Slowly, his eyes opened. A light overhead was blinding him. Nate lifted his arms to block the light. He was unable to hear anything or remember where he was. Confused, he didn't understand what was going on.
Now able to adjust his eyes, he sat up, using his elbows for support. Nate looked around, trying to get his bearings; he was in a small white room. There was a tray next to him with some medical instruments.. He noticed he was lying on a medical bed. Nate sat up fully, turned his body to the side and stood up. The right side of his body was aching. It felt like an elephant ran into him. Seeing a mirror by the window, Nate took a few steps slowly, feeling the aching muscles. He looked out the window to see where he was. Nate never left the school.
Looking in the mirror, he gasped. He saw his injuries, a black and blue eye... his left eye. He tries to remember what happened, but can't. Nate raised his left hand and touched his eye.
"OHH!" Nate whimpers, feeling the pain spike into his face.
The door opened and a lady walks in. Nate turns around to take a look at her. He has never seen her before, but she was wearing a flowered vest over her white blouse and a name tag saying "School Nurse."
"I see you're awake now, please take a seat."
Nate stepped away from the mirror to sit on the bed. He looked at her, hoping she could answer some questions. "What happen to me?" he asked.
"Mr. Blair is it?" she asked, as she moved the tray in front of her.
"No, that's my dad, I'm Nate Blair," he answered. He wasn't trying to be rude, he just hated being called `Mr. Blair'.
"Well, at least that boy didn't knock out your sense of humour," the Nurse looked up with a smile.
"Umm, what happen to me?" Nate asked.
"Well, I don't know the details about what happened. I just know you were attacked by another boy. You were knocked out cold," the nurse answered.
Knowing how he got his black eye, he looked at her, "Why don't I remember anything?"
"It will come back, just give yourself some time." She smiled to Nate, trying to give him comfort.
"I'm going to patch you up and send you on your way," the nurse said as she grabbed a small hand-held device.
Nate was a little nervous and asked her, "What's that?"
"This will repair your blood vessels and reduce the swelling and discolouration," she replied, while placing the device near Nate's face.
With a buzzing sound, Nate felt a rush of cold air touching his left cheek. The nurse was moving the instrument up and down, as if she was doing a masterpiece. She was humming to herself. Nate smiled and tried to hum with her. She looked at him and returned the smile. "All done!"
Nate reached up and lightly touched his face. He felt nothing but his fingers. Nate pushed little harder, the pain was gone. He smiled at her, "Thanks."
"You're welcome," she said, moving her tray back to the side of the table.
"Is there anything else?" she asked.
"My right side is sore, must be when I'll fell to the floor." Nate informed her.
"Take this pill and your soreness will be gone in an hour."
Nate nodded, took the pill and swallowed it without water.
"Good, I just needed to do a quick scan to make sure you're still alive," she grinned.
Nate sat still as she waved the medical scanner near his head. A loud beeping came from the device. The nurse looked at it, push a few buttons, looked at Nate. "Nate, you need to see a doctor."
"What wrong?" Nate didn't like the sound of that. The look on her face was concern, but not horror, so he let out his breath and relaxed again.
"Your ID chip is not working correctly. You need to get it replaced," she said, looking him in the eyes and smiling. "It's nothing bad. Also, your brain is a little swollen, but that will pass." The nurse walked over to the computer display on the wall.
"I've made you an appointment with your doctor for Monday morning at 8:30am." Nate looked at her and saw she was done at the computer.
"You're all set now. Go to the Headmaster's office, they're expecting you."
Nate thanked her for patching him up and headed out the door. As he walked into a hallway he saw the exits and headed in that direction. As Nate walked past an open door and stopped to look in. Hank looked up to see who was at the door. Nate was surprise to see Hank had two black eyes and a bloody nose. Nate didn't care and he left the nurses' station, opened the door and walked into the Central Lobby.
