42 - I Love You

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Nathan

The emergency doctors ask me to fill out a form. They even ask if I want to report the incident to the police. I don't even remember the guys faces so I doubt it would be much help.

I just want to see my Kai-Pie. They took him to do an Xray. His nose is probably broken. We're both still minors so they had me call my parents. I dialed Kai's mom instead of my father.

I fidget with the torn sleeve of my blazer, looking at the giant clock. The medicinal smell is suffocating. A sudden gust of wind makes me shiver as the door to the EMT opens.

Kai's parents rush in, spotting me almost immediately. To my utter surprise, my dad is in tow.

"Nathan! What happened!" Madison asks worriedly, wrapping me in a hug. My throat clogs up.

"We got jumped by some guys," I whisper, trying not to cry.

It's all my fault. I shouldn't have kissed him like that on the street.

"What? Did you provoke them or what?" Kai's father asks sternly. Madison glares at her husband.

I shake my head, rubbing my eyes.

"Why did you even leave the party?" Dad asks, pinching the bridge of his nose.

They hadn't even noticed we weren't there.

"We... got bored," I admit quietly.

I expect a ton of yelling but instead Kai's mom just hugs me closer. She talks to the paramedics and as both her and my dad are renowned doctors, they are allowed in. I am left alone on the bench with Kai's father.

Just my luck.

"I can't even decide if you're the bad influence or if it's Kaiden's own brain, so I won't say anything to you," Mr. Pierce says, probably reading my tense expression. I just nod, not wanting to get into an argument.

Soon, his mum comes out. We're all dressed way too fancy for this dingy outskirts hospital.

"Bruised ribs and a concussion, split lip and a minor laceration in his nose. That's gonna take a while to heal. Nathan, tell me exactly what happened? Do you remember anything of those guys? We need to lodge a complaint."

Dad looks sternly at me, urging me to tell the truth. Madison looks tired and worried. My stomach churns.

"They came out of nowhere. I remember one had a sleeve tattoo. There weren't any cars around. They seemed like college kids and were drunk. One of them tripped Kaiden and he fell on his back. When he was getting up, one of the guys kicked his stomach. I punched him and then everything escalated," I mutter, body itching to get to my Kaiden.

"I don't know anything else. I think they were just looking for a target. They didn't follow us or anything and I probably think filing a complaint would maim their academic record."

"I don't give a shit, they should be behind bars, hitting innocent kids!" Mr. Pierce fumes.

Kai's mum gives me a look. I know she knows I'm not telling the whole truth but she lets it slide. They go back in and bring Kai outside. He winces with every step and I resist the urge to run into his arms.

His hair is disheveled and his face looks awful, the blood cleaned. It's already beginning to turn purple around the nose and jaw.

I walk to him and his Mum leaves us alone for a bit.

"Kai...," I whisper. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kissed you."

He smiles but winces immediately.

"Shut up, Nate. I wanted it. It's neither of our faults that those guys were piece of shits. You protected me! You took on four guys on your own!"

"Yes but you tripped the other two! I couldn't have managed without that distraction! Nothing would have happened if I had just not kissed you in the first place!" I sigh.

He grips my wrist, his emerald pools turning dark with anger.

"Stop fucking apologising. I love you Nathan. Don't ever say sorry for kissing me again."

The breath is knocked out of me. Did I hear him right?!

He said he loves me!

Before I can say anything, his Mum comes back and motions him out, gently holding his shoulders. I send him one last longing look before he gets in their car.

My dad leads me to his own car. I'll get my  bike home tomorrow. It's not like anyone would rob it from this cafe.

I sigh, leaning against the seat and shut my eyes. We were having fun. Why did those assholes have to ruin a perfect moment?

"Tell me the truth, Nate. Why did you get jumped?" Dad asks.

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"Nathan... Enough is enough. Tell me, what happened?" He says sharply.

"I... We... we were kissing," I mutter.

I can't stop the tears anymore so I look out the window, chest hurting.

"They were a bunch of homophobic guys. Five of them."

"You both fought against five dudes?!" Dad says loudly. I grimace.

"Kai tripped one of them. I think he hit his head and passed out. There was no one around, Dad. We didn't even see them coming."

My voice cracks with every word.

"Nathan... You've already seen how people react to gay guys. Why are you so careless! I seriously thought Sam's incident taught you something."

"I wasn't... I pushed Kaiden away so many times, dad, you don't even know half of it. But I don't think I can stay away from Kai anymore. I won't. He's... I love him. I know you think I'm a kid and I'm naive and silly but he's everything to me. Sam doesn't even compare to Kai!" I sniffle.

He pats my head soothingly.

"I understand. Just.. Be careful, Nate. I just want you to be safe. That's all."

I nod. We pull up on an unfamiliar street, outside a huge gate.

"What's this? I thought we were going to Mum's."

"No. This is where I'm living now."

He swipes a card into the machine beside the gate and the door swings open. We drive on through the very pretty landscaped garden. Warm lamps line the driveway and the house comes into view, making my eyes widen.

"You bought this house?!" I gasp.

Dad nods, parking in the porch.

It's not too big like Kaiden's or Sam's, but huge compared to my mom's. I get out of the car, awestruck.

He unlocks the tall wooden door.

It's all sleek and modern inside. The hallway is a double height and a large circular staircase leads upstairs through a pebble court. It opens into left and right wings. The left side has the living, dining and kitchen, I think. It's beautiful.

"I... was wondering if you would like to come live with me now that I'm here."

I turn to my father who is standing under the long chandelier awkwardly.

"You- you want me to stay here?"

He nods. He takes his blazer off and sighs.

"I'm sorry Nate. For leaving you with her. I realise I made some bad decisions and you probably despise me. But I would really like to start again with you. If you'll allow me, my son."

