
Nathan couldn’t help but smile at her, he didn’t like that her smile seemed sad. He wanted her to be happy. He knew it could be considered soon to feel so strongly for her, but he cared about her. More than he had expected to so quickly. He knew they both had their share of bad happen but he knew hers was on a different level. No, he didn’t know all about it and maybe he never would, but he knew enough to know that things weren’t always perfect. He would be there for her though, in every way possible. He hoped she knew that he would be there though. He could only hope that she knew that, that he cared enough to be there for her no matter what it meant. He knew what it was like to feel completely alone. He’d lost everybody once before, expect for his parents. He wanted her to know that he was always going to be there for her.
Nathan’s jaw clenched slightly when he heard her swallow. He didn’t like that, it really bothered him. He knew her asking to stay at his house meant more than he knew about. He knew that it meant being home wasn’t a good thing for her. He had to make sure that she knew his dorm room was completely open to her, anytime. He didn’t care if people thought things or said things or what teachers said. He couldn’t help but smile when she let out a gasp, his lips moving against hers as he inhaled deeply through his nose. His eyes stayed closed as his arms slid around her waist. He wondered if his kisses seemed a little greedily but he couldn’t control himself, he had been fighting the urge to kiss her for most of the day.
Nathan knew that if this continued and he figured it would; he’d have to tell her that he was the only transgender student at Waxler. He couldn’t stop himself right now, that was for sure. He loved how her lips felt again. He’d never been with anybody, especially once he admitted he was a guy. He was still a girl, at least below the waist and he figured that would turn people away. He had a feeling that she wouldn’t have a care in the world though. He hoped not at least. He was completely attached to her already. He wanted to spend every moment possible with her now.
The moment she had her water, Nathan slid his money into the machine, quickly deciding on water. He knew soda wouldn’t satisfy his thirst. It would probably only make him even thirstier and he’d end up spending more money on water. He bent down and grabbed the water out of the machine. He quickly unscrewed the top, just holding the cold bottle felt like a huge relief. He smiled as he lifted the bottle to his lips and let the water slide down his throat. His eyes closed as he drank half of the bottle. He didn’t think water had ever tasted so good to him.
Nathan couldn’t help but smile as he heard her, his head nodding. “You don’t have to thank me for caring..It’s really easy for me to care about you. I feel..Well, I want to keep you safe, as best as I can.” He said with a soft smile, his teeth sinking into his own lower lip. He knew that was the truth. He wanted to know she was safe and out of harms way. Or, out of trouble. He didn’t mind that she seemed to be more prone to taking risks and having fun, he wasn’t as big of a risk taker. Maybe that was part of why he was so attracted to her right away. She was different from him and they complimented one another in that way. He could keep her from getting too..crazy and she could show him that risks were a good thing. He knew that in time he’d be more carefree and she’d worry a little more about things. They would be good for each other in many ways. Or, he hoped in many ways. He was sure her days were more eventful than his. Most of his were spent in his room either reading, watching tv, or playing video games. He really didn’t live an exciting life.
Nathan leaned over and grabbed his change, sliding it into his pocket. He watched her for a moment, his teeth sinking into his lower lip again. He tried to read her body language, she looked as though she was tired. There were bags under her eyes, he hadn’t noticed them before but maybe because he hadn’t looked like this now. He lifted his bottle up to his lips and took another large sip of his water, it tasted amazing. He couldn’t help himself, he stepped closer to her and chewed on his lower lip. “Of course you can..Is everything ok?” he asked softly, worry setting in. He shook the thoughts and stepped in front of her, “It’s going to cost you..” he teased before he leaned in, his lips pressing gently but firmly against hers. He couldn’t hold back any longer, he wanted to kiss her and he wasn’t going to let another moment pass him by.
Nathan waited for the comments to come. He tried to keep a smile off his face, he could only imagine how the night would go now. He had lost and she would love that fact. He chuckled slightly as he looked at her. “After that second hit, it was downhill. I thought I had a slight chance then I lost.” He muttered as he watched her. He swallowed and let his arms wrap around her waist loosely. He wanted her closer now that she was this close. He liked the way this felt and his heart was racing. He chuckled slightly, his eyes following her hand for a moment. He nodded his head with a smile. “I do like the idea of us just being around each other.” He admitted, his smile wide as he raised one eyebrow. “Even if it means you brag, but I get to brag too, after all, I did beat you in Street Fighter.” He watched as she pulled away, he hand missed his chance but he’d make another one.
