2 days had passed. Nash had been quiet.

It didn't feel right. Nor does it feel real. It just is weird. I don't know what to do.

Nash has been sleeping on the floor. I felt guilty but he wouldn't listen if I put together an entire presentation on why he should get the bed. But I suppose I shouldn't suspect anything less from him...

Coal was the calmest person to be around here is another thing I learned. When Nash is angry and Xian is away, Coal is superb company. He is often too reserved to bother talking a lot but too kind to ignore my questions.

Nash plagued my mind like crazy though. If I could just dig deep inside his, I would...

And now, I am just staring at him from across the room as he smokes in the backyard.

"You're watching him... He's gonna notice and get pissy or embarrassed." Coal commented, sitting down a glass of water in front of me.

I shrugged, standing up."Well, I want to talk to him. He won't give me the time of day since I pushed him." I grabbed the glass, tapping my fingers against it.

"Wish me luck." I glanced at Coal, to which he gave me a fake smile."Oh, you might need it." He cringed, heading back to the stove.

I respired before I slid the back door open. I started toward Nash, keeping the glass of water from spilling the best I may.

"Nash.." I greeted, but his eyes remained on the pool. His lip was healing, but still bruised, along with his knuckles.

"Uhm.. I brought you some water." I lied, offering him my glass. I hadn't drank from it at least, so it can be for him.

"Set it down." He gestured toward the table, blowing out the smoke. I did and sat down on the bench next to him, looking his way.

"So... Nice smoke?" I asked, Nash sighing as he finally glanced my way. I smiled, eyeing the cigarette.

"I'm not going to give you any." He said. his tone so harsh it caught me off guard. I rolled my eyes as he slipped it back into his mouth. I bit my cheek and crossed my legs.

"I don't want any..." I glanced toward the pool, Nash remained cold."Okay."

I don't get this. I know I pushed him, I just was concerned..."You know, I wasn't trying to make you mad. I don't want you to hate me." I placed my hands between my thighs, watching as the setting sun reflected off the pool.

Nash's breath hitched as he pushed the cigarette into the ash tray."I don't hate you..." He whispered, leaning back into the bench.

"You sure are acting like it.." I glanced down at my bare feet, hearing Nash sigh.

"You kept prying..." He pressed his hands together, tilting his head back."I was worried." I admitted, turning to face him.

"I mean, you came back covered in blood, of course any one would be worried." I placed my hand between us on the bench, his tired eyes staring at me.

I stayed still, the unfamiliar tension returning between us. I titled my head back as well as my hair fell back.

I pushed it farther back, parting my lips as Nash pushed his tongue into his cheek. This is once again when I wish I could read his mind. I can't ever pin point what may be going on in there.

His eyes grew more gentle as he watched the pieces fall, letting out a deep breath. I still feel bad seeing him so beat up still, his lip was the worst. But, it was healing.

The suns warmth began to fade as it got darker, finally hitting dusk.

"Why do you worry about me?" He broke our silence and his gaze, looking at the sky. I brought my hand to my cheek, puckering my lips to the side.

"Hmmm, let's think- Maybe because you're the only one keeping me alive. And safe..." I paused, squeezing my hand.

"And I guess you're my friend." I gulped, waiting for some snarky reply. I can feel it brewing.

Nash side-eyed me for a while before he laughed. He eyes shut as his nose wrinkled. My lips tugged into a smile, a wave of accomplishment washing over me. It's nice to make someone as cold as him laugh.

"Okay, I do keep you alive, and I didn't throw you to the wolves.." Nash's laughter died out as he rested his hand into his lap."Is that friendship to you..?" He asked, making my heart fall into my stomach.

My voice cracked when I went to speak, my cheeks heating up . He made me sound so naive...

"Uhm.." I closed my eyes, clenching my shirt."I suppose not.."

I heard Nash set the glass down behind us, standing up."I'm sor-..." He stopped his whisper, his footsteps fading out and leaving me alone.

What do I even consider Nash and me then..?

I placed my hands over my face, groaning into them. I give up..

-

"Are you selling this one?" Xian asked, grabbing up one of the guns Coal had spread out across the dining room table. Coal picked it up, emptying all the ammo and messing with the trigger."It's damaged, you don't want it." He replied, pushing it toward me.

I stuck a yellow sticker on it, per Coal's instructions. I don't know how I found myself here labeling his merchandise for him...

"Can't you fix it?" Xian furrowed his brows, taking a bite of his deer jerky."I will, but it's really valuable. So, I'm selling it once it's fixed." Coal smiled, shifting me another. Xian looked at me, smirking as he rolled his eyes."I see how it is."

"White sticker, it's mint condition." Coal ignored him, inspecting another pistol.

I glanced toward Nash standing in the kitchen. He wasn't socializing with any of us now."Hey." I called out to him, his eyes flickering toward me. So did Xian and Coal's.

"Come help me." I smiled, motioning him over."What am I to do..?" He asked, starting to the table. He acted like he had two cinder blocks weighing him down.

"Here." Coal handed him a rag."Clean off our finger prints once she labels them and set them in their boxes. Only the green and white ones though, I have to fix the yellow and red.." He explained as Nash pulled out a chair next to me.

"Hi, stranger." I teased, Nash's brow tugged down."Okay, we're not strangers." He wiped down the gun, placing it in the box ."Okay, but we're not friends?" I furrowed my brows, taking the next gun from Coal.

