There are some definite feels in this chapter. I love it. Enjoy!
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I stare at Nathan in shock as I stood in the doorway, blinking at him dumbly, not uttering a word. He shifted under my gaze to move the box in between his hands as he watches me slowly (and I do mean slowly) regain composure with a small smirk hidden on his lips. 

Finally, I ask, "What are you doing here?" And my voice is much harsher than I meant it to be. 

Nathan lifts his eyebrows in surprise at my cold tone. "It's good to see you too," He muttered and then held up the box. "Stephanie asked me to deliver these."

I pull the blanket closer to myself when a breeze comes through the front door and reluctantly move over so he can enter. "Come in, then."

He walks inside and I kick the door shut behind him as I mentally curse Stephanie, thinking about ways to kill her. Had she called Nathan and asked him to pick up the movies? I walk into the family room and instruct Nathan to put the box down in front of the television as I stand stiffly, unsure how to act around him. 

He sets down the box and straightens up to tower over me once more as his grey  blue eyes study me and a frown tugs the corners of his lips. "You're sick." 

"Yeah," I shrug noncommittally and sit down on the couch. "A little."

He raises his brows at my claim and then reaches forward to press the back of his hand against my forehead. My heart skips a beat because his hand is freezing, and Nathan frowns at me disapprovingly as he slowly withdraws his hand.

"You're burning up," Nathan scolds. "Get comfortable on the couch and I'll put a movie in. Are you hungry? Do you want anything to eat?"

And, just like that, my resolve broke. Everything that happened last night was thrown out the window and a small smile cracks on my lips at the sound of his concern. "I just had some soup so I'm not hungry. Pick a good movie, would you?"

As Nathan rummages through the movie box, I get comfortable on the couch, draping the blanket from my shoulders over my legs instead and snuggling deeper into the couch. Nathan scoured the movie box silently, save for the occasional grunt of disproval, and I smiled slightly at his back. For being such a cold hearted bad boy, he sure did care about his friends.

After a few minutes, Nathan finally picks a movie and pops it in the DVD player of the television. "What'd you pick?"

He glances back at me with a secretive grin. "You'll see."

To my surprise, Nathan came over and sat down on the couch beside me, his eyes glued to the screen as the opening credits began playing. I blinked at him in confusion and wondered why he wasn't leaving. After all, Steph just made him bring the movies. He wasn't going to actually stay with me, too, was he? 

"Do you need something?" There was a hint of his classic arrogance behind his words as Nathan turns to smirk at me. "Or just enjoying the view?"

"You don't need to babysit me because I'm sick. I'll be fine alone." Once again, my words came out a little colder than intended, but to be fair, I guess I was still a little cross with Nathan about last night.

In return, Nathan gives me a blank look. "I'm not babysitting you. I happen to want to watch the movie I just scoured that box for."

My resolve breaks a little and my demeanor softened. "I'm sorry Stephanie made you pick it up."

"She didn't make me pick it up. I took it from her when I saw her outside of your house," Nathan corrects me nonchalantly and then turns to face the screen. His voice lowers considerably as he whisper-shouts, "The movie is starting!"

But I continued to stare at his face with my jaw slack and eyes widened in confusion. What was Nathan doing at my house in the first place? Was he coming to talk to me? Hope fluttered in my heart, but it was quickly squandered when I heard the theme song of the movie. Finally, I gave my attention to the television screen as the Jaws intro begins playing. I sigh incredulously: leave it to Nathan Rhodes to find Jaws in a box full of romantic oldies. 

Nevertheless, my resolve cracked completely and I laughed at the intro, a smile coming onto my lips. I glanced at Nathan again to see him smiling too. "Nice choice."

"It was buried at the bottom," The confusion was clear in his voice, like he couldn't believe someone would have Jaws at the bottom of their movie collection box. "But I found it, thank God. I didn't want to be stuck watching Casablanca."

I scoff at the dig at one of my favorite movies and tell him sharply, "Don't you dare diss Casablanca." 

Nathan rolls his eyes at me and I turn my attention back to the screen as the movie begins. Although I tried to pay attention to the poor quality film, it was hard to concentrate when Nathan was so close. He was leaning into the couch with a mere foot between our legs and less that between our shoulders. 

