Inferno Part 2

~146~ Don't Lie To Us

Ellie's POV

It's been a week after our Katie fiasco, and Taylor and I are still working through it. Or rather, I'm still working through it. We're friendly with each other. We're getting along and being goofy once in a while, but we still haven't been intimate. He's still coming to bed with his clothes on.

I'm at work, working on my logs, when Nolan comes into my office.

"Hey buddy, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Can I hang out here with you for a bit?" He asks with his breezy smile.

"Um, I'm gonna need some details there, kiddo."

"I can't stay here?" He asks.

"You can, but I need to know why. What class are you supposed to be in?"

"History"

"Ok, does your History teacher know you're here?"

"I told here I was going to see the nurse because my stomach hurt."

"Is that the truth?"

"Yeah," he says as he plops down on the cot and shoots me a goofy smile.

I feel his forehead. "Why does your stomach hurt?"

"I don't know," he says as he lays down and closes his eyes.

"Nolan," I say softly.

He opens his eyes and looks at me. "Yeah?"

"You need to tell me the truth."

"I am"

I sigh and kiss his head. "Ok. Rest for a bit and then you can go back."

He ends up falling asleep, and snoring softly. I just let him be. It's not like him to do this. Once the bell rings, I shake him gently.

He opens his eyes and stretches out.

"Time for your next class, mister. Feeling any better?"

"Yeah. Thanks Ellie," he says as he gives me his smile.

As he's about to leave, I sigh. "Nolan."

"Yeah?"

"You can talk to me about anything, kid."

He smirks. "Just a stomachache, Ellie."

I nod, and he turns around and leaves.

That afternoon as I'm getting ready to leave, a woman comes into my office. "Nurse Preston?"

"Hi," I say, giving her a smile.

"Hi. I'm Tonya Whitting. I'm Nolan's History teacher."

"Oh, hi. It's nice to meet you," I say, shaking her hand.

"You too. I was a little concerned so I thought I would drop by."

"Have a seat," I say, pointing to my desk. I take the cot.

She looks at me and sighs. "Lance filled all of his teachers in this year about what's going on. So, he isn't in trouble, but I did feel like you needed to know."