He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Of awareness. Of expectation. Of the fact that I had absolutely no idea what was going on here or what I was supposed to say.

Nathan looked at me. I struggled to look at him.

And then… “Hey,” he said.

Simple.

Normal.

My brain, however, chose violence.

“Hello,” I replied. “I mean- hi, or hey. But both work. Either works. I use both interchangeably. But not at the same time, though. That would be weird and weirdness doesn’t blend with words very nicely…”

I stopped then.

Because I could feel it- I had already said too much and many unnecessary.

But Nathan didn’t react negatively or judge me. If anything, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

He smiled. And that… was a problem. Because something about that smile made everything else fade just enough for me to notice it. more.

This is already too tense.

“I’ve noticed you,” he said now.

Just like that. No buildup or hesitation. The words landed quietly, but they carried weight. I blinked.

“You have noticed me?” I asked back because that was the only response I could think of at this moment.

He nodded once. “For a while now.” He said and there was a pause and it was not awkward. It was intentional.

Like he was letting that settle before continuing.

“Then you disappeared for a bit,” he added. “I didn’t see you around.”

He wanted to see my around?

Something in my chest shifted. I felt heat on my cheeks but I tried not to focus on it and compose myself,

“I was… busy,” I said, which was the most inaccurate understatement of my life.

With that, he studied me for a second. Not in a way that felt invasive.

Just… focused.

“You’re different,” he said.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify