CHAPTER XVIII

NATHAN'S P.O.V

I ran upstairs to find Allie. She wasn't in her room but then I remembered that she loved to sit on the roof whenever she was upset. I looked outside the window to find her sitting there. Her hands were wrapped around her feet hugging them closer to her chest. Her eyes were focused on something but they didn't have that usual shine.

Slowly I climbed out and sat beside her. She was deep in her thoughts so much that she didn't even recognize my presence.

Without a word, I wrapped my hand around her shoulder to pull her closer. She jumped out of her skin as her frightened eyes met mine. Shock spread through them and they widened even more.

"Nathan?" her hoarse voice broke my heart.

I couldn't say anything to explain myself. I just pulled her closer and hugged her tighter. It was all emotional.

I could feel the wetness of her tears on my neck but in all these things I didn't miss the fact that she didn't wrap her hands around me. She didn't hug me back.

Slowly I pulled back to look into her eyes but she avoided it.

Letting out a small sigh I put my finger under her chin and made her look at me.

"Allie......."

"You should go. I don't want to feel all this things. I... I told you I'm not good for you. You can't..."

"No. don't tell me what to do." I snapped but recovered rather quickly, "Allie, I'm sorry but please don't tell me that. I like you too much to let you go and it fucking hurts that you don't even feel that deep about me." a small ache was there in my heart.

"It's not true." She said through her tears, "I like you too and that's why I... I think you deserve someone better than me. I come with a baggage and..."

"If you really like me then don't ever say that. If anyone it's me who doesn't deserve you. You are too good for me but I'm selfish so I can't let you go ever. No matter what people think, I don't care. I like you, Allie, trust me." I literally pleaded.

Silent tears fell from her eyes as she leaned forward and hugged me.

"They don't like me, Nathan, your Gram, and Hailey they all think I'm too ugly and wrong for you." She sniffled.

My hands clenched in fists but I held her closer,

"It doesn't matter what they think. All that matters is I like you and I want you. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and I'm glad that I met you and now I have you. Allison Davis, we never made it official but I'm asking, will you be mine?"

She softly nodded in my embrace.

"Aren't you angry that I didn't defend you back at my place?" I asked her and I felt like weight was lifted.

"I understand, Nathan. I wasn't expecting you to. I know you wanted to but it's okay."

My heart filled with warmness.

What did I do to deserve her? She didn't even complain about it. She simply made me feel better.

"See? You are too good for me." I said and she chuckled.

"What about your grandmother? What would she say?"

"Don't worry, dad asked her to leave." I shrugged and she pulled back hastily looking in my eyes where her eyes were filled with confusion,

"To leave? But..."

"Yeah! She was being a bitch and dad didn't like it either. Then worst of all she bad mouthed Mum so dad just kinda lost it."

"What? But your mom is so kind and loving then why would she....?"

"Mom doesn't have family either. She was alone when she met dad and they fell in love. Initially it was good but then Gram's friends told her how it was a mistake of not marrying her only son to some millionaire's daughter. So she started hating mom."

"That's terrible." Allie looked away looking sad.

"I know. It's stupid."

"I like your mom, she is a sweetheart." She mumbled.

"Trust me, she likes you too." I kissed her cheek softly and I was sure her cheek was turned red but I couldn't see it due to darkness.

"Nathan, can I tell you something?" her eyes went back to sad. I intertwined our hands, squeezing them in order to give her reassurance.

"I believed her when she said I was wrong for you. I believed her when she told us how we were different from you on all levels. There is a part of me which knows that she was right. She is right and it hurts."

"Allie, listen to me", I cupped her face in my hands, "You are different, I know but its good different. Do you know I was crazy before I met you? I just played here and there but not really having any seriousness. But you changed me on so many different aspects. It was the most amazing thing that ever happened. You made my life a lot better not that it was bad before but you changed it in a good way. For that I would always be thankful to you. I know it's getting boring but you need to understand that I need you as much as you need me." I finished and let out a long sigh.

"I... I don't know what to say." She mumbled but her eyes held mine with some intensity.

She came closer and kissed my cheek softly.

"Oh baby." I pulled her closer and put a kiss on her head. We stayed there looking at the moon.
"Nathan...?" she suddenly pulled away from me and looked me in the eye.

"What?"

"When are we going to start tutoring? We have math test next Thursday." Her eyes were big with worry.

