We ride, our silence only filled by the music from a local radio station. Nate has put his sunglasses to drive. They add a little something to his kind of bad boy look. I notice a bill on the dashboard and I am practically sure it is the one I gave him. This thought irritates me.

I let the sun warming my skin through the windshield while I listen mindlessly to the song playing, my elbow resting on the window sill. It itches me to place my foot in the glove box, but I am not sure it will please Nathaniel. I keep my eyes on the road, but I can't help to peek once or twice at him on the corner of my eyes. Dressed in black and white, we seem to have the same tastes when it comes to fashion, probably our only common point. This and Victoria.

Talking about the devil, I text her to know why she couldn't come; she was so eager about it yesterday. She replies after a few minutes, saying she is stuck with family issues. Internally I sigh, I don't know if I should trust her or not. Of course, I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, I am not that heartless, but I can't help to question if she truly tells the truth. I hope she does. Nevertheless, I reply I totally understand and to text me if she needs me.

The mall is at about fifteen minutes away from the university. We walk in silence into the pretty big building where many people are getting in and out, some with a lot of bags. I checked their internet site this morning and I more or less know where I should go.

I was expecting to have a fun time. I was thinking I could have a drink with Victoria while talking about everything and nothing, but the plan seems to have fallen through. It annoys me more than I want to admit, I was really looking forward to this girly afternoon. Now I am stuck with someone who hates me, and the feeling is mutual.

"Where do you need to go?" I am surprised to hear his voice, deep, but soft at the same time. I turn my eyes on him, slightly raising my head to be able to look into his green eyes which are observing me.

"At the supermarket and the furniture store," I reply. I don't give him more details, I suppose Victoria already did, and if she hasn't, I don't think he much cares about my shopping list.

It is the first time we talk nicely to each other.

I follow Nate toward the supermarket, I am actually glad he knows where to go because the place is a maze. At the entrance, I hesitate to take a basket, but I finally decide against it, I can place my items in my bag.

I know what I want, so it shouldn't last long, I don't want to drag it out anyway, such as Nate I guess. I move between the shelves, starting with the conditioner; I don't want to forget it. I also take a pack of little bottles of water and some biscuits and cereal bars to keep in the room, I like to have snacks and water within easy reach.

All along, I am waiting for a remark or simply a smirk from Nate, but nothing comes, or I maybe just haven't noticed them. He follows me, still in silence like a kid forced to come, his sunglasses now hanging in the pocket of his white t-shirt. Some clients are glancing at him, attracted by his features and/or the tattoos not covered on his arms, but I can tell they are all judging him, positively or not. Nate doesn't seem to notice, or maybe it is too used to react. I actually admire is calm.

"You don't need anything?" I ask him as I walk toward the checkout, but he shakes his head.

I pay and shove the items in my bag. It is a bit weighty on my right arm, but nothing I can't handle.

The furniture shop is close to the supermarket. I chose a soft and tiny laundry basket which will not take much space in the room; until now I was using a plastic bag. The last thing I need is a mirror. The ones glued to the inner side of our dresser are barely enough to do our makeup, and I like to verify my outfits before going somewhere. The tiny space of the room reduces the choice, so I take the simplest one, easily movable. I grab its box. It is lighter than I thought, but I struggle to carry it properly.

"Do you need help?" I detect a hint of annoyance in his voice, probably bored realizing I can't manage to carry everything by myself.

"If you don't mind," I slightly frown, unused of his kindness, if I call it like it. He takes the mirror from my hands and carries it to the checkout. When the laundry basket and the mirror are paid, he takes the box back and walks away, walking toward another store. I sigh, observed by the cashier. I take my laundry basket and hurry to catch him.

He goes to stationer's and heads directly toward school supplies. Without a word, he takes pens, a notebook, and other things, enough to get ready to start class. He places them in the box, using it as a basket. While I watch him doing, I start to think I should do the same. I have my laptop to take note, but I don't have any sheets of paper and if I am lucky, I might find a pen at the bottom of my bag.

I grab a set of pens and a notepad, it should be enough. Nate gives a glance at the items I am holding and smirk. I roll my eyes, feeling like an idiot. I would actually love to know what he truly thinks of me.

Standing in the line to pay, I face Nate's back as we place our articles on the conveyor belt. All along, I was wondering why he accepted to come, despite the probable threat given by Victoria, if it was just to play the little puppy. Now I understand he also had purchased to realized.

"I pay for everything," I suddenly hear. I jerk my head up, roused from my thoughts and see the cashier scanning my items.

"What? No!" I protest with a frown. What is he doing?

He lowers his gaze to me, visibly bored. Again.

"I'll pay for my stuff," I defend myself. He sighs and gives his credit card, ignoring my discontents.

He grabs back my mirror he had set down and the fresh bought schools tools now in bags before walking away. I sigh, can't he wait?

"What have you done that?" I ask as I reach him back.

"To gain time," he states in a neutral tone without stopping, his gaze directed in front of him.

"And I have a useless bill in the car," he adds after a small pause. I can't believe it he paid everything, because of the money I gave him the other night.

"You are insane," I sigh.

Back in the car, the atmosphere is icy. I keep my eyes focused on the road, no longer attracted by his features. If it was someone else, I wouldn't mind, I would have let him pay to return him the favor someday, but he did it as a stupid payback.

The return seems to last an eternity that I am relieved when I finally see the entrance of the university. I can't wait to not see him anymore. I still can't believe we are fighting over such stupid things.

As soon as he parks, I get out of the car. I slam the door behind me and go to the trunk to take my bags. There is a lot to carry, but I rather die than ask for his help.

I feel Nate's presence next to me. He grabs the mirror and the laundry basket before heading toward the dorm. He drives me crazy. I quickly sort what belongs to me before following him, closing the trunk. As soon as I do, I hear a click, the sign he closed the car.

I pass in front of Nate, who is waiting at the foot of the doorway, without glancing at him. I can hear his footstep behind as he follows me to my room. I have no idea why he helps me, but I will not try to understand, I don't need to hear he pities me.

The door opens when I push the door handle, at least, I don't have to search for my keys. I get in, Nate on my heels.

Georgia is on her bed, laughing, which makes me frown. I turn my head and catch Victoria, sits on my bed.

"Olivia, Nate," Victoria suddenly stands up when she sees us, a huge smile plastered on her lips. She comes to hug me, but I stop her before she can touch me by saying: "Why are you here?"

She stops her moves; her arms drop on each side of her body.

- Hello -

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