Chapter 37

Pov: Jules

I tilt my head, checking my reflection in the mirror. The outfit Allie, Tess, and Harper picked out for me fits better than I remembered, hugging my frame in a way that feels different—but not bad. The deep colors contrast against my skin, and for once, I don't feel like blending into the background. I run my hands down the fabric, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles, trying to shake off the nerves buzzing beneath my skin.

It's just a bonfire. No big deal.

Right?

I'm adjusting the last strand of hair when the door swings open. I jump slightly, my heart skipping a beat as Nathan walks in like he owns the place.

Our eyes lock. A beat of silence.

"Hi," I say, feeling ridiculously self-conscious.

Nathan's lips twitch, his gaze dragging over me briefly before meeting my eyes again. "Hi."

It's rare, these quiet moments between us. I almost don't want to breathe too hard in case it disappears. Then—his smirk makes a reappearance, tilting his head with that same smug confidence.

"So... ready for the bet you lost?"

I blink, caught off guard. The bet. Right. Not a date. The small, stupid flutter in my stomach? Gone.

I roll my eyes, playing it off. "Yeah, yeah. Get your gloating over with now."

"Oh, I intend to," he says, full grin now. Then, just as casually—"You look good, by the way."

I freeze for half a second before warmth creeps up my neck. Not fair.

"Thanks," I manage. "You don't look too bad yourself."

Nathan smirks, tipping his head slightly. "Careful, Wilder. Complimenting me might go to my head."

I shake my head, biting back a smile. "God forbid."

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We walk together under the dim glow of the string lights lining the paths. The night is crisp, the air carrying the distant scent of burning wood and the rhythmic hum of conversation. I glance sideways at Nathan, and for once, he doesn't seem guarded. The moonlight catches in his hair, softening his normally sharp features.

And I have this sudden, stupid thought—he's actually really pretty. No gorgeous.

Nathan notices me looking. "What?"

"Nothing," I say quickly, looking away.

Banter fills the space between us, light but effortless.

"So, Wilder, how does it feel losing a bet and having to be seen with me in public?"

"I'll survive. Barely."

"Ouch. You wound me."

"Good."

We pass small clusters of students, some sitting on blankets, others strumming guitars, lost in laughter. The bonfire is already blazing ahead, its glow stretching into the night sky. Everything about this place feels alive, and for once, I don't feel like an outsider looking in.

Nathan, suddenly more serious, tilts his head slightly. "You don't talk much about your life before this."

I hesitate. "Not much to talk about."

He slows his steps. "I still don't buy that."

I sigh, feeling the weight of his gaze. There's something about Nathan that makes avoiding hard. Like he actually wants to know.

"I didn't really... belong anywhere before," I admit. "I think I wanted to, but trying just made me feel lonelier."

Nathan hums, thoughtful. Then, without missing a beat—

"You belong here."

My chest tightens. I don't know what to say to that.

Nathan doesn't push. Instead, he drapes an arm around my shoulders as we navigate through the growing crowd, like it's second nature. My stomach flips.

The bonfire crackles, sending embers into the sky. The air smells like burning wood, crisp air, and the faint scent of marshmallows. Students are sprawled across blankets, gathered in small groups, their laughter weaving through the music playing softly in the background.

I take it all in, a quiet realization settling over me—I feel okay here. Not like an outsider. Like I belong.

Movement catches my eye—Finn and** Allie. Finn is leaning in slightly, grinning at something Allie just said, and Allie... Allie is smiling. A lot.

I nudge Nathan. "Are they—?"

Nathan smirks. "I give it a week before he's obsessed with her."

I chuckle. "She'll keep him on his toes."

Nathan watches them for a second before shaking his head. "Poor guy doesn't even know what's happening to him yet."

Before I can reply, Harper suddenly appears, throwing her arms around me.

"There she is! And oh my God, you two look like the cutest couple here."

My brain short-circuits.

"We're not—" I start, but Nathan beats me to it.

"Careful, Wilder. People might start talking."

Harper gives me a knowing look, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, well, it's not like people don't already talk."

I open my mouth to ask what she means, but she winks and disappears into the crowd.

I'm left feeling warm—not just from the fire, but from the way Nathan still hasn't moved away from me.

I shiver slightly, and Nathan notices instantly. He doesn't say anything—just tugs me a little closer, guiding me toward the fire. My skin tingles for an entirely different reason.

We find a spot near the fire, and I watch him as he genuinely relaxes. His shoulders aren't tense, his expression is lighter, and the flickering glow of the fire softens his normally sharp features.

I don't mean to stare. But I do.

He's pretty. God, he's so pretty.

Nathan catches me looking, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

I snap out of it too late. "Nothing."

His smirk deepens. "You sure? You looked like you were thinking very hard about something."

