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.” She turned around and headed for the door and with a wink she was gone.I slid my oversized cheerleading T-shirt over my head before crawling under my duvet.Closing my eyes, I pictured Nate sitting in my chair smiling at me.I fell asleep with his image in my mind, forgetting all of my troubles.The morning sun shone through Ben’s cherry trees as I sat under them waiting for Nate.Although, I wasn’t even sure if he’d make it after what happened last night.I glanced at my watch and saw that if he didn’t arrive soon, I’d be late for school.Just as I was about to give up, I heard the roar of an engine coming over the hill of the long driveway.The sun glared off the car’s black paint as it came into view.I shielded my eyes with my hand as he pulled up beside me.He had the top down on his car.He was wearing black sunglasses and a black V-neck T-shirt.Looking dangerous, he lowered his glasses to reveal his deep blue eyes.“You coming or what?” he asked, pulling his sunglasses back up.I smiled and hopped into the passenger side.“Did my mother scare you off last night?” I asked.“Because I would understand if she did.” I settled in and threw my school bag behind my seat.“No, of course not.I told you I was sick.” He looked straight ahead as he spoke, not even a glance in my direction.He seemed different, the coolness back in his voice.The only thing that was missing was the scowl.“Where did you go?”“Home.”“Where is that?”He looked at me, narrowing his eyes.“What’s with all the questions?”“I just realized I don’t know anything about you.”Turning to face the road again, he said, “You don’t need to.I told you I don’t date.”Those words crushed me.After our time together yesterday and last night, I thought he was warming up toward me.Apparently I was wrong.I stopped asking questions and watched the houses zooming by.My mood had suddenly darkened.After he parked in the full lot, he walked me to my locker without speaking.I tried not to notice all the attention we were attracting.I could feel the stares of our schoolmates as we made our way into the building and down the crowded halls.When he walked away, Lauren appeared in front of me.I hadn’t even noticed her.“Hi Megan, was that Nate I just saw with you?”I frowned at her, suddenly suspicious.Why was she so interested in my being with Nate? The obvious reason could only be a crush, like most other girls that had thoughts about the elusive Nate Green, myself included.“Yes.Why?”“Oh, I was just wondering.Are you two dating?”Again I wondered why she cared.Her expression held no jealousy, just genuine curiosity.I wasn’t sure if I should, but I decided I needed to talk to someone about him.And I no longer had any friends.“No, I thought we might.He said he would protect me.I’m in a bit of a situation since the fire.Do you know what’s going on?” I asked and she nodded.“Well, yesterday the people behind the fire slashed my tires.He took me home and stayed for a while.We had fun together.He even defended me against my irritating mother, but then he disappeared.One minute he was there, the next he was gone.This morning he was his old distant self.He left me at my locker without walking me to my class like he said he would.I get mixed messages with him.” My voice took on my frustration and I heard the slight whine in it.Her eyebrows creased with concern.“I say, you don’t let him back off.If he tries to push you away, push back harder.What’s the worst that can happen?”“He could reject me.”She looked thoughtful, a small smile on her face.“He could.But he might feel the same way.Maybe he’s just scared.”Nate Green scared? I found that hard to believe, but I was thankful to be able to talk this through with someone.“Thank you, Lauren.It’s nice to have a friend to talk to.I’m in a bit of a situation with mine.” I knew I was being cryptic, but she didn’t seem curious at all.“Anytime, Megan.And if you need someone to sit with at lunch, you can join me and my friends.”“Thanks.I may take you up on that sometime.”She walked away as I headed to my first class.I was about to step through the door when Brandon grabbed my arm.I lifted my other arm as if to punch him.He let go of me, holding his hands up in front of him.“Don’t worry, I just want to talk.”I backed away from him, looking around for his loser friends.“I’m alone and I’m sorry about yesterday.” His eyes looked sincere, but after yesterday, I couldn’t trust him.“What do you want?”“I’m worried about you.Are you dating Nate Green?”“That’s none of your business.”“He’s dangerous, Megan.You should stay away from him.”I rolled my eyes.“Please, he’s the one protecting me from you guys.”“I’m sorry, but I get a weird vibe from him.Be careful.” He gazed at me with genuine concern before turning away and disappearing in the crowded hallway.I went into class confused about everything that was going on.My life had turned upside down almost overnight.At lunchtime I decided to take Lauren’s advice.Nate and I sat across from each other.He ignored me while he ate his burger.“I know how much you like to eat, so I brought you a piece of pizza.” I tossed the slice on his tray.I had actually bought my lunch today.When I was waiting in line with Nate, I decided to buy him something as a thank-you for helping me yesterday.He smiled slightly, but didn’t look up.“Thanks.I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea last night, but you shouldn’t be hanging out with me.I’m not good for you.”“That’s the second time I’ve heard that today.”He looked up surprised.“Who else said it?”“Brandon told me I shouldn’t hang out with you and that you were dangerous.Isn’t that funny coming from him?”He stared coldly at me.“He’s right.”“No, he’s not.” I took a bite of my sandwich.“Did he hurt you?” he asked, avoiding my eyes.“No.He apologized, warned me about you and then left.”“And yet you’re here.”“I’m not going to listen to him.Don’t you remember what he did yesterday? 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