Chapter 10

Nash

Nash paced in front of the Elites game room, debating on whether he should give Chloe what he made or not. It was embarrassing, but he had thought of her day after day since they painted together and he just had to give her something. He didn't know why, but just something that reminded him of her the other day.

Stop being a baby. Nash straightened up and wandered into the room. Sophia and Chloe sat on the couch and Elijah was on the computer, cursing at whoever he played chess with, and Nash marched towards the girls. When he neared them, they whipped their heads to look at him.

"Why do you seem stressed?" Sophia asked.

Nash rolled his eyes. "I'm not stressed."

"How's your day?" Chloe asked.

She smiled that gentle smile of hers and Nash hesitated, feeling his heart bloom at the sight of her. All these competitions had been for him to beat her - just once, in any silly contest, but as time went by he found himself just wanting to spend time with her. He barely cared about winning, he just wanted to talk to her and hear her laugh, and he didn't know why.

"Good." Nash slid his backpack off his shoulder and unzipped it. "I, um, made something for you. I remember you mentioned you liked cherry blossoms."

Chloe's eyes flew wide as Nash pulled out the six origami cherry blossoms he created. Five of them were attached by a string and one of them was alone. He handed it to Chloe, cursing himself for the way his hands trembled.

"Oh my god!" Chloe beamed. "They're beautiful."

She held them up, her eyes sliding across the cherry blossoms, and Nash ran his fingers through his hair. Sophia's eyebrows raised with curiosity, but for once she said nothing and Nash was thankful. He would die if she began to tease him.

"Thank you, Nash!" Chloe tucked her hair behind her ear, placing the lone cherry blossom there. "I love it."

"I'm glad," Nash said, smiling.

His heart continued to pound, but his shoulders relaxed. He hadn't realized he'd been so nervous about Chloe's reaction.

"When did you make these?" Sophia asked. "They're lovely."

"Um, yesterday night."

Sophia smirked and Nash shot her a look. Don't say anything. Thankfully, Sophia kept quiet as Chloe continued to admire his gift.

"Next contest, let's make each other something," Chloe said. "Whoever likes the gift more, wins."

Nash laughed. "I like the sound of that contest."

Chloe grinned. Nash's eyes softened at the sight of her. If he could, he would just stay there, admiring the way she burst with joy simply by the gift he gave her.

*****

Nash entered his home, for once feeling on top of the world. He wandered off to the kitchen, already hearing Naya sweeping the floor with classical music playing in the background. He came home early for once, deciding to skip studying, and Naya jumped when he entered the kitchen.

"Oh, sir!" Naya exclaimed. "You're home early today."

"Nash." Nash sighed. "And yes, I decided to skip studying. I'm in a good mood."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Naya smiled, but wrinkles formed on her forehead. Nash's eyes wandered around the kitchen, taking note of how everything shone as if brand new and there were three plates set on the table for once. He frowned.

"Do we have guests coming over today?" Nash asked.

"Um, yes. Well, kind of." Naya paused, her eyes growing sad. "Your parents are coming home today."

"What?"

Nash stilled. His parents did this. They randomly appeared every couple of months, but for some reason Nash hadn't expected it to happen now. Not after his good day.

"It's been a while right?" Naya laughed awkwardly. "I wonder what mood they will be in today."

Nash ran his fingers through his hair. It had been eight months since they last came and they had come home hungover and in a cranky mood. But surprisingly, that had been better than their loud and obnoxious mood Nash hated. His parents often acted like children when they came back from their trips and Nash always struggled with his desires of being wanted, but also wanting to avoid his parents at all costs.

The door banged open and Nash's dad whooped from the doorway. Naya straightened up, her eyes flying wide with shock. She ran to sweep the last part of the kitchen and Nash turned around. And soon, his parents entered the kitchen, holding each other's waists.

"Nashy!" Nash's mom screamed. She ran up to him and planted ten kisses on his cheeks. Her breath reeked of alcohol. "Wow, you've grown so tall."

"I haven't grown since I was fourteen."

"Oh Nashy, still so sarcastic."

His mom ran back to his dad, who wrapped his arms around her waist. They planted a kiss on each other's lips and Nash pulled his eyes away, trying not to gag. They were definitely in their obnoxious drunk mood.

"How are you doing, son?" his dad asked.

He grinned sloppily, his eyes bloodshot red. Nash crossed his arms over his chest, wishing to say the truth - bad. That he had spent eight months not knowing about his parents whereabouts, raising himself, but he held his tongue. There was no point in fighting battles he'd never win.

"Good," Nash said. "Just school, mostly."

"Oh, you're an Elite again right?" his mom said. "Congrats!"

"First this time, son?" his dad asked.

"No, second."

"Oh, maybe next year."

Nash turned around. He walked over to the centrepiece and grabbed an apple, ready to leave his parents. He didn't understand himself sometimes. Why did he want his parents in his life but then hate every visit they made?

"Good job Naya on the cleaning," his mom said. "It looks spectacular."

"Thank you, madame."

"Did you clean our washroom? We're heading their next."

"Oh, sorry I thought you guys were coming later. I will clean it now."

"It should have been clean days ago."

His mom's expression darkened and his dad frowned. He pulled his wife closer to his side and Nash slid closer to Naya's side. Her eyes were already wide with panic.

"I'm so sorry. I thought I'd have more time," Naya said, rushing towards the door. "I will clean now."

"Be quick then. Unless you want us to rethink your salary."

Naya ran out and Nash glared at his mom. His mom never liked Naya. Nash never knew why, but his mom picked on her for every last thing, even though Naya was an incredible maid.

"Naya has been cleaning this entire mansion by herself for years," Nash said. "Why don't you hire more people to help her?"

"Why should we hire more people when Naya can do the job herself?"

Nash clenched his jaw. He wanted to snap, to tell his parents how bratty and immature they were, but he just said nothing, knowing he couldn't let his parents win. He couldn't let them bring out the sides of him he hated.

"Anyways, we're going to head to our room," his dad said. "Do you need anything?"

"No."

"Okay, we'll be off then. See you later."

Nash said nothing. Arms wrapped around each other, his parents wandered off to the staircase and headed up it, and Nash leaned against the counter, letting out a breath. He ran his fingers through his hair and took a bite out of his apple, growing more and more annoyed by the second, but he kept his emotions simmering.

His parents had always been like this. Careless. Immature. Childish. And yet, he had craved their return. Month after month, he craved to see their faces, but every time he was disappointed. Because he wanted parents, but he didn't want his parents. But that couldn't be changed. Your family was the one thing that was set in stone from birth and no matter what Nash desired or craved for, he knew he'd never get it.