Chapter 24: 24. Those Eyes

“Those Eyes” is a single by Indie band New West, and is a part of their album ‘Based On A True Story’. The artist New West, known for their emotive storytelling through music, captures the essence of love's quiet, everyday magic in this song. [Source: Lyricslayers.com]

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Fun fact: Nathan Callahan once got a notification liking his photo from a book review account at 3 in the morning.

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Chapter Twenty Four: Those Eyes

“Who else?” I whisper-screamed. Then I gestured for him to come near.

“Is this what my life has come to?” Nathan said as he approached, not even missing one beat, he continued, “Are you going to strip for me?”

Son of a bitch.

“Shut your trap and help me get it off,” I said to him as I pulled him into the trial room.

“I guess, today is my lucky day, huh,” Nathan said stepping behind me. I glared at him through the mirror.

“Get my hair out,” I said to him.

He smirked at me through the mirror, “Why’d I? Couldn't you ask that sales lady?”

“Did you see her?” I asked. “Because I didn't.”

He shook his head, “Sure.”

I glared at him harder.

“Yeah, she is talking to this woman who is screaming for whatever reason,” he said, rolling his eyes.

My scalp was starting to hurt.

“Nathan, help me out,” I said. “Quick.”

Nathan leaned against the door, looking comfortable, and said, “I like it here.”

“My head hurts,” I said to him, and it made him stand up straight.

“Fine,” he mumbled, coming near me as he finally took a look at the mess. “Kingsley, this feels intentional so you can finally make some of your perverted fantasy come true.”

I groaned. He chuckled deeply while looking at the mess I had created.

“I would have never asked for your help if I had any other means.”

That was the truth. I swear.

“Hmm, sure,” Nathan commented, “but, you got this really tangled, though.”

I laughed, “Have you watched Tangled?”

“How's that even-” He shook his head as he started to pull my hair out, “relevant?”

His hand was at the base of the zipper, right where my spine curved. I could feel the heat coming off of his hand as he slowly pulled off a hair strand. I could feel the phantom of his touch at my waist.

I didn’t have any other options than talking about Disney movies.

The dressing room was so enclosed I could hear the sound of his breathing. As he pulled off my hair, and it felt like he was removing them one by one, I could feel the wave of heat on my bare back radiating off of his chest. I was holding my dress to my front with my hands, and he was working slowly.

Maybe as slowly as possible, I pushed that thought away.

Yeah, I would rather talk about Disney movies.

“Answer the question,” I said. “Because I have a feeling you watched it.”

“Way too many times than I should,” Nathan muttered as he concentrated on the task at hand. His eyes were downcast, on my back. There were a few beads of sweat on his forehead. His breaths grew warm on my neck. His skin seemed to redden a little as seconds ticked by.

A shock wave traveled through my spine despite my best efforts.

Oh, shit. No. Kids’ movies. Disney movies.

One of his knuckles brushed me, caressing the skin of my back, from downwards to upwards. His skin was cooler in contrast to mine. It felt like a balm. I shuddered and swallowed, then sucked in a deep breath shakily as goosebumps broke out.

I stared at myself in the mirror, trying my hardest to keep a straight face. My cheeks looked flushed.

“Sorry,” Nathan said almost in a whisper, “I am trying to be careful, but it's just-”

“It's okay,” I said, keeping my voice steady, “so, umm, I totally love Flynn Rider.”

That got his attention diverted. He looked up to meet my eyes. “Emily, he is a thief.”

I chuckled, “I know. He’s so different from all other Disney heroes. He makes me laugh.”

Nathan deadpanned, “He is animated.”

“So what?” I dared him to continue.

Nathan sighed behind me, and I felt it travelling from my neck to length of my spine.

So I proceeded to ask, “You must have also watched Frozen.”

“We don't speak of that movie in our house,” Nathan murmured. He must be done by now.

“Why?” I asked, “Did Sawyer watch it too many times?”

“Forty times at least,” He clenched his jaw, “Back then the only thing on our TV was Frozen. Go ask Dad. Even he'd be able to sing all the fucking songs.”

“Do you wanna build a snowman?” I asked him. He glared at me. I continued.

“Come on, let's go out and play,” I said, my lips breaking into a smile. Nathan’s hand moved. I saw it come onto my shoulder and he pinched me lightly. That couldn’t stop me.

“Let it go, Nathan, let it go.”

“Absolutely not,” Nathan hissed behind me.

I giggled. After a bit, I said, “I always loved Anna more than Elsa, you know.”

“Why? Because she's a lovesick fool like you?” Nathan was stepping away. He was finally done.

“Probably,” I said as I brushed all of my hair over to one side.

Nathan was a perfect gentleman. He had only pinched me slightly because I was singing a kids’ movie song. This was what I thought while all my hair was free from the zipper.

