*Sam's POV*
Just like that, my first year in law school was over. I had survived. It was finally summer break, and for the first time in months, I could breathe. No readings, no case digests, no recitations that made my heart race in fear. Just pure, uninterrupted freedom.
Josh had been texting me non-stop. He was sweet and persistent, always checking in on me, and always finding something to talk about. Millie kept teasing me, saying we looked cute together, but Cass? Cass, on the other hand, still wasn't impressed with Josh, often rolling her eyes whenever his name was mentioned. She didn't trust him somehow, though she could never pinpoint the reason why. As for me? I only saw Josh as a friend, nothing more.
Tomorrow was Cass's birthday, and I wanted to get her something nice. So, I went to the mall, wandering from store to store, trying to find the perfect gift, my eyes scanning for something that screamed 'Cass.' When I found this beautiful charm bracelet, I knew it was perfect, so I quickly paid for it and had it wrapped in a beautiful box with a huge ribbon.
I then decided to stay and walk around the mall for a bit.
I was deep in thought when a familiar voice called my name.
"Sam!"
I turned around and saw Austin grinning at me, carrying what looked like a dozen shopping bags. And just behind him, my breath caught. Nate.
Of all the people to run into.
Austin beamed. "Look who I found!" He motioned toward Nate, who just looked at me, his hands in his pockets. I forced a polite smile, unsure of what to say.
"What are you doing here?" I asked Austin, ignoring the sudden tightening in my chest.
"Looking for a gift for Cass," he said, lifting the multiple shopping bags in his hands.
"Thank god I ran into you!" Austin groaned dramatically. "I've bought so much, but I feel like it's not enough. Do you think Cass will like these?"
I looked at his overflowing bags. "Austin, I know you're her suitor, but she's not a Christmas tree. I think you have more than enough."
Austin pouted. "But what if she hates them? What if she dumps me for being a terrible gift-giver?"
I rolled my eyes. "If Cass dumps you over gifts, I'll personally scold her."
He laughed, then his face suddenly beamed.
Austin grinned before slinging an arm around Nate's shoulder. "Anyway, we're about to grab dinner. Come with us."
I hesitated. "Oh, I don't know..." I really didn't want to sit across from Nate and deal with whatever this tension between us was.
"Come on, don't be a killjoy! It's just dinner."
I glanced at Nate, who was staring at the floor like he wished he were somewhere else.
Austin pouted. "Please, Sam? I swear, I won't take no for an answer."
I sighed, knowing there was no way out of this. "Fine."
Nate drove us to the restaurant, Austin in the passenger seat, me at the back. The ride was filled with Austin's chatter, but Nate and I barely spoke. The silence between us felt heavier than it used to.
At the restaurant, we ordered food, and as expected, it was just Austin carrying the conversation. Nate and I barely spoke, and when we did, it was short and awkward.
After a while, Austin's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and sighed. "Crap, it's my dad. Probably something about the business. Give me a sec. This might take a while."
He stood up. "You two behave, alright?"
And just like that, we were alone.
Nate looked shy, almost embarrassed. He fidgeted, clearing his throat. "Uh... how have you been?"
"Fine."
He nodded, looking down at his drink. "That's... good."
"So uhmm, how was your first year in law school? Did you... uhmmm... enjoy?"
What the hell is the point of this conversation?
This is stupid. I couldn't take it anymore. "Shouldn't you be worried someone might see us?" I asked. "Won't your girlfriend get mad?"
Nate flinched. Then, he looked down. "No one will get mad anymore."
I frowned. "What?"
But before he could answer, my phone lit up on the table. Josh's name flashed on the screen.
Nate's eyes darkened when he saw the name. I reached for my phone, but Nate grabbed it before I could. Without hesitation, he answered the call.
"She's busy," he said coldly. "Don't call again." Then he hung up.
I was livid. "Nate, what the hell?!"
He smirked. "It's late. He shouldn't be calling you."