Hearing him say my son makes the tears return full force.

"And I am not too proud to admit I messed up. I saw you with Madison's kid. You looked truly happy and I had missed seeing that smile. I understand if you need time but these few months, before you go off to college, I want to make it up to you."

I run to him and fling my arms around him, feeling like a ten year old boy. He hugs me back.

"I love you son," He says gruffly but his eyes are moist.

"Thank you Dad," I smile, wiping my eyes hastily. "I love you too. And I would like to stay here. Only if Vanessa and her mother don't."

Dad sighs, nodding.

"Kaiden told me she wasn't a very good person. She seems so innocent though."

"Nah. That innocence works in her favour a lot though. Anyway, this house is magnificent. But isn't it a bit too big for two people? And Zeus? Oh shit, Zeus is still at home!"

I had walked him before I went to Kaiden's but it's been a while since then. Mum must have let him out, hopefully.

"Do we need to get him?" Dad asks and it warms my heart. I shake my head.

"Not tonight. He's already fed anyway. You'd love him, he's a trained dog. Kaiden's friends adore him a lot but he's biased towards Kai. He loves him more than me!" I smile.

"I'm glad you're happy with Kaiden. Just, be careful. Please."

I nod.

"How many rooms are here?!" I ask, looking around. 

I walk to the right wing and it has one bedroom, a study, a small linen closet and a solarium with a domed roof. Raven would love this spot. There's a door leading down to the basement.

"There's a pool out back. It's decent sized. It's the house I've always wanted but never got in New York," Dad chuckles. "There's two rooms upstairs, a storage room and then there's the attic. Take your pick. I've already moved my stuff to the ground floor bedroom as I'm thinking of converting the study into a consulting room."

"Then the master bedroom upstairs can be mine yeah?" I ask with the biggest puppy eyes. Dad laughs and nods immediately.

"I got some stuff for you, some clothes and things. They're in the room next to the master bedroom. You should go freshen up."

I sprint upstairs but not before giving him another hug.

I find the wardrobe in the adjacent room, half filled with new clothes. They're all black, grey, blue and white. Not that I'm complaining, I've been wanting to shop for a while but I didn't have enough savings because of the bike.

Finding a pair of warm sweats, I grab a black sweater before going to the bathroom. It's almost as big as my room in mom's house. I can't believe this is mine to have. Damn.

I text Kaiden as I'm soaking in the bath. I'm going to sneak in as we planned earlier.

******

The guard recognises me and lets me in. He doesn't buzz me though and I'm glad.

I hoist myself on the tree next to Kai's balcony and climb up, landing quietly. I walk in. He left the door unlocked at my request.

He's asleep, sitting upright, propped against the cushions. His breathing is noisy due to the injured ribs and the bruises on his face are now even more prominent.

I sit beside him, staring at his beautiful face and take his hand in mine. He stirs, groaning a bit.

"Nate? Is it you?" He whispers. He almost rubs his face but quickly stops, wincing when he moves. I face him, cross legged.

"Hey baby, it's me. How are you doing?"

"I feel like shit. I'm glad we don't have school next week but I won't be able to attend your game sadly."

"I don't care, you should rest. God, I wish I could kiss you but it would hurt." I sigh.

He chuckles softly.

"What a mess, huh? One minute we're the happiest little shits and the next I'm getting beaten to a pulp. I need to start working out, I went down like a fucking icicle on a summer pavement."

I gently run my fingers through his hair and he sighs in relief, eyes closing.

"Kai...?"

"Mm?"

"I'm sorry."

He opens his eyes and glares at me.

"I told you if you say sorry for kissing me I will stop talking to you."

"That's not what you said," I grin, unable to help myself.

"What did I say then?"

"You seriously don't remember?"

"I have a fucking concussion Nathan, I don't even remember how I got here."

Oh.

My smile disappears, heart clenching in disappointment.

"You... don't?"

"Why do you look like a kicked puppy?"

"Nothing, never mind. Do you need anything? Are you cold?"

"Nate, look at me."

If I make eye contact, the tears will come again.

Still, I hesitantly look up, meeting his beautiful jade irises, pupils dilated in the partial light. Even battered, he looks beautiful.

"What?"

"I'm just kidding. I love you," He chuckles.

I blink.

"I love you Nathan," He says again, pulling me to him.

Softly, he presses his lips against mine, making several tears escape me.

"What... why are you crying?" He gasps and winces, pulling away.

"I'm... I can't even kiss you properly right now! I'm angry so I'm crying! You don't know how much I've wanted to hear that."

He smiles weakly and I rest my forehead against his, careful to not hurt him in any way.

"I didn't want to say it at first. Because... I feel guilty."

"What? Why?" I sniffle, rubbing my nose. He sighs.

"I promised you I wouldn't leave you. Nate, I'm thinking of going abroad for college, to Europe."

It feels like a punch to my throat.

"I didn't want you to hate me for making false promises. But then, you apologised for kissing me and that shit hurt. I don't care if I get punched or broken, as long as it is in pursuit of someone I love. And I love you, Nathan Summers."

"You're really going that far away?" I ask, the tears worsening. I'm way too emotional today. He squeezes my hands.

"I am applying still. If I get in, Europe is my first preference. If not, it's New York."

That's still on the other side of the damn country.

"Kai?"

"Hm?"

"As long as you don't forget me, I'm fine. I'll be fine. But I promise you, these next months, I intend to be with you through every moment. Every high and low and every achievement and fight."

I feel liberated.

The fear of abandonment is so real but it would be selfish of me to stop him from doing what he likes. I lay my head on his shoulder, eyes closed, content, breathing in his enticing scent mixed with the medicinal odour.

"I love you Nate," He says gently.

"I love you, Kai-Pie."



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