Strings (1 of 2)

Chapter 14 - Alive

He looks at me confused.

"They didn't ask so I didn't offer up a lie. I don't think they would ever expect me to do anything like this, anyways." I shrug.

"Why not?" he asks sincerely... or at least it sounds sincere.

"I'm sort of a lone wolf type of girl and anything I do or go out for recently is usually with them. They know that."

"You don't seem like that to me." Nathan says softly after a minute.

I look up at him and smile. "You don't know me yet. I am not the party girl on the cover of the magazines," I pause before adding, "anymore."

He looks at me like he wants to press further on the topic but decides not to. I silently thank him in my head. I don't want to get into this tonight.

We walk for a few more minutes in silence and listen to the waves crashing beside us. I feel Nathan let go of my hand as he steps around me towards the water. He walks parallel to me as the water climbs up and down the shore through his feet.

"Come here! It feels great," he says, holding his hand out towards me. 

I look at him like he is insane. And he is if he thinks I am going near the water. The sand is more than enough. I'm not getting my feet and bottom of my jeans wet on a chilly night.

"I'm good over here." I reply hesitantly.

"Emily, trust me, it isn't cold." I watch as he kicks and splashes the water as he walks, clearly enjoying himself like a little boy. I like this cute side of him... but that doesn't mean I am getting near the water for him.

"No thanks. I don't want my pants to get wet."

He looks at me with an evil twinkle in his eyes and his smile growing. He better not do what I think he is going to do...

"Nathan..." I warn him. He stops walking and grins at me.

Suddenly he runs toward me and I scream. "Ahhh! No!"

I throw my shoes at him and try to run away from him down the beach. I hear him chuckle as he chases after me. The sand slows me down and he reaches me quickly, grabbing my waist and scooping me up and over his shoulder. He places his right hand right under my bum and his left hand carries both of our shoes as he starts walking back towards the water laughing loudly. 

I burst into giggles at how childish this is and pound against his back with my fists to put me down. He doesn't seem to feel it, though.

"Nathan!" I yell through my laughter and he walks into the water. "Nathan! I swear to God... if you throw me in this water I will kill you!" And I mean it. Is this guy crazy?

Nathan drops his shoulder down and I gasp as I feel myself almost drop, making my heart stop for a second. I brace myself for the cold water.

His strong grip catches me in his arms and I look up to his amused face. I smack him on his chest roughly.

"That was not funny!" I say as seriously as possible but quickly burst into giggles again. His dark eyes sparkle as he chuckles. 

I love the sound of his laughter.

He walks up the beach a few metres away from the water and places me down on my feet. I take my shoes back from him and put them back on my feet.

"You're such an idiot." I say smiling and roll my eyes. I take his hand and link our fingers together as we continue on our walk.

I look forward away from his gaze and see bright colourful flashing lights ahead of us. I squint and see a sign for a ferris wheel.

I smile widely and tug on Nathan's hand, pulling him eagerly towards the lights. A ferris wheel ride sounds perfect right now.