INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS
CHAPTER XXXII: NATE

PART TWO

When the bell rang at five in the afternoon, everyone in the room started clearing their desks, fixing their bags then walking out of the classroom. Chattering died down eventually when the lobby became empty. It was the end of the week so the students were planning to go to parties, hang out with friends, or go somewhere for the weekend.

Nathan Ashworth, however, wasn’t one of those students. While he usually hang out with his peers on weekdays, his weekends were reserved for his family. They didn’t have particular plans for the weekends but for him and her sister, being with their mother at home is enough.

He was the last one out of the classroom. His friends already bid him goodbye because they knew that his weekends were usually booked. Only a few handful of students stood near the lockers when he passed by and some of them waved at him, which he returned with a wave and a smile. He wasn’t really popular but people came to know him when he won physics contests while playing football at the same time. However, when he entered his senior high, he stopped playing to concentrate on his studies. He thought the students will call him a nerd but surprisingly, most of them praised him. Marigold University is the only university and one of the fifteen college schools in his city. He and her sister didn’t want to study in other place or country for high school so they opted to stay near their home. But he knew that they had to go somewhere for college. The schools in his city didn’t have mechanical engineering so he has to move out after their graduation. This was his plan long before they entered high school but his sister insisted for him to stay in a local college like what she planned. She hates moving far from their mom.

When Nate left the school building, he saw some of his friends hanging out in the field near the school’s gate. They were probably planning to play football. He walked near them to say hello when one of them noticed him.

“What’s up Nate,” Jason called. The others turned then shouted greetings. When he stopped walking, he remained standing but gave each of his four friends a fist bump.

“Too bad you can’t come tomorrow,” Alex, a red-haired girl, said to him. She was talking about her send-off party before her move to another country. Her father, a lawyer, found a new job with a larger pay.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” he replied with a sad smile.

“But I’ll tell you if I can hang out for a few minutes,” he added. It would be the last time he can see her. She was quite charming but his friend courted her before Nate realized he had a small crush on her.

“Really?” Alex was smiling widely at him. Nate nodded to answer her question. His mom and sister probably won’t mind if he says his good bye in person. Her house was just two blocks from theirs.

“That’s fine. Aunty will appreciate it,” Maxwell said then grinned at him. He had his arm around Alex’s shoulders. Nate grinned back. He was glad that the two dated because Maxwell is not just a very cool person but also sweet and attentive to his girlfriend.

“Where is she?” Maxine, Maxwell’s younger sister, asked. She was two years younger but it didn’t stop her from hanging out with her brother’s friends. Eventually, she became part of their group and became Jason’s girlfriend after a fistfight between Jason and Maxwell.

“At home. She was sick yesterday.” She was asking about Nate’s sister. She went on a field trip two days ago then went home with a cold.

“I’m sorry. How is she?” Maxine shifted towards Jason who was eating a burger. Nate adjusted his backpack behind him as it was getting heavy.

“Good but still on bed rest.” He noticed that the sky was turning orange as the sun sets.

“See you,” he told them then turned to leave. The three waved while Jason, who too busy with his burger, just nodded at him.

“Later!” Maxine shouted behind him. That girl was too cheery that she reminded him of his sister. Must be why they get along really well. He exited the school gate and walked towards the bus stop. He passed by several college students and wondered how cool it is to be one. He couldn’t wait for their graduation next month, two weeks from now. Today was the seniors’ last day of school. Too bad his sister wasn’t able to attend it.

When his thoughts drifted again to his sister, he couldn’t help but sigh. Since last year, he had been taking entrance exams in different universities of his choice and his sister wasn’t too happy about it. She wanted to be with him but she didn’t want to leave their mom. This made Nate doubt his decision. While their mom supported his choice to move to another city for college, he knew that he will always be worried about her. Throughout senior year, he kept thinking about his sister’s words: Do you really want to leave us alone? He loved her so much. She wasn’t a spoiled brat as what some think she is. Behind her bright personality and trust issues were dark and sad memories she couldn’t forget. Her cheerful and sweet personality hid her dark past, their family’s dark past. Between the two of them, it was his sister who suffered and remembered the most so he understood her fears of being left alone or being forgotten.

