Come Home

Mia

Nate held me in a tight hug until I had calmed down and stopped shaking. After that, he drove us to a nearby coffee house, where we sat quietly.

Warm coffee and chocolate cake in front of us. It was peaceful. Just what I needed right now. My mind kept going back to Steven's words. I couldn't wrap my head around his words.

Indeed, he had to be kidding. Mom wasn't a drunk. There was no way she had been drinking and driving, especially if I was in the car with her.

Nate fiddled with his fingers, looking at his palms, but staying quiet. He knew I didn't want to talk about it, so I was thankful he wasn't trying to make me talk.

I leaned my head on his shoulder, sighing.

My phone kept going off, making me irritated. "Maybe you should answer. They might be worried about you," he suggests making me groan inwardly. I closed my eyes, reached into my pocket, and took my phone out.

I had missed calls from mom and dad and Bailey and Audrey. I didn't want to answer any of them, to be honest. I'm sure by now, Steven regretted telling me about mom and had to call Audrey to let her know. If that's the case, she went and told dad and mom.

Mom and dad are already too busy. I would hate to think they called them and bothered them with this.

My phone began to vibrate again, and an incoming call from my sister Nikki came in. I started feeling guilty for not answering them. If Nikki was calling me, it meant they were using the last ultimatum, and they, indeed, were worried about me.

I sighed, and Nate turned his body toward me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "Answer. They're worried. Just let them know you're okay, and I'll take you home safely." he says, locking eyes with me. His beautiful green eyes made me melt inside.

Why does he have this effect on me, even in this dire moment?

I nod, giving him a slight smile, and answer Nikki's call.

"Hi, sis," I say softly.

"Mia! Hi, baby sister. How are you? Are you ok?" she asks, but I can't help but overhear dad and mom's voices in the back.

"She answered? Honey, she replied. Oh dear, thank God. Ask her where she is?" Mom says.

"Oh, my baby... Ask her if she's ok? Is she hurt? Where is she? I swear I'm going to strangle that boy!" dad adds in the back, making me knit my eyebrows.

"Dad! Relax. Let me talk to her; I'm sure she's okay. And besides, Audrey probably already beat you to it. I bet Steven's hanging by his foot in the tree upfront their home." Nikki says, making me chuckle lightly.

"Nikki... Nikki?" I call out as they continue to debate amongst themselves.

"Yeah... Oh, Mia! Where are you? I'm on the road into town now; I'll come to get you."

"There's no need. I'm with Nate." I say, looking at him. He gives me a warm smile, showing off his dimples.

"We're having coffee together. I'll be home in a bit."

"Oh... Nate, huh? You naughty girl." she says, laughing.

"Ouch!" she says after I hear a smack. My guess is either mom or dad smacked her for saying that. My face got red, even though I knew it was most likely that Nate didn't hear what she said.

"Nikki, you know it's not like that."

"Uh-huh. Anyway, I just got out of school, so I thought I'd drop by to see you and Bailey. But... Then Audrey called us, told us what had happened, and...." she pauses and sighs profoundly, and my eyes water.

I can hear her choking up. She sighs and clears her throat, "Are you ok, sis? You know I'm here if you ever need to talk, ok? I know you have questions, so dad is taking the weekend off to come to visit as well. We'll be at Audrey's home in a few more minutes. Take your time coming back, ok? We'll wait for you just... Come home, ok?" She says, making me nod as if she could see me.

I closed my eyes, feeling the tears fall. "Ok. I'll be home in a bit. Bye." I say, hanging up.

Nate pulls me by my shoulder, making me rest on his shoulder as he rubs my arm up and down softly. "It's all going to be ok, Mia. I'm here for you. Your family loves you; you know that. I'm sure if they kept this from you, it was just to protect you."

I move my head down, closing my eyes tighter as tears roll down. I know that may be the case, but it hurts to think that all this time... My mom was at fault for the accident and not the other girl. Meanwhile, I've been resentful toward another girl for taking my mom away.

Nate and I talked for a while until I felt ready to go home. He then drove me home, making me laugh the whole way. I was so happy to have found him on the way. If it weren't for him, I would probably still be walking and crying. He sang, joked around, and laughed with me. The whole ride, he held my hand, unwilling to let go.

"Are you sure you'll be ok? I can stay a little longer. Or we can have a cup of coffee if you'd like?" Nate insisted, making me chuckle as I lowered my sight from him to avoid him seeing my rose-toned cheeks.

"Another one? I might just become a coffee addict if I keep hanging around you." I say, making him chuckle. "M just glad you're ok now. You gave me a big scare back there with that panic attack."

I haven't suffered from a panic attack in so long. I hate them. I was so glad that he was around. I don't know what could have happened if he hadn't left the party earlier and found me. "I know... I'm sorry. And thank you for... For everything. And the coffee and cake."

"My pleasure, Mia. I'm just glad you're ok. Remember, you can call me anytime. I'm here for you." he says, making me smile. I couldn't help but stare at his dimples. They made his smile even sexier, and his bright green eyes looked dazzling, with the sunset hitting them just perfectly.

"I'll be ok."

"Are you sure?" he asks, making me want to ask him to stay, but the fact that he and Andrea have been in an on-and-off relationship for so long makes me doubt whether I should even try. I'm so attracted to him, but there are so many cons against the pros of pursuing something more than a friendship with Nate. Besides, sooner or later, I have to face everyone and demand the truth.

And I have to be able to do this alone. Even if the truth hurts me... I need to know.

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