AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You know that scene where the donkey keeps talking and Shrek tries to ignore him? I'm pretty sure that's me." I giggle loudly. "I'M THE DONKEY!" I say, moving to stand.
"Nope, you're the princess," Nathaniel says, grabbing my arm and pulling me backwards, almost causing me to fall into him.
"Great, so I'm a big, ugly monster that needs to be locked in a tower," I say with a frown, trying my hardest to act like I’m being serious.
"No, no, that's not what I meant," Nathaniel stammers, releasing my arm in a panic. I try to keep my face straight, but just can’t, especially when he looks so nervous.
"Ha-ha, I'm just kidding," I say, pushing him, so he falls back on the sofa, taking my chance to escape and run past him. Laughing, I run out the door, almost falling as I grab my boots from the doorstep and try to put them on while running.
"I'm going to get you, Princess," he yells after me.
"Better to be a princess than an ogre!" I yell back.
We spend the next hour or two randomly recitingShrekquotes as we explore the forest. I stay close to Nathaniel so I don't get lost again.Thank God, he seems to know the area well.
We have a great time until the sun begins setting, signaling that evening is on its way. I look over at Nathaniel, whose face has hardened. He seems deep in thought as he twiddles with his fingers.
"I'll take you home, then I have to leave,'' he says.
Nathaniel is almost pulling my arm off as he takes huge, quick steps on our way home. As soon as we're near the cabin, he attempts to leave, calling out, "I'll be back tomorrow, I promise," before quickly sprinting away. I go inside, wondering what I could have possibly done to change the mood. One minute we were having a great time, and the next, he couldn't get away fast enough.
Just as he said he would, he comes back the next day, immediately after the boys have gone. Because of the cold and foggy weather outside, we have decided to stay home and play Monopoly this time. The fog is so thick that it is difficult for us to see the trees through the window.
"You're cheating," I say, throwing my money at him. I don't know how, but this is the third time in a row I've landed on one of his properties.
"I’m not, honestly. You just suck at this game," Nathaniel jokes, picking up one of the sofa cushions and throwing it at my head.
"I give up. You win!"
I look down at my lone stack of only a handful of bills compared to his three stacks of what seem to be mostly $100 bills. "How about we play CLUE instead?" I suggest.
"What time is it?" Nathaniel asks, suddenly standing and looking around nervously to find the clock in the kitchen. "Shit! It's already 4 p.m. How have we been playing for over three hours? With a sense of urgency, he yells out, "I need to leave!" as he quickly puts on his shoes, barely giving a fleeting goodbye wave before he runs out the door, not even bothering to close it after himself.
I stand there in shock.What is he hiding? Why does he have to rush off so quickly every day? Is he embarrassed about our friendship? Is he worried Gabe won't like it?
The rest of the week follows the same strange pattern. Every day, Nathaniel arrives just minutes after my Pops leaves and always seems happy to be here. He stays until the afternoon, then bolts out the door as if the place is on fire.
***
Today is mylast day here. It's the last time we can hang out together for a while, so I know this is my last chance to find out what his secret is. "That one looks like a dog's head. "There’s the floppy ears. Look," Nathaniel says, pointing up at one of the clouds.
It’s now or never, I guess."Can I ask you something?"
"Course."
"Why do you always rush off?"
Instantly, Nathaniel's carefree demeanor changes as his face screws up in pain, forcing him to sit up quickly.
"It's private," he snaps.
"You can tell me anything. You know that, don't you?"
"I can't tell you this," he mumbles under his breath.
"Please, I won't judge you or tell anyone else. It can stay our secret," I coax.
"Just drop it, Bella. I don't wanna talk about it. Now, leave it," he snaps again. This time, I hear a mixture of anger and fear in his voice. Not wanting to ruin our last day together, I let it slide and lie back down, trying to change the subject by pointing out a cloud that looks like an elephant. But my mind is still occupied with all his secrets, and thousands of questions run through my head, so I try once again.