His thoughts were cut short when someone painfully bumped into him and he stopped just a few feet from the bus stop. Where is this person looking? He rubbed his right shoulder while scrutinizing the person’s appearance. He frowned at the person’s huge worn-out black hooded jacket and tattered pants. While the person stood taller than Nate, he couldn’t see his eyes, which were hidden under the hood of his jacket. He noticed, however, his clenched jaw and thin lips. Is he angry? Then something hit him. He slightly gasped when he felt chills all over his body. His eyes widened at the new sensation. It was the first time he felt it but he knew what it is. His gaze went back to the stranger’s face, checking if it really came from him.

“Sorry,” he said. His voice was too low that Nate thought he’s a middle-age man.

“No-” Before Nate could finish his sentence, the man left. Nate watched him walk towards the direction of his school. When his bus came and he took a seat, he looked back where he last saw the man but he was no longer there. The chills also disappeared but he was really nervous. What is he?

When he got off outside their subdivision, the sun had set and stars began to emerge in the sky. The guard greeted him a ‘good evening’ and Nate greeted back. Several cars passed by him as he walked towards the third block where their house stood. He rather walk than drive a car even if he knew how. Driving still terrified him because of what happened in the past. When he reached his home, he heard people laughing inside. He chuckled before opening the door.

“Nate!” His sister, who was on the couch, beamed at him. Their mom, who was grinning at him, stood behind the couch with her hands on his sister’s hair.

“Ah, my favourite girls.” His sister snorted while their mom laughed heartily.

“What are you doing?” he asked them. He sat on the opposite couch then dropped his backpack on the floor.

“Mom’s messing up my hair,” his sister tattled then laughed.

“It’s because you’re moving too much,” his mom replied with a laugh. She made his sister’s blonde hair into a bun. “There,” she said once she was finished.

“Thanks, mom.” His sister placed the dangling hair behind her ears. Nate couldn’t help but be thankful for having a loving home and a loving mother and sister.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” He smiled at his mom, who was frowning at him. He admired her long blonde hair neatly combed but still felt a tinge of sadness whenever he look at it.

“I’m fine,” he replied with an enthusiastic voice.

“Let’s eat then?” she chirped. His sister clapped then stood up to go to the kitchen. When she had entered the kitchen, Nate also stood up.

“Honey?” He recognized hesitance in her voice. “Can I talk to you later?” What’s wrong? He wanted to ask but he stopped himself. His sister was well and he didn’t want to ruin their Friday dinner.

“Of course, mom.” She smiled sweetly then accompanied him to the dining table. They ate while talking about his sister’s camp trip, mom’s new business, and Nate’s last day of school. No one, however, mentioned college. Both Nate and his mom knew that it will push his sister on edge.

“It was delicious, as always.” His sister patted her stomach as she said this. Nate laughed as he cleared the table then put everything in the sink. Nana would take care of everything later.

“Thank you for the dinner, mom,” he told her. She stood up then gave him a warm hug. Her action surprised him but accepted it with a contented sigh. When she released him, he noticed her sad eyes exploring his face as if she was trying to memorize his features. What’s wrong?

“I’ll rest now. Thanks, mom.” His sister’s voice interrupted them. Their mom looked down for a few seconds then raised her head. She smiled sweetly at him then turned around to face his sister.

“Yes. You should sleep early, dear,” she told her. His sister stood up, hugged both of them, and then left the kitchen. When it was only him and his mom, the two remained silent. Nate was waiting for whatever his mom wanted to talk about. He guessed that it was something to do with him moving out for college.

When his mom faced him again, she gave him a small smile. Her chocolate eyes showed unshed tears.

“Change first, honey. I’ll wait for you in the garden.” Nate nodded then left to go to his room. Their second floor had six rooms – three rooms in the left wing and three in the right wing. His mother and sister stay in the right wing while his room was in the left wing. Beside his room was his working area. The other two rooms were for guests while Nana had her room near the kitchen.

