldn’t have done that” I added, still in shock.
He smiled, a little sheepish but still that same beautiful Nathan. “Yeah… but I wanted to”.
I didn’t need any more words. Without thinking, I pulled him in for another kiss, longer, deeper, as the rain poured down around us. It was wild and perfect, like the storm itself. We were both drenched, but somehow, that only made the kiss even more perfect. The cold rain, the warmth between us, it was the perfect kiss in the perfect storm.
THE END
A promise in the rain
Written by Minah Bajalan