Demons From the Past novel Chapter 20

It's hard to see beyond what's in sight

But when you tilt the light I realize,

for a 1000 nights

I've been a restless soul

Just wasting time

Digging up fool's gold

-1000 Nights Frenship

*************

|Edited|

The sound of someone knocking on the door made me groan.

"Go away." I muttered as I pressed the pillow over my head trying to get rid of the noise.

"Verena if you don't get up and open this door I'm going to come inside and carry you out." Nate's voice growled from the other side.

Ugh, why didn't I lock the door?

Then again, it is his room he probably has a key.

"Shut up!" I snapped, groaning as the intensity of the knocks only increased.

"You're going to be late for college." Nate snapped back.

I begrudgingly got out of bed. I stomped to the door and flung it open, giving Nate a scowl.

"Well, you're definitely a morning person." He commented sarcastically and I rolled my eyes at him.

I'd been staying at his apartment since the past three days. For some reason I already felt incredibly attached to the place. Strangely enough it felt like home. I knew I couldn't stay here for long, the thought made me sad. Nate had insisted that I stay in his room despite my reluctance. The subject had actually resulted in a massive argument, which Nate, being the stubborn person he is, had won.

So now I was sleeping in Nate's room while Nate occupied the living room couch, which was way too small for Nate's huge frame . I knew it wasn't anywhere near comfortable but Nate didn't complain, and whenever I dared to suggest that he should go back to sleeping in his bed and that I could easily sleep on the couch he would just cut me off with a stony expression.

I wasn't going to lie, in the past three days I'd actually slept better than I had in years. For some strange reason my heart felt lighter than it had in ages.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I noticed Nate's eyes rake over my frame. Suddenly I felt extremely self-conscious in my 'Winnie the Pooh' pajamas.

He finally met my gaze and raised an eyebrow as if to say 'Really, Winnie the Pooh?' I could see the clear amusement in his eyes.

I folded my arms across my chest defensively. "Don't judge me! They happen to be really comfortable."

He chuckled softly and I felt myself fidget under his gaze.

"So, um. I'll just go freshen up. Thanks for waking me up." I said, giving him an awkward smile.

I turned to leave but his voice stopped me,

"For the record, I wasn't judging you. You look good in your pajamas." He finished with a smirk. He gave me a wink before disappearing down the hall.

I just gaped after him, too shocked to react.

**************

"Morning." I called out as I entered the kitchen.

Nate and Marcus were already seated at the kitchen table. Nate just gave me a nod, not looking up from the sports magazine he was reading and Marcus responded with a small wave.

I went straight for the cabinet and fished out the box of chocolate chip cookies hidden in the far end. I closed my eyes in bliss as I took a bite from the sugary goodness.

"Hey! That's mine, where'd you get that?!" Marcus's furious voice demanded causing me to open my eyes.

"From the cabinet?" I answered in confusion.

"I thought I'd hidden it properly." He muttered, "How long have you known it was there?"

"Since the day I got here."

He cursed under his breath.

"I have two rules in this apartment." Marcus growled as he snatched the box from my hands, "Rule number one: Don't touch my food and rule number two: Follow rule number one!"

"What I'm trying to say is; would you like to maybe go with me?" I looked up at him expectantly.

He looked taken aback at first but then his expression went completely blank.

"No." His response was quick.

The breath I'd be holding came out in a rush. I felt like he'd just slapped me.

Why was I even surprised?

Of course he wouldn't want to go with me.

What had I been thinking putting myself out there like that?

I tried to mask the hurt on my face.

"Oh that's okay. I don't even know why I asked in the first place." I tried to keep my voice steady although I felt like he'd just punched me in the stomach. "I should go." I mumbled as I started to push the door open but a hand clamped down on my arm, stopping me.

"Listen, this has nothing to do with you Verena." Nate spoke up. I looked back at him and saw guilt flashing in his eyes. "I'm not into such stuff. I'm sorry I just can't, it's just not my thing and I can't deal with all those people. I've got a bad reputation here and it would just cause problems for you if I show up with you. You don't understand, I-it's not easy for me." He gulped.

I gave him a tight smile. "It's okay, I understand. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable" I felt his grip on my arm loosen.

I stepped out of his truck.

For some reason I felt like crying. It wasn't like I didn't believe his explanation but that didn't make his quick rejection any less painful.

I turned to look back at him.

"Don't worry, I'll just go with Aiden." I found myself saying before I could even contemplate what I was doing.

I don't know why I said that, considering that I'd be going with Aiden and Skylar not just Aiden.

I didn't miss the look of hurt that flashed across Nate's face. His nostrils flared and I could see the muscles of his jaw ticking as he clenched it.

I waited for him to respond but he didn't. When he turned to look at me I saw that his eyes were darker than usual.

Tires screeched as he maneuvered the truck roughly to the road. Without saying another word he drove away.