*Nathaniel*There were flashing lights. They were blurry and though I knew they were close, they still sounded so far away. I could feel the cool asphalt under me and I could hear someone crying. I tried to turn to see who it was. “Please be okay.” A voice sobbed. I knew that voice. It was her. The woman I cared for more than anything that I used to hate severely. I wanted to comfort her and let her know that I would be okay, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t believe what I had done. Maybe things would be better if we had never slept together. Maybe we weren’t meant to be…--My eyes shot open. I was in my room. I sighed with relief. It had just been a dream. I had not crashed my car with Willow in it. We were going on our date tonight. Maybe I would choose a different place. Just in case Shauna and Orlando really would be there. I hurried down to the kitchen, eager to see Willow.She was sitting at the table, eating a bagel.“Good morning,” I smiled.“Um hey.”“You excited for t
*Willow*Hitting an airbag hurts like hell. Something built in for our safety shouldn’t be that painful. I groaned as my head slammed back against the headrest. It took a moment for me to truly process what happened. I looked over at Nathaniel who was slumped over the steering wheel. His head was bleeding so badly. Oh fuck!My mind was racing a mile a minute. We crashed because Nathaniel had been drinking. No way he would pass a breathalyzer test right now. He would get charged with a DUI and possibly reckless endangerment for driving with me in the car for this. This could absolutely wreck his entire future. Getting kicked out of the internship, incredibly bad press for the Wrenfords, possible expulsion from school, jail time. I had to do something.I undid my seatbelt and opened my door grateful that it hadn’t been smashed shut. As I stood up I realized my head was bleeding too, but I didn’t have time to address that. I limped around the car to Nathaniel’s side. His door wouldn’
*Nathaniel*“Why do you keep smiling like that?” Gerald asked. “What do you mean?”“You have this dopey grin on your face right now while I’m telling you about my crisis!”“Sorry, man. I’m just…I’m in love.” I sighed. “Really?” Gerald questioned. “Yes. I have my perfect match. She’s everything, Gerald. Smart, sexy, funny…caring.”“How hard did you hit your head in that accident?”“Pretty hard, but I swear, it knocked some sense into me.”“I’m really happy for you, but can we focus on me again?”“Sure, sorry.”“Thank you,” Gerald sighed. “I have a list.”“Well let’s hear it.”“A massage therapist.”“Yeah?” I asked. “Does that sound stupid?” Gerald whispered. “It is a few steps below a doctor, that’s for sure.”“Okay um…paleontologist?”“Very limited job market.” I informed him. “Construction worker?” Gerald asked. “Dude.”“This is hopeless. Just tell me about your girlfriend. I need some good news.”“Well she’s-”“Hello,” Willow strode into the room. “What’s up Gerald?”“Nathani
*Nathaniel*“Thank you for picking me up, Nathaniel.”“No problem at all sir, it’s my pleasure.” I smiled. “So will Jude be joining us?”“No, he has a prior engagement. Some other business dinner.” Russell stated. “I see. Um, is Jude married?”Russell laughed. “No, unfortunately not. He likes to play the field. He gets that from me.”“Interesting. I like to play the field myself.” I lied.“I knew I saw myself in you.”“Yeah…Jude said he saw himself in Willow.”“Yes, he does. He has a very deep interest in her and her career.” Russell informed me. “Well, Willow sure is something special.” I commented. “Yes, I suppose she is. I’m sure Jude will be able to help her. He likes taking people under his wing and doing all he can for them.”“How nice of him.”--Seeing Jude’s shocked face was so thrilling to me. He thought he was going to get away with wining and dining my girlfriend? He had another thing coming.“Nathaniel!” Willow said. “Hi…um and hello Mr. Howe.”“You can call me Russel
*Nathaniel*I was becoming obsessive about Willow. It’s like I had to be around her all the time and if I couldn’t, I had to know where she’d be. That made it hard when I had no idea what she and Levi did together. Willow promised it wasn’t anything romantic, but I didn’t understand why those two had a secret that me and Joy didn’t get to know. I would bring it up to Joy, but I wasn’t supposed to know about her and Levi. I didn’t want to make issues between Joy and Willow.But that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to meddle a little bit.“Hey, does Levi seem weird to you?”Joy looked relieved I had asked. “I thought I was the only one who noticed it! He’s been so strange right?”“Yeah, it looks like he’s hiding something. But what could it be?” I asked. “I wish I knew. He barely talks to me anymore. I feel like something is driving a wedge between us and our friendship.”“Maybe Willow knows something.”“Why would she know something?”“I don’t know, Skyler and Avery seem to think they spe
*Willow*“What the fuck are you doing here?” I asked. “I could ask you the same thing. What is going on?”“Nathaniel, you need to go now!”“Tell me what’s going on.” He demanded as he stood to his feet.“No! Go home!”“Willow?” Levi called. “Babe, are you okay?”“Babe?” Nathaniel hissed.“I’m fine, I’ll be right in!” I called before turning back to Nathaniel. “Go home, I’m so fucking serious.”“You have to tell me-”“Now Nathaniel!”I think he could tell how serious I was. He sighed and went to his car and drove away. God he was insane.I grabbed the photo album before going back inside.“You okay?” Levi questioned. “Yeah, I thought I lost an earring out there, but it’s all good.” I smiled. Levi grabbed my hand and pulled me into the living room. I tried to be present but all I could think about was Nahaniel. I should be pissed he followed me, but I was keeping something from him.Maybe it was time to tell him.--“I’m worried about Miranda.” Karlie whispered. “Why? She seems rea
*Willow*No one had ever gotten me flowers before. It seems silly and stupid to long for, but I couldn’t help it. I had seen all the women in my life receive flowers for birthdays or Valentine’s Day or apologies, but I had never received them myself.I had no idea my time was coming.“I have a delivery for Willow Monroe.” I was shocked to hear my name. I looked up from my computer curiously. In the delivery guy’s hands was a bouquet of lavender roses. I had never seen anything so beautiful!I got up and signed the clipboard before the guy handed the flowers to me.“Who are they from?” Jude asked. “I have no idea.” I laughed slightly as I went back to my seat.All eyes were on me as I took the card and opened it.Just something to brighten your day sweetheart. I love you so much you brilliant beautiful woman. You are everything and more to me.Love Stud MuffinI glanced over at Nathaniel who was trying to keep the smile off of his face. I couldn’t believe he had sent me flowers! Th
*Willow*This was truly the opposite of what I wanted.Was it so much to ask for a calm birthday?!I scanned the crowd of people. God who made the guest list? Shauna, Orlando, and Jude?! What the hell?I looked over at Nathaniel who also didn’t seem thrilled. We forced laughs as everyone swarmed around us with hugs and ‘happy birthdays’. “This is a lot Scar!” I said.“I know, but you’ve had a rough year and you and Nathaniel are doing so well in the internship. You deserve to be celebrated.” She smiled.I guess this was a pretty nice gesture.Was the giant HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHANIEL AND WILLOW banner and the piles of gifts a bit much? Yes, but it was sweet.“Happy birthday Willow,” Shauna forced a hug on me. “I got you a really good gift.”“Is it the gift of you ceasing your insane propositioning of my boyfriend?” I asked. “No, it’s even better! Don’t worry, you’ll love it.”She skipped off. That nutty fucking broad.“Willow, happy birthday.” Jude smiled. He gave me a kiss on the che