It has been 2 months since Nathan arrived at the orphanage. And thanks to him I have learned the meaning of the phrase "It's easier said than done".

To be honest, I only expected to see him twice a day: in the morning when we woke up, and at night when we went to sleep. After all, it was only natural to meet each other at those times since our rooms are next to each other. However, ... We meet everywhere!

When I'm doing my chores, during meals, while resting, Nathan is always there. It doesn't matter how many times I openly avoided him o showed my displeasure during our meetings, he would always greet me with a smile and join me wherever I went. It was really unnerving to meet him so frequently, so I changed my strategy.

'If subtle rejection doesn't work. How about absolute rejection?'

As a result, I stopped avoiding him. Instead, every time he approached me, I waited for him and as soon as he talked, I would answer in a rude way. I thought this way he would finally leave me alone; I would have bet everything I have that this time it would work, nonetheless, it wasn't like that at all. Instead of pushing Nathan away, it had the opposite effect, he became more annoying and persistent.

'Can’t you take a hint?!’

A soft laugh was heard next to me. It was him. Sometimes he would do that, just laugh out of nowhere, pretty scary if you ask me.

Anyway, we met at the cafeteria during lunch and he ended up following me all the way to the garden. Even though I turned him down with all my might saying it was annoying and insulted him, he insisted and did as he pleased. I wonder why he is so persistent, is he a masochist or something? I hope not.

- Don't you have anything better to do? - I asked irritated.

-Not really. - He answered immediately.

Silence filled the place, something that was normal when we met. Maybe I should have taken the opportunity to get out of that place, still, this was a good chance to satisfy my curiosity.

- Why don't you get lost and go out with the others?

He flinched. It looks like my question caught him off guard.

Actually, this has been bothering me for a while. Nathan is fourteen, three years older than me, and ridiculously popular with both, boys and girls. Unlike me who is hated, he could easily go out and have fun with others. Yet, he keeps insistently trying to approach me and rarely talks and interacts with others. I guess he is an idiot.

After a while, he seemed to have found his answer. He remained silent and forced me to look directly into his eyes. Normally, I would have made a fuss and avoided his gaze, but somehow, I was unusually entranced by his eyes. It wasn't until then that I noticed, the reason I had been able to see Nathan all this time without having a panic attack was because his gaze was different. The first time our gazes met he pretended to be happy and kind while hiding his empty stare, but today it's different. It's as if that emptiness I felt during our first encounter had disappeared.

'When he shows this kind of face his eyes are gorgeous'

Noticing how I finally looked properly at him, Nathan looks relieved. He moved slowly towards me and showed a gentle expression.

- I don't hang around with the others, because it's more fun to be with you. - He said before smiling.

His smile was dazzling, no, to be precise it was genuine, completely different from the one he makes in front of others. Is it just my imagination? On the other hand, his comment left me perplexed. I feel guilty for being a jerk towards him the last few weeks. But I can't lower my guard, not while my dream keeps tormenting me every night. It's like a reminder that I shouldn't trust him, so I'll keep up my facade in front of him.

- I won't believe that nonsense. Hurry up and get out of my sight!

That's how I answered while apologizing a thousand times in my mind. He got dangerously close to me and held my hands while using his secret weapon against me: his pitiful face.

As I stated before, I always avoid this guy's eyes as much as possible, even so, he is clever enough to show me how miserable he is feeling within those short seconds. I'm weak against that face. Nathan noticed this and shamelessly uses it whenever he wants me to do something, and, after resisting a bit, I stupidly agree every time.

- So, if you want me to leave right away...- He said hesitantly. - How about looking at the fireworks with me tomorrow? If you accept, I promise to leave you alone... at least until dinner. - He continued with an overly sweet voice.

A tempting offer, I'll give him that. There's no reason to decline his invitation since he always keeps his promises. So…

- Fine, I'll watch them with you. Now leave me alone.

Nathan's face made a funny expression. Apparently, he didn't expect me to accept so easily. I gave him a mocking look and put my finger under his nose to make sure he was still alive. That made him react. He calmly got up from his place, waved while saying goodbye to me, and left at full speed. It was surprisingly fast, even faster than when he chased me every time, I ran away from him. Did he want me to go with him that much?

Suddenly, a sound interrupted my thoughts. At first, I thought Nathan had forgotten something and come back to retrieve it, so I ignored it. Eventually, the sound started to get louder, it was so loud that it started to become annoying. I looked in the direction it was coming from and moved closer to the source: The bushes. These were moving frantically and soon a voice came out of them. 

- I hope you haven't forgotten the reason you came to the garden Rosalie.

My eyes grew wide with surprise, and my body petrified.

'If they find out they'll kill me.'

Yes, I had forgotten. The reason I came to the garden in the first place was to meet with them.