There were just a few people walking around and cleaning. `It must be after lunch,' he thought to himself. He walked over to the Headmaster's office, next to the Central Lobby. Nate addressed the man who was sitting behind the counter.
"I'm supposed to report here," he inform the man at the desk.
"Name?" he replied.
"Nate Blair."
"Yes, please come in and follow me." The man motioned Nate to come around the counter and open the half-door.
"Mr. Blair?" the Headmaster asked as he walked out of his office.
Nate turned around as he closed the counter half-door behind himself. "Yes."
He instinctively knew not to make his `dad joke'. The Headmaster stepped out of his doorway and asked Nate to enter his office. Nate walked past the Headmaster, feeling little nervous. He had never been in the Headmaster's office before.
Nate took a seat in front of the Headmaster's desk. He looked around the room and saw pictures, trophies, file cabinets; it was a normal high school office. The Headmaster came in and closed the door behind him. He took his seat behind his desk. He leaned back and looked at Nate.. "You just got back from the nurse station?"
Nate nods, not knowing what to say. Most likely the Headmaster wanted to talk about the fight that took place. But it wasn't a fight, not to Nate, he just got punched in the head and got knocked out cold.
"Do you remember anything that transpired?"
"I know I got hit and was knocked out." Nate answered, doubting he would get in trouble. He was guessing the Headmaster wanted his version.
The Headmaster asked Nate what he did remember and listened closely to the boy's reply. Nate couldn't say much because he still couldn't remember what happened. The Headmaster leaned forward and started to type on his computer. He activated the security camera footage.
"This is what happened, Nate," the Headmaster said and turned the display to Nate.
As the boy watched, it started to come back to him, still blurry. Nate watched and saw himself kissing another boy. His jaw dropped, not knowing what to think. It's all coming back to him... the kiss. `Oh that wonderfully sweet first kiss,' he thought. What seemed minutes in his mind, only lasted mere seconds on the video display.
Nate jumped as he saw himself being punched by another boy, only seeing the arm. Nate watched himself crashing onto the floor, sliding and hitting his head against the concrete wall. Jen and June were running toward Nate, making sure he was okay.
The sounds from the video echoed into the Headmaster's office. Nate heard Jen and June scream for help. Nate watched Timmy and Thomas beating a body on the floor like mad men. The boy who kissed Nate was pushed away; he was in tears. Watching the fight, as quickly as it happened, it ended. A couple of security guards and instructors came into the video. They were pulling Thomas and Timmy off the body that was lying on the floor. Another security guard checked on Nate and called out Code 3.
The video ended. Nate couldn't say anything; he didn't know what to say. He looked at the Headmaster's desk. The screams from Jen and June kept running through his mind... it was fear he felt from the girls screams. The Headmaster looked at Nate. He knew to give Nate some time to let it soak in.
"Nate?" The Headmaster spoke softly.
Nate looked up at the Headmaster eyes, not knowing how to answer to all this.
"I want to let you know, you and your friends are not in trouble." Nate's eyes began to tear up. He wanted to jump up and hug the stuffing out of him.
"THANK YOU, HEADMASTER!" Nate said with excitement.
"Well, we do have a policy to not show public displays of affection, but since this is your last day of school here, we cannot punish you. Thomas and Timmy will not be receiving punishment since they only defended you. But Thomas, Timmy, Jen and June will be punished for the mess in the English hallway wing." Nate knew they got caught for the toilet paper soccer game, but at least not for the fight. Nate exhaled and realised that he had been holding his breath. He started to relax, knowing almost everything was working out fine.
"Sir?" Nate asked, hoping not push his limits but he had to know who and why.. The Headmaster looked at Nate and nodded, waiting for Nate to ask his question.
"Can I ask who did this to me? I mean us," knowing this guy hurt him, but he also hurt his friends and that boy.
"If you don't know, I can't tell you, sorry," the Headmaster said.
"Sir," he paused, he knew now he was pushing the limits, "Who was that boy who ummm... kissed me?"
