seven souls seven sins - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

Natasha's pov:
"See! I told you she wasn't a bad teacher." I vouch for our History teacher as I walk along side Seb and Flynn from her class. "She was alright, I'll give her that." Seb compliments her as we exit the class. "I still prefer the old one though. And learning about Brazilian history is so boring." Seb complains.
"It's better than learning about World War 1." Flynn points out.
"He got a point." I agree with Flynn. "Whatever. What I wanna know is why that chap was staring at you the whole time during that class." Seb questions as we make our way towards my locker. "Which lad?" I arch a brow, oblivious to what he's taking about. "Dark hair, tan, green eyes. About a few centimetres taller than me." He tries to describe this mysterious person to me.
"Ah you mean Nico Harper?" I correct him.
"Nico Harper? As in Harper? As in him?" Seb immediately spirals. My breaths get sharper at the mention of him. Flynn interrupts. "No no. Not him. Harper is just a common last name." Flynn clarifies. "How can you be so sure? Did he ever speak about his family before?" Seb backs up his insane reasoning.
"He hasn't but he did say that he lives alone in his house." I intrude on their conversation.
"Alone in his house? He must be living the life." Seb's eyes widen. "We should so ask him to host a gaff. Imagine how good it would be." Flynn starts suggesting. "No no no, you have it all wrong. His father lives in the states, and they both have American accents. Nico only came here for high school." I elucidate the full story.
"The states? Don't tell me California." Seb peers into my arctic eyes.
"They're from L.A, but don't start spiralling onto your impossible conspiracy theory again. Nico isn't like him." I defend Mr.Mysterious. "Why do you always have to go for the American guys." Seb complains about my intriguing love life. "There's just something about them. You guys won't get it." I shrug it off and take out my gym bag.
"And besides, we're all in Brazil now. It's about time that you fellas get yourself some Brazilian girls." I point out with a smile creeping its way up my face.
"Preach that sista." Seb high-fives me. "P.E in Brazil better be volleyball on the beach with a ton of hot girls." Seb daydreams. I whack his arm playfully. "Be prepared to be underwhelmed because the Brazilians are hella competitive in school sport." I break the news to him.
"Don't worry. There's nothing Seb Sinclair can't handle." He flexes his muscles as we walk towards the changing rooms.
"Oh shut up you gym rat." I smile at his confidence and push him to the side. He laughs and ruffles my hair. "Hey, what time did you get home yesterday anyways?" Flynn's curiosity gets the best of him. "I made it back in time for dinner but that's only because Adrien tracked me down at y'all's apartment." I roll my eyes at the memory.
"He was pissed." Seb clarifies with his eyes widened.
"Yea it's so weird, I've never seen him that riled up before." His strange behaviour confused me. I shrug it off and stare at the female changing room sign. Flynn gives me a reassuring side hug and I walk in. I don't take my eyes off the floor as I quickly change and get out of there.
I try to ignore the stares and whispers in the background, but it still irks me no matter how hard I try.
I step outside into the P.E hall but I see Nico come out at the same time. "Oh hi N-" I begin but he just walks off. "Nico?" I ask puzzled to his back. I jog up to him and turn him around. "Nico what's wrong?" I peer into his gorgeous emerald eyes. He silently stares at me for a while before answering. "Nothing that concerns you." He tries to turn around.
"You can tell me anything Mr.Mysterious." I try incorporate a sense of humour into the conversation to try cheer him up.
"What's the point? You're probably just gonna run off and tell Mr.Golden Retriever over there." He tilts his head towards Seb and Flynn. I turn back to face Nico. "Is this all about Seb? He just came back yesterday and I haven't seen him in two weeks." I try solve the misinterpretation but Nico still looks unsure.
"He's just a friend, purely platonic." I clarify and it seems to have done the trick because I see a spark ignite in Nico's eyes.
"You mean it?" He asks seeking for the truth. "Yes of course! He's been with me since I moved to London and has stayed by my side ever since. But I do not like him like that." I assure him. "You moved to London at 7 right?" He questions but I go quiet. "Uh yeah. After the divorce, Mother and I moved to the city." I swallow my saliva.
"Wanna take a walk outside?" He offers noticing my uncomfortableness.
"I'd like that, thank you." I take his hand and we go outside. As we exit the hall, I feel Xander's piercing gaze on my back. "Why did you come back after all those years? Leaving your mom by herself must've been hard enough." He breaks the ice. My gaze shifts down to my feet as we walk to the bleachers. Once he notices my silence he speaks up. "Sorry I didn't kn-"
"Don't be sorry." I interrupt him
"I moved back because she passed. When my biological brothers got wind of the news, adopting me was a no-brainer." I let out a sad sigh as we sit down on one of the bleachers, away from everybody else. "I'm so sorry for your loss, I didn't know." He reaches for my hand.