Then I realized the zipper was still undone.

“Umm,” I said. “Can you zip it up?”

Nathan blinked at my face, like that thought hadn’t even crossed his mind, “Oh. Right, yeah.”

He stood closer again and then placed his hand on the clip. I sucked in a breath as he pulled it up, up, and up. He glanced at me as I let my hands go from the front.

The area around my chest sure looked more blessed than it actually was. I stared there and then suddenly realized Nathan must be seeing it too.

“The dress is small,” I said, choking on my breath.

Nathan pressed his lips together, “Yeah, it seems so.”

“Not a word,” I warned through the mirror. Nathan’s lips were twitching.

Any other guy must have thought I looked sexy or something. But not Nathan Callahan. He was too busy laughing at me or trying not to laugh.

“You just have to make sure they don't…” Nathan cleared his throat, “escape.”

“Oh my God!” I squealed as Nathan burst into laughter. I covered my chest with my hands as he leaned back on the door and covered his face.

“First of all, you don't even compliment me. I’m wearing a dress here. Then you make a joke about… that, and now you are laughing at me?” I said, looking flushed, “I hate you.”

“I'm so sorry,” Nathan wiped his eyes, “You looked so vulnerable.”

“You jerk.”

He straightened, “Okay, I will compliment you now. I swear. Better than those guys in your books.”

“You could never.” I said to him.

“Try me.” He said, crossing his arms.

“Go on, then.” I said, “Before the sales lady comes back and wonders why we are missing.”

“Hmm,” Nathan said as he thought for a second, keeping his eyes, thankfully, on my face and not whatever was going on underneath that level, “I've got my eyes on you.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I've got my eyes on you, only.”

“The ‘only’ doesn't change the fact,” I said, “that you borrowed it from Lana Del Rey.”

Nathan huffed. “My eyes are only for you.”

I nodded, “Seven out of ten.”

“Really?” Nathan whined, “That was a good one.”

“Why are you going on about eyes-” I started, but he cut me off.

“My eyes are on your eyes, and I'm hypnotized.” Nathan said decidedly.

There was pin-drop silence in the trial room as I stared at him, and he stared at me. I was baffled, and so was he. I blinked and tried to think if I had heard him right. He blinked too.

Then we both burst out laughing.

“Oh my God,” I said as I held the mirror for support. I caught Nathan blushing, “What did you just say?”

I was laughing so hard I couldn't see anything in front of me.

“I cannot believe that came out of my mouth,” Nathan coughed, “I need to throw up.”

I wheezed, holding a hand over my stomach, “My eyes are on you-”

“Please no,” Nathan said weakly, with a small smile as he watched me through the mirror.

I shook my head at him as I wiped my tears, actual tears. “You are hypnotized.”

He did not reply. I focused my gaze on him, and there was a serious expression on his face.

“Nathan?” I said, cocking my head to the side. He did not respond. He looked lost in his thoughts. Then, a minute later, he took a deep breath.

I turned around quickly as Nathan closed his eyes and leaned back against the door.

“What's wrong?” I said.

He opened his eyes right then and almost jumped away from me.

“Nothing.” He said, “I need to go out. This place is too small. I can't… breathe.”

“Oh,” I said as he turned around, almost running out the door. The sales lady was standing right outside, but Nathan didn't even look at her.

He sat down on the couch, catching his breath as I mumbled to her, “He was helping me with the zipper.”

I didn't have a chance to look at Nathan as she said, “Are you done, miss?”

I had three more dresses to try. So I closed the door and tried again after I told her to bring me any dress that was green and my size. She did not look happy about it but complied.

I would have gone straight for the green dresses, but Nathan would have made fun of me. It would have been too obvious, and I felt a little self-conscious about it. The lady knocked on the door on cue. She handed me a heap of green dresses.

They were of different designs, different shades. I held one after another against me but couldn't find the one.

As I was rummaging through them, my hand brushed a soft silk fabric. I pulled it out and found a deep green dress which had black stonework on it; no sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and a puffed-out tulle skirt. The top was made of silk. It was gorgeous.

I held it against me. It made my eyes look beautiful. The black and green made a nice combination.

I put it on, and it fit me perfectly—the length, the bodice, and the waist. I decided to let my prom date take a look.

I opened the door and walked out. Nathan was sitting on that same couch, looking awkward as he glanced around him. He seemed nervous. I wondered why.

I walked towards him and stood in front of him.

“Hey.”

He looked up and blinked. His mouth opened slightly. And he didn't even close it.

I stared at his lips. Then I stopped myself and stepped away. I put my hands on the sides of my dress, and twirled once, “What do you think?”

Nathan leaned back in his seat and looked miserable.

“Does it look that bad?” I said, cocking my head. I ran my hand through my hair and tamed it down. I looked into a mirror on one side of the shop. I looked alright. I could wear my black boots with it, I thought to myself.

