Chapter 20

Nash

Nash hadn't seen Chloe in days. She'd come to class and to the Elites building, but she'd never meet his eyes. Every time he entered a room, she'd leave in a hurry, almost seeming afraid of him and it stung. But, it was his fault. He shouldn't have kissed her. He shouldn't have pushed. But from what Sophia told him, Chloe would open up; she just needed time and he'd wait. For once he wouldn't push her, he'd wait until she was ready.

Nash walked towards the cafeteria, heading down the empty hallways of the Elites building. School had already ended and he was sure he was the only Elite still there, but he was hungry so he wandered to their cafeteria, hoping to grab some snacks before he went home. But then he heard someone hissing. In a low, dark hushed voice, the person hissed at a girl who whimpered.

"Quit the Elites." Nash jolted at the sound of Thomas' voice. The closer he got to the cafeteria, the louder his voice got. "Else be prepared to lose everything you have. Your scholarships, your friendships, everything you worked for. Just quit and give up your spot to someone else."

"Why are you doing this?" Nash's heart pounded at Chloe's voice. "We've done nothing to you. We earned these spots on our own. What's with these threats!"

"Because you don't understand! Imagine working so hard and you're still not good enough! That your parents are disappointed because you're not one of the bests. That you don't get scholarships because you're not the top five, you're sixth. This Elites system isn't fair! Why should only five people get special treatment when I know I'm good enough, I'm just ranked sixth and didn't make the cut."

Nash found himself hesitating. This was the first time he'd ever heard Thomas confess what was truly bothering him and he found himself understanding, to his disappointment. Being ranked sixth must suck. Before, Nash had even hated being second, and he was an Elite, so he understood Thomas' resentment. But, he wouldn't let him hurt Chloe.

Nash rushed towards the cafeteria and threw the doors open. Thomas had Chloe cornered against the wall, her back pressed flat against it. Thomas was his height - so much taller than her and Nash ignited. He stomped towards Thomas and yanked him back, surprising both Thomas and Chloe who were entirely alone in the cafeteria, and Thomas stumbled away from Chloe.

Nash moved to stand in front of Chloe who's eyes widened at the sight of him. She continued to tremble against the wall and Nash's curled his hands into fists. He wanted nothing more than to pummel Thomas. He was sick of him and the way he treated his fellow Elites, but he couldn't risk getting in trouble.

"What are you doing threatening Chloe?" Nash spat. "You're reaching a low point, Thomas. You're not going to get what you want like this."

"You don't undersand, Nash. You have everything. You're rich. Spoiled. Arrogant. You will never understand what it's like to have to grovel for what you want."

Thomas stood there glaring at Nash. The cafeteria lights were dimmed and lunch tables littered the room. At one end was the counter with a fridge and bakery behind hit, and Nash stepped towards Thomas. Don't fight him, he reminded himself, but he desperately wished to. He was so sick of him.

"You're not better than us. By doing all this, you're proving you don't deserve to be an Elite. We would never threaten to hurt another person and you've hurt both Elijah and Chloe. You don't deserve any pity."

Thomas scoffed, trembling with anger. Nash continued to glare at him, wishing he'd understand. Did Thomas really think threatening and bullying would work? They were nineteen. Too old for this, but Thomas continued to target the Elites.

"She's your weakness," Thomas said, glancing at Chloe and Nash froze. "Better be careful or else I'll mess with her."

"Leave her out of this," Nash hissed. "Go after me if anything. I'm the only person you should be mad at because I know I deserve to be an Elite and I take advantage of ever perk we get. I'm the one you should target."

"No, I'm mad at all of you Elites. I'm mad you guys are ok with this system because I know if you weren't Elites, you'd agree with us. You only don't because you guys benefit off this program."

Nash clenched his jaw, but he pondered over that. Would he ever agree with Thomas? He doubted it. If people worked hard and were intelligent, they deserved to be celebrated for it. It just so happened he was one of those people, so why should he feel guilty?

"Leave us alone or I really will get the dean involved," Nash said. "I don't care if people think we're abusing our powers. I'll be sure to let them know the way you've been treating us, so watch your back, Thomas. Because you're the one who will lose everything for this."

Thomas scoffed, but he turned around and stalked off, leaving the cafeteria entirely. Nash glared after him, wishing to say more, to discuss what was going on, but he sighed and faced Chloe, who still pressed herself against the wall. Her giant green eyes were on his now and he let out a breath.

"Are you okay?" Nash asked.

Chloe shrugged, but she continued to tremble. Nash shook his head and bent down and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder. She squeaked.

"What are you doing?" Chloe asked.

He could feel her heart pounding through her chest. "Let's go home. I will drop you off - no complaints."

Chloe tensed against him and Nash prepared himself for an argument, for her to deny his help, but she relaxed against him and said nothing. For once, Chloe didn't put up a fight. She let him take her to his car and buckle her in.

