nathan dawson's pov

"Finish your milkshake and stop worrying so much." Nicholas decided then and leaned over the table to ruffle my hair. Then, when I still looked doubtful, he reasoned: "They would have said something to us, if it was back."

"You don't know that." I huffed, stuffing three fries in my mouth.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Now, eat, I have homework to do."

"You know how much I hate that saying, right?" I asked gloomily, now dipping fries in my milkshake.

"I knoooow." Nicholas chuckled and jumped up from the sofa. "You better be done when I come back from the toilet."

Although a part of me hated how he didn't seem to take my worry seriously, I was also thankful he tried to make me believe I was probably seeing signs when they weren't there. I guess I'm just always on my toes with Jonathan. And what comes to that saying I hated oh so much, it wasn't all nonsense.

"Why didn't you tell me you're coming today?" A deep voice brought me back to Earth. When I looked up, my gaze locked with a pair of dark brown eyes that belonged to a guy about my age. He wasn't from Frostford High though.

I didn't know what to say, so I just stared him and tried to come up with something. It seemed to take too long, and I was painfully aware of how awkward our little conversation was turning.

"You must be Nathan." Fortunately he saved the situation. "Gosh, you look exactly like him."

"Yeah, that's the thing with identical twins." I pointed out, my voice shakier than I had hoped for. The guy let out a warm laughter.

"Nicholas told me you're a bit eccentric." It seemed like he was able to read my jeez thanks expression, because he quickly added: "It's a compliment."

Then his phone started ringing and he left after a quick bye, making me realize I didn't even know his name. Not that it mattered, since I barely knew - or cared to know - like two-thirds of his friends.

When Nicholas was back, and I still hadn't demolished my meal, he let out an exaggerated sigh and slumped back to his seat. It wasn't my fault he was always wolfing down his food faster than the speed of light.

"Help me finish this, if you're in such a hurry." I ordered, pushing the fries towards him. Nicholas did so, and we were out of the diner in no time. Although not fast enough for him not to stumble upon Bessie, the owner of the diner, and ask if she could stand watching my face on the other side of the counter. Let alone pay for it.

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"We can't watch that." My eyes widened as soon as they landed on the tv screen. On it was a woman looking in a mirror and behind her reflection a livid boy with a blank look in his eyes.

"Why not? Are you afraid Jonathan will have nightmares?" Nicholas had an evil smirk on his face.

"I won't!" Jonathan appeared from the kitchen, carrying a heaping bowl of popcorn. Contrary to me he was looking excited now that it was just the three of us home and we could watch whatever we wanted.

"No, but I will." I admitted and both Nicholas and Jonathan started laughing.

Well, at least I was the honest one, because I could see Jonathan glimpsing the screen behind his pillow looking just as terrified as I did. The only one who was actually having a good time was Nicholas. I could only watch through my fingers and by the time the boy appeared from a bathroom cabinet, I shut off the tv.

"Why did you do that?" Nicholas exclaimed, trying to steal back the remote control. I hid it behind my back, because there was no way we were watching more of that.

"I want to be able to sleep at some point.. and creatures crawling out of cabinets are where I draw the line." I shrugged and then grabbed the pillow from Jonathan, who was still staring at the screen with wide eyes. "How about watching Disney instead?"

"So that I won't be so scared?" I prompted when Jonathan glanced at Nicholas hesitatingly.

"I guess we could." Jonathan nodded gratefully, a smile spreading on his lips.

Nicholas was pouting when we switched to Alice in Wonderland, but after a while he just chuckled and called us something I couldn't quite make out and watched the rest of the movie without complaints. I still hadn't even tried to continue reading the infamous book or done my homework, but I was ready to fall asleep as soon as the movie was over.

"I told you not to worry." Nicholas pointed out once we were laying in our beds in the shadowy rooms. I was secretly pleased not having to sleep alone after that movie and I felt bad when Jonathan did. "He's fine."

"Yeah. Thanks." I smiled and closed my eyes, so tired I was already half-asleep.

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Some new readers seem to have found this story, so I just wanted to say wellcome and I hope you enjoy reading this! :)