I glanced back at Nathan. He stood up and scratched the back of his head. “Yeah.”

“You don't like it?” I said.

“No,” Nathan replied quickly, “No, I mean, yes, I like it.”

I laughed, “Then?”

Nathan shook his head, “Buy it.”

“I think it's perfect, don't you? I could totally pair my-” I was babbling.

“I'm in so much trouble,” Nathan murmured, so I looked up.

“Huh? Why?” I said to him, “Problem at home?”

Nathan scoffed, “Yeah, sure. That.”

I narrowed my eyes, “What are you talking about-”

Nathan placed his hands on my shoulders, habitually, trying to push me around once again. But this time, my shoulders were bare. I felt the press of his palms right on my skin, and I felt that everywhere. I stopped in my tracks, so did he.

“Umm,” he took back his hands, “Sorry?”

I rolled my eyes. “Stay here. I'm gonna buy this.”

“Yeah, sure.” He said to me as I walked to the booth.

*****

The next morning, as I buckled up the seatbelt, Leanna said, “So, did you find the dress?”

She was sipping her frappuccino, “Yeah, I have.”

“You went shopping with Esther, right?” she said as she started the engine.

“No, Mom was busy. I actually took Nathan with me.”

Leanna glanced at me, “Oh. If you had told me Esther was busy, I would've gone.”

“I know,” I replied, looking out the window.

Silence fell in the car as we drove towards school. But I had to say what was on my mind.

“You keep giving me shit about Nathan, but you wouldn't even tell me who you were out with. That's like hypocrisy,” I said, “I worry about you too.”

I, for sure, had guessed it wasn’t the same guy from Instagram. The day when the girls interrogated me about Nathan, they couldn't continue with Leanna. The end of the lunch bell saved her.

Leanna didn't reply right away. It seemed like she was deep in thoughts.

“He actually asked me out to prom.”

I turned towards her, my eyes widened, “Really? When? You were not even going to tell us?”

Leanna smiled, “I was going to tell you right away after he asked me out, but of course, I heard you had been asked out too, and that's when I lost my shit.”

I laughed, “You had no reason to lose your shit.”

“Yeah, I know that now,” Leanna said. “I honestly thought Nathan Callahan was up to no good.”

I shrugged.

Leanna continued. “I'm sorry if I came off too intrusive or forceful. I was trying to look out for you. But I forgot that if you're happy, I'm happy.”

“Yeah, I know what's good for me,” I said, “I can make my own decisions and choose the right guy...for prom.”

Leanna laughed, “Only for prom?”

“He's my study partner and nothing else,” I said.

“Which makes no sense,” Leanna rolled her eyes. I decided to change the subject.

“The guy who asked you out isn't a delinquent?” I asked, “Why aren't you telling me his name?”

I needed to stalk him in all his socials.

“We are here!” she said enthusiastically as she pulled the brake and parked the car. I glared at her.

Before taking off the seatbelt, a thoughtful expression passed over her face, “He is calm and steady, and really observant.”

I smirked, “Was he good at -”

“Oh gosh,” Leanna blushed. “Not you too!”

Then she opened the car as I continued laughing.

The classes went alright. I had been eyeing Nathan from a distance, but he seemed attentive in class. He didn't spare me a glance.

Even at lunch, when I looked his way without letting my friends catch me, he was too busy with his phone.

I sat at our station in chemistry and waited for him.

Nathan came in, sat down, and stayed silent. I glanced his way a few times. His jaw was set, his eyes looking forward, kind of like how he was before we knew each other. It made me uncomfortable.

Wong went on like a broken record, and I was bouncing my knee in my seat by the end because of the silence that pressed on me. Our silence used to be mutual. Now it felt one-sided. I didn't know how that made sense.

When the class ended, Nathan stood up from his stool. He was ready to leave, but I held his sleeve, “What's up?”

“Nothing?” Nathan smiled, but he wouldn't meet my eyes. His smile looked a little sad.

“Doesn't seem like nothing to me,” I answered.

“Go home, Emily,” He ruffled my hair. It made me feel a little relieved.

“You've been acting very weird since yesterday,” I said as I stood up too and gathered my things in my backpack. “Since we did the dress shopping.”

The drive back home from the store was strange. I knew it then, but I thought maybe he was thinking about something. I kept the conversation up the whole time, and he only said the obligatory yes or no until he dropped me off. Now it seemed like that mood had continued.

“Oh, am I?” Nathan leaned against the desk now with his backpack on.

“Yup,” I said. We started for the door. Him behind me.

“Never mind that,” he murmured.

I saw Leanna coming out from another classroom. I looked at her. When I turned around, Nathan was gone.

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A/N: sorry for the late update. The next update will be as per schedule.