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But it does

Nathan. Here. In our house. But why?

"What?" I gasp in shock, staring at my mother in disbelief.

"You heard me. Now go greet him before he leaves." She rolls her eyes, and mama Nash rarely does it.

I storm out of the room like a madwoman, almost falling down the stairs like a sack of potatoes.

I can't believe that he's here. This revelation casues me to think that all of this is just a dream, but then I reach the bottom step. The capacity to speak deserts me.

"Hi," he says softly.

Shock jolts through my veins.

His piercings are gone, and so is his grunge-ish clothing. It got replaced with a white, ironed shirt and a tie. His jeans, however, got swapped for elegant trousers, and his boots for leather Oxfords. Even his signet rings are gone, not to mention how nicely his hair is done.

What happened to him? I blink, stupefied. Nevertheless, he looks divine either way.

"Hi." My voice emerges, and as it does, it sounds like an anxious whisper.

"How are you feeling?" he asks, a ball goes visibly down his throat at the sight of my puffy eyes.

"The way I look," I respond, and giggle quietly when he unintentionally chuckles.

"You always look good," he says.

I bite on the inside of my cheek because even now, at my worst, he still knows how to compliment me. And he still does.

"Would you like a drink, darling?" Mum asks, appearing out of nowhere, diverting her question to Nathan.

I'm glad that I told her about the fight between him and Will, obviously omitting the real reason behind it, so now, she doesn't make any remarks about Nathan's bruised face, and neither should dad, as I'm pretty sure mum's mentioned it to him.

"If it's not a problem," Nathan responds with a polite smile attached to his mouth.

"Don't be silly. What would you like?" she asks him.

"Tea would be great."

"Sugar?"

"One spoon. Thank you." He nods his head like a gentleman.

My mother states abruptly, "When she told me about your signet rings, heavy boots and piercings, I must say, I was expecting you to look anything, but this elegant." She points with a spoon at his white shirt.

Nathan chortles, his laughter is as sweet as honey - another pin to my broken heart.

"Well, I normally do, but every Christmas I want to put a smile on my parents' faces. They like to see me less rebellious." A sunny smile brightens his handsome visage.

"Well, you surely managed to put a smile on one face this Christmas," mum replies, stealthily pointing at me, which she really fails at because I notice it anyway.

"Did I, though?" Nathan asks, his green eyes fall upon my presence.

My stomach twists, my cheeks turn crimson as if I was standing here naked, and this thought takes me back to the night when we said our goodbyes.

"I think she's still in shock," my mother informs him.

Nathan furrows his brows. "Why's that?"

"I didn't think you'd come," I mutter.

"I'm pretty sure I promised you in September that I would." He digs his phone out of his pocket and glances down at it. "I didn't pick up because I was on my way here."

I fiddle with my fingers, nodding in comprehension. "How did you know where I live?"

"I saved your mum's number after I'd called her in the past, which is history now, so let's not talk about it. She was polite enough to give me your address," he explains.

I shift my eyes to my mother. "You knew that he was coming?" I arch a brow, my hands ball into fists. I swear, I'm going to kill this lady one day. Couldn't she just let me know? I would have made myself more presentable.

"He called me maybe an hour ago," she tries to justify.

I sigh. "Anyway, where's dad?" I ask, noticing his absence.

"He's taking a bath," she informs, and I just reply with a simple 'Oh'. "Here's your tea, darling," mum says to Nathan.

I really wish she could stop calling him all these sweet names. We aren't together anymore, and she knows it, which probably makes him think that I haven't told her about our break-up.

"Thank you." He shoots her his utmost charming smile.

My heart twists and squeezes once it dawns on me that I have lost such an amazing man.

Nathan retrieves his eyes to me, his smile shrinks when he takes a deep breath and saunters towards me, making me anxiously play with the sleeves of my sweater.

His chest appears close to mine, his captivating eyes begin to gaze way too deeply into my own. His proximity stuns me.

Meanwhile, my mother tiptoes her way out of the kitchen and heads upstairs.

Traitor! My subconscious yells after her, nervous at the realization of being left alone with Nathan.

