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It's been forever people, but is a new chapter!!!!! Yay!!!!!!

Kind of short, but a new chapter nonetheless, so enjoy! :)

Picture of Mrs. White, Aiden's mom, to the >>>>>>>>>>

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Aiden's P. O. V

Nathan was avoiding me ever since my return after a week of suspension, he had been doing so all day now, and showed no signs of stopping, and his reason why was plainly obvious to me: it was because of what happened a week ago.

I don't know if it was because he was embarrassed, or hating himself for forgiving me when he had for a long while resolved himself in taking revenge on me because of what I did to him. However, either way, it was too late for him to take back those words. The deed had been done, and there was no way he can erase that moment, and I'll thank God every day for that.

His forgiveness was like feeding a hot, steaming meal to a starving man: it revives them, gives them the strength and encouragement to continue on, to fight.

If he had not said those words, if he had not forgiven me, I don't know what I would have done then; probably wither away due to self-loath.

However, now that I had gained his forgiveness, there was the confusion of what to do next.

I couldn't think up anything, nothing, and it frustrated me so.

Should I think I'm safe to interact with Nathan normally, or should I keep my distance and wait for him to come to me?

However, if I did that, then it would take forever before he did so. His pride would get in the way, stop him from approaching me.

He'd probably be too afraid of the possibility that he would come to like me again, he feared that that would happen, so he hangs back, but does he not think that maybe, just maybe, it would be better for him if he did talk to me?

I'm sure he thinks his decision to ignore me is the right one.

Well, it's not, not by a long shot, and I have to figure out some way to prove that to him.

Unfortunately, that task will be a difficult one to accomplish.

I tapped my pencil on the desk and glanced over at Nathan who was copying the last bits of notes into his notebook, his attention focused on the writing on the board, then at the clock.

Five minutes till class ends.

I thought of my next class, and how I shared it with Mia, and wondered if she would have any advice for me, any tips on what to do next.

It was worth a shot, right?

When the bell rang I rushed to pack my things and head over to my next classroom, wanting to catch Mia as soon as possible. As I entered the room I scanned it for Mia. Once I spotted her, I walked straight over.

She was talking to one of our classmates, her back to me, but, as if sensing my approach, turned around to face me. Her eyes widened when she saw me, then tightened with worry when she took in the desperate look on my face.

"Aiden! What's wrong?" She asked, breaking away from her friend to meet me the rest of the way.

I came to an abrupt stop in front of her, a frown on my face. "Mia, I need your help?"

Confusion swirled in her eyes, as well a fear for the unknown, as I had yet to present the reason for my request. "What is it?"

I glanced around and made sure no one was within hearing distance. "Can you help me figure out a way to make Nathan fall in love with me?"

Mia blinked once, then twice, having not expected that, then sagged as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders and breathed out, her face a mask relief. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them a second later, they were filled with fire.

I was not prepared for what happened next.

She punched me on my arm.

Hard.

"Ow!" I yelped and rubbed at the spot where she hit me, already feeling it become sore. It throbbed and ached. "What did you do that for?" I frowned, my expression dark, angered.

"You ass, you seriously scared me there. I thought something had happened to Kyle, or Zack, or even Nathan," she snapped, unsympathetic.

My face clouded over and feelings of guilt ate at me. I guess I did deserve that, I thought. I must have reminded her of what happened to Kyle, and she had probably thought I had come with bad news from the way I had been acting.

"Sorry," I apologized and her eyes softened a degree in forgiveness.

"Just don't do that again," she warned, and no doubt the consequences next time won't be as merciful. I shuddered at the thought of what else she could have done.

'"Scouts honor," I placed a hand over my heart and couldn't help the smirk from crossing over my face.

She shook her head and rolled her eyes at me. "Anyways, what is it that you wanted?"

I sobered instantly. "I'm trying to figure out how to get Nathan to fall for me; do you have any ideas for me?"

Mia gave me a strange look. "Man you must be real blind."

"Huh?" Confusion colored my voice.

Mia sighed. "From what I can tell, that boy has never stopped loving you."

"What do you mean?"

"All he's done so far is try to push those feelings away by distracting himself with thoughts of revenge. He's probably doing all this subconsciously though," she explained, "and most likely doesn't realize that those feelings of love are there, just hidden from him for whatever reason."

How in the world does she know all this? I questioned mentally, but then I thought of how this is Mia we're talking about here, and how I wasn't exactly subtle about my past with Nathan. I'm sure she was able to put two and two together from the way we interact with each other and my past bullying behavior.

"Then, how do I make him realize their there? How do I get him to open up to those feelings once again and love me?" I asked, frustrated.

