What Love Has Lost (14 page)

"I think ice skating is a great idea! Why don't we try skating? Besides, you're the skater boy who would always hold my hand, just in case I wouldn't fall. Remember when you taught me how to skateboard. Oh, how long ago was it? Was it when we were freshmen in high school or college?" Hattie tried to remind him.

Nathan gripped onto the steering wheel, tighter. I could tell that he was very irritated to listen to Hattie and remind him about all those memories they had together. I was very irritated to listen to her babble about her memories with him. That was all she would get from him! She was just going to get memories from him, only, because he loved me!

He still loves me, I can tell.

♠♣♥♦

The drive to the skating rink was very unpleasant. Hattie wouldn't stop talking about all those childhood memories she had with Nathan. She would also mention her ex-boyfriend, just to see if Nathan could show his jealously. To my achievement, he didn't show anything. He just focused his attention on the road.

Sometimes, he would talk to Alyce about school and sports. I didn't know that Alyce was the athletic type, since she wore girly clothes and makeup. She was mainly quiet during the drive to the skating rink. She also ignored us by plugging her earphones, while listening to her music.

Arriving to the skating rink, Alyce was the first person to exit the mobile. I followed Alyce.

Somehow, I wanted to get to know her. She seemed fragile enough to create some type of friendship with me. Catching up to Alyce, I gave her some money and told her to buy us some food. We hadn't eaten since this morning, so I decided to do her a favor. I could've sworn that she crept a small smile across her pretty face.

Next, I bought skates for myself and Alyce, since she already told me her shoe size. I wanted to pay for Hattie and Nathan, but I had no idea where they were. I bet they were still outside, in the car.

Trying to find where Nathan and Hattie were, I decided to walk outside the building. Turns out that my eyes were so surprised to see them outside, kissing in front of me.

My eyes grew wider, wondering if this was real or just a dream. I've wanted to scream. I've wanted to run towards them and beat the shit out of Hattie and Nathan. I've wanted to cry. I've wanted to rewind the day, knowing that it never happened.

I've wanted to erase all my fucked up emotions towards Nathan Hampton!

Turning around, a small tear fell out of my eye as they heard me slam the door behind me.

Chapter Thirteen

The Nameless

Why is he treating me like this? As if it is enough torture, he finishes it off by kissing another girl in front of me! He doesn't deserve me. Correction: I don't deserve him.

To disrupt me from my thoughts, I feel a tug being pulled. I turn around and see Alyce, smiling at me while she carries food onto a brown tray. She motions her head in order for me to follow her.

"You look upset." She says, popping a French fry into her mouth. I stare at her.

"Uh," I hesitate. "I'm just tired." I fib.

She rolls her eyes. "It's my brother, is it?" my eyes widen. "Or, it could be Hattie." She shrugs, not making eye contact. For a young teenager, she sure is smart.

My eyes wonder until someone grabs my hand. I make a slight turn, wondering who is grabbing my hand right now. I look at Nathan with worried eyes. I fling my hand out of his, being angry at him.

"Inna, please, we need to talk." Nathan orders. I ignore his conception.

Hearing him sighing deeply, he grabs me by the waist and carries me away from the table.

Yelling and hitting Nathan in the back, he avoids my tantrums and takes us somewhere. Finally, Nathan places me gently onto the cold floor. I glare at him as he looks at me apologetically. He sure has lots of explaining to do, starting with the kiss with the wicked witch!

"Before you start hating me," he starts explaining, but I interrupt him.

"You've kissed Hattie!" I exclaim, fighting those tears.

He presses his fingers on the tip of his forehead. "I know, but she kissed me!"

Shaking my head, I don't know what to believe. He can be telling the truth, but I don't know! He's been acting like a jerk, since the day we've met! Normally, he's not like this! Now, he's just acting way differently! I don't know if I can trust him anymore! He needs to be honest for once.

"Are you telling me the truth, or are you making shitty excuses again?" I spat, placing two hands on each side of my hip. Suddenly, the words catch onto me. What if he is telling the truth and I'm making things worse? What if Hattie did make the first move, on kissing my ex-boyfriend? What if he cares about me, more than her?

"You know, don't believe me. Whatever, I kissed Hattie." He chokes, and then walks away. Replaying the words I've said to Nate, it pains me deeply.

I'm such an idiot! Why do I have to say stupid things and ruin everything?