The Headmaster smiled, "He is in the waiting room, why not ask him?"
The Headmaster pointed toward the door, letting him know they were done. Nate got up and shook the Headmaster's hand..
"I still want you to be here at the end of the day," said the Headmaster.
"I never wanted to leave in the first place," Nate replied.
Nate left the Headmaster's office and looked for the waiting room. It was a few doors down. As Nate walked toward the waiting room, he looked into the window. He smiled at the relief he felt. All of his friends were sitting there, talking and enjoying each others' company. The boy who gave Nate his first kiss was looking at the floor, not speaking. June was sitting beside the boy with her arm draped over his shoulders.
Nate just stood there by the door, watching. The boy looked up and their eyes met. Nate couldn't help but smile. He felt joy and fear at the same time and wanted to know everything about him. The boy broke into a smile and stared into Nate's brown eyes. June looked up to see what the boy was looking at and saw Nate standing there at the doorway.
"NATE!" June shouted and jumped up from her chair. Everyone turned around searching for Nate. Seeing him at the door, everyone got up and ran to him. Jen and June were the first to hug Nate tightly. They thought Nate could have died. Thomas walked up and pulled the girls off and hugged Nate. Thomas had to fight the tears off while sitting in fear in the waiting room. He didn't hear anything from the nurses' office and fearing the worst. Once Code 3 is alerted, all medical staff is on standby. Timmy looked at Nate, walked over and gave him the same hug without tears.
Still sore on the side, Nate sat down beside the boy and gave him a smile. Nate wanted to look at him, to burn his face into his memory. He was hoping the boy would say something. There were so many questions to ask but Nate couldn't figure out which to ask first.
"Are you feeling okay?" Jen ask, the first to speak up.
"Fine and dandy," Nate smirked, not removing his eyes from the boy sitting beside him.
"Do you remember anything?" Timmy asked, "I never saw anyone got hit that hard before," he continued.
"No, not a bit. The Headmaster had to show me the video from the security camera." Nate paused. "Who did it?"
"It was Hank," Thomas spoke. Saying the name boiled his blood. His fist curled tightly and was ready for round two. He had watched Hank punch his best friend, causing an onset rage that was still stirring in his soul... still wanting to release it on Hank's face.
"Really?" Nate laughed. Everyone had shocked looks on their faces. "He's not doing too well right now, two black eyes and a bloody nose. It's a work of art, guys!"
"Well, Timmy and I pushed him down" Thomas stopped; his eyes were filling with tears. "When I heard Jen and June scream," Thomas eyes looked away, "I lost it, I don't know what hit me, I just wanted to kill him!" Thomas was scared when he admitted what he did. Even more, he was afraid of himself.
"He deserve it, Thomas!" June shouted.
"What did the Headmaster say?" Jen asked. She was dying to know what happen in the Headmaster's office.
"Well some good news... and bad news" Nate reply. He waited to see who would be the first person to speak up.
"Give us the good news. We need it now," June was the first to speak. Nate looked over to his side to look at the boy; he can't keep his eyes off him.
Nate looked at June and said, "As far as the fight goes, no one is going to get in trouble since we didn't cause it." When Nate answered, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Smiles were on everyone's face except one person.
"I caused it," a low voice exited the boy mouth sounding almost like a moan. Only Nate heard. Nate looked back over to him, and smiled.
Nate whisper in his ear, "It was worth it." The boy's eyes opened wide and looked into Nate's eyes.
"Really, it was worth it!" Nate spoke up the second time so everyone could hear.
"Ummm. Shouldn't I know your name, since you kissed me?" Nate was dying to know.
"Derek." Finally a name to go with the face! Nate grinned, thought for a second and decided that he wanted, no, he HAD to see him again.
"I'm having a party tomorrow at my place. You are coming, no matter what!" Derek couldn't understand why Nate was inviting him to his party, but he was excited that he was going to see Nate again.
