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"It's just that... I may have purposefully avoided you in the past...Not because I didn't like you...Just...Because..." Bethany had always liked Nate, but she knew he would never go out with her. He was just bad for her, and she knew it was useless to even hipe that he'd pay her any mind. So she did what she knew best, isolated herself from the group and focused her thoughts on school. It had been this way since 9th grade.

Unlike most people who would've forced her on by saying: 'Because... what?', Nate just continued to look at her blue eyes. He had never realized, until now, that he had seen those eyes every day since 9th grade. Yet he had only spoken to their owner once or twice. Nate didn't want to be popular, in fact, at first he was trying to get expelled from school. Heather had made him go against his will, and so he was constantly getting into trouble, getting sent to the principle's office, and only being given detention. For some reason the popular kids liked the bad-boy and became his self-proclaimed friends.

Nate blinked and asked: "Why try to avoid me? I'm nothing special, you really didn't have to do that." he said softly, he had unknowingly moved closer to her. Nate didn't see himself as others did, the 'Handsome Heartache'. He still saw himself as the fifteen year old, 'Master Thief'.

Oh, but you are something special. She thought, even her thoughts were soft spoken. She looked at their shuffling feet, trying to hide the blush on her face. "I just...did." She said simply, feeling like her reply was lame and stupid. But she couldn't think of anything else.

"Heh." Nate gave a small chuckle, "Good answer." He said playfully. Someone behind them bumped into Nate, causeing him to move closer to her. A little too close, they where face to face, Nate blinked because he realized they could've kissed, their lips where only inches aprt, "Ehm.. sorry." Nate said sheepishly.

Bethany jerked her face back, never kissing anyone in her life. She sure as heck wasn't going to tonight. Bethany felt her cheeks heat up a little more and she looked down.

Nate clenched his jaw and whipped around, hurrying of. "Gotta be kidding me!" he growled once he was out alone. "Why did that guy have to push me?!" he snarled, kicking the wheel on his truck, then hurting his foot, he whimpered and slumped down into the dirt. Forcing his hands into his hair.

Nick approached Bethany quickly: "Beth? You okay?" he asked softly.

"Fine." Bethany lied, petting Grand's neck thoughtfully. Sensing her sadness, Grand nudged her shoulder and chewed on her shirt affectionately.

"C'mon Kiddo..." Nick said softly, "...Tell me the truth..." he urged gently.

Nate just sat outside, his face in his hands. Why was he so upset?! Who was Beth? Just another girl! Then was he this way? What did she matter to him... when he tried to convince himself. He only drew back memories, how it had felt to been so close to her, how he had liked being with her.

Bethany rested her head on Grand's tall withers, searching for the write words "I just...We almost kissed, and I got nervous...I kind of...shot him down..." Bethany said, feeling tears burn in her eyes.

Nick blinked curiously, and walked over to her. Laying his hand on Grand's neck. "Did you want to kiss him?" Nick asked curiously. "I mean, if you weren't nervous?"

"I don't know..." She admitted softly. "Maybe...Yes..." She said the last word almost guiltily. "I've had a crush on him since the beginning of high school..."

Nick smiled softly, "Awwww, ya' don't have to sound guilty. Beth it's normal to have crushes. You're a teenager, it's gonna happen...." he put his hand on her shoulder. "You can go talk to him... he's still here."

Bethany nodded, giving Nick a hug, "Thanks, Nick." She said, before walking out to go see Nate. At first she didn't see him, but then noticed him sitting in front of the barn. She sat next to him, and looked at the ground. "Sorry for...being a jerk and walking away.." She said softly.

Nate looked up and blinked, watching her sit down he looked out infront of him. When she spoke he smiled. "You're not a jerk." he said softly, flipping his hair, as he looked over at her.

"Yeah I am..." She said, "I shouldn't have just...walked away." Bethany muttered, feeling a little uncomfortable.