That Summer:
Chapter Six

Two years ago

 

"Shelby, did you hear what I just said," Nate asks me. I nod. We sit on the warm sand in silence. "How do you feel about me," he asks. "Um, I'm not sure," I say. "Well, why not," Nate inquires. "You kissed that girl right in front of me. You said she was your first kiss.You told that girl she was the most beautiful girl you've ever met. You said that to me. You told that girl you thought you were falling for her," I say in a small voice. He doesn't say anything for a while. "I did all of that because I like you. A lot. I know I shouldn't have done it. I wish I hadn't because I feel terrible. I used Skylar and I hurt you," he says. So my mom was right, he was using Skylar to make me jealous. I don't know how to feel at this point. Maybe I'm taking this all way too seriously. He's just a boy. You'll meet others. Don't get so hung up over one boy. "Okay," I respond at last,"I forgive you." Nate smiles. His teeth are perfect. And those lips of his. I want to kiss them. "Nate, I really like you," I add shyly.  Nate kisses me. It's like he read my mind. "I really like you too, Shelby." He walked me home that evening. We're on my porch and I'm waiting for that fairytale good-night kiss. Instead, I get a high five. "This is when you high five me back," Nate insists. I giggle and high five him. He pulls me in for a kiss then says,"You didn't actually think I would give you a good-night high five, did you?" "I hoped not," I say giggling. Nate kisses me good-night once again. "See you tomorrow, Shelby Elizabeth Walker," Nate says, smiling. "See you tomorrow, Nathanial Andrew Bass," I reply, smiling as well. I haven't stopped smiling after he told me he felt the same way about me. "Someone looks happy," Josh, my older brother says, smirking. "Were you spying on me? God, you're so annoying," I say, shoving him. He makes a face at me and I shove him again. I go up to my room, still smiling. I change into a pair of black baggy sweatpants and a lime green oversized t-shirt. I go to sleep thinking:
Maybe one day I'll be Mrs. Nathanial Andrew Bass. Mrs. Bass. Shelby Elizabeth Bass.