"I didn't say we weren't, but I questioned what makes a friendship to you..." He scoffed, glancing at Xian and Coal.

They were wearing two different expressions as they listened to us. Coal was uncomfortable, his nose curling. But Xian snickered under his breath, going back to examining the guns on the table.

"Uhm... Red." Coal slid me the gun, Nash's head was low but still he glared toward Xian as he snickered.

His gaze returned to me as I pushed the gun to its respected pile."Well, you didn't state what you think." I laughed under my breath, a chill running down my back. It's so cold here, they must all be hot-nature.. I started rubbing my arms for warmth.

"Are you cold?" Xian caught my attention, setting down the bag of jerky."Yes, but it's fine. I'll survive." I shrugged, but he only shook his head, starting away. Nash's eyes followed him as he grew more puzzled.

"Did I give you any blue? We'll keep this one." Coal handed me a nice looking revolver."Yeah right here." I examined it, placing the blue sticker on the grip. I'm not very into guns, but I do like this one.

Pure black with a long barrel.-

"Do you want it?" Coal asked, giving me a gentle smile."I only ask cause I'm sure you're anxious out there with Nash. You can have it." I stared up at him, a little taken aback.

"Oh- I don't know how to use it.." I replied, tracing my finger along the barrel. I mean, it isn't a bad idea.

Xian returned in a hurry, his pale green jacket in hand."Here, you don't have to freeze." He placed it on my shoulders. Nash's eyes widened before growing colder, still directed at him."Thank you." I smiled, pulling it all the way on me as Nash cleared his throat.

"Any time." Xian smiled, patting my shoulder before going back to helping Coal.

"If you... I'll teach you, take it." Nash interjected, crossing his arms.

I'm surprised he offered that..."Okay awesome, thank you Coal." I grinned, handing Nash the gun as I slipped my arms into the sleeves of the jacket. He looked away from me, placing it on the table.

"I'll give you the ammo, okay? I'll go check the closet." Coal walked away, leaving just us three.

I glanced at Xian, then Nash. He wasn't looking at any of us now. Xian glanced at him, narrowing his eyes."You okay?" He asked, picking the bag of jerky back up. Nash nodded, tracing the gun the same way I was, pressing his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

"Oh, peachy.." Nash replied. I could see the playfulness drain out Xian's eyes.

"Uhm, how are you going to teach me?" I asked, placing my elbows on the table and leaning my chin into my hands. Xian pursed his lips and looked toward the hallway.

"What do you mean? Like where?" He picked the gun back up, adjusting the cylinder. I smirked, nodding."Yeah, where are you taking me?" I adjusted the sleeves, holding the jacket around me.

"Well... I guess back in the woods there." He pointed past me to the woods. This is kinda exciting."Can't wait then."

Nash nodded, retracting his hand back to the gun.

I hope tonight goes by fast now. This is exciting

-

It didn't take too long to finish labeling the guns. Coal was in his room writing down prices, Xian left somewhere, I could only imagine what he's up to. I heard him come to offer me, but it sounded like Nash intervened.

I placed my thumb against my lip, glancing toward the alarm clock as I sat on Nash's bed. 12 AM. Gosh, we are always up late here...

"Alright..." Nash groaned, digging through his closet."What are you doing now?" I asked, resting my back against the wall. I crossed my legs, hovering my foot in the air.

"I was trying to find something." He replied, pushing the door open. He rested his arm on the doorway, leaning into it as he looked at me. He was in his sleepwear now. A black tank top that clung a bit around his chest and waist with blue plaid lounge pants.

He pushed his hair back, sitting down his phone on his desk.

I don't see him in color often. And never a tank top. I parted my lips, examining his tattoos again."Can I see them?" I asked in a soft tone. He furrowed his brows, walking toward me."See what?"

I pointed toward his tattoo's with my foot."I just wanna know what they are." I reassured, leaning up. Nash looked away from me for a moment, before sighing.

"Okay.." He got closer, sitting down on the bed. I scooted down to him, adjusting Xian's jacket around me. Nash's lip curled a bit. Was that at me?

I reached toward his left arm, Nash's eyes widened as his body tensed."Wait, what are you doing?" He asked, making me halt."I just was going to inspect them closer, sorry.." I retracted my hand, placing it back in my lap.

Jeez... I think I despise how awkward this is... I eyed the skulls. He had plenty of little details, it was all interesting.

"What's the story behind the skulls?" I asked , looking back up at his eyes.

"I like them. Xian did it..." He went quiet, brushing his fingers along his forearm."Oh, he can do tattoos? This is impressive, maybe I can get him to do mine." I smiled, glancing down at my wrist.

"I'm sure he would..." He mumbled, glancing toward the door. I can't even tell if this is at me anymore. Or if whatever happened between Nash and Xian was so detrimental I'm in the middle.

I know it isn't about me, at least not that I know of. It wouldn't make sense, but Xian did say Nash explained it much calmer to Mr. Clyde.

Could it be me somehow..? Guilt started to creep up on me as I went deeper into my thoughts. I don't think either are going to tell me what I want to know.

"I'm gonna sleep." Nash got up, stretching his back."Do you want the bed?" I asked, placing my hands in-between my thighs. I know it's useless. Nash shook his head and turned off the light.

"Just get some rest." He whispered, grabbing one of the pillows from the bed and throwing it into the floor. "I really wish you'd sleep somewhere comfortable.." I whispered back, but Nash laid down.

"Goodnight Nash.."

"Goodnight."

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