A/N:

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I threw my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. I yawned, as I slowly walked to the bathroom. Today is the day school opens.

I'm not really excited. It was fun not having to study and stress over upcoming tests. But, I'm afraid it's back to square one now.

I didn't even have a ride to school. I forgot I don't actually have a car. I stepped inside the shower and took a long ten minutes inside.

I had woken up earlier than usual. These days, it was harder to sleep and when I did, I would wake up early which is so not like me.

My hand was itching to call Nate every night. I was just thinking if he's okay or not.

I wonder if I'll seriously be able to focus at school. I walked back into my room and wore my undergarments. After that, I put my clothes on and threw my wig over my head.

I am too lazy to undo the cornrows today. I took my backpack and phone, before exiting my room. Over the past few days, Nate had blocked me on most social medias.

He left Facebook and Instagram only. Which I'm thankful for.

He even un-followed. I understood why he was doing all of this. I actually was taking his absence better than I thought I would.

I made myself some cereal and ate it while standing in the kitchen. The thoughts of Nate and Dan were the only ones flooding my mind.

I finished breakfast, and washed the dish. I got out of my apartment after that and closed the door behind me. I even forgot about the rent.

The landlord told me that six months of it was covered so I had nothing to worry about. I didn't even know a person was allowed to pay six months' rent.

Nathan helped me, big time.

As soon as I walked out of the building, I saw Danny leaning on some car I didn't remember him driving. I would remember that car anywhere!

I assumed he recently bought it for himself. My lips tugged up and I walked towards him. "Congrats, Dan-Dan! You finally got yourself a car," I congratulated him.

He looked at me incredulously. "Why are you congratulating me?" He asked. My eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I questioned. "This is your car, Vane. Nate bought it for you," he told me. My eyes started to become watery.

"You're lying," I accused. He shook his head and grinned. "Nope. Not lying at all. This is your dream car, I presume?"

I nodded vigorously, as I started examining it. "Yes! Of course it's my dream car. It's a Volkswagen Beetle! I've wanted this car since I was ten years old!" I exclaimed.

"Well, lucky you, future cousin-in-law. Nate purchased it this morning." A single tear slid down my cheek and I rushed to wipe it.

"Tell him I said thank you. And that I love him so much," I whispered. Danny gave me a sad smile. "Will do, Vane. So, shall we leave now?" He asked, jingling the keys.

I took them from him and held them tightly in my hands. "Hell yeah!" I shouted and skipped to the driver's side.

Finally. I get a car. And it's all thanks to the one and only, Nathan Grove.

Gosh, I love that guy. I can't believe he actually bought a car for me! And not just any car. A car I've been fantasizing about when I was a little child.

And look now. I have it. It's true when they say dreams do come true.

I started driving my car to Danny's workplace. I dropped him off and then left to Jolecape University. I arrived soon enough and luckily wasn't late for my first class.

Bella lives in the dorms so she should be somewhere around here.

I parked the white car in front of the big building. I sighed as I exited it and grinned wide, as I locked it.

I tucked the keys in my pocket and trudged towards the entrance. I didn't see Bella anywhere so I assumed that maybe she was waiting for me in class.

I walked past dozens of students and finally reached the lecture room. I walked inside and immediately saw Bella.

I smiled and started ascending the stairs. I sat next to her and greeted, "Hey." Her head snapped up and she smiled back at me.

"Hi. How are you?" I looked at the front and then replied,"I'm...okay. You?" She nodded,"I'm great."

I don't know why, but it was pretty awkward after that.

The arrival of the lecturer saved us both. She started the teaching and we were really back at school.

++++++++++++++

"Hey guys," Danny greeted as he sat down with us. We were in the cafeteria, eating our lunch. "What are you doing here? Isn't it students only?" I questioned, raising a brow.

"I was just about to ask the same thing," Bella said. "Well, I had a talk with the security guard. He allowed me in. I just wanted to see my best friends," he replied.

"It's different without Nate here," Bella shared, earning a choke from me. "Is there something wrong?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No, no. Nothing is wrong," I responded. "As I was saying, it's different without him. Where is he?"

I gave Danny a nervous glance. I think we should tell her. We can't keep her unknowing of what's happening around her.

Plus, we have no other excuse for Nate's absence.

"You're going to have to sit down for this, Izzy," Danny started. I suppressed a laugh. "But I already am sitting down," Bella stressed.

"Yeah, I know. I just wanted to say that for dramatic effect." I ended up laughing. I just couldn't take it.

"Okay, so I'm about to drop a bomb on you, babe. HeatheristhepersonwhopushedVanedownthestairsandshe'stheonewhosentmetokillhernowNateistryingtoputherbehindbarsthat'swhyheisn'there," he rushed out.

I didn't hear a thing he said.

"What did you just say?" Bella asked, squinting her eyes. "Heather is the one who's been landing me in the hospital," I told her, in a simpler term.

"Nathan's mom is what?!" She shouted. "Yep. Now in order to keep Vane safe, they had to break up. He's finding a way to put Heather behind bars with the help of me, of course," Danny explained.

"And why didn't you tell me this?!" She yelled. "We're sorry," I apologized. She shrugged one shoulder. "Meh. It's okay. You know what they say Vee. If you love something, set it free. If it comes back then it's yours but if it doesn't, it never was."

"Thanks," I said. "Pleasure." Just then, Nate walked inside the cafeteria with Reese by his side. He passed by our table without even giving us a glance.

Whereas, Reese just smiled apologetically at us. I guess he knew what was happening, also. I sighed as I saw Nate pass us as if we were invisible.

He was impassive so I couldn't tell what he was feeling.

I was sad, but tried my best not to show it. "I have to go to my next class, guys. Bye," I told them and stood up from my seat.

I had a total of two classes today. The next one is the last one. I want to go home already. I was the first one to enter the lecture room and the minute I sat down...

I let the tears fall one by one.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N:

--°Sauce°