Chapter 25
Released
I believe enough time has passed, and it is now safe for me to return to the hospital. I stop at the convenience store to pick up some snacks for Nathanial and drag out a little more time, so as to not arrive back too soon. I finally get back to the hospital, and it seems like I have been gone all day. As I walk in the room, I notice some of Nathanial’s friends from school are here.
Ben is there, and just like that day in photo shop, he insists on teasing us again. “Sophia, look at what you are doing to our man here. He is completely head over heels for you. Dude, what happened last night? Did you forget how to play defense?” Ben jokes.
“Hey, bro shut your pie hole. You’re embarrassing me.” Nathanial says, glaring at him.
We visit with them for a little while, and then Nathanial and I spend the remainder of the day and night watching the movies I downloaded earlier. His parents allow me to spend the night again. I have to wonder why they trust me so much, especially since I know I could end it all in an instant. Trying to push away from him is no longer an issue because we are becoming closer than I have ever wanted, and there is no turning back now.
I can’t push him away anymore; instead I vow to protect not only him but his entire family. I will do anything for them. He is now the reason for my existence. I want the world for him, and I want him to experience everything I never will. This is my goal, regardless of what Constance said last night. I am determined to ensure that every single one of Nathanial’s dreams come true.
“Sweetie, what is it? Are you okay?” Nathanial sounds concerned.
“Sorry. I’m fine. I was just daydreaming about you.” I smile.
“I see. Well, I hope it is about our future, because I know you’re in all of my dreams.”
“It’s about our future and all your goals. I want everything for you. My dream is to see all your dreams come true,” I add.
“Sophia, all of my dreams include you now, so as long as I have you in my life, my dreams have already come true,” Nathanial confesses.
For a guy everyone says, cares only about school and football, his priorities have sure changed. I don’t ever want him to change his dreams because of me. He is so sweet and caring, and he has no idea about me. Here I am beginning to doubt my decision to be with Nathanial again. I can’t turn back now. I love him too much. I will just have to keep him on the proper path and protect him in the process.
“I want nothing more than to have you in my life. I just don’t want you to give anything up for me. We haven’t known each other that long and your feelings may change once we get to know one another better,” I suggest
“Sophia that will never happen, I have never been interested in any girl until that day you ran me down in the hall,” he jokes. “But seriously, since the day we met, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head, not even for a second. You are the most amazing girl I have ever met.”
How can I argue with him? I understand exactly what he means, what he feels. I feel it as well. We’re soul mates, meant to be together. The only problem is that he doesn’t know why we have no future together.
With that thought, I decide to stop worrying so much and just enjoy spending time with Nathanial while I can. I crawl up on the hospital bed next to him and cuddle. While the movie is good, we talk the whole time. We enjoy learning as much about one another as possible.
Nathanial likes to tell me about his older brother Luke, who will be coming home this weekend for Christmas vacation. “I really look up to Luke. He worked really hard to get into Harvard. I hope I can make my parents just as proud,” Nathanial expresses.
“Nate, can’t you see that you mean everything to your parents and that they are already proud of you? They just want you to be happy. You put way too much pressure on yourself. You are so lucky to have a family that loves you for who you are,” I say with complete conviction.
“Sweetie, I’m sure your family feels the same about you. They want nothing more than for you to be happy. I just have not figured out why you fight it so much.”
“I know they do, Nate, but I also know what it is like to not be appreciated and accepted. You are so blessed to have such an amazing family. I hope you realize what you have.” I want him to understand, but I worry it is turning in to a lecture.
“I also know how lucky I am to have you,” he responds and seals it with a kiss.
Lucky to have me? I wonder if he would still feel that way if he knew the truth.
S S S
Nathanial gets discharged from the hospital today, Sunday morning. His parents are here and ready to take him home. I will go home and give his family some time together. I feel guilty for spending so much time with him. I am sure Mrs. McCord wanted to be with her son in his time of need. She was so gracious to allow me to be with him. As we are leaving and I say goodbye, I thank the McCords once again for allowing me to stay with Nate. I decide to offer my apologies for staying so much. His mother insists that she had to work anyway and was just happy to know he’d been in good hands. That’s a relief to me.
Luke is coming home from Harvard today. With his busy schedule he decided to live in the dorms on campus, coming home for Sunday dinners every change he got. I thought it will be best if I stay away and allow his family to heal from the traumatic events of the weekend, so that’s exactly what I do.
Immortal Embrace Page 25
