AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Because I never had the guts to tell you." He wraps his arms even tighter around me.
"Well, I’m glad you finally did, Nathaniel," I say, resting my head on his shoulder.
"It's Nate. No one ever calls me Nathaniel anymore, not even my brother," Nate admits sadly, kissing the top of my head again.
"Everyone just calls me Izzy now too," I confess, turning to look up at him.
"I don't! You'll always be Bella to me," Nate insists, pushing my head down softly so it rests against his shoulder again.
I'm about to ask him about it when Ava and Harper suddenly grab my hand. As they do, I feel Nate stiffen and let out a frustrated sound, although I don’t think anyone else hears it. "Come on, Izzy, we love this song. Come dance with us, please." Ava encourages, pulling me by the hand.
I look at Nate and mouth "sorry" as Ava pulls me to dance. And he smiles.
"You go ahead. I'll be right here," he insists, pushing me slightly to help me to my feet.
The girls and I keep dancing until our feet hurt. I look over at the boys, and although they seem happy and engaged in conversation, every time I look over at them, I notice that Nate's eyes are always on me, making me blush with the intensity of his gaze.
***
NATHANIEL
I watch as Bella dances and laughs with her new friends on the dance floor and can’t help but smile proudly. Growing up, she always seemed happy and giggly when we were together. But I never really saw her with a group of friends or other girls like she is now. Thinking back, we both always seemed lonely, even as kids. We were only ever truly happy when we were together, like we'd come to life when we were close to each other and fade away when we were apart. At least that's how it always felt to me.
Even when we were growing up, her beauty was always clear to see, but it was her big heart and personality that always shined through the brightest. But now, wow, she's beyond beautiful. She has the same dark hair, but now the big curls seem to have been tamed into waves. She still has the same wide smile and chubby cheeks. But instead of them overtaking her face, they just make her smile pop. Her eyes still have the same sparkle, and she seems smaller than ever now that we're no longer the same size and she has the perfect amount of curves. The sort I could spend a lifetime exploring if I ever got the chance.
I get lost in my daydreams, thinking and imagining all the ways I'd love to explore her body when I hear someone speak.
"Hey dude, any chance you want to maybe join the real world soon or is whatever's going on in your head more interesting?" jokes Danny, giving me a pat on the knee and breaking me out of my memories.
"Shit, sorry man, I was just thinking." I grin sheepishly.
"Fantasizing more like. Seems like the only thing that gets your attention is Izzy," Tucker teases.
"I'd like to pretend I'm cool and deny it, but I can't," I confess with a cheesy, shit-eating grin.
"I wouldn't believe you even if you tried," Tucker says, handing me a drink. He notices the displeasure on my face and quickly reassures me, "Don't worry, it's just coke."
"Thanks, man."
"Coke? What kind of pussy comes to a house party and doesn't even fucking drink?" says some obnoxious asshole behind me.
"What the fuck does that have to do with you?!" I fire back angrily.
"I'm just trying to see what the hot chick on the dance floor sees in a dickhead like you," the asshole slurs back. But just the mention of Bella and the fact that he's obviously been looking at her sets my pulse racing.
"This dickhead will be the one to kick your ass if I catch you looking at my girl one more time," I reply, squaring up to the guy, fully prepared to fight to protect Bella from his disgusting gaze.
"And more importantly, these dickheads are more than happy to help him beat the shit out of you, Cole!" I turn around to see Tucker and Danny standing on either side of me, looking just as eager to fight as I am. I feel a sense of shock and awe that these two guys, whom I barely know, would have my back like this. Other than Gabe, no one else has ever cared enough about me to try and keep me safe.
"Fuck you guys, I'm going to find a better party," Cole says, before turning and walking away.
"Thanks for that, boys. I appreciate you both having my back," I confess, feeling a little overwhelmed by their friendship.
"Don’t even mention it. We're your friends. We’ll always have your back," Tucker replies, as he throws his arm around my neck.
"Besides, I've been looking for an excuse to kick Cole's ass for months." Danny smirks.
The guys and I sit back down and continue chatting until I see a couple of guys walk up behind Izzy and try to rub up against her. I want to go over there and start throwing punches, my blood starts to boil, until I see Izzy and her friends walk away and continue dancing at another spot. I'm pretty sure one of them said something too because the guy backs off just as fast as he came. "Easy, there tiger, she's absolutely fine," Tucker says. It's only now that I realize he's holding me back with his arm.
