Chapter 16

Nash

Nash curled his dumbbells towards his chest. He sat on the workbench in front of Caiden who curled dumbbells standing up. The both of them had come to the gym early in the morning - the only time the gym was completely empty and they worked out for twenty minutes, coming to the end of their workout soon.

But instead of worrying about his workout, Nash thought about Chloe the entire time. He thought of her sleeping in her bed, how soft her skin was when he touched her face, and just her. What had gotten into him? The only things he used to care about was being first and his annoyance at his parents, but lately, Chloe was all that infiltrated his mind.

"Thinking about Chloe?" Caiden teased.

"I am," Nash confessed, unable to help it. "I think about her all the time."

Nash flushed, stunned he had confessed so easily and Caiden laughed. He dropped his dumbbells and moved to sit with Nash on the bench.

"Finally you admit it." Caiden grinned. "Let's be honest, from the moment you met her all you've wanted to do was spend more time with her. That's really what these competitions are about."

"No, I really did want to beat her..." He flushed, crossing his arms over his chest as he began to mumble. "But spending time with her was a bonus."

Caiden laughed again. "You've grown soft, Nash. For Chloe."

Nash rolled his eyes, but Caiden was right. He had grown soft. All because of one girl. One annoyingly small girl with those stupid green eyes.

He sat in silence for a moment, thinking that him and Chloe rarely interacted since he visited her. She didn't seem mad at him, but she seemed almost afraid of him and Nash wondered if it was because he knew about her home life. Was she still trying to push him away? Even though Nash had made it clear he only wanted to help?

He glanced at Caiden. Should he tell Caiden? Should he open up? But, he thought of Chloe and how horrified she'd be, so he kept his mouth shut. For some insane reason Chloe was ashamed of her circumstances, even though they were entirely out of her control, and he'd respect her wishes. At least, a bit.

"I don't know what it is about Chloe, but I just want to be there for her and help her, but I don't know... Chloe keeps pushing me away. And I don't want to keep pushing her to let me in. I feel like I'm overstepping," Nash admitted.

"Everyone wants to be helped." Caiden frowned. "I'm sure she appreciates your effort."

"No, trust me. Not everyone wants help. Some people rather take on all their struggles on their own, even if it hurts them."

Caiden frowned and Nash sighed. He wished he could give Caiden more details, but for Chloe - just for her, he wouldn't.

"Well, there's no harm in trying to help her, even if she seems adamant on pushing you away," Caiden said. "You have to try. Don't give up on her, even if it annoys her. Because maybe eventually, she'll finally let you in."

Nash stared at the ground. Would she? Chloe was awfully stubborn for someone so sweet. The only time he'd ever seen her angry was when he either saw her personal life or tried to help her, and he wondered if he kept pushing she'd keep getting angrier until she'd finally cut him off. But, he had to try. After witnessing her struggles, he couldn't let her suffer alone.

"Maybe. I don't know how this will end, but you're right, I have to try." Nash smiled at Caiden. "Thanks dude. I never thought I'd have girl troubles, but here I am."

Caiden chuckled. "I've been shipping this since last year, so I'm glad you're at least admitting you care."

Nash blushed, but he didn't deny it. Day after day, it became more and more obvious how much he cared for Chloe. But, his priority was to help her. His feelings for her would come next.

*****

Nash waited by the bike rack after school, his eyes scanning around the Elites building front doors and parking lot in search of Chloe, until his eyes finally landed upon her exiting the building. She wore her gray uniform - a gray pleated skirt and a white button up shirt tucked in, and her small legs worked furiously to get her across the pavement towards the bike rack; her eyes were glued to the ground. She seemed stressed and Nash's eyes softened at the sight of her. How could this tiny girl go through so much and still be so brilliant? So strong despite how hard her life was.

Chloe finally raised her head once she neared the bike rack and she stilled at the sight of Nash standing next to her bike. He waved at her and Chloe hesitantly waved back, seeming confused.

"Hey," Nash said. "What's up?"