I huff, forcing myself to look away. "You wish."

But he doesn't drop it. Instead, he leans in slightly. "Be honest, Wilder. Were you just checking me out?"

I nearly choke. "In your dreams."

Nathan just grins. "Oh, so you dream about me?"

I groan, shoving him lightly. "Unbelievable."

We sit there for a few minutes, the energy shifting. He isn't just teasing me anymore—he's comfortable. I like him like this.

As if I didn't already like him before.

Nathan stands, stretching slightly. His gaze shifts over the crowd, his jaw tightening slightly like he's looking for someone.

"Be right back. Don't get into trouble, Wilder."

I scoff. "Shouldn't I be saying that to you?"

Nathan smirks. "Probably."

I watch him go, biting the inside of my cheek. I miss him the second he's gone, and that realization annoys me.

The fire crackles, the warmth licking against my skin, but I suddenly feel small in the huge crowd. Without Nathan next to me, the noise seems louder, the stares more noticeable.

I'm about to pull out my phone when a voice interrupts me.

"You're new here, right? Haven't seen you around much."

I turn, immediately put off by the guy standing too close. Carter. Tall, older, too confident. The kind of guy who thrives on attention. Nathan's warnings about people like him echo in the back of my head.

"I've been around," I answer vaguely, shifting slightly to put space between us.

Carter doesn't take the hint. He smirks, tilting his head. "Not much of a talker, huh? That's alright, I like quiet girls."

I force a polite smile, scanning the crowd for Nathan or Finn. I hate how uncomfortable I feel—like Carter has already decided something about me before I've even spoken.

Carter steps closer. Too close.

"Relax, sweetheart. Just being friendly."

I stiffen. "I'm not your sweetheart."

Carter chuckles like I just said something cute.

Then he gestures toward where Nathan disappeared. "So, that guy—Talon—he your boyfriend or something?"

I don't even think before answering. "No."

The second the word leaves my mouth, I regret it. A lot.

Carter's grin widens like he just won something. "Good. That means you're fair game."

My stomach twists.

"I wouldn't count on that."

Carter shrugs. "We'll see."

Before I can reply, someone moves beside me.

Nathan.

His presence is instant. Overwhelming. I hadn't even noticed him returning, but now that he's here, everything feels different.

His jaw is set, his expression unreadable, but his body language is clear—he's already pissed.

Carter doesn't even flinch. If anything, he seems amused.

"Talon. Didn't see you there."

Nathan's voice is smooth but lethal. "Yeah? That's funny, because I saw you."

Carter smirks, shifting his stance like he's enjoying this.

"Relax, man. We were just talking."

Nathan's gaze flicks to me, then back to Carter. "She doesn't want to talk to you."

Carter tuts, shaking his head. "Didn't realize you were her babysitter."

Nathan doesn't smile. "Didn't realize you were still breathing."

I feel the shift before it even happens. The air is thick with tension. Carter's posture changes slightly, his smirk twitching just enough to show that Nathan got to him.

Carter exhales sharply, feigning boredom. "You know, I heard the rumors about you. How you fight like you've got something to prove."

Nathan tilts his head. "And?"

Carter's smirk returns. "And I think it's funny. Because you act all untouchable, but here you are, all worked up over some girl."

I feel Nathan tense beside me.

Carter's gaze flicks to me, then back to Nathan. "If she's not yours, why do you care?"

Before Nathan can answer, Carter shoves him.

Nathan barely stumbles, but the second Carter's hands touch him—

It's over.

Nathan moves before I can blink. His fist connects with Carter's jaw, the sound of impact sharp and brutal.

Carter stumbles back, but he's grinning, wiping the blood from his lip. "Finally."

The fight explodes.

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The fight is over. Finn and some other guys had to pry Nathan off Carter.

Carter left. But the tension is still thick.

Nathan is breathing hard, knuckles bruised and raw. I can see the red already swelling on his hands.

I step forward without thinking.

"You're bleeding."

Nathan doesn't move away when I reach for him.

I brush my fingers over his jaw carefully, tilting his face toward the light. The cut near his cheekbone is shallow, but the sight of blood on his skin does something to my chest—something heavy and aching.

I'm frustrated. Angry. But also... something else.

"You can't just fight everyone who talks to me."

Nathan exhales sharply, his jaw tightening. "He wasn't just talking to you, Jules."

I pull back slightly, searching his face. "What does that mean?"

Nathan clenches his fists. "It means I saw the way he looked at you. The way he wanted to touch you. You think I was just going to let that slide?"

My heart pounds. "I don't need you to protect me, Nathan."

His gaze darkens. "I know that."

"Then why—"

His voice is sharp, raw. "Because it's you, Jules."

Silence.

