Chapter 5: The Confession

[Nathaniel]

I raised my hands when I saw Jasper coming into the classroom. 

“Where did you go? We were kind of expecting you to appear after collecting your phone.” Jasper rambled on as he settled down beside me. “Did you get detained by Mr Hicks or something?”

“Nope, got off with a warning. Ms Joan asked me to bring a new student around school.”

“New student?”

“Yeah, a transfer student at our level.” I tried to be casual as I pointed behind me to Chris. “Sitting right there.”

Jasper turned to look. He waved, smiled and nodded. I tried my best not to turn my head. 

“He looks like he plays on the rugby team,” Jasper commented as he turned back to me. 

“He is.”

I blurted out before I could stop myself. 

Wait. No, this was not information that I should know.

“I mean, I think he is. He looks built for it.” I clarified before Jasper caught anything.  “He said he transferred under the sports program. Probably really good at it.”

I know he is good. Really good. 

“What? Riverdale have a sports program? Like since when?” Jasper exclaimed. 

“I don’t know either. That’s what he said.” 

Jasper was right. Riverdale High School was never known for sports excellence. The school does better in academics. Olympiads, competitions, challenges. Which was also why Dad chose this school for me.

There are many other schools out there that beat us in sports.

Why did he choose Riverdale then? Did he know I was here? Did he…

I turned to look at Chris. He was talking to a classmate beside him, sporting an easy smile. 

Yeah, he didn’t need any hand-holding or help in making friends. Chris just has this natural disposition that attracts people to him. 

I turned back to the front and took out my notebook, ready for class. I tried to keep Chris out of my mind, focusing on the lessons.

“Nate, that new guy,” Jasper nudged me as I packed my bag, ready to move to the next class. “He kept staring at you throughout class.”

“What are you talking about?” 

“He is doing it now!”

I turned to look behind, and our eyes met. Chris quickly turned his gaze away, picked up his bag and exited the classroom. 

“He is kind of weird…” Jasper commented at the side. 

He is not weird. It’s me. I requested him to. 

I could see it’s hard on him. But it wasn’t easy for me either. 

“Probably just trying to adapt to a new school, and I am the only person he knows?”

Jasper didn’t comment any further, and I didn’t see Chris around for the rest of the day. 

Clara and I gathered together after classes, sitting at the picnic benches near the school field. Our gang of friends crowded us in the middle. 

“Now, out with it, you two!” Payton Synfield said. “I want the whole story!”

“Weren’t you at the bonfire and witness the whole thing?” Jasper retorted. “The rest of us weren't even there! I missed out so much!”

“Same.” Leah Kingston said. “I can’t believe I had to learn of this news through social media. You guys are cruel!”

“Shut up, ass. I mean, I want to know who confessed!” Payton leaned forward, closer to us, eyebrows ticking. 

Clara was leaning on my shoulder, laughing. I realised she likes to do that. 

“Of course, I was the one.” She said, poking my cheeks. “Couldn’t let this shy boy do it!”

***

- 3 weeks ago -

“I like you, Nathaniel Cladwell. Could you be my boyfriend?”

My ears are ringing. I think I misheard something. 

Clara Whitmore stood in front of me. Deep blush on her cheeks, swaying nervously from one foot to another.

Did she just confess to me?!

“Nate…” 

THE Cheerleader just confessed to me.

Perfect figure. Perfect Smile. Top three school beauties.

Who wouldn’t want that? I should be honoured. I should be happy.  

“Nate?”

Clara sounded less confident now.

I know Clara. She is nice. Takes initiative. Lights up the room wherever she goes. And she infects people around her with her positivity. We did a group project last semester when I took up advanced coursework. 

She is really nice. I enjoy being around her. As a friend.  Did I somehow give her the wrong signal? 

I opened my mouth to reject her. I couldn’t hurt her feelings. 

“I guess… that’s a no?” She cuts in before I could voice it out. 

Clara sounded so down. The first I have ever heard. 

She started to turn away, head hung low. 

She was about to cry. 

Oh gosh, what is the school going to say about me if they knew I rejected her? She is the dream girl of so many guys in the school!

My hand felt clammy as she started walking away. 

“No wait, Clara!” I reached out to pull her back. She fell into my arms from the unexpected tug. 

“Yes.” I gave her a tight back hug. “Let’s be a couple.” 

“For real?” 

I nodded. 

Not because I liked her. But because it felt like the right path to take. High school romance is normal. 

And she really is a nice girl. I could learn to love her. Feelings can be developed. 

Maybe she could be the key to letting go of the past. Letting go of him. 

I hugged her tighter. Greedily wanting to absorb her positivity. Clinging on to a hope of redemption. 

“Nate?” 

She seems to feel my internal turmoil. Her hand reached up to caress my head. I relaxed a little and let her go, turning her to face me. 

“Sorry. I was a little overwhelmed.” I picked up her hand and kissed it, then reached to wipe off a single teardrop from her face. “Wasn’t expecting to be confessed to by THE great cheerleader.” 

She broke into a wide smile, bounced and wrapped her arms around my neck. 

“Don’t be. You are great.”

She giggled and reached up to my face, cupping it, also wiping off a tear that I didn’t know fell.

***