*****

Ten minutes had gone by and neither of them had spoken. With them away from Thomas and the school, Nash remembered what had occurred between them, and he found himself suffocating with the tension in the air. Chloe sat next to him and her eyes were glued to the road ahead of them and Nash's eyes remained on the road as well. Chloe didn't seem horrified or disgusted by him, so he took that as a good sign, but it hurt the way they couldn't speak to each other when weeks ago, they had been so close, opening up about their lives. He hated the way things had changed, but he had no one to blame but himself.

After a few more minutes, they finally pulled up to the front doors of her apartment and Nash parked the car. He still didn't say anything. He kept his eyes ahead of him, feeling unsure of what to say or do. He had lost Chloe. He had screwed up, but yet he didn't have it in him to fight for her anymore. Not after everything he tried. Not when he realized maybe giving her space was the best thing to do.

Chloe unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door, her eyes never meeting Nash's either. She stepped out and shut the door behind her, and Nash let out a sigh as he moved his car from park to drive, and he prepared himself to drive off. But then, the door of the car flew open and Nash froze.

Chloe bent down to peer at him, her face torn and panicked, and Nash could do nothing but stare back. Her body shuddered, her green eyes gleaming, and Nash found himself unable to look away.

"I miss you," Chloe blurted out, her cheeks flushing. "I miss you so much, Nash."

She slammed the door shut and raced towards her front door, seeming to run away from her confession, and Nash leapt out of his car and raced towards her, his long legs reaching her easily. Before she could throw the door open, he grabbed her wrist to stop her and pulled her to him, and Chloe gasped. She whirled to face him, stunned.

"I miss you, too," Nash said. "You don't need to run away from me, Chloe. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Chloe lowered her eyes, but she didn't pull away. His hand remained wrapped around her wrist and Nash took that as a sign of hope. Maybe just maybe, he could get Chloe to let him in.

"I'm just going to say something and then you can decide whether or not you want me in your life, okay?" Nash waited for Chloe to nod before continuing. "I've always admired you. You're brilliant, but you've always been humble and sweet. And you're also fun and I've always loved being with you. Every single contest we've had has been a blast for me, and you're someone I always look forward to being around because I consider you a friend. And... I have a feeling you care for me, too. Why else would you say you miss me? But for some reason, you won't let me in. I know... you haven't had the easiest of lives and I understand, but I don't think the way you've treated me has been entirely fair. But despite all that, I'm here asking you what you really think of me. Do you really want me out of your life or are you just scared?"

Chloe froze at his words, her eyes widening. But tears also flooded her eyes, making them glisten in the sunny day. Her lip quivered and Nash wanted more than to hug her, but he waited, wanting her consent. After last time, he would make sure to only do things Chloe consented to.

"You're right," Chloe said. "I am scared. And I tend to avoid things I'm afraid of."

"Why are you scared? I've made it clear I care about you. I would never hurt you, Chloe."

"You don't understand, we come from two completely different worlds! You must find my life disgusting and pathetic and you must think I'm a loser. Normal nineteen year olds don't deal with the things I deal with and you can do so much better. You don't deserve to be burdened by me and I just don't understand why you're so kind to me when I'm the last person you should care about. You caring about me just doesn't seem possible in my mind and I don't know how to explain it. I just can't accept that you care so much that I won't scare you off."

"What?" Nash's eyes flew wide. "Why would I be disgusted by you? I don't care about your money or that you're a caregiver. In fact, I respect you for the life and hardships you face. None of the things you've been through are a turn off for me... I don't understand why you focus on that instead of how much I've told you I care and want to be here for you."

"I'm just not normal, Nash. You-"

"No one is normal. We all have skeletons in our closet, but that's what makes us human. I don't think you're strange for the life you have, I think you're resilient. I think you're incredible, in fact."

Tears began to slip down Chloe's face and he pulled her to him, uncaring anymore. Chloe buried her face into his chest and began to cry, and Nash rubbed her back, wishing to soothe her. This poor girl had been through so much and she tried so hard to be strong, but he wished she'd let herself be weak sometimes. Sometimes it was okay to depend on other people instead of always having to be so strong.

"You've had a harder life than a lot of people, but there's nothing wrong with you or your life. And I promise, all I want to do is be there for you because I care about you. You're my friend more than anything and friends are there for each other, okay? And if you want me to stay, I'll happily stay in your life. But if you want me to go, then... I will go. I will listen to you, for once."

Chloe sniffled, pulling away to wipe the tears away from her face. Her face was red and her eyes were bloodshot, but Nash didn't think she was any less perfect. He couldn't believe Chloe could ever think Nash could be scared off when he was here to say. For Chloe, he'd always be by her side.

"Stay," Chloe said. "I want you to stay, Nash. I've always wanted that from you, but I've been too scared to admit it."

Nash let out a sigh of relief before hugging Chloe again, unable to help it, and she hugged him back. No longer did she cry. Instead she smiled against his chest, burying her face into his shirt and he exhaled, growing relived. Finally. Finally she'd stop pushing him away.

"I won't be perfect," Chloe said against his chest. "But, I will try, too. To be more open. To let people in."

"Good. Because I'm here to stay, Chloe."

She smiled and Nash smiled too, continuing to hold her beneath the glowing sun.