~*~

My phone starts to ring. "What do you want, Rhi?" I answer throughout the receiver.

"Oh my god, guess where we're at!" she squeals, making me deaf on one ear.

"Where?" I ask boringly.

"Ugh, you're no fun! We're in Fayetteville Airport!" she cheers.

Oh no, please tell me that Rhiannon and Grady are not here.

"Come again," I repeat, wondering if I heard Rhiannon correct.

"Grady and I are in Nathan's hometown, duh! We want to see you! Oh, we miss you as well." Rhiannon continues. "And Grady wants to talk to you." She finishes as I can sense her giving the phone to Grady.

"Talk to me." Grady commands. I shake my head.

"You're the one who wants to talk to me, not me!" I correct. Sometimes, I love Grady. And sometimes, I want to slap Grady across the head because of his stupidity. Grady is a great guy, but sometimes, I wonder about him. He has been acting weird around us, lately.

"Oh hey, Inn, how are you and Nathan?" he teases.

"Uh, not going so great... He and are in no speaking terms." I speak in a low grumble, not wanting Nathan or Hattie to know my conversation on the phone. In the corner of my eye, I watch Alyce arch her eyebrow at me, but I ignored.

"Aw, why?" Grady continues with his questionnaire.

Sighing, I know that I don't want to proceed with this conversation. "Long story, but I got to go."

"Wait, Inn!" he injects but I hang up the phone before going into further details.

Placing the phone back into my pocket, everyone stares at me. Oh, this is very uncomfortable.

~*~

Finishing up with our food, Hattie suggests to Nathan that she and him shall go ice skating. On the inside, I want her to find some other boy to grovel herself around instead of Nathan! Yes, I'm fucking jealous because of her! She shouldn't be here! I want Nathan to myself.

Nathan glances at me for a couple of minutes. "Sure, why not?" he smiles.

Pain flows all over my insides, again. Oh, I wish this nightmare is over!

~*~

Watching Nathan and Hattie skate for a couple of minutes, I decide to get a drink. Alyce is out there skating as well, but I don't mind sitting on the bench, contemplating about everything, especially Nate. So, maybe I still have feelings for him. Maybe there is something between us. Maybe I want Nathan all to myself. Maybe I'm still in love with him.

No, this can't be! I cannot be in love with Nathan!

But, the way he kisses me. The way he talks to me. The way he cares for me - oh god, no!

As for my distraction, my phone rings again. I check the caller ID and Rhiannon is calling me, again. Ugh, what does she want this time? Placing the phone onto my ear after pressing the answer button, I whine. "What do you want?"

"Geez, can't you be a little more polite, Inna? What's biting your ass this time?" Rhiannon spits.

Huffing, I decide to tell everything to Rhiannon. "It's this friend of Nathan's who has been bothering me for the past couple of days." Suddenly, Rhiannon interrupts me.

"Oh, well, what is he doing?"

"She," I correct her.

"Oh, well, what is she doing?" she emphasizes, clearly.

I glance back at the two. They start giggling and are holding hands. It looks as if they are a couple now. It's her instead of me. Upsettingly, I turn my head from them and start staring at the ground. Being ashamed, I whisper. "She's taking Nathan from me."

"Am I sensing jealously, Inn?" Rhiannon asks.

She has a point.

Hesitating, I start chewing onto my bottom lip. "Uh, by jealously, do you mean...?" I trail. Faltering, I decide to tell Rhiannon the truth. "Yeah, I could be a bit jealous." I grumble. For some strange reason, I can feel Rhiannon's presence in front of me, not believing a word I am saying right now!

Caving, I decide to face the truth. "Fine, I'm jealous. Are you happy?"

"Hey, I wasn't the one who said it." Rhiannon says.

Muttering some cuss words, I really want to slap Rhiannon right now.

"Love you!" she brightens and then asks one more question. "Hey, where are you guys?"

"Uh, some ice skating rink. It's the only ice skating rink here in Fayetteville. I'm sure you can find it on your GPS in your phone." I explain. Hearing Rhiannon muttering against her phone, my eyes catch on Nathan and Hattie, as I watch them having a good time together.

"Oh, okay! I'll see you in a few!" Rhiannon disrupts me with her loud voice. Then, she hangs up.

~*~

Finally, Nathan and Hattie finishes with their ice skating. Alyce finishes before them.