"So?" he asks, cocking a brow when the room becomes void of my mum's presence. "How long do I have to wait for a hug?" He smiles a sweet smile.

I clench my teeth, tears flood my eyes. "I don't deserve it," I murmur, repentant.

"What?" Nathan gapes at me, bewildered. "Why would you think that? We both made mistakes, and whilst we're on it, I'm sorry for what I did at that party. I was heartbroken."

"Does it mean that you're not anymore?" I ask, glum at the possibility of him having already moved on.

"I am. Of course I am," he discloses. "You've got no idea how much I miss you." He tucks my hair behind my ear. "Last three days were unbelievably painful for me. I even cried," he says, and laughs quietly.

I laugh along.

Nathan sighs. "I actually thought about going to your room, but it's for the best. You know, us giving ourselves some time," he whispers, his green eyes sadden. "But right now, I need this," he says, and envelopes me in his loving arms.

With his chin atop my head, I murmur against his warm chest, "I've learnt my lesson."

My words cause his muscles to momentarily tense, but then his fingers proceed to slowly stroke my hair.

"I know you have, but we still need a break, Davina."

"I know." I sniffle as he gently pulls away.

My parents emerge downstairs.

"Okay, kids. Are you ready to celebrate?" dad asks, giving Nathan a greeting, bear hug.

"Wait, you're staying?" I ask, shocked. "What about your parents?"

Nathan smiles at me. "We've already celebrated at home," he explains. "And I'd rather be here anyway." Suddenly, his jaw clenches. Rays of early, morning sun reflect in his glistening eyes when he momentarily captures my fingers with his, but then drops his hand down and breaks this innocent touch.