Derek thought about it and said, "Yes. I would like that."
"So what's the bad news?" Thomas asked.
Nate grinned, knowing they were all in trouble and it was all Thomas' fault. "They know about the soccer match we had earlier."
Thomas waved his hand, he didn't care. He had kept his promise to Nate. The Best Day Ever!
Everyone started to talk with each other, filling Nate in with the details of the fight and what happened after. Then the man from the front counter asked June, Jen, Thomas and Timmy to follow him. As they left the room, Thomas turned around with a grin, "You boys behave." Nate tried so hard not to smile at the comment... but failed.
Nate looked at the floor, not knowing what to say, they were alone for the first time. Nervousness had overcome them. They had a million questions, but didn't know where to start. Nate looked at Derek from the corner of his eyes. Just to look... and to burn his image into his mind. The boy saw Nate taking peaks, and felt the blood rushing to his cool face.
Derek gains the inner strength that he had once, just before the kiss. "H..Hi."
Nate turns to look him, and broke into a smile. "Hi."
Nothing was said for few seconds, the first words had been spoken. Thinking of what to say next is sometime the more difficult thing to do.
"That was my first kiss," Nate spoke softly.
"Really?" Derek was surprised. He thought Nate been involved with other boys.
Being brave, Nate leaned over to Derek, his lips met Derek's for the second time. The blood rushed into their lips, the pulse of their heart could be felt. The kiss felt longer. All time stopped for this moment.
Derek wanted more. He wanted to show Nate his feelings. Being bold, Derek opened his mouth and let his tongue invade the lips he was sharing. Their eyes closed, their moment had come. Their tongues danced, unlike before. Nothing from their lives had prepared them for this first and second kiss. Breaking the perfect kiss, they gasp for air so they can live to share more.
They moved back, never breaking the lock they had with each others' eyes. Nate was the first to speak. "That was my second."
Derek smiles, knowing that was his second kiss also. Not saying a word, they stared into each others' eyes. Words would only pollute this moment.
Giggles broke their stare and they looked toward the door, seeing Nate's friends standing there, looking at them. As true friends can be, not wanting to break Nate's special moment, they entered the room and took their seats, but didn't take their stares off Nate and Derek.
The man from the desk entered the waiting room. He asked Derek to follow him. Derek stepped through the door and looked back at Nate. Nate smiled at him, sending him a mental message that he will be here waiting for him. Derek returned the smiles.
Thomas waited until Derek left and then sat beside Nate. He looked at his best friend's eyes, wanting to know what happen while they were in the Headmaster's office. Nate looked away, knowing that looking into Thomas' eyes he will spill his heart and soul. Thomas sees Nate avoid his eyes and got on his knees in front of him, trying to make their eyes meet. Nate shifted his head to the left, Thomas followed. Nate snapped his head to the right, Thomas grabbed Nate's head with both hands and forced him to look into his eyes.
"ALL RIGHT!!!" Nate giggled with a smile, knowing that he just made out with another boy.
"TELL ME WHAT HAPPEN!" Thomas was smiling, eager to know what happen while they were away.
"We sat here... We talked... Played chess, that's what happened," Nate smiled, knowing Thomas will catch his lie.
"Bullshit" Thomas smirked, not letting go his eye-lock.
Nate smiled even wider. How could he lie, how could he not tell him? "Umm, we made out." Nate looked at the floor, blushing.
"YES!" Thomas yelled and jumped, scaring June and Jen. Timmy cracked a smile when he saw the girls hop in their seats.
"YES, YES, YES! NATE DID I TELL YOU WE GOING TO HAVE THE BEST DAY EVER?" Thomas screamed, loud enough to alert the man at the front counter to enter the room and told Thomas to quiet down.
To break free from Thomas' questions and probes, Nate asked, "What was the punishment?" Thomas looked at him, knowing Nate just wanted to avoid his questions.
