Chapter 3

Working with Nathan taught me something.

Nathan is way smarter than I presumed him to be.

He is well-spoken and gave excellent reasons why vaccines should be given to children.

After two hours of working on the presentation, I requested that we take a break.

He didn't mind of course.

He got up from the desk and laid down on his bed.

"Can I ask you a question?" Nathan asked.

"I don't know, I just work here," I replied.

He stared at me with a blank expression.

"Sometimes I wonder what's going on in your head Dre." He said and we both laughed.

"What is it? I asked him.

"Are you and Bartholomew a thing?"

"NO," I exclaimed.

He chuckled a little then said, "I was just curious."

"We're just best friends," I explained.

"Mhm so is he like your only friend? No offense or anything."

I rolled my eyes "none taken but yeah he is. I'm not a people person."

"I can tell" he observed. "But you don't seem to have a problem with me."

"Oh no I do, I just tolerate you," I said.

"Hey what did I do?" He questioned and laughed at the same time.

"Nothing. Like I said I'm not a people person."

"We should hang out," He said.

"Did you not hear a word I said?" I asked.

"I did but only have one friend in your life is not good. Like what happens if you guys go to a different college or one of you moves away and you guys barely talk. Loneliness is a step closer to depression."

No shit Sherlock

"So you want to be friends. I don't think so" I told him.

"Why not?"

I thought about it for a second and realized that he's right.

Barry and I are never going to stop being friends but I can't help but wonder if that might change in the future or after we graduate next year.

" fine," I said.

"Really?" He asked skeptically.

"Yes really. Your somewhat right."

"Okay how about tomorrow we can go to Cascade diner?" He recommended.

I nodded.

"We should get back to work I want to be finished with this asap," I said and with that, we went back to work.

***

After another two hours, I looked at my phone and saw 25 new messages from my mom.

Shit.

"It's late I should call an Uber and get going," I told him.

"I can drive you home if you want." He said.

"Sure thank you," I said

"No problem" He grabbed his jacket out of the closet and we headed downstairs.

"Mom I'm going to drive Dre home" Nathan yelled and his mom came out of the kitchen.

"Awe I hoped you would stay for dinner" she frowned.

"I'm sorry it's late and my mom is worried about me," I said.

"It's not a problem just promise me you'll be back so okay." She said while hugging me.

I just nodded and awkwardly hugged her back.

Nathan was trying to hold back a laugh and I rolled my eyes at him.

"See you soon Dre." She said

"Bye," I waved and left the house with Nathan and got in his car.

I gave him my address and we drove off.

***

It was a peaceful silence in the car.

Not one of us willing to speak.

After a while, we pulled up to my house.

He put his car is parked and looked at me.

"So what time do you want me to pick you up?" He asked.

"Five o'clock?" I asked.

"Sounds good. See you tomorrow."

"Bye," I replied and got out of his car.

The second I walked in my mom was in my face.

"Where the hell have you been?!" She shouted.

" I was worried sick about you and Barry wasn't picking up!"

"I'm sorry mom I had a project to do with someone so I went to his house to start it. I would've called to tell you but you said you were taking a double. I just assumed you wouldn't be here till three in the morning." I explained.

"I was but I feel like I'm coming down with something so I decided to come home. I'm sorry for yelling." She said calmer than a few seconds ago.

"It's my fault I'm sorry," I replied.

"So who's house did you go to?" She asked.

"His name is Nathan Price."

"It's a boy." She realized.

"Let's not mom. It's not like that but I will be leaving tomorrow at three to go to Cascade diner with him." I told her.

"Okay just be safe" she smiled and I nearly gagged.

"Goodnight mom!" I walked past her went straight to my room and went to sleep.