After he changed his clothes, he didn’t waste time and went downstairs. It was already nine in the evening when he went to their garden. He and his sister often celebrate their birthday in their garden. It was wide enough to accommodate 50 people.

His mom was sitting on one of the chairs beside the pool when he came. She had her grey jacket over her green nightgown. When she noticed him, she gestured for him to sit beside her. Angela Ashworth is a 42-year old business woman who established her own career and inherited her father’s company at the age of 21 after her parents were murdered. Separated from her husband who divorced her a year after their marriage because of another woman, she raised two children alone. A.A. Industry is known in the country for its yachts and shipping vessels. Five years ago, it entered into hotels, restaurants, and resorts management. But it didn’t stop her from spending time with her kids and from being humble and kind to everyone. For him and his sister, she is a hero, a fighter, and a remarkable woman. But Nate knew that they didn’t deserve her.

“I’m sure you’ve been thinking why I called you here,” she said then laughed. Her smile, however, didn’t reach her beautiful brown eyes. When she was done, she looked up. He followed her gaze. The crescent moon with billions of stars around it were watching them.

“She will never agree with you going away,” she started. He followed her fingers as she smoothened her blonde locks. “What are you going to do?”

He clasped his hands together before he answered, his eyes never left hers.

“I…wanted to study what I want but…I can’t leave her, I can’t leave you.” He clenched his hands then shifted his gaze to the ground, wanting for the pain in chest to go away.

You planned this.

I know.

You know you can’t bear to be separated from her.

I know!

He pushed the thoughts away. He raised his head when he felt her hand on his. Those brown eyes full of warmth and love never disappointed him nor his sister.

“I want you to be with me always,” she croaked. He knew this but this was the first time she openly said it to him. “But I want you to be happy…and safe.” She whispered the last part. Safe? We aren’t safe here? He didn’t understand this but he didn’t question it.

“But I want you to know that whatever your decision is…I hope she’ll be with you.” What?

“So I should force her to come with me?” Their mom didn’t particularly tell them that it was okay for his sister to stay home but this turn of event still surprised him. Her gaze was unwavering when she nodded.

“She’ll be safest with you,” she stated plainly.

“What about you?” he asked. He suddenly felt guilty. This woman raised them for years and he couldn’t stay with her until the end.

“Don’t think like that. I wanted you to follow your dreams.” He blinked several times.

When one tear fell, several followed. Oh mom.

“You and your sister were the best thing that happened to me,” she cried. And you to us. He placed his other hand on top of hers so he was gripping it with his two hands.

“And you to us,” he told her but felt embarrassed after saying it. He was never this emotional and intimate with her. It was always his sister who hug and kiss her. He felt blood rush to his cheeks. She probably noticed this because she laughed lightly while tears were still rolling on her red cheeks.

“Graduation is coming but you still have months for vacation. Can you tell me then your decision?” she said as she wipe her tears. Two weeks. I have to weeks to think it through.

“On graduation day. Of course, mom.” He smiled at her to lift her spirit. She replied with a sad smile. It’s enough. For now.

“I’m sorry I didn’t open up much to you,” he told her.

“Ouch!” he cried when she hit his shoulder with her free hand. “What was that for?”

“First, because you don’t understand how much I know you, and second, for not telling me what’s on your mind,” she ranted. He chuckled then shifted his gaze to her hand that he was gripping.

“I’ll listen,” she said softly. I know you will but I know it will make you sad.

“You don’t have to dye your hair for us.” He heard her gasped but she didn’t say anything so he continued. “Thank you for everything. Sometimes, I think we don’t deserve you.”

“Nate – “

“But we are grateful, truly grateful.” He felt his eyes getting hot but he blinked the tears away. When he lifted his eyes, she was smiling.

“No matter what, you are my kids. It won’t change.”

“I know.”

“If they could see both of you now, I know they’ll be very happy.” He remember it again but he didn’t panic this time because his mom was there.

“I hope.”

“They are. Your parents always love you and Hanne, don’t ever forget that.” He noticed the crescent moon’s reflection in the pool. It was so clear that he thought it was the same sky. Maybe, just maybe, he thought, their real mom and dad were watching them too.