We're close. Too close. The space between us feels fragile, breakable. I'm painfully aware of the way his hands are clenched like he's holding himself back.

Nathan looks at my mouth. Just for a second.

I swallow, my fingers still hovering near his face. My skin is buzzing, everything inside me screaming to close the distance.

I don't know who moves first, but suddenly—

My phone rings. Dad.

I hesitate if I should I answer.

"You don't have to answer that," Nathan says, his voice quieter now.

But I do, I know I do.

The second I answer, the warmth from the moment before is gone.

"What?" I say, already regretting it.

My father's voice is different this time. Not cold, not detached—hesitant. "Jules, listen. I need to talk to you."

I clench my jaw. "No, you don't."

Nathan shifts slightly beside me, but he stays quiet, watching.

"You need to hear this," my father says, his voice strained.

I exhale sharply. "I don't need anything from you."

The words come fast, spilling out before I can stop them.

"You sent me away. You never wanted me home. You don't get to pretend this is normal. You don't get to decide when you suddenly care about my life."

Silence on the other end. Then, finally—

"Jules—"

I hang up.

The second the call ends, my breath feels too shallow, like there's something clawing at my chest, refusing to let go.

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the sting behind them to disappear. It doesn't.

A hand touches my arm. Warm, steady.

Nathan.

I look up at him, and he's still there. He hasn't left. He hasn't looked away.

"That was incredible," he says softly.

I let out a shaky breath. "I don't feel incredible."

Nathan studies me for a long moment, then shakes his head. "You don't even see it, do you?"

"See what?"

His gaze flickers over my face, softer now. "How much you've changed since coming here. How much stronger you've become."

I swallow hard. "I don't—"

Nathan exhales sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. "Jules, when I first met you, you were so closed off. So careful. Like you didn't think anyone would ever want to get close."

His voice drops lower. "And now? Now you're standing up to your father. Now you're calling people out on their bullshit. Now you're not letting people decide who you are."

I watch as he swallows hard, his throat bobbing like the words are stuck there, fighting their way out. Then—

"And I see it, Jules. I see all of it."

My stomach twists. "Nathan—"

His jaw tightens. "And that's the problem."

I frown. "What?"

Nathan lets out a breath, his hands flexing at his sides. "That's why I've been trying not to like you."

The world shifts beneath me. "Trying not to like me?"

He huffs out a humorless laugh. "Yeah, because you ruin everything, Jules."

I stare at him, caught between frustration and something heavier. "Excuse me?"

Nathan drags a hand down his face. "I mean it. You ruin everything I built to keep people out. You don't let me push you away, and it's—it's fucking terrifying."

I feel like I'm standing on the edge of something deep, something unsteady, something I might not come back from.

Nathan looks at me like I'm unravelling everything he's spent years trying to keep locked away.

"I don't get close to people, Jules. I don't trust them. But you—"

He exhales sharply, his hands flexing again like he's searching for control. "You're the one thing I can't stop thinking about."

He shakes his head, voice raw. "And I hate it. I hate that you're under my skin. That every time I try I've not to think of you, you just—show up. Smiling, or arguing back, or being completely impossible and making me—"

I don't let him finish.

"Nathan, stop."

Nathan's breath is unsteady, his chest rising and falling too fast, his lips parting slightly like he wasn't expecting me to interrupt.

I step closer, my pulse hammering in my ears.

"You think this is ruining you, but it's not."

Nathan swallows hard, eyes locked on mine.

I take another step forward, voice softer now, but still firm. "It's not some awful thing, Nathan. Feeling something. Letting yourself care. You say you hate it, but you don't."

His throat works as he swallows again, and I press forward before he can pull away.

"Because if you really wanted to stay away, you would've. You wouldn't have fought for me. You wouldn't be here right now, telling me all of this."

Nathan exhales, a slow, shuddering breath. His hands twitch at his sides like he doesn't know what to do with them.

I watch him carefully, feeling the weight of this moment, the air between us charged and fragile. "You don't have to say anything else. You don't have to fight with yourself about this anymore."

My voice dips lower, words spilling out before I can stop them. "I know what this is, Nathan. I feel it too."

Something flickers across his face. His gaze drops—to my mouth, back to my eyes. The space between us disappears. The tension is unbearable.

I swallow, steadying myself. I want to say it—want to tell him exactly what I mean.

But before I can—

My phone rings. Again.

I barely glance at the screen before I pick up, my pulse still uneven.

"Dad, I already—"

But this time, my father interrupts me first.

"Dylan, it's Juno."

I stop breathing.

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A/N

OOHHHHH THE CLIFF WE ARE HANGING ON... I feel cruel. But DOUBLE UPDATE so you can't hate me to much.

I love this chapter so much. Like honestly.

You know what else I love... ALL OF YOU POOKIES <3333