Needless to say, while my eyes were on the television, my thoughts were on the boy next to me that was clueless about the effect he had on me. I sniffled a few times before getting caught up in a coughing fit because of a tickle in my throat, and when it finally subsides, I see Nathan turn out of the corner of my eye to study my profile.

"How'd you get so sick so quickly?" Nathan asks in confusion, his words coming out slowly. "You were fine yesterday."

Without thinking, I answer him honestly, "From walking home in the rain."

Nathan's brow furrows. "Last night?" I nod hesitantly as it finally dawns on me that I brought up something I didn't have valid reasoning for, considering the only reason I didn't ask him for a ride was because of my petty jealousy. "Why the hell did you walk home? I thought Brett gave you a ride."

There's concern in Nathan's voice, but that's not what makes me look over at him. It's the underlying anger lacing his tone that catches me off guard. My mind is screaming, because I got upset and went to find you to get the hell out of there, but you were to busy sucking face with some random girl. 

But I was acutely aware of the fact that I couldn't say that without sounding like some jealous girl with a huge crush on Nathan (which maybe I was, but that's not the point) so I look away from the intensity of his stare and shrug in an attempt to seem nonchalant. 

"Brett was in no condition to drive last night," I say hesitantly, and then mumble, "He was the reason that I left."

"What did he do?" Nathan asks coldly, his voice sharp and angry to match his expression.

I look up and frown when I realize that he was probably expecting that Brett had done something to hurt me. Which, in turn, made me realize that my actual reason was even more lame than I originally thought. 

"He didn't hurt me or anything," I say quickly and watch Nathan visibly relax. "He just..." I look down, unable to maintain eye contact, before continuing. "He told me that he liked me, and it made me upset because I don't... like Brett like that. And I don't want to mess up our friendship. But now everything's going to be weird because I rejected him when he kissed me, and I know it's dumb, but I just wanted to get the hell out of there."

I was very aware that I had been rambling, something that I do when I'm nervous, and look up hesitantly to gauge Nathan's reaction. While his expression is unsettled, there's a look in his eyes that I can't quite read, and I immediately wonder what he's thinking about.

"I'm sorry, Lauren," Nathan finally says, his voice surprisingly empathetic, before he asks hesitantly, "Why didn't you find me so I could give you a ride home?"

I want to say, because you were making out with some blonde. But instead I just mumble, "You were a little preoccupied."

He frowns at me but doesn't say anything else and I'm thankful for the silence. I turn toward the television and try to focus on the movie, but I can still see Nathan watching me from the corner of my eye, and feel the intensity of his stare. It takes more willpower than you would think to keep my eyes glued to the screen instead of stealing a glance at Nathan.

My mind drifted into a faraway place as my train of thought slowly shifted to Brett. I think what bothered me the most about Brett liking me wasn't the fact that it messed up our friendship, although that was a big part, but that I didn't like him back. I mean, Brett was a good guy. He was nice, charming, funny, and he actually cared about me.

 But instead of liking the good guy, the right choice, I was stuck with a stupid crush on Nathan Rhodes. Nathan Rhodes, for the record, who didn't like me like that. A discontented sigh escapes my lips as I try, once more, to actually focus on the movie in the hopes that it will pull me away from my ever racing mind. 

Even though I was only halfheartedly watching, I couldn't help but laugh when the next scene of the shark comes on. The graphics were so bad from the poor video technology and the shark looked incredibly fake instead of the attempted scare factor the director was going for. I looked at Nathan in amusement and pointed at the screen.

"It's not scary at all," I say in between laughter, not even discouraged when my laughter turns into coughing.

Nathan watches me with a smile. "You've got to love seventies graphics."

As my laughter dies out, a nagging question pops into the front of my mind once again, but this time I don't stop myself from asking. "Hey Nate?"

"Yeah?" He asks softly.

"Why did you come to my house?" I ask him fearlessly, my head tilted to the side slightly as I study him.

Nathan hesitates and looks away from me to the television instead. "I, uh, think that I left some tools in your car." He glances back at me. "But I can look for them later."

