More Than This - n.r.

Chapter 5

Nick and I started hanging out a lot. We spent lunch together almost everyday and in class, we got easily offtrack. After a while, we became really close. Everyone noticed. His girlfriend, Dylan, included.

One day in social class, Nick and I were fooling around and some guy I didn't know approached our table. 

"So are you guys dating or what?", he asked. I blushed and looked away.

"No, I already have a girl", Nick answered. The guy apologized and walked away. "That's not the first time someone has asked me that", Nick said to me.

Nick was spending more time we me than he was with Dylan and he wasn't getting away with it. That day at lunch, Nick and I walked through the cafeteria and came across Dylan who was sitting at a table surrounded by her friends. Her eyes lit up when she saw Nick.

"Hey", she said, beaming when Nick approached her with me trailing behind. Nick smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Oh, hi Haven", she said to me, her smile a little less bright. I nodded in response. "You guys are never far from each other, are you?", Dylan joked although anyone could tell she didn't think it was funny.

"I see why you hung out with Haven so much", Nick responded. "She's pretty cool." He poked my side playfully as he said it, only to receive a slightly dirty look from his girlfriend. I knew it was time for me to leave.

"Well I'm gonna go", I said as I started to back away.

"Where are you going?", Nick asked.

"I'm going to get my stuff for math", I responded.

"Oh, okay, I'll see you there."

Dylan waved goodbye with a cute smile and I knew she really was happy to see me go. "See you, Haven", she called.

I got out of there so fast.

+ + + + + + + + + +

After school, I decided to walk home. It was a good 30 minute walk, but I didn't mind. Gave me time to think. As I was walking, I got a call from Becca, my old friend from Millcrest. I picked up, grateful for the distraction.

"Hey Becca", I greeted.

"Haven! I miss you so much. How's it going over there?", Becca answered happily.

"It's been pretty good", I said. The two of us hadn't talked in at least a month so I knew I was in for some serious gossip revolving around Millcrest students.

"You will never guess what happened over here", Becca said, sounding excited. "Melanie and Jackson started dating and then he cheated on her..."

She started telling me all about people I didn't even remember but once the gossip started, I couldn't stop it until she was done. After a good 10 minutes, Becca seemed to be done. We were about to move on to another topic, but she started another story.

"Oh I have another one! Do you remember Charlie?", she asked. I actually did remember Charlie. He was the loser who gave up on fitting in half way through junior high. "Some kid stole his backpack the other day and inside there were like 50 pictures of you. Apparently he's crazy obsessed with you."

"That's insanely creepy", I responded. I hardly knew Charlie.

"Someone has a major crush", Becca continued.

+ + + + + + + + + +

The next day in social class, Nick came in and sat down beside me without a word.

"No inappropriate joke today?", I asked.

"Guess not", he muttered.

"Are you okay?"

"Dylan and I are having problems", Nick answered. I was surprised at how open he was with me, especially about his girlfriend. 

"What kind of problems?", I asked cautiously.

"She can't take a relationship seriously."

"Dylan can't take a lot of thing seriously. She's always been that way. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything", I said, trying to reassure him.

"I'm pretty sure it means something", he muttered. He was quiet for the rest of the class.

+ + + + + + + + + +

At lunch, I sat with Daphne who was eager to hear about Nick.

"I'm pretty sure Dylan is threatened or something, although I don't know why", I said to Daphne.

"I have science with Dylan", Daphne said. "She talks about her relationship with Nick a lot."

"Yeah I bet", I groaned.

"She said she was mad at Nick because he was hanging out with you so much. I'm not saying that's the problem they're having right now, I'm just saying it's a possibility."

**************

Hey readers,

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, it's been a rough couple of weeks but I'm back. This is a big Nick & Dylan chapter but also, don't forget about Charlie. He's gonna come back. Thanks for reading, guys. Please please please leave some feedback.

That_Epiphany