"Help the janitors for a week during lunch break...." Thomas paused, he had a spark in his eyes.
"It's was all worth it, Nate!"
"Right, well, it was your idea," Nate acted innocent.
"Yes and would I trade it? NOPE, not at all!" Thomas said proudly, sitting next to Nate.
Nate grinned, "To be honest, I wouldn't either," finding peace in his heart.
Thomas and Nate talked about what happen in the waiting room. Jen and June smiled, hearing Nate received his second kiss without being assaulted. Timmy he just sat shifting in his seat, not saying a word. He wasn't homophobic, but preferred not hearing all the details.
Derek walks in. Nate looked up and saw Derek didn't look happy. He looked lost in thought. Derek sat down beside Nate and looked at him.
"What is it?" Nate asked.
"I got detention for two days," Derek replied.
Not knowing how to make Derek happy, Nate took hold of his hand and smiled him. Hearing Thomas say, "Aww," Nate gave Thomas the finger without looking at him.
"Derek, at least you've got a boyfriend for a month," Thomas said, trying to pick Derek sprits up.
"A month?" Derek was shocked. He couldn't figure out what Thomas meant.
"Wait you don't know, do you?" Thomas quickly replied.
"Know what?" Derek's heart started to race, he just found someone and now he's leaving? Thomas looked away. Nate looked down to the floor. Derek was looking at everyone. It got morgue quiet in the room.
"Derek, I have to tell you something." Nate wasn't feeling well now. Derek looked at Nate as if he had a deadly disease that can't be cured.
"Today is my last day here, we moving in a month," Nate mustered all the nerve he could.
"That's okay, I can visit you!" Derek thought, `That isn't so bad!'
Thomas spoke up, "Derek, he's going to Alpha." Thomas looked at Nate and Derek, knowing what ever could happen between them, will end in a month. Derek heart just dropped, everyone could feel it. No one spoke.
The Headmaster walked past the door. Nate spoke up when he saw him "Sir?" The Headmaster stopped, and walked into the room.
"Can I get Derek on my exempt list?" Nate wanted Derek to hang out with them. The Headmaster looked at his com pad to see what time it was. He looked up with a smile.
"Sorry Nate, day is almost over." Then he paused.
"I want everyone here to wait until I come back." He left the room. Derek smiled, knowing that Nate wanted to him to be included in the group.
Everyone's com pad beeped loudly. It was a school announcement.
Opening their pads, the Headmaster's image appeared.
"Attention all students. Last period is cancelled, processed to the stadium." That was it, nothing else was said. The group stayed in the room as instructed.
"I wonder what that's about," Timmy asked. Nate just shrugged his shoulders. The Headmaster walked back into the room and motioned for everyone to follow him. Everyone got up and started to form partners, Nate and Derek holding hands, Thomas and Jen holding hands. Timmy and June looked at it other and laughed. They did not want to hold hands.
The Headmaster walked out into the Central Lobby and headed towards the main hallway. Nate, Derek and the rest followed, passing the students as they flocked to the entrances in the Central Lobby. The Headmaster stopped at an elevator door; he moved his com pad to the computer. The door open and the Headmaster asked everyone to get in.
The elevator started to move sideways, then down. The elevator had been in the building since it was built years ago and wasn't equipped with anti-gravity. The students had never felt an elevator move before; they looked like they were going to be sick. The Headmaster laughed and said, "This is how they did it hundreds years ago." Nate looked as though he was about to throw up on himself. The elevator slowed down, and just in time, the doors opened. They entered a small room. It just had some band equipment and a door. Headmaster turned to the group and said, "Everyone come with me except Nate."
Everyone headed out the door and disappeared. Nate looked around, touching the band equipment. He saw drums under the pile. He took the drum sticks and tapped the drums. He never played the drums, but loved the sounds they produced.