My heart sunk selfishly when he doesn't say that he wanted to see me or check up on my after last night, but I shake it off quickly. I can't expect Nathan to care about me as much as I care about him or my high expectations will just let me down. Instead, some of the earlier coldness seeps back into me.

I look away from him and tell him, "You don't have to stick around to keep me company."

Nathan lets out an annoyed breath and shakes his head at me. "I'm not babysitting you, alright? I have nothing to do today and don't ind hanging around watching movies."

At his words, I turn to him and feel a little warmth reinstate my being. "You don't mind it?" I mock his inability to admit that he possibly, maybe, actually wants to be here.

He smirks a little at my teasing and admits, "Okay kitten, you caught me. I want to hang around and watch movies. Are you okay with that?"

My heart lifts a little and I grin at him cheekily. "I'm just glad you can admit it to yourself."

"Can you admit that you want me to hang around and watch movies with you?" Nathan challenges me and makes my previous confidence diminish quickly.

However, I feign confidence instead and continue smiling confidently to fake composure. "But I don't like lying."

"Oh come on," Nathan pouts and the sight momentarily renders me speechless. "You love having me around. I bring light into your life."

"That's a little dramatic," I mumble.

I try to avoid answering him because I'm all too aware how easily Nathan will see through me if I lie. He chuckles beside me, his shaking shoulders brushing lightly against mine, reminding me of how close he was to me. I suddenly feel very warm, and I'm unsure if it's my cold or just Nathan's effect on me.

"Is it hot in here?" I mutter half heartedly and then throw the blankets off my body to feel instant relief. "That's better."

"Do you ever wear your own clothes anymore?" I can practically hear the smirk in his voice.

I turn to Nathan and see that he's smirking at my legs, and I look down to see his dark green sweats covering them. My cheeks warm slightly but I just end up grinning at Nathan, my fake confidence greater than my embarrassment. "Why should I when I can just wear yours?"

Mockingly, he grumbles, "Because all of my clothes are disappearing. Soon I'll have nothing to wear anymore."

I roll my eyes. "You're feeling extra dramatic today aren't you?"

This time, he cracks a smile. "It's the movie."

"Well, if it's that important, then I'll be sure to wash and return all your clothes," I tell him with a sense of finality, but I hardly mean it.

Nathan's blue eyes hold amusement as his smile slips into a small smirk. "Don't bother. They're all yours now. Besides, you look better in those sweatpants than I do."

I was at a loss of words, as I always am when Nathan says something that catches me off guard. Instead of answering, I felt chills creep up my legs and arms, and reached forward to place the blankets over me again. My brow is furrowed slightly and I snuggle deeper into the blankets and lean into the couch.

"Hot flashes?" Nathan guessed, his voice surprisingly empathetic again.

I nod lamely. "And chills."

A frown flits across his faces before its replaced with a sneaky smirk. "I can fix that." And then he moves over on the couch, closer to me until our shoulders are knocking against each other. His arm drapes over the back of the couch and brushes against my back, his skin warm against mine. Nathan's big blue eyes rest on me with ease, a half smirk on his lips. "Feel better?"

I didn't have the willpower to keep myself from leaning further into him, reveling in the warmth surrounding me. I murmur shamelessly, "You're so warm."

A chuckle sounds from deep inside Nathan's vibrating chest and a small smile tugs the corner of my lips up. "You're freezing. Come here." Nathan pulls me into his arms so my back is leaning against his chest and his hands are rubbing up and down my arms underneath the blanket. "Better?"

My heart skips a few beats as I struggle to keep my eyes from shutting and let out a sigh of content. Feeling Nathan touch me, skin to skin, was one of the most natural feelings ever. It didn't help that I was shivering because I was so cold and he felt like a human heater. All of my senses are tingling and I'm hyper aware of Nathan's presence, his hands, his skin, his smell, him.

"Much better," I murmur honestly and then feel my neck begin to warm up.

But Nathan doesn't tease me about it, and instead murmurs just as quietly, "Good."

His hands slow their movements as they rub down my arms comfortingly. It feels like the hairs on my neck are sticking straight up and yet I feel completely relaxed in Nathan's arms. My eyes zero in on the television but all I can focus on is the feeling of Nathan's rough hands sliding up my arms as an effective means of warmth. 

