All she could think about was Maddy. She gave her trust to this boy and he betrayed it. Elizabeth thought back to that night with Mouse. Fez tried to stop what happened to the best of his abilities. He just knew that if he kept going, things could've been a lot worse than they were. Yet, the boy she sat with now, he never betrayed her trust. He'd never hurt her. Right?
"Why are you so quiet? You've got your knees in your chest. You're damn near on the door. What's going on"?
She was hoping he wouldn't notice her body language. She had hoped he'd talk and she'd just have to listen. He'd talk about himself and she'd be dropped off at home.
"Oh, um I guess I was just... trying to be comfortable" I lied.
"You know, I haven't had a calm night since I drove you home in the rain. A whole lot of crazy happened right after. I'm sure you've heard the rumors".
"Nate, I can't do this. Take me home please".
"What do you mean? Did I say something-"
"No Nate. You did something". She's not gonna say it, is she? "Maddy told me what you did, Nate. They aren't rumors. You hurt her". She did it-
Nate hit the break on his truck so fast, I almost hit my head on the dash.
"She she told you? Why would she do that? Why didn't you tell anyone"? The truck started moving again.
"I-I don't know. I was with her moments before and I-".
"Fuck!" he yelled.
My heart started racing. I looked out the window as tears started to fall down my face.
"I'm sorry. Flores- no, Elizabeth, I'm sorry. I I didn't mean to yell at you. It's just I I'm not having the best week. Just please don't... don't cry".
"Maybe you should've thought of that before you choked Maddy".
"I didn't mean to!-"
"No one ever means to Nate!" I yelled back as he pulled into a park.
"Look, Elizabeth, I'm sure you see me as some sort of monster but you just don't get it-".
"Then tell me, what am I missing from the great Nathaniel Jacobs"?
He turned to me. He face changed. Softened.
"It throws me back that you listen instead of arguing".
"Are you going to explain or just keep wasting my time"?
••••
He sighed before talking "I've hated him ever since".
Elizabeth couldn't figure out why he would tell her that. No ten year old wants to see their dad fuck anyone. Especially someone that isn't their mom. She couldn't even remember if ten year olds knew what sex was.
"I'm sorry you carry that anger Nate, but you can't make it someone else's" I told him as I rubbed his right shoulder, yet still keeping my knees to my chest.
"You don't get it. Even you said my family was perfect on paper. This kind of thing would ruin us" he looked away from me.
"Does it matter if it meant finding your peace? I mean wouldn't you want that over anything"?
He slowly turned back to me.
"I don't know the last time I think I've actually had peace".
Tears started to fill my eyes before slowly escaping. Nate started examining my face. His arm reached for my face causing me to flinch. His thumb started to wipe tears from my cheek.
"I thought I told you to not cry".
Those words took me by surprise.
"I um, I guess I started to feel bad".
"I didn't ask for your pity".
"You're the one who wanted this ride in the first place. You opened up to me. So you can't be mad when I have an emotional reaction. It's not fair that you've had to go through what you have. Yet, that doesn't give you the right to take it out on people the way that you do".
He grew silent.
This is where things started to get confusing. Eliza could've sworn she saw a tear, maybe even two fall down his face. She was seeing a new side of him. She began to think maybe it was new to him too.
"Sometimes peace isn't just a feeling. It can be a person too" I told him.
"Do you have a peaceful person"?
"I mean, I kind of feel bad but like, my dad. He's my favorite person to be around".
"You're good, I just thought you would've said Fez. I mean, you were on your way out with him".
"He's up there for sure. There was this one time where peace wasn't really there, but after that, we've been good".
"Did he hurt you"?
"How you hurt Maddy? No, he didn't. He's never put his hands on me before".
"Damn, Flores".
"Domestic assault isn't a joke. No matter how hurt you are on the inside. You need to find a healthy outlet for it. I'm not gonna let you take your over flowing hate and use it to drain Maddy. I won't".
"Then don't. Help me".
"Nate-"
"Help me, I'm for real. What do you do when you're mad"?
I stared at him with a confused look. He returned it looking at me with a genuine smile.
I grabbed my phone subconsciously but thankfully I did, it allowed me to see the time.
"Nate, as much as I would love to help you, it's almost 2:30 my mom is gonna kill me".
"Then let's get you home" he stated as he started to put the truck in reverse.
••••
"You still didn't answer my question, Flores" Nate stated as he hit a vape from his center console.
"Oh, um when I'm mad? I just kind talk it out to people. Like get other views. If that doesn't work, I'll probably listen to music. Take a nap. Oooh, smoke some weed, although, you're an athlete, so maybe you shouldn't do that".
"So if I get mad, I could call you"?
The truck stopped, we were outside of my house. I looked up to it to see the living room light on.
"Fuck" I exclaimed.
"What"?
"The lights on, so either one of my parents or maybe both are up. If it's my mom, she's gonna have my ass".
"Let me walk you in. I mean, I'm the one who took you anyway".
I started to get out of his truck.
"No, it's okay, I'll be fine".
I started to walk towards my house when I heard a door open. I turned around and was met with Nate walking towards me.
"What are you doing"?
"You didn't answer my question. If I get mad, or something happens, could I call you"?
He stopped once he reached me. Although, he was nothing but a breath away from me.
"I mean, I guess. Or maybe just text me. In case I'm busy-"
His lips met mine. I froze for a moment until my body accepted the kiss. It was different from middle school. It wasn't awkward or forced. It felt nice. It wasn't better than Fez though. Fez! I pulled away from the kiss.
"What was that? Maddy is like one of my best friends I-"
"I thought I heard some noise. Elizabeth Ximena, you come inside right now!" I heard my mom say from behind me.
"Yes ma'am" I said almost instantly.
I started to walk inside thinking the night would almost be over. But instead, I hear Nate start talking. "Mrs. Flores, hi I'm Nate Jacobs. I took Elizabeth away from the party. I just needed someone to take to. Then, I just kept talking and lost track of time. I thought it would only be right to introduce myself and apologize for her missing curfew".
I looked up at my mom who just stood there with a faint smile. "Well, Mr. Jacobs, I appreciate you returning my daughter to me. You should get home yourself, it's getting pretty late".
••••
Knock knock knock
"Come in" I called.
"You hadn't missed curfew in a long time, Daisy".
"I know, he just made it seem like it was important and I-"
"It's okay. I think I like that Jacobs kid, he isn't too bad".
I rolled my eyes. If only she knew.