"That's not for you to decide!"
Nate leaned back in his seat, unbothered. "He's annoying."
I glared at him. "You don't get to have an opinion about who I talk to."
He shrugged. "I just think it's inappropriate. He shouldn't be calling you late at night unless it's about law school. And since it's summer break, he has no reason to."
I scoffed. "You're unbelievable."
He just smirked, like he had won some competition I didn't even know we were playing.
After a few minutes, Austin returned, "Man, that was stressful," he muttered before noticing the tension. "Uh... did I miss something?"
I crossed my arms, still fuming. Nate just smirked.
For the rest of the night, we just talked about our plans for Cass's birthday party tomorrow, pretending nothing had happened. Soon, it was time to go home.
Austin asked Nate to drop him off first, saying he had to prepare his gifts. As he got out of the car, he turned to me. "Sam, move to the front seat."
I hesitated. "I'm fine here."
"No, really, it's weird. Just move."
I sighed, reluctantly getting into the passenger seat.
Before closing the door, I saw Austin wink at Nate and give him a thumbs up. What was that about?
The car ride was silent. Awkwarddd. Then, Nate broke it.
"I'm sorry."
I said nothing.
"I was a jerk. For hurting you. For making you cry," he continued.
I felt tears threatening to spill, but I refused to cry in front of him. I had cried enough over Nate. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"It does to me." His voice was low, pained. "You didn't deserve how I treated you."
I let out a bitter laugh. "And you realized that just now?"
He exhaled. "No. I knew it for a long time. I was just too much of a coward to admit it."
I turned to him. "So why now? Why are you saying this now?"
He gripped the steering wheel harder. "Because I can't stand the thought of you thinking I never cared."
I swallowed hard. "I don't want to do this, Nate. Stop it. Stop giving me false hopes."
His voice cracked. "Then don't hope. Just... give me a chance to make up for it."
My heart clenched. I had dreamed of hearing those words. But now? I wasn't sure I wanted them anymore. Because this was what he always did. He'd be sweet one day, then cold the next. I wasn't going to fall for it again.
Before I could respond, my phone rang. Josh again.
The tension in the car skyrocketed.
Nate sighed hard. "Don't answer it. Please."
I hesitated. Then, for some reason, I put the phone down.
Nate's shoulders relaxed slightly. "What is it with you and him?" he asked, his voice laced with irritation.
I turned to him. "We're just good friends."
Nate scoffed. "Friends, huh?"
I frowned. "He's always been there for me, especially during my lowest moments. I appreciate him for that. He's always there when I need him."
Nate exhaled deeply. "And I'm the reason you needed him."
I didn't answer.
He whispered, almost brokenly, "I'm sorry."
I looked at him then. For the first time in a long time, I saw the man who I thought was my friend. The one who made me laugh, who made me think about life more seriously, who could easily make my day with just his presence. And yet, I also saw the man who had walked away, who had left me crying, who had broken me over and over again.
I forced a smile. "I'm okay now. I've moved on. You should be happy."
He looked away, sadness flickering in his eyes.
When we arrived at my house, I reached for the door handle, but Nate grabbed my hand, his touch sent a jolt through me. I turned to him, startled.
"Sam," he whispered, looking straight into my eyes. "I'll be here for you. Whether you want me to be or not."
My heart pounded in my chest. I didn't know what to say. So I just nodded and got out of the car.
Later that night, lying in bed, my mind was a mess. Why was he saying all these things now? What did he even want from me? My heart was racing, and I hated it.
I didn't know what to think. My past was colliding with my present, and I wasn't sure which way to go.
Then I grabbed my phone. 19 missed calls. 27 messages. All from Josh.
I laughed. He was probably losing his mind.
I sent him a quick text: I'm fine. Nothing to worry about.
I put my phone down and stared at the ceiling, confusion swirling in my chest.
I closed my eyes, and let my heart ache in silence.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyjnhKZujm
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