Warning: The following material contains disturbing scenes. Reader discretion is advised. 

No one was in the dim-lit office, where several rows of beds filled the space, each separated by a thin, transparent curtain. Kash guided me to one of the thin beds to sit down, placing my backpack next to me.

“I’m going to go look for the nurse. I’ll be back,” he scurried out of view, back down the hallway.

A throbbing migraine was starting to arise from the sore spot. Today wasn’t my day, but at this point, would any day ever be a good one? I eased myself into the bed, trying to get comfortable on the cardboard surface and not to focus on the pain.

A soft creak of bedsprings from across the room interrupted the silence.

Is there someone else here?

“Curly, is that you?” A familiar voice calls from behind the thin white curtain. My eyes follow the sound and the image of a towering figure appeared in front of me.

It's Nate... definitely not the first person I wanted to see right now.

Nate was wearing the same varsity jacket he had on yesterday with a navy top underneath and plain black jeans. His jet black hair was slightly messy, probably styled by a midafternoon nap.

“What happened to you?” He questioned, curious about my rough appearance.

He seemed sincere with his gesture and he wasn’t coming on to me like usual so I let my guard down.

“Some guy sucker punched me in the back of my head,” I answered in a monotone voice.

I was still trying to process the whole situation. Whenever anything major happened to me in the past, my first instinct was always to shut down and put an unemotional facade up, one of the weak defense mechanisms I latch on to.

“What?! Who would do this to you? Did you really start a fight,” he inquired with concern.

“I didn’t do anything! It was these five guys near the main cafeteria entrance. They were blocking the way and started a fight with Theo.”

“Wait... you were with Theo,” he sucked his teeth, rolling his eyes at the mention of Theo’s name.

“Well yeah… I mean, I wasn't really exactly with him, but we were walking in the same direction, and then these guys tried to start a fight with us.” I answered reluctantly.

Shaking his head, he crouched down to eye level with me, and gently placed his hand, cupping my chin, studying my face closely. The soft touch of his hand caught me off guard, my body eased from the comfortable sensation. The view gives me a better opportunity to see Nate’s face, his almond-shaped eyes different in this moment, his usual playful twinkle was replaced with a gentle sincerity. The switch in such composure piqued my interest. His face was strong and defined, the prominent jawline outlining his striking features. My eyes trail down to his full, soft lips, I wonder what it would be like to kiss them….

What the fuck did I just think that?

Clearly, I hit my head too hard. I refocused, continuing to watch Nate peering over me, the intensity of his stare was starting to make me feel uneasy. A look of concern washed over his face as he inspected my battle scars.

“I’m sorry Curly, let me help you with your cuts,” he sighed.

He quickly got up, strolling towards the back of the room. The noise of scuffling and items being tossed around in drawers filled the silence before Nate returned from his raid, his hands filled with some medicine and gauze bandages. He meticulously set up his equipment and started going to work, damping the gauze and cleaning my wounds.

We sat like this for a while, letting him wipe my face and the back of my head with stinging antibiotic cream. When he finished, he gathered up all of the dirty supplies, tossing them into the garbage can.

“Thank you for helping me,” I answered quietly. “...I didn't expect you to have this side to you,” I let my thoughts escape my lips.

“You don't have to thank me Curly. I feel bad about the situation. You weren't supposed to be caught in the crossfire.” he answered with his back towards me, restocking the cabinet he previously raided.

“What do you mean by crossfire?” I questioned the odd word.

“Wait a second... Did you put those guys up to this?” I accused.

“I… I did.” He hesitantly answered.

“I asked my enforcers to start a fight with Theo, not you,” he explained. “They must have thought you were part of his pack so they attacked you as well. If I had known, I would have…” I cut him off.

“Are you fucking kidding me? What is the deal with this fucking school?! Why is everyone so obsessed with fighting each other!”

“You wouldn’t understand Curly,” he paused and pulled on a lock of his hair. “It's just something…” I cut him off again.

“Why does everyone keep saying that,” I snapped, pounding my fist against the bed. “It's not for you to decide whether or not I understand. I just want everyone to stop including me in this gang violence.”

“Curly listen, it's… complicated.”

“I don't care if it's complicated or not! And my name is not Curly, it's Remy!” Exploding with anger, I pointed my finger at him.

He stood next to the curtain, witnessing my full meltdown, rage boiling over as I continue to pound my fists on the bed. His soft, monotone face quickly reveals a devilish smile.

“Wow, no one ever really yells at me. Most people don't even try to challenge me, but you… you don't hesitate to tell me off. I find it kinda hot.” He flirted, edging closer to the bed.

“Something is definitely wrong with you.” I rolled my eyes in disgust. I took back all my thoughts of him being a decent human, he was a total creep.

“And you're interesting,” he smiled, eyes flicking with mischievous intent.

