Chapter 10 - A Different Side Of Him
I looked at the door and made up my mind. Although I had reasons for why I didn't want to choose either Dennis or Nate, I knew that if I wanted to try this competition, I would have no other choice. And so, as I continued to stare at the door, I decided to choose the first one who walked through that door.
It felt like an eternity as I continued to watch the door while all around me, everyone else had already began practicing. Ryan had offered to practice with me moments ago but I had declined his offer to watch the door. And now, I was beginning to regret turning down that offer. I looked around the studio one more time, debating whether to approach Ryan or not but before I could decide, the door opened to reveal one of my two choices.
And it was Nate.
A small part of me was relieved that it wasn't Dennis because of how angry and annoyed I still was whenever I thought about what he had done on our date. However, a bigger part of me was nervous as I watched Nate walking towards me.
"Hey sorry I'm late," he told me. I forced a smile as I shook my head.
"Don't worry about it."
He reached his hand out to me and I took it hesitantly before we began to practice.
"Is it strange that I noticed a difference in how you were acting?" Nate asked suddenly, taking me aback. I looked at him, confused about what he was talking about.
"Remember our conversation in your office earlier?" he asked, immediately causing memories of our conversation to flow back in my mind. I nodded my head to answer his question once I remembered.
"Why did you sound so angry about it? Was it so bad that I noticed a difference in your actions?" I felt the corner of my lips turn up slightly in a small smile.
"I wasn't angry at you, I was only thinking about what had happened with Dennis," I told him. A look of realization crossed his face before he nodded and twirled me around in a circle. Once we were back in the basic position, he spoke again.
"So I didn't get an answer yet."
"An answer for what?" I asked, unsure of what he was referring to.
"My niece's birthday party. You didn't tell me if you want to go or not."
"Oh," was all I could say as I looked away, trying to think of a way out of going. But at that moment, I found it incredibly hard to think of an excuse as we continued to dance to the music.
"If what happened with Dennis is causing you to hesitate, then I'll tell you that you don't need to worry because I wouldn't do that to you."
After hearing him say that, I looked at him and couldn't get myself to decline his offer as he looked down at me with a smile.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
* * *
I turned around and surveyed my outfit before picking up my bag and a light jacket, leaving the room as I heard the bell ring. I picked up my phone as I passed the living room and checked the time. Unlike Dennis, Nate was exactly on time and I couldn't help but to smile at that.
I quickly put on my jacket and opened the door to find him standing there with a small smile.
"Hey," he said. I smiled slightly.
"Hey."
"Ready to go?" he asked, to which I nodded my head. I stepped out and closed the door, locking it and following him to his car.
He walked to his side of the car and got in while I did the same. After we had both put on our seat belts, he started the car and pulled away from the curb.
"So where is this party?" I asked curiously.
"You're never going to guess," he replied vaguely. I felt my eyebrow lift at his answer as he looked at me and chuckled slightly.
"Don't worry, it's nothing too childish."
Not knowing how to reply, I turned to look out of the window as he continued to drive, wondering where the party was going to be. It had been a long time since I had gone to a birthday party, especially for a child, so I couldn't think of where we could be going.
* * *
"It's at an amusement park?" I asked once a few rides came into view as we pulled into a parking lot. I looked over at him to find a the corner of his mouth tilted up in a smile.
"You sound disappointed," he said, his tone light and jocular.
"You said it was nothing too childish," I said. He chuckled as he turned towards me slightly, placed his hand on my head rest and reversed the car into a parking stall. He turned off the engine and removed his seat belt before facing me.
"She's turning nine, Cadence. If you had been to her previous parties, you'd know that this is an improvement," he told me, shaking his head as a mock dark expression covered his face. But a moment later, his was smiling as he retrieved the gift for his niece from the backseat and said to me,
"Come on, let's go."
I followed him silently after he had locked the car, towards the entrance.
"We're here for the birthday party," Nate told the person at the ticket counter.
"Name please," he asked, pushing back the frame of his glasses as he turned over a page.
"Nathan Wells." The attendant nodded his head before looking in my direction.
"She's my plus one, Cadence Miller."
I watched nervously as he scanned the list of names before placing a finger of the paper and nodded.
"There you are."
He turned around for a few moments before returning to us with two wrist bands.
"Enjoy the party," he told us before we entered the park. But as soon as we entered, Nate pulled me aside and handed me his niece's present.
"I'll help you put on your wristband and you help me with mine. Deal?" I nodded my head at his words and reached out my arm for him to put on the paper band. When he finished, I gave him the present and did the same for him. There was a moment of silence as we stood there before he spoke.
"This might sound like a big request but I'd like it if you didn't think of me as your boss today." I looked at him questionably, unsure of how to interpret his words. But before I could say anything, someone interrupted.
"Who do we have here?" the person asked, walking to stand beside us. And when she was able to see our faces, she said "well if it isn't my favorite little brother."
Nate's face lit up with a smile as he hugged the lady affectionately. When they pulled apart, she turned to look at me.
"Is this your girlfriend?" she asked. Nate walked towards me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"This is Cadence. Cadence, this is my older sister Nicole."
I reached out a hand, saying "It's nice to meet you." She smiled warmly at me as she shook my hand.
"It's very nice to meet you too, Cadence."
She looked at Nate for a few moments before looking back at me.
"Why don't we make our way to the party?" she asked us. I nodded my head before following her with Nate still at my side, arm still wrapped around my shoulders.
And as I walked with them, I couldn't shake off the fact that Nate hadn't said that I was his girlfriend.
But he didn't deny it either.
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