"My guess would have to be for you to be yourself," Mia simply said.

I gapped at her, wondering if she was serious, if that was really the only advice she had for me.

"Be... myself...," I said slowly. "That's it? That's all you have for me, really? I could have come up with that myself."

Mia gave me the stink eye. "Yes, that's all, and, when I say 'be yourself,' I mean like your real self, not all this fake crap you pull to keep people away from you. Actually show him how you really are; I'm sure he'll be in love with you in no time."

"Okay, so besides being myself, is there anything else I can do that is more useful?"

Mia shook her head. "Anything else, you'll have to figure out yourself," she said.

I frowned. "You're not very helpful."

"Hey, I've already helped you enough; I can't do everything for you. You yourself are going to have to work at it, since you are the one who wants him to love you like before," Mia pointed out as if I didn't already know that.

"I've been trying to think of something, but I've come up with nothing, that's why I've come to you, but you're not giving me much to work on," I complained.

Mia sighed and crossed her arms across her chest. "Look, I can't think of anything else myself, but I'll tell you what, try learning more about Nathan: His likes, dislikes, and so on; before you jump into this. That's the best that you can do for yourself right now. After that, then you can try to win him over with strategizes."

I thought what she said over in my head and agreed with it. Granted it would take up time to do it, but in the end it really was I could do at the moment, and from there, it could branch off in many different ways.

"Alright, I'll do just that, thanks," I said and she nodded her head.

"No problem."

The bell rang then, as if cueing the end of our discussion and it was only then that I noticed how full the classroom had gotten, and the amount of eyes watching us out of curiosity.

I coughed into my fisted hand and began to retreat to my corner, hating the attention. "I'll update you on my progress later," I told Mia.

"I look forward to it," she said and went back to her seat.

All attention then turned to the teacher as he entered, and our interaction was forgotten, pushed out of the minds of everyone as class began. It would never be thought about again.

However, for the rest of the day I was lost in thoughts, trying to do as Mia said. It was then that I realized how little I knew of Nathan. If it was back then, the days I had bullied Nathan, and someone were to ask me a question about him, I would have a better chance of answering then, then I do now.

I'm going to have to step up my game, I thought to myself, majorly so.

***

For the next few days I kept tabs on Nathan every chance I could, which wasn't many. Tabs on everything he did, on everything he didn't do, on the words he said, the places he goes to, the people he hung out with when he wasn't with Mia, Kyle, Zack, or even me, if ever.

I'm sure Nathan's noticed that someone was watching him and his every move from his wary behavior as time went on. He probably had no clue as to who that person was though, as I've been careful not to expose myself in the act.

I'm sure I was creeping him out, making him feel unsafe. Hell, I was feeling that way about myself.

I felt like a stalker, the overly obsessive kind. I felt like I was one step from going overboard and doing something unforgivable, like kidnapping him or something.

I banished those thoughts instantly and continued on with my investigation, as this was starting to feel something of the sort.

It wasn't long after that that I believed I had gathered enough information, and that I had come up with a plan.

From what I knew so far, Nathan was a literature junkie. He loved going to the library and reading books, all kinds of books, and checking some out ever so often, then bringing them back not long after, only to start the whole process again.

He also didn't have many friends outside of Zack, Kyle, Mia, and possibly me. So, I'm guessing he likes his solitude, his peace and quiet to get away from the hectic happenings of life. That, or he just hasn't made the effort to make any more friends.

And other than with me, his attitude towards others is pleasanter. I think he is quite popular with everyone too because of it, but he doesn't seem to notice, or care.

There were many other things I found out about him, mostly using unconventional means, like: His favorite foods, color, music, places to eat at, his house address, phone number, etc.

Hey, when you're as desperate as me, you can find out anything, and do anything.

It was actually a scary thought.

Anyways, my idea was a small one, a simple one, not much really in terms of being extravagant, but it was well thought out. If I had to choose, this plan was the best option for me, and the one with a higher success rate.

It all starts out with a quote:

"I never meant to fall in love with you but I did, I don't have to miss you, but I do and I don't need to be with you but I can't be without you." -- Rashida Rowe

I don't give my name, and if he asks, I will not give the truth, but this is all for a purpose.

If I were to reveal the identity as me, the final outcome of my plan would not give way, and it would all be for not.

My best chance is for me to stay anonymous until the end.

And I can only hope he does not discover me until then.

Now, the only thing I must worry about is: how will he react to these words, if he even does? And what and how far will he go to find out who they come from?

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Thumbs up to anyone who waited so long for a new update, thanks for sticking with me and being patient. :)

Next chapter hopefully doesn't take as long.

Anyways, V/C/F.

Until next time, peace out! :D

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