C8 CHAPTER 08: Nerdy Nathan

IT’S been two days since I got this stupid fever. And ever since that day, I haven’t gone to school. Mom wanted to bring me to the hospital on my second day but I begged her not to. That’s why yesterday and the other day, Aunt Jessica came here to check me up. Luckily, she didn’t pursue Mom to bring me to the hospital.

I don’t like going to school but I feel like I’ve missed a lot about it. I wanted to tell Aunt Jessica that I like to see Nathan, but every time that I tried to, I remember the last day that I saw him. He looked furious, and I don’t want him to visit me here looking mad. I feel guilty, not having a chance to apologize to my bestfriend.

Also, I’m wondering what happened to Freeda’s birthday party. Did she tried to find me? Did she got worried when I haven’t gone to school? Or does she even care? I can’t help but to think about it. Maybe she’s mad at me because I didn’t come to return her bracelet.

With a heavy head and heart, I tried to sit up from laying down on my bed. I reached for her bracelet on my bedside table. I smiled, caressing the little charm. If only I hadn’t got sick, then maybe, just maybe, I finally became part of Freeda and Tyler’s squad.

“Nat? Someone wants so see you!” I stopped, thinking for a moment who it might be.

Having Mom said those words caused an excitement to me. I instantly put Freeda’s bracelet where I got it before giving her an answer... Or more like another question.

“Who is it, Mom?” I asked.

“See it for yourself. I’m gonna let your visitor in. Make sure that you aren’t naked or something,” she stated before chuckling.

“I’m not, Mom. Please let that person in.”

“Fine, sweetie.”

She opened the door, revealing herself and the person behind her. It was Nathan. I looked down as soon as I realized that he’s looking at me dead in the eye.

“Come in, Nathan. I’m gonna leave you to alone to talk,” Mom stated, pushing my bestfriend inside of my room before closing the door shut.

As soon as Mom is already out of my sight, I sighed, then looked down. I felt embarrassed, letting Nathan saw me at my current state. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t. By the looks of his face, it was as if he wanted to murder me or something.

“Aren’t you gonna say something or what?” he asked. When I didn’t answer, he started to talk again. “You know what, Natalia, I’m starting to think that maybe you only befriended me because I’m smart and...” he trailed off, looking at me.

I felt bad, realizing that I made him think like that way. I bit my lower lip, trying to suppress my tears. I think I badly hurt my bestfriend. And he doesn’t even calling me by our made up nicknames.

“Are you crying?” he asked, his voice is suddenly full of worry.

“No,” I denied, wiping my tears away.

He chuckled bitterly, only making me feel more worst.

“You finally talk to me.”

“I-I’m sorry, okay?” I looked at his direction, feeling bad about myself.

“Sorry for what, Natalia?” he asked, raising one of his brows.

Again, he didn’t call me by our invented nicknames. I wonder how mad he is to me right now. I should be thankful, though. He still visits me even right after what I did to him before. I sighed, before saying another word.

“I’m sorry for denying you in front of Freeda... I’m sorry for...For making you think that I’m only using you for my own good... I feel bad, really...”

“Good. That’s what I’m waiting to hear from you. I just wanted to see you before we leave.”

I looked up, surprised by his last words. My mind was suddenly flooded by thousands of thoughts and unanswered questions. Maybe I’m just over thinking, but as he already said it before, his parents are often arguing that may lead to divorce. If that happens, it wasn’t impossible for Nathan and Aunt Jessica to be gone away from good.

“What do you mean?” I asked, almost crying.

“We are leaving the country... For good. I came here to bid my final farewells to you.”

I blinked several times, trying to process what he’d just said. Why didn’t Aunt Jessica told me about this earlier? Then I thought that maybe she wanted Nathan to tell me about this instead.

“But, Nathan–” He ignored me, cutting my sentence off.

“Bye, Natalia.” He turned around, opened the door before shutting it close again as soon as he got outside.

I was dumbfounded and I didn’t know what to do. Only then that I realized that if I didn’t stop Nathan from leaving right now, I may never gonna see him again. I stood up, not bothering to think about myself anymore. I ignored the fact that I’m still sick and that I need to take a rest.

“Got you!” The door swing open, revealing Nathan with a goofy smile plastered upon his face.

I was stunned at first, before realizing that he’s only fooling me. I wanted to cry out of joy, thinking that what Nathan told me about earlier is just one of his practical jokes. Maybe he did that to get back at me.

My knees trembles as I felt an unbearable pain on my head. I nearly collapsed on the floor, but thankfully, Nathan is fully alert and ready to catch me.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked me, looking worried.

His hands are currently holding my waist, supporting my body so that I wouldn’t fall down. I looked at him, my sense of sight are getting blurry because of tears. Suddenly, I just decided to hugged him. I hugged him tight like there’s no tomorrow. I still feel bad about what I did to him before.

“I’m sorry, Nat. I only did that because... I don’t know either. Maybe I just wanted to be popular just like Freeda and Tyler. I don’t really know...” I whispered.

“Hey, it’s fine, really. I’m just messing with you earlier. I’m not leaving or anything. I’m sorry. Would you let me go now?” he asked, then chuckled.

I moved away, and he helped me sat down on my bed. I saw him blushing for apparently no reason.

“I’m really sorry, Nat...” I apologized once again.

“Stop apologizing, will you? I said it’s fine. I came here to see you. Mom said that you aren’t feeling well these past few days. And also, I haven’t seen you in school for days now so I decided to came here and see you myself.”

I looked at him thankfully. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t. So I decided to just simply thank him for not giving up on me.

“Thanks, Nat. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you so much for understanding your crazy bestfriend.”

“It’s nothing, really. I’m your bestfriend, so I guess that’s my job.”

I smiled towards him, and he returned the favor by doing the same thing to me. I don’t know how can I express how thankful and lucky I am for having this guy as my bestfriend.