Right Where You Left Me

Chapter 3

Nathan and Ethan strolled down the bustling hallways, engaged in casual conversation on their way to the lockers. Amid the chatter and shuffling of students, Nathan's attention veered as he caught sight of Taylor. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, the bustling hallway seemed to fade into the background.

Ethan, mid-sentence, noticed Nathan's distraction and followed his gaze to Taylor. With a teasing grin, he remarked, "You know, looking at someone is very creepy."

Nathan, caught off guard, turned to Ethan with a defensive reflex. "I was not looking at Taylor," he quickly asserted, his tone carrying a touch of embarrassment.

Ethan, reveling in the playful banter, chuckled. "I never said it was Taylor," he said, teasing Nathan as he walked away, leaving him shaking his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable," Nathan scoffed, though a hint of amusement played on his lips.

Just as he redirected his focus, a certain blondie approached him. "Hey, I'm Taylor, by the way," she greeted, extending her hand for a handshake.

"I know, you're in my class. I'm Nathan," he replied, shaking her hand. The acknowledgment of their shared classroom connection prompted a friendly exchange.

"Yeah, I am. I just wanted to thank you for the pencil. You really saved me there. I thought I had prepared one, but I guess I didn't," Taylor confessed with a grateful smile.

Nathan laughed, "Don't worry about it; I wasn't using my pencil anyways." The ease of their conversation and shared humor set a comfortable tone.

As Taylor reached into her bag, Nathan, anticipating a gesture of reciprocity, politely declined, "No need, I've got more in my locker. You can have it."

"Alright, thank you, Nathan," Taylor said, her gratitude evident as she walked away, a genuine smile gracing her face. Nathan, watching her depart, couldn't help but reciprocate the warmth, his own smile lingering. The unexpected connection forged through a simple act of kindness hinted at the potential for newfound friendships in the corridors of the bustling school.

As the school day wound down, Ethan, still clad in his football gear, approached Nathan with a grin. "Hey, Nathan, I got practice today. You wanna join me?" Ethan's invitation hung in the air, tempting Nathan with the prospect of an afternoon diversion.

"I don't, Ethan. I really gotta go home and study," Nathan replied, a slight reluctance evident in his voice. The thought of spending the afternoon watching football practice didn't quite align with his plans for diligent studying.

Ethan, undeterred, continued his persuasive efforts. "Come on, Nathan, it's just practice. Your mother won't mind," he urged, attempting to chip away at Nathan's resistance.

After a persistent back-and-forth, Nathan relented, finally agreeing to accompany Ethan to the football field. And so, Nathan finds himself on the sideline, Nathan perched on the edge of the bleachers, observing the energetic drills and camaraderie of the football team.

Nathan, not one to idly pass the time, retrieved his book from his bag. If he was going to be a spectator, he might as well make productive use of the time. With a determined focus, he delved into his homework, the ambient sounds of practice serving as a backdrop to his scholarly endeavors.

Suddenly, a football hurtled in Nathan's direction, narrowly missing his head. "Sorry, man! You alright?" a concerned player shouted from the field.

"Yeah, I'm alright!" Nathan assured, giving a thumbs-up to signal his well-being. "Can you throw it back?" the player called out, prompting Nathan to glance behind him, where the rogue football now rested. After a moment's consideration, he decided to join in the impromptu interaction.