UNDO

 I got home from school that day, knowing well enough that the only thing that got me through that day was that I was able to go to Nate's afterwards. I'd have to wait a few hours, but Nate said he'd do his best to send Ethan away as soon as whatever they had planned was over.

I figured telling my mom that I was going to Melanie's for a bit would suffice as an explanation, and thankfully, it did. Once I got the text from Nate telling me that my brother left, I told my mom I was leaving and walked out of the door.

One of the benefits of having the money my mother did was that I'd gotten a semi-nice car for my first one - it was just a small, black Sedan that, despite her warnings, was completely messy. I got into it before turning the engine over.

I dialed Mel's phone number and waited until she answered.

"Bella, what's up?" She asked.

"I need you to cover for me for a couple hours." I told her, expecting her to just go with it.

"Why?" She was hesitant and I could imagine her eyes narrowing.

"I told my mom I was going to your house, so if she asks, I was there from now til," I looked at the time on the clock. "Whenever I get back. Probably eleven or midnight."

"Where are you going for six hours that's not my house?" She paused for a moment before she seemed to get it. "Bella, you are not going to Nate's, he already screwed up and he hurt you, don't repeat this -"

"Mel, we're just gonna watch a movie or something. Everything will be okay, I swear. I'm not completely dumb, you know." I giggled, hearing her sigh on the other end.

"You're beyond lucky that I know that." She nearly groaned, and I could imagine her running her fingers through the crazy spirals she called her hair.

"I'll call you later, okay? I'll let you know everything that happens." I told her, because I already knew that the first thing she would've asked me the next day was if anything happened.

"Just...be careful, Bella, I'll have to kill him next time he does something stupid."

"I know, Mel, I know." I grinned. We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. Fortunately, Nate's apartment was not that far from my house. I'd only actually been inside his place three or four times, never without Ethan.

I arrived at his apartment and fixed my hair before I got out of the car. I was nervous as I made the decision to walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator to give myself some time to think about what I really expected to happen.

Nate's apartment was on the seventh floor of the building, apartment number 12C. I'd made a note to remember that each time I was there, for no specific reason other than for this moment. He lived well in a just over one thousand square foot apartment, in which he rarely had company.

I took a deep breath and looked at the bright gold placards on the door that told me I was currently standing in front of apartment 12C. I lifted my fist to knock on the door but I quickly withdrew it. It was nerve-wracking, standing outside of Nate's apartment. Once I went inside, there would be six hours of just the two of us.

I shook every single thought I had away and knocked on the door quickly before I decided against it. It was taking him awhile to open the door, but once he did, he grabbed my arm and pulled me in quickly. I squealed in shock, hitting his chest once when I calmed down.

"What the hell was that?" I groaned. "You're trying to kill me."

"Ben and Jay live in this building." He chuckled. "They might've seen you and that right there would be the end of my life."