“You're kinda turning me on right now, keep talking to me like that baby.” He creeped closer to me, but I respond by sliding away from him, the bed creaking as I scrunch myself against the metal headboard, taking my backpack as a shield to block his advances with.

“Stay away from me!” I held the backpack in front of my face, using the thin black JanSport as a shield from his unwanted attention.

Nate removed the flimsy backpack from my hands and dropped it to the floor in one motion, and swiftly pinned me to the bed. He laid his solid, ripped body on top of me as I struggled to move away from his tight grip on my wrists.

“Stop it,” I cried out in frustration, twisting my arms and using my full strength to break his hold.

“You struggling is such a tease let's continue where we left off yesterday, shall we, Curly.” He nuzzled his soft lips against my neck, the heat from his touch sending a sensual quiver down my spine.

He continued his soft attacks, kissing my neck, and slowly inching his way down to my collarbone. The feeling of his tongue on my neck made my body hot, reacting to his heated advances. One of his large hands snuck its way up my grey hoodie, gently caressing my chest. I didn't like this, but my body said otherwise, quiet moans escaping my mouth. I slowly leaned into each of his arousing touches, craving the next stroke of his hand.

....Am I enjoying this?

Nate’s hand brushed past my nipples, creating a wave of new shivers down my spine. My pants tighten from a slow throbbing sensation in my groin.

 “What's going on down here?" Nate grabbed my pants. I pulled one of my hands out of his grip, trying my best to pry him away from my crotch.

“I thought you weren't interested in me. But you’re getting turned on by kisses from a guy you don't even like,” he teased, pushing my hand out of the way and forcing it back into his strong grasp.

I closed my eyes in embarrassment, continuing to struggle away from his grip. Nate continued on, the room becoming hotter with each sweeping pass of his lips on my neck.

“Someone please help me,” I cried, desperate for anyone to hear me.

“What’s going on in here?” A woman answered my plea by sticking her head through the doorframe.

I look towards the door and saw a middle-aged woman standing next to Kash at the door. Nate stopped kissing my neck, peering to the doorway as well, still holding a tight grip on my wrists.

“Let him go Mr. Harrison. The infirmary is not the place for such inappropriate actions,” the woman commanded.

Nate chuckled, complying with the woman’s orders, but not before whispering into my ear, “This isn't over Curly.” He fully retracted his grip on me.

He got off of me, casually strolling out of the room. The middle-aged woman followed quickly behind him, yelling for him to stop. Her voice faded down the hall, leaving Kash and me in awkward silence.

“Hey, are you ok?” Kash asked.

I didn’t respond.

“Ummm… is there something going on between you and Nathan,” he cautiously danced around the elephant in the room.

The mention of Nate’s name sent another shiver down my spine... I didn’t like that.

Instead of responding, I stood up, immediately snatching my backpack off the ground, hightailing it out of the infirmary. I could hear Kash calling my name but I don't want to stay there for another second.

I ran until I made it out of school and onto the main road, finally stopping when I make it halfway up the hill. I stood still, fighting back the urge to cry as I tried to calm myself down on the bustling busy street.

Today was not a good day. I was beginning to regret my decision to move here. Why did my senior year have to be so fucking dramatic? Can’t I just have a normal day at school without running into those violent weirdos?

“Hey Remy, wait up!” The sound of my name pulled me out of an anxiety attack.

Kash was running up from behind me. I waited patiently as he struggled to finish the 200-yard dash up the hill to where I was standing. When he finally arrived, he leaned over, gripping his knees for support as he gasped for air. I try my best to hold my laughter in, his dramatic antics on full display.

“You...run...fast,” he gasped, in between his breaths.

“Why did you follow me,” I asked, still trying to hold my emotions in.

“Because we’re friends and…. also because…. I didn't want to be at school by myself.” Kash heaved, still panting for air.

I chuckled at his ridiculous dramatics. Whatever his rationale is, I didn't care at the moment, it made me happy to meet such a genuine, authentic person.

“Do you want to go to my house?" I proposed.

“Sure, let’s go... after I catch my breath,” he clutched his chest.

“Sure man, take your time,” I laughed. I tried to hold in the rest of my laughter as I watch the comedy routine of Kash’s struggling to control his breathing, acting like a senior citizen who just ran up a flight of stairs.

Today wasn't great, but at least I had Kash and that was something to help me get through the rest of the day. 

A/N How are you guys liking the story so far? I feel bad for Remy, school can be a tough place, especially at Rosewood High. Also, can we talk about Nate for a second, not cool bro. He definitely is a flawed character and needs a lesson or two on consent. His actions are inexcusable here.😓

What do you guys think of Theo and Nate? Have a favorite, let me know! Feel free to leave a comment and don't forget to subscribe!