"Um, nothing much," Chloe said, reaching him. She slid closer to her bike, seeming nervous by the way her eyes struggled to meet his. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I was on my way home and was wondering if I could give you a ride home. It's a pretty sunny day."

Chloe frowned at Nash and he tried to smile. Her eyes searched his face and his heart pounded against his chest. Agree, Chloe. For once, don't put up a fight.

"Um, thank you for the offer, but it's fine," Chloe said. "I can bike home. I like biking."

"But it's really hot," Nash said, glancing at the sun that beat down on them. "Come on. Let me just take you home."

Chloe shook her head vigorously. "It's fine. I really don't want to argue about this again, but I'm honestly ok. Thank you, but I'll bike home."

Chloe moved to unlock her bike and disappointment weighed heavily on Nash. Why? Why was she so stubborn. It was so infuriating sometimes and Nash found himself unable to contain his annoyance.

"Why won't you accept my offer? Most people would be thrilled to have a ride, but you're declining for no reason. You're so stubborn sometimes, Chloe."

Chloe winced, but she faced off with him - for once seeming annoyed herself. Her eyes narrowed and Nash stared back at her, not backing down. He needed to understand why Chloe wouldn't accept help.

"I don't know why you want to give me a ride so badly, but I can take care of myself. This isn't the nineteen hundreds. I don't need a man to take care of me. So just let me go home, Nash. Are you desperate to help me because you feel pity for me after seeing my home? Because you don't need to be my hero. I can handle it all on my own."

Nash's eyes widened at her harsh words. He never thought of Chloe capable of such bluntness, but in front of him wasn't some malicious, angry girl. Instead, in front of her was a girl who quivered with fright, who seemed to be shrinking back in fear of herself, and Nash sighed. She was trying to push him away. Again.

"Chloe, why won't you accept help?" Nash asked. "Not from me, but from anyone. What are you trying so hard to prove?"

"I won't accept help because I don't need it. Everyone assumes I'm someone who needs to be saved, but maybe I'm fine. Why does everyone think there's something wrong with me?"

"Maybe because people care about you and just want to be there for you. I'm not trying to save you, I just want to be there for you if you'd let me."

Chloe looked torn now. Her eyes roamed across his face, seeming conflicted, and Nash stepped closer to her. They were only a few inches apart and Chloe's chest rose and fell in a panicked pace, and Nash fought off the urge to reach over and touch her. To soothe her. To make her feel ok. Why couldn't she understand that? He didn't pity her or want to feed his ego. He just wanted to make sure she was ok because he cared. It was that simple, but Chloe had to overcomplicate everything.

"I'm sorry I was harsh," Chloe said, stepping back - showing once again, she wouldn't let Nash in. "But you really don't need to worry about me. I'm grateful for how kind you've been to me these past few weeks, but I just need some space right now. I... I just prefer to handle everything on my own."

Nash sighed. "But I worry about you. Whether or not you try to convince me otherwise, you're all I think about."

Chloe seemed taken aback. Her green eyes widened - looking incredibly large and the innocence on her face had his heart pounding. But she reeled back, taking a few steps back as she grabbed her bike to pull it away. She kept increasing her distance, seeming almost frightened, and Nash's heart dropped.

"I'm sorry Nash, but I'm not your pity project," Chloe said, hopping on her bike. "Just leave me alone."

Nash found himself growing angry. He found himself losing his patience because why? Why did she keep insisting this was all out of pity. Why was she throwing these terms at him, knowing he cared.

"You know what Chloe, I'm done!" Nash snapped, taking a step back. Because now, he'd step back. Chloe was too stubborn and Nash realized nothing would change her. She was too insistent on her ways. "I'll leave you alone. Have fun being miserable on your own."

Chloe flinched, her eyes widening once again, but Nash no longer cared. If she wanted to be on her own, then so be it. Why was Nash wasting his time worrying about her, wishing to be with her, when she had been clear since the start she wanted no one in her life. She had said it herself; she wouldn't let Nash in and he was starting to realize that she really meant it.