Rule Breakers

CHAPTER TWO - THE APOLOGY

I sat with them all through lunch. I learned that the super attractive male who wanted to sleep with me this morning was called Nate. I also learned that the other girl's name was Amy and the other boys name was Ethan. They were great company to have and I already feel super close with every one of them. Well, everyone except Nate. He didn't really involve himself in any conversations we were having, especially if it was about me. Instead, his main focus was still on his Coke can. He was staring at it like it was the most precious thing in the whole world. I studied him closely. God! He was so hot! I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his head right now. Earlier on when he spoke to me he was so confident, overconfident if anything but now he's awkwardly quiet. Ethan must've noticed me staring at him as he gave me a weird look. I gave him a small, innocent smile in return but he still seemed confused. Taking all his attention away from me, Ethan looked at Nate. His expression was the same, however. He whispered something to Nate and I listened in, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Hey man, are you alright? You seem distracted." He said quietly, thinking only Nate could hear.

"Yep! I'm fine, just a bit tired that's all." Nate replied. Ethan didn't seem too convinced by his answer but before he could interrogate him anymore, Blaine had now joined their conversation.

"Nate! Now is not the time for tiredness," He exclaims. When he sees everyone's confused expression at the table, he elaborates further.

"It's campfire night." Blaine states as though it was such an obvious reason for Nate not to be tired. He seemed particularly excited and Natalie squealed as soon as she heard the words 'campfire night'. The others nodded in understanding, except me. I was lost.

"Oh my gosh, Nate! You can't be all sleepy later why don't you ditch your next lesson and have a nap in your car?" Natalie asked him.

"No it's alright, once I get a few beers in me I'll be fine." Nate dismissed. Clearly him being quiet had nothing to do with him being tired and I had a horrible feeling it had something to do with me. In fact, I knew it had something to do with me.

"What's campfire night?" I asked, trying to take the attention off Nate. I don't know why I felt guilty, but I did. It's not fair that Nate can't speak to his friends just because of me. Maybe I'm overthinking it but still I felt better feeling like I was helping him in some way. Not that I should be helping him considering he was such a dickhead to me earlier. Natalie gasped loudly.

"Thea! You must think we're so rude talking about this and not even inviting you." Natalie talked quickly, worried she'd upset me in some way. I couldn't help but smile at how kind she was.

"Oh no, don't worry. I wasn't expecting an invite or anything, just wanted to know what it was." I say, trying to reassure her.

"It's like a tradition here. Every year on the first day back people from school go to the beach and we have a rocking campfire," Blaine told me. "You should come with us!"

"I don't want to intrude." I replied to him, worried that if I do go I would ruin Nate's night. Wait, why do I care so much? If anything I should want to go and ruin his night after how rude he was to me.

"You wouldn't be intruding Thea. You're our friend, we want you to come." Ethan said with everyone else nodding in agreement. It made me feel so happy knowing that these amazing people actually like me and considered me a friend.

"Um, maybe. I'm not sure." I replied, still unsure.

"Come on!" Natalie whined, everyone else begging me to come too. Everyone except Nate, he was just watching me closely.

I didn't give a definite yes or no, I just made up some excuse about having to check with my aunt. That's not true though, my aunt is very laid back and would probably be fine with me going out. In fact, she'd probably like that I have friends, she wasn't very pleased when I told her about my plans to keep a low profile.

I left lunch with Natalie on my arm again, her and Blaine gave me their numbers so that I can text them whether I was coming and they could pick me up. I had a free period now and so did Natalie so I sat with her in the common room. Because it was the first day back, we didn't really have any work to do so we just chatted.

"So, what exactly happens at this campfire night?" I asked her.

"Whatever you expect to happen at a campfire, the only difference is that we get super drunk!" She smirked, mischief clear in her eyes.

"Sounds like fun!" I replied. Before I could say anything else, somebody tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around to see Nate standing behind me. He seemed nervous. "Hi?"

"Can I talk to you?" He asked, gesturing his hand outside the common room. I nodded and went with him, Natalie was looking confused and I wouldn't be surprised if my face was the same.

I followed Nate outside until we stopped in front of some lockers that were positioned next to the door. "I, um, I guess I just wanted to say sorry. You know, for earlier when I asked you for sex."

Wow! I wasn't expecting an apology. He seemed so confident this morning and now he just seems like a naughty child getting told off by his mum. I didn't say anything, I was shocked.

"I get overconfident when I see a hot girl," He chuckled. "And I wasn't expecting you to join our friendship group. Natalie and Blaine are very picky about who they invite to sit with us so they must've loved you." He says. I can't help but wonder why Natalie and Blaine chose me although it still makes me feel good about myself.

"Now that you're part of it," Nate continues. "I guess I just want you to know that I'm not going to force you to have sex or something. Well, at least not as often." He smirked, showing his confidence again. I couldn't help but smirk back.

"Thanks for the apology I appreciate it." I say.

"Wanna have makeup sex in my car?" He asked, I responded with an angry face causing him to laugh. "I'm kidding."

"Funny." I said, bluntly. Nate smirked.

"I hope we can be friends," He said before turning to leave. "Oh and you should come to campfire night."

The rest of the school day went by pretty fast and I arrived home around four pm. The campfire night started at seven pm and although my aunt is pretty laid back, I thought it would be best to double check with her if I could go. I found her in the kitchen making coffee, she was now dressed in her scrubs as she had a night shift at the hospital. Emily passed me a cup of coffee with a smile.

"How was your first day?" She asked me after taking a sip of her own..

"It was actually really fun, I've made some friends." I told her all about Natalie and Blaine and then about Amy and Ethan. I even told her about Nate, missing out the sex part.

When I finished talking my aunt's face was plastered with a wide grin, showing me all her teeth.

"That's great, sweetie! I knew you'd fit right in." She pulled me in for a quick hug.

"Um, there's actually something I wanted to ask you." I say, being over nice. She knew what I was doing and raised her eyebrows suspiciously. I continue when she doesn't say anything. "There's this campfire at the beach tonight that my friends have invited me to, I'd quite like to go but only if it's alright with you?" My aunt sighed.

"Oh, honey. You know I'd say yes but remember what your mother said when you came to live with me?" She replied, sympathetically.

I'd actually forgotten, until this moment, all about the strict rules my mum had given my aunt when I moved in with her, one of them included no parties! This is because she didn't want her, and I quote, 'mess of a daughter' to ruin the great reputation she had in our town. How would me going to a party ruin her reputation? Well, according to her another situation similar to the one that happened with Caine was bound to happen if I attend any parties. Because it is somehow my fault that my boyfriend murdered my best friend.

"Please Auntie Emily, I'll be good you know I will." I begged.

"Thea! You know I would say yes but if your mother were to find out-"

"She won't!" I interrupted, getting desperate. My aunt sighed, running her hand through her hair. "Pleaseee?" I sung.

"Fine! But you better be good." She warned. I squealed in excitement and ran over to give her a hug.

"Thank you so much! I won't let you down, I promise."