“Sounds perfect to me. I’m thirsty..parched even.” He bit his lower lip slightly as he followed her gaze, watching as the sun began to set. He always loved the colors of a sunset, orange, pink, some blue still. It was beautiful to him. “We can do that. Find a good spot to go swimming and avoid sharks and moving boats and everything.” He nodded his head in agreement, liking her plan. If he was honest, he’d be willing to do anything, as long as he got to spend more time with her. He smiled and walked alongside her, “That way I can be the true winner and kick your ass in Pac Man.” He teased, chuckling softly as he felt the fresh air hit his face. It was still hot outside but it felt better than the stuffy arcade. There was a light breeze and now that the sun was setting it was cooling off outside, rather quickly.
Nathan chuckled and moved with her pull, he saw what she saw almost instantly and couldn’t help but lick his lips. “We can just go to the docks and find a place to swim. I like that idea.” He commented, watching her. “I’m good with anything.” He muttered, taking a five dollar bill out of his own pocket. He looked at her, watching as she debated on drinks. He couldn’t stop his eyes from moving to her lips then back to the machine. He wanted to kiss her right then and there but he didn’t want it to be weird, what if she didn’t want that? Wand with both of them being so thirsty, it probably wasn’t the best moment.

“I’d say water than ice cream. Because my mouth is dry and water sounds better at the moment.” He admitted with a small smile. He couldn’t wait for this game to end, but only because he wanted water that badly. He hated when he woke up from a dead sleep with a dry mouth or any other time. It wasn’t his thing and it led him to keeping a water bottle on his pillow next to him. That way he always had access to water if he woke up thirsty. But the sooner the game ended the sooner they would be able to have something to drink.
Nathan knew he had one life left. The classic games didn’t give you as many shots to make up for lost time. He couldn’t help but smile at how different video games were now. But the classics would always be the best. Anybody who thought otherwise was mistaken. By a lot of standards. He exhaled slowly, this game was going bad for him. It wasn’t planned or expected but this wasn’t his best game, clearly. He knew if Bryce screwed up though, he could catch up to her, maybe win and then, he could gloat the rest of the night. He grinned at the thought, though he knew if she brought up skinny dipping again, he’d lose another life. He knew only time would tell though and he had to do his best to catch up or at least last a while longer. Though, he’d made it past level twenty so he was in the clear.
“Then you should just spend more time with me. I won’t let you get in trouble again. I don’t want you in trouble again.” He admitted, his eyes moving to her for a moment. He really didn’t want to imagine here anywhere but here. He wanted to be able to spend more and more time with her. Even though they were in a competition and picking on each other, he knew that he had feelings for the girl beside him. Sure, he had a boyfriend, well, no, he didn’t. He’d dropped off the face of the earth. That felt like an end to that so it was alright for him to feel this way. To want to be close to the girl and protect her. Plus, he wanted to do what he could to keep her out of trouble, maybe turn her life around a little. Not that he didn’t like her as she was.There were those two words, again, skinny dipping. His hand slid off the control stick again and his space ship blew into pieces again. “Shit.” He muttered as a sigh escaped his lips. She had won, he waited, knowing she would cheer and rub it in his face. “I love the idea of washing our troubles away and just being around one another.”
Nathan couldn’t help but smile still. He honestly couldn’t wait to get out of the arcade. It was like it was sucking the heat inside. He knew it was just as hot outside and that only made things slightly worse. He knew jumping into a pool would feel like heaven to him. He was that hot already. He was glad it wasn’t just him though, they both sounded equally glad to be able to leave the arcade.
“Hm, well.” He paused to think. He knew the risks of both. The pool would mean that they could get caught by the owners and that could mean a trip to jail. The ocean meant sharks could be out and about. Though, he wasn’t sure if there many actual attacks at night. Most of the one’s he heard of happened during the day. He bit his lower lip. Both ideas seemed bad but if he went to jail, even for a night, the fact that he wasn’t completely male. That scared him more than anything in that moment.
“I think some ice cream or even a nice glass of ice water, right now, would be perfect.” Nathan commented as he continued through another level. He could tell the game was a lot easier than for her than it was for him. But he’d get her back in pinball, unless they just skipped it and called it a tie. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could last in the heat. “I could go for a strawberry shake now that you mention it. It does sound delicious now.” He smiled as he licked his lower lip slightly. He realized just how thirsty he was now.