Needless to say, I wasn't paying any attention to the movie. I spent the remaining hour leaning against Nathan's chest with all my senses kicked into overdrive. When he decided I was effectively warmed up, he left his hands resting on my forearm lazily, as if he thought nothing of it. Really, it was like Nathan thought nothing of touching me at all, like it was natural to have his hands on me all the time.

I wasn't exactly complaining, but feeling his skin touch mine did something to my heart and I'm sure it's going to explode if he keeps it up.

After Jaws ended, I reluctantly moved so Nathan could put in another movie. This time, per my request, he put in It's A Wonderful Life. And, when he sat right back down in his old position and pulled me into his arms again, he unknowingly stopped my heart for a few seconds. I easily became comfortable in his arms once more and leaned back. Maybe I was imagining things, but I swear that when I leaned back into his chest, Nathan tensed the slightest bit.

"So, what do we have here?"

My eyes widened and I leaned away from Nathan when I heard Luke's voice from behind the couch. I whip around and see him standing with his arms crossed, an expectant smirk on his lips. I glare at him before scolding, "Luke, you nearly gave me a heart attack."

His smirk widens and his eyebrows raise as he looks in between Nathan and I. "What are you guys doing?"

"Watching movies," I answer lamely.

Luke looks at Nathan who continues coolly, "Lauren isn't feeling well. I'm keeping her company and making sure she doesn't throw up all over the place."

"Nathan, shut up," I turn to scold him next, and I narrow my eyes when I see his lips quirk into a tiny smirk. Then I turn back to Luke and ask, "Have you been sleeping upstairs this entire time? It's almost four o'clock!"

Luke flinches and cradles his head in his hands. "Don't talk so loud, I have a massive hangover from last night."

I sigh and lower my voice. "Go take two Advil with a glass of water."

"You got it," He mock salutes me and then turns to Nathan and narrows his eyes slightly. "I saw Bonnie Jaros all over you last night. Isn't she Andrews girl?"

I assume Bonnie Jaros is the blonde Nathan was groping when I was leaving the party and look down when Luke says this. While part of me wonders why Nathan was messing around with Andrew's girlfriend, a bigger part of me is reminded of the image burned into my brain last night of them hooking up. I feel Nathan's gaze land on me for a moment, but he looks back at Luke when I don't look up.

"Paybacks a bitch," Nathan mutters half heartedly.

"Right," Luke nods and I look up upon hearing his footsteps retreating. "I'm getting pain killers and then heading back to bed."

Silence fell in between Nathan and I. Instead of going back to his arms, I leaned into the corner of the couch, putting a foot in between us. After a few minutes of silently watching the movie and forcing myself not to glance at Nathan every couple of seconds, he finally spoke from beside me.

"Lauren," Nathan says tentatively.

I glance at him, feigning calm despite my scattered brain. "What's up?"

"You said I was preoccupied when you wanted to leave," Nathan starts slow, trying to gauge my reaction, but I let my face reveal nothing. "Listen, if we go somewhere together and you want to go home, it doesn't matter who I'm with or what I'm doing. Just find me and tell me, alright?" I nod slightly, his grey blue eyes piercing mine. "I don't give two shits about Bonnie Jaros, but I care about you."

I'm not going to lie: hearing him say these words made my heart warm and my distaste dissipate. A small smile tugs up the corner of my lips, but I try to make light of the situation.

"Okay. Thanks, Nate." My smile widens slightly when I see his half smile appear.

"Anytime, kitten." The dimple appears with the half smile, almost making me swoon. "We're going to make sure you don't get sick because of me again."

My smile fades as I ask incredulously, "You're not seriously blaming my sickness on yourself, are you?"

Nathan averts his gaze. "It doesn't matter. But I'm not going to let it happy again."

He looks back at me and I'm struck by the seriousness clouding his beautiful grey blue eyes. His gaze traps me where I am as his eyes search mine, more grey than blue, before he finally releases me with a quick nod. As Nathan looks back to the television, my gaze rests on him for a moment longer, and my lips turn up into a smile again.

This boy was going to be the death of me.