Merry Christmas, Davina. I say to my also heartbroken subconscious, and we both; me and her, put on a fake smile and sit down at the table.

~~~~~~~~~~

Fat and full, we pat our stomachs, exhaling in relief of not having to eat anymore.

"Dessert?" mum asks.

Nathan shakes his head. "That was delicious, Mrs. Nash, but I don't think I can swallow another gram of food."

Dad chuckles, watching Nathan clutch with his hand to his belly.

"Maybe later then." Mum smiles warmly. "And call me Gabrielle, sweetheart." She starts to clean up.

Nathan's voice cuts through the brief moment of silence. "Would you like a hand?"

At the sound of his polite question, my father arches his brows, positively surprised.

10 points to Nathaniel Fall! My subconscious claps her hands.

"Don't worry, son. I'll help my wife. You can go sit down on the couch with my daughter, if you like."

Nathan turns his head to me, a smile curls his lips. We then get up to our feet, saunter towards the L-shaped sofa, and drop the weights of our bodies right onto it.

I look at Nathan. "I need to tell you something." My stomach forms into knots.

"Yes?"

"Will is coming here tonight." I had to say it. I don't want to lie anymore. "But it's only because he had some family issues, and he wanted to make his mum happy. My parents agreed." I gauge Nathan's expression, searching for any trace of anger, which I obviously find. "But I told him that if it was down to me, he wouldn't be welcome."

"Okay." His voice is dull.

"Are you angry?"

Nathan lets a heavy breath out. "With him? Yes. With you?" He rubs his nape, thinking. "If I'm being frank, I'm actually glad that you decided to tell me this rather than try to hide it."

"I told you that I've learnt my lesson," I mutter, glancing down at my hands.

Before either of us says anything else, my parents decide to join us.

"Ready to unpack the gifts?" mum asks, excitement is written on her face in a bold font.

I smile. "Sure–"

"I think you should open that one first." Nathan smiles a crooked, enthusiastic smile, pointing at a specific present underneath a Christmas tree.

"When did you sneak it in?" I ask, surprised. Then I recall myself that he had a few spare minutes before I emerged downstairs to greet him after my mother had announced his arrival. "Well, let's see it then," I mutter quietly, scrambling to conceal my excitement, but my attempt is futile.

I grab the gift into my hands. I close my eyes and purse my lips to the side, striving to guess what might be hidden in the layers of this pretty, green wrapping paper. The mysterious object is quite soft.

I give up. I tear the impeccable packaging.

My mouth first plummets, then stretches into a wide grin. I look at Nathan, who only smiles and shakes his head in amusement, seeing how excited I am.

"Your hoodie! The one that is my favourite!" I squeal, giving the black fabric a loving hug.

I can't believe that Nathan gifted me one of his most precious and admired pieces of clothing; a hoodie with a flame font adorning its front, reading Thrasher.

"Thank you!" I jump for joy and almost kiss him, but then instantly halt my actions, remembering that we aren't a couple anymore, not even friends, and I start to wonder; what exactly are we?

"It's fine," he responds, smiling in an awkward manner after I had almost kissed him. "There is still more for you to unpack."

I frown, realizing that there is something else under the tree, wrapped in the exact same paper.

"But if you don't mind, I'd rather have you open it when you're alone," he states.

Both of my parents furrow their brows.

Nathan rushes with explanations. "No, it's nothing like sex toys or anything."

I flush scarlet. My father chuckles.

Nathan joins him. "I just thought I'd make that clear," he says, and shrugs.

Mum elbows dad to wane his cheerfulness.

I chime in, "I've got something for you, too. I bought it ages ago, but I left it at the dorm. I didn't think you'd want it after–"

"It's fine," Nathan replies softly.

I flash an apologetic smile. We then proceed with revealing what else Santa has brought us this Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~

We're resting on the sofa, watching a random movie, or rather chat through most of it because my parents keep asking Nathan questions. Not embarrassing or intrusive ones. They just simply try to get to know him better.

Eventually, but reluctantly, mum gets up to her feet. "I need to start the preparations for our evening guests." She raises a suggestive brow at my father.

Simon Nash mocks annoyance and relentlessly rolls his eyes all the way into the kitchen, earning a rebuking whack on the head from his wife.

Nathan and I laugh.

Awkward silence quickly descends upon us.

I decide to speak up, "Can I ask you a question?"

He shrugs, unbothered. "Yeah, go on."

"What if during this break . . . you know . . . when we're not together . . . one of us loses the feelings for the other?" I ask hesitantly, hoping it will never happen because I am simply not ready for this.

Nathan ponders. He then shifts uncomfortably in his spot, his green eyes focus on the flat TV screen.

"I don't want to think about it," he finally says. His attention turns back to me.

I anxiously clear my throat. "Let's not then."

Taking me by surprise, Nathan slides one of his arms underneath my hips and cirles the other one around my waist. He then swiftly and with no effort lifts my body and moves it across him. Now I'm sat on his lap, my legs stretched on the sofa, perpendicularly to his own.

"I don't under–"

"We're just watching a movie," he whispers into my neck.

My stomach somersaults at the sensation of his breath clashing against my skin.

"No kissing, though," he forbids softly. "Regardless of how much I want to do it right now."

I instinctively glance over to see if my parents are paying any attention to us, but they're too occupied with preparing another dinner.

For Will.

The guy who ruined everything.

The man because of whom they saw me cry.

The person that took an enormous part in destroying my relationship.

Anger inflames within me. My heart starts pounding as if it was a fist. A fist that I'd love to bash into Reyman's face right now.

I refocus on Nathan. "I–"

He places his index finger on my lips. "I just want to hold my girl. Just for today," he says.

My breathing stammers.

His girl.

My chest painfully constricts.

"Why would you call me your girl? You said that–"

"Just because we're not together, it doesn't mean that I consider you someone else," he explains, then tightly wraps his arms around my shoulders.

I'm a prisoner of his warm embrace. If this is what a jail looked like, I'd sin until sentenced for life.

My head rests against his chest whilst I'm still sat on his lap. I feel like a baby, cradled in his arms. The rhythm of his steady breathing rocks me to sleep, the warmth of his body seems irreplacable like a child's favourite blanket. His pleasant smell soothes my senses.

With the hours ticking on by, my eyes keep involuntarily closing. Voices coming from the TV become nothing but an incoherent, white noise to my weary mind.

Nathan's fingers caress my arm whilst my cheek rests against his chest. I let myself fall asleep, hoping for this moment to never meet its end.

But it does. As soon as Will and his mother arrive.

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