“Yeah? Well, I don’t want the cops on your case again either. Or on mine. My parents would probably regret sending me here and that would be disaster.” He muttered, chewing on his lower lip slightly. “I don’t either, but I have what I’m wearing.” He said, his hand slipping of the control when he heard her words. Those were the words he’d been dreading to hear, skinny dip. How could he say no, he’d seem like a chicken. But if he told her, would she run the other way. He watched as his little space ship blew into a million pieces. “Crap..” he muttered.
Nathan wasn’t a risk taker, but this, it would be fun. Maybe it was because he was with Bryce. It didn’t have anything to do with anything but that fact. He was with Bryce. She made him feel like he could do anything and that was new to him. But she also made him happy and he could be himself, well, for the most part, around her.

“I like the idea of special..but maybe not the special you’re thinking of. Ouch, that wouldn’t feel all that pleasant.” He teased back, nudging her slightly as he kept his grip on the control, his finger pushing the fire button down quickly. He grinned as he watched an asteroid turn into a million little pixelated pieces. His smile stayed wide when he heard her cheer quietly. He ran his fingers through his hair for a moment as the screen began changing, indicating the next level.
He watched the screen light up again and the music play. He gripped the control again, his eyes focusing on the screen again. He couldn’t wipe the smile off his lips, this was fun but he also knew that Bryce had a bit of a lead over him. He wasn’t the best at this game because of that one little flaw. If she won this though, he knew he wouldn’t be living it down, ever.
“You think you’re going to kick my ass huh? I don’t know, guess we have to wait and see.” He muttered, laughing softly when he heard her voice hitch, knowing exactly what it meant. “I think we can, I’m sure I’ll win you, don’t worry.” He teased but nodded his head, “Wait, I haven’t lost yet!” he muttered. He bit down his lip, groaning as he was hit by an asteroid that he had missed. He shook his head slightly, his eyes not leaving the screen. He knew that she was going to beat him, it was clear already. They were almost to level twenty and he hadn’t heard anything that meant she lost a life.
“I think, maybe, we should swim. Because I feel pretty gross. Sweaty already. I don’t think I can stay in here too much longer.” He said with a chuckle as he looked over at her then forward. He knew that it was getting later. This game would soon end, he was letting more asteroids slip by but thankfully catching them before they hit him. For now. “No? Hm, I think that sounds like fun. Mostly the swimming..” he muttered. He actually liked the idea of doing that. He didn’t often do ‘crazy’ things but with Bryce, he wanted to.
Bryce just smiled lightly as Nathan agreed to her plan. Honestly she felt excited, giddy even, to get out of the arcade. As much as she loved this, she was ready for something else, especially with the relentless heat biting at her skin. Submerging herself in a body of water seemed like a cure all solution. Surely, Nathan was hot too, otherwise he wouldn’t sound so anxious to escape the arcade.
“So, would you rather swim in the ocean? Or steal a dip in some strangers pool?” Bryce asked, her voice light as her mind played around with the idea. It was summer in California, which meant there was a possibility of having a shark attack. If they went swimming in somebody else’s pool they would risk getting caught. Bryce bit at her lower lip. Lately, thanks to all of her fighting, she had had too many run ins with the law. The auburn haired girl finally came to the conclusion that she would rather risk being bitten by a furious creature than having cuffs around her wrists for the second time that month.
“I also think that we should get some ice cream or something,” Bryce commented as she flew through another level. Lord, she truly was rocking this game. It was probably one of the best rounds she had ever had. “I know a place that’s close by that sells some killer sundaes, though, I feel in the mood for a chocolate shake.” She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly feeling dry at the thought of having a cool treat. Even a popsicle, the cheap kind with artificial flavoring that lasted all of two seconds before they were gone, sounded like a nice thing to have. Not only that, but Bryce was dreadfully parched.
“And you know what? Scratch the whole stranger swimming pool idea. I do not need the cops on my case again,” she muttered, mostly to herself as she shot down asteroids and zoomed the small spacecraft onward. “I, however, do not have a bathing suit, so we’ll have to wait until it gets a bit darker out. I’d rather skinny dip anyway,” she said lightly, a soft giggle tumbling from her lips at the thought. She really did enjoy it. It was such a thrill to be that exposed in a public area, when anybody could stumble upon you.
It had been a while since Bryce had spent her nights doing something that didn’t involve fighting. And actually, she was quite thankful to have Nathan by her side as her company for the evening. Just as her mind was beginning to wander, an asteroid struck her poor rocket ship. Bryce hissed out at the loss, but kept at the game, still determined to win.
I like the sound of that!
Okay, I’ll be over soon then.