Caught up in the moment, Nate started to hit the drums harder, trying to play a classic song, Wipe Out. He was unable too, but enjoyed it. Focusing on his beat, he didn't notice that the Headmaster walked in. The Headmaster placed his hand on Nate right shoulder, scaring Nate to death. He lost his grip on the drum sticks and the sticks went flying through the air, hitting the wall and bouncing back to hit Nate in the forehead. Nate rubbed his head, rubbing the pain that he affect himself.
"Not bad Nate, you should be a drummer." The Headmaster grinned.
Nate couldn't respond; he felt like an idiot. The Headmaster asked Nate to follow him. They left the room and went down the hallway. As they walked, they started to hear crowd noise and it was getting louder. The Headmaster and Nate walked up a ramp. Then Nate realised where he was; he was under the stadium. Walking behind the Headmaster, he started to see thousands of students sitting in the stands. The stadium can hold 40,000 people and it was under the school, in the ground, closed in so it could be used in all type weather. It was dark inside, but enough light shown to see people high above looking down. The main stage was in the middle. Here they played everything from plays to soccer games to band concerts to dances.. The Headmaster asked Nate to sit down with the other instructors. The Headmaster walked over to center stage and turned on his com pad.
"Thank you for coming here," the Headmaster spoke, echoing through the stadium.
"Today we are here to honour a student. We are honouring him because he will be making a trip of a lifetime. His family and he will be going to Planet Alpha within a month." The crowd jumped up and roared, flooding the stage with their cheers, foot stamping and clapping.
`Why is everyone excited?' Nate asked himself. Nate saw his friends in front row seats, screaming, clapping and cheering for him.
"Nathan Daniel Blair." The Headmaster waved to Nate to come over. Nate slowly got up and walked over to where the Headmaster was standing. The cheers, the roars came at him twice at loud. Seeing everyone on their feet, he was taken aback by the people's reaction. He felt like he was a rock star.
"This young man will being leaving earth shortly and beginning a journey so many only wish for. Do you have anything to say Nate?" The Headmaster looked at Nate.
`Oh crap,' he said to himself.
"I don't know what to say, to be honest. I'm really going to miss my friends here at Jasper. I'm going to miss this school and team Titan." The crowd roared when they heard their soccer team's name. The Headmaster raised his hand and crowd started to quiet down.
"Nate, as you leave Earth, I want you to remember us and the school and have a safe journey." The Headmaster rested his hand on Nate's shoulder and gave him a wink.
"Nothing we can give you will make the trip easier... However, I'll make sure everyone remembers you..." The Headmaster paused. He looked to look at the crowd.
"All the students are dismissed for the day!" As the Headmaster said that, the crowd went crazy! They were screaming, everyone stomping their feet, knowing they had two hours left of the school day. Now they could go home early because of Nate.
As the students started to pile into the exits like a massive mob, Thomas, Derek, Jen, June and Timmy went up to the stage to met up with Nate. They followed the Headmaster back into the music room and to the elevator. After a quick trip back to the main hallway, they exited and saw everyone was in a rush to leave the school. But no one noticed Nate, they were more concerned about their weekend. The Headmaster shook Nate's hand and said his goodbyes.
Nate thought to himself for a moment, knowing that Thomas wanted to invite everyone to his place. "Hey, I'm pretty worn out from today," Nate said to everyone. He looked at Derek and smiled.
"We will meet at my place tomorrow, remember, noon time. Go to the top floor." Nate said to remind everyone.
"Derek, I live in Calgary, 43 Ave, NE, Obama Towers." Nate holds Derek hands. Then he gave Derek a peck on the cheek.
"I WILL BE THERE!" Derek declared. Nothing was going to stop him.
Nate left the group and headed out to the exits, full of smiles and hope. Nate started his trip home and planned to tell his mom everything.
I hope you enjoy this chapter 3. There will be more coming soon. Sorry for the long delay between chapters. You can read chapter 4 at http://www.hawk.nxtidea.org join my forum at nxtidea.org. Email me I would love to hear from you!