"Oh my god, if it wasn't for Nathan, I would be falling!" she exclaims as she runs her fingers through her long, blonde hair. Someone please get rid of this tramp right now!

Nathan lets out a deep chuckle. "It's no biggie."

"Ah, Nate, you are a natural born skater!" she compliments, playfully patting her hand against his firm arms. My eyes seethe onto the thought of him and her being together. I will pull the ends of my hair, if he decides to choose her over me. If they get married, I'm not attending whether I'm invited or not! I'm not going! I cannot see them together.

"Inna, you should've joined us." Hattie suggests. I shake my head.

"I'm not much of a skater." I say, truthfully. Smiling genuinely, my eyes avert to Nathan. He stares at me with an upsetting look upon his face. Is it something that I said?

Clearing my throat, I decide to throw the food into those large trashcans. Somehow, a deep voice calls upon us. "Nathan? Hattie? Is that you?"

As they turn around, they welcome the strange visitor who is walking towards us.

"Blake, how are you?" Nathan welcomes as they give each other a hug.

Nathan knows this guy?

He lets go as I watch Blake give a hug to Hattie. "Hello, Hattie, looking pretty as ever."

Does Blake have a thing going on with her?

"Hey, Blake, being an egotistic asshole as ever!" she retorts. Wow, they must have a quaint chemistry, or maybe I'm just jumping into conclusions.

"Hey, I'm still waiting for our first date." Blake winks. Hattie grunts as she is grossly amused by his flirtatious ways. Hmm, maybe Hattie and Blake need to be together, so Nathan and I can be completely happy with each other. It's less complicated, if I say so myself.

"Never in a million years, Blake." Hattie confirms. Maybe she's taking him way too rash.

Blake motions his head towards me. "And you are?"

"Inna," I introduce. "You must be Blake."

"Ah, so young and beautiful, yet, so wise." He compliments, gently placing a kiss on top of my hand. Being flattered by Mr. Charmer, I simply blush.

Nathan moves his hand onto his shoulder. "That's my girl." He whispers in his ears.

Did I hear Nathan right?

"He's just being a gentleman, Nate." I interfere.

"Yeah, I was just being nice to your lady friend. However, I prefer Hattie Taylor any day."

Hattie rolls her eyes. "You're still a douche."

"A hot douche." He corrects.

~*~

After a couple of minutes of talking, we decide that we all should head back to Nathan's place. Of course, I want to wait for my friends to arrive, but Hattie keeps complaining about how tired she is. It also bothers me seeing Hattie sitting so close to Nate, she can do whatever she wants with him. Being the jealous type, (yes, I admit that I'm jealous) I really want Nathan to make Hattie angry.

Leaving the ice skating rink, we all bump into Rhiannon and Grady.

"Uh, what is Rhiannon and Grady doing here?" Nathan mutters in my ear.

"Oh, hey! I see you have new friends!" Grady exclaims. "I'm Grady Christopher and this is my fiancée, Rhiannon Evers." He introduces.

"Hey, I'm Hattie."

"Blake."

"Alyce, Nathan's younger sister."

Suddenly, the awkward silence comes along. This must be amusing, seeing my two friends, being here at the wrong time and meeting these folks who Nathan associates with. I think this is the worst day of my life. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but I think this day tops as one of my worst days.

"So, what are you guys planning for tonight?" Grady breaks the awkward moment.

Hattie interjects. "We were thinking of going to this awesome karaoke place. Do you guys want to come? It'll be so fun!" Hattie rambles. "Oh, I was thinking that Nathan and I should sing a duet."

How about not?

"Oh, that sounds like fun! Rhi, can we go? Besides, I'm a natural born singer as well." Grady fibs.

Rhiannon cackles. "Honey, you can't sing. Inna is a better singer, compared to you."

"True, I've heard Inna sing before." Nathan adds.

Being ashamed, I lower my head. "Oh, I'm not a great singer."

Rhiannon scoffs. "As if! You should've joined 'American Idol'!"

"I get stage freight!"

"Guys, we don't have to do karaoke tonight..." Hattie interjects. Contemplating over this event for tonight, it makes me wonder if I really want to give it a shot to sing in front of people for once, instead of being afraid all the time. Heck, it's a beginning of a new year so I might as well take a huge risk in my life. I only live once, right?