I Wish You All the Best(31)

Nathan: Still there?

Me: Yeah sorry, got distracted.

Nathan: It’s cool lol, I know the feeling.

Me: Yeah. So what are you up to?

Nathan: Trying to study, at least a little before next week.

Me: I should probably do that too…



I have a Calc and an English test, plus an essay on Chaucer and a lab to get ready for in Chemistry. All in one week. It’s like Thomas, Mrs. Williams, and Mrs. Kurtz got together to see what would lead to the quickest emotional breakdown from me. Joke’s on them, because I already know it won’t take much.

Nathan: At least you’ve really only got 3 classes, I’d kill for Art again.

Me: True, I guess.



Art’s no walk in the park, but it’s definitely easier compared to some other classes.

Me: Hey will your parents be there tomorrow?



Probably the most awkward way to ask that question, but I want to be prepared. For what, I’m not sure.

Nathan: Nah, they’re going to see my cousin at a science fair, apparently it’s an all-day kind of thing.

Me: Oh Nathan: Why? You want to meet them?

Me: Oh no.



Shit. I might as well just actually put my foot in my mouth. It would be easier than this.

Me: Sorry, I meant …

Me: I meant I didn’t have to meet them.

Me: Not that I didn’t want to meet them.

Me: I’ll shut up now Nathan: lmao I’m dying



He adds a few emojis. The ones that are laughing so hard they’re crying.

Me: ugh, sorry. I’ll go bury myself now Nathan: Oh come on, don’t do that.

Nathan: Don’t deprive me of that face of yours. It’s my one joy in that miserable place.



I clutch my phone, trying hard not to think about what that’s supposed to mean. But part of me can’t resist wondering what that’s supposed to mean.

Nathan: Hey what’s your address, I’ll pick you up tomorrow.



And now I’ll be in a car, alone with him. Great. I type out the address and hit send.

Nathan: Okay, you aren’t going to believe this shit Nathan: But we’re neighbors Me: Really?

Nathan: You’re at 337 Sycamore? I’m 341.



I walk over to my window, pushing the curtains back. I can’t really see his house, but I think it’s the brick one Thomas and I drive past when we’re going to school.

Nathan: Small world.



Yeah. Small world.

Me: Cool. I’m going to go pass out. Should we go for noon tomorrow?

Nathan: Yeah, do you want me to go pick you up?

Me: That’s okay, it won’t even take three minutes Nathan: I don’t mind…

Me: You’re serious? It’s like two houses away.

Nathan: Alright, but let it never be said that I’m anything short of a gentleman.

Me: Noted. Will you lead the search party if I get lost?

Nathan: Are you kidding? I’ll hang up flyers of that handsome face all over town!



I can almost picture his grin.

Me: Good to know, I’m going to bed now.

Nathan: Sleep tight!



Before I plug my phone in, I scroll back through our conversation. He thinks I’m handsome? No, I don’t need to think about that. He was probably just joking or something. I sigh and reach down to the floor for my charger, crawling under the sheets and trying not to feel nervous about how I’m tutoring Nathan Allan tomorrow.





I’ve passed by Nathan’s house nearly every day since I got to Hannah’s. And I never even knew it.

“Nice place,” I say to myself, walking slowly up the steps of the front door, wondering if it really is too late to try and run home and avoid all of this.

No. I can do this.

I knock on the burgundy door a few times, and there’s this loud bark from somewhere in the house, and then the sound of footsteps. Nathan opens the door slowly, leaving it open just enough for me to see one of his eyes and part of his mouth. “Hey!”

“Should I even ask?”

“Okay, just to warn you, my dog, Ryder, is inside. He doesn’t bite, but he loves company and he will try to hug you.”

“It’s okay. I like dogs. What kind is he?”

“Ryder, get back!” I can hear Nathan wrestling with Ryder behind the door. “Golden retriever.” Nathan holds the door open for me. “Come on, he should be fine.”

I follow him into the house, and there isn’t even a second before Ryder goes right for me, sniffing at my jeans and leaping up on his hind legs to knock me over with his front paws. Next thing I know I’m on my ass, hitting the hardwood floors, and Ryder’s licking at my face.

“Ryder, no!”

“It’s okay.” I rub him behind the ears. Ryder’s got these huge brown eyes that make it impossible to be mad at him. “I like kisses.” I immediately realize what I just said, and blood rushes to my cheeks. “From dogs, I mean.” Could I be more awkward?

“He’s totally shameless. You should know better by now, shouldn’t you, boy?” Nathan asks him.

Ryder looks back at Nathan before giving me a mouthful of gross, hot breath right in my face.