I groaned loudly and pulled her closer again,
"No, Allie, not now. I don't want to study.... EVER!" I mumbled childishly to which she giggled.

"Well, you don't have any choice because if you fail this test your mom would appoint another tutor for you."

"She can't do that." I pouted but Allie chuckled.

"She definitely can do that. So I suggest we start studying tomorrow."

"But tomorrow is Sunday and Sunday is fun day. You don't study on fun day."

"That's lame." She laughed but I agreed knowing mom would kill me if I fail the test and dad would make fun of me till the next one I pass.

"So tomorrow around 12?" I asked her and she nodded.

"And we can do extra activities too if we get bored." I wiggled by eyebrows.

"Nope! No funny business till we complete that chapter." She said sternly but I knew she was smiling at me.

"That's not done!" I huffed, "you are cruel."

"No! I'm not." She giggled and snuggled closer to my chest.

"Yeah! You are not." I whispered kissing her head gently.

"Can I sleep? I'm tired..."

"You should. I'm here. Go to sleep." I stroke her head softly.

Soon she fell asleep and I brought her inside. When Brooke agreed to let us stay for the night, I went and sat beside Allie. She was sleeping peacefully.

"Brooke, I'm sorry." I said and she gave a small smile telling me its okay. Asher looked extra happy to stay there.

"So Ash, will you pick me up tomorrow morning?" I asked him, hiding my smile as he glared at me.

"Where am I going?" he asked.

"Aren't you going home?" I asked but he just scoffed.

"We're having a movie night." Brooke told me and I just smirked at her,

"Sure you are."

They both flipped me and resumed the movie. I lay beside Allie staring at her angelic face. She looked so peaceful while sleeping. I couldn't help but touch her cheek.

"That's creepy." Ash mumbled resulting in gaining a glare from me.

"Shut up, Ash, watch the movie." Brooke nudged him and like an obedient puppy he diverted his attention to the TV.

After some time, I laid beside her, pulling her closer.

Allie wrinkled her nose in her sleep which was way too adorable and snuggled in my chest sighing a bit. A smile crept to my face.

"Night, Baby." I kissed her one last time and let the sleep take over me.

Sunrays hit me and I opened my eyes. I stretched my hands but stopped when sensed another body wrapped around me. I looked down to see Allie sleeping peacefully.

"Hey, wake up." I said gently but she didn't reply.

I looked to find Ash and Brooke sleeping together. I took a pillow and chucked it towards them.

Ash woke up with a jolt which caused Brooke to wake up too. Allie too opened her eyes and looked at me with wider eyes.

"Morning, baby." I pecked her lips and she went all red.

"What the fuck, dude." Ash whisper yelled. Before I could answer, another voice came,

"Brooke, Allie bear, come on, breakfast is ready."

All eyes went wide as Brooke ran to door. Before the person could come inside, she went and opened the door with a small crack.

"What happened?"

"Ummm... Allie is changing." She lied. I looked at Allie. Her jaw was opened as she was looking at Brooke with an expression, 'she didn't just say that.'

"Oh! Come downstairs when you are done." He said and then we heard retreating footsteps.

Brooke let out a breath as she closed the door. Allie's eyes were narrowed at her but Brooke smiled sheepishly.

"Couldn't think of anything else." She said and I let out a small laugh.

"Shut up." Allie shoved me away.
"You need to leave before Max gets suspicious." Brooke stated. I gave a small nod.

Soon we were out of their house and on the way to our home.

When we reached, Mum and dad were being all lovey-dovey in kitchen.

"Oh! You guys...." Ash made a mock disgusted face. Dad snorted and took his plate walking towards table.

"How was it? Are they okay?" Mom asked. We gave a small nod.

"Details please." She asked with a glee in her eyes. I rolled my eyes at her enthusiasm but narrated everything.

"That's so sweet."

"I have an idea." Dad suddenly said, turning towards us, "Why don't we go for makeup dinner?"

"That would be great." Mom clapped happily. She went to dad and kissed his cheek.

"So.... Do we have to ask Brooke and Allie?" Ash asked like he couldn't digest the idea.

"Obviously."

"Ummm... mom, it would be great if you ask them." He said.

I knew why he was so scared of asking them himself. He was sure that Brooke would kill him for proposing something like this after whatever happened.

"Ummm... ok" She just shrugged.

Ok! Now this is going to be interesting, I thought.