"It's fine. What's done is done." I sit there intertwining my fingers with his, accepting my fate.
"If it makes you feel better, you're not alone. I lost my mom too." He admits and squeezes my hand as his eyes soften. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry. How old were you?" I gently place my second hand over his. "She died during childbirth. Instead of celebrating my birthday, I usually spent it at the graveyard." He gulps down saliva.
"My Dad raised me and my brother by himself." He lets out a bitter laugh at the thought.
"Nico-" I begin. "Don't pity me. I'm alright Nat." Nico squeezes my hand tighter, not wanting to let go. A moment of silence passes by before he speaks up. "My Dad came to visit yesterday." He confesses, switching the subject. His eyes meeting mine in the process. "That's nice. Is he staying for the game tomorrow? I mean it is the finals." I try to brighten the mood.
"Nah, he's not like that. He flew in to check up on me and for a work meeting." He explains and peers towards the football field.
"Short and simple." I mutter, watching the pitch. "Speaking of the game tomorrow," Nico clears his throat and my eyes are on him. I urge him to continue. "Would you want to wear my jersey?" He quickly asked and scratched the back of his neck. My eyes widen at the realisation of what he's asking me.
"Yes! Yes! Of course! I'd love to." I squeal and rush to hug him.
He immediately hugs me back, his hand wrapping around my torso. The harmonious mixture of his laugh and mine consume the area. "You have no idea of how happy I am right now." He expresses his feelings, which in return makes me smile. Nico's eyes wander to a figure behind me.
I turn around to find both Xavier and Xander beside the exit of the P.E hall.
My eyes meet theirs, and they both make their way up here. "They were also pissed from Seb too." I side whisper into Nico's ear. "I don't blame them." He whispered back right before the twins stood in front of us. Xavier's eyes darted back and forth between Nico and me.
"So what have you two been up to hm?" Xander asked with folded arms.
"Nothing. Just the usual chit chat." Nico covers up and leans back against the other bleachers. Xander squints his eyes at the both of us. "We were talking about the finals tomorrow, nothing to worry about." I clarify. The twins both stare at the fingers but they don't move because I technically didn't lie.
"I see." Xavier ponders with rubs his chin.
"Harper, have you seen Dylan? He wasn't in the hall." Xavier asks. "You didn't hear? He tore his ACL yesterday at practice. He's out for the match." Nico breaks the news. "WHAT? HE'S OUR STRIKER." Xavier's shocked tone makes me think that he wasn't aware of the situation.
"You would know that if you were at training yesterday." Nico shrugs his shoulders.
"That's beside the point. We need a new striker." Xavier sits down beside Nico whilst Xander sits in-between Nico and I. "I'll do it." Xander fesses up. They both turn to face him. "He's a good fit. Tall, quick, hastily, and can score penalties if worst comes to worst." Nico weighs out the pros.
"He's never played striker though." Xavier comes in with the harsh reality.
"I can do it. I'll do whatever it takes." He pleads his case to the two co-captains. "Nat what do you think?" Nico asks and now all their eyes are on me. I look at Xander and I can see how bad he wants this. The passion in his eyes shows the determination in his mind. "Let Xander take the lead." I give the green light.
"Then it's official." Nico announces with a delighted smirk and pats Xander on the back.
I can spot Xander desperately trying to hide his excitement but the corners of his mouth tilt ever so slightly. "Let's go tell the others." Xavier stands up and Nico joins him. "Xander you coming?" Nico questions. "I'll come in a few, I just wanna talk with Nat first." Xander answers and watches Xavier and Nico walk away.
"Thanks for that." Xander responds after a few seconds.
"Anytime." I smile back at him, flashing my pearly whites in the process. "It means a lot." He takes my hand and places it on his. "You deserve the opportunity." I reply with upmost honesty. "You're a good player Xand, you just need the right chance to show it." My motivational words pump him up for the game.
His eyes soften at my words.
"Is everyone else coming?" I let my curiosity get the best of me. "Vincent said that they'll try to make it, but I'm sure we all know what that means." He sighs out loud. "Don't worry, I'll be there cheering from the sidelines." I side hug him. A moment of silence passes before Xander speaks up.
"You're the best, Nat. I mean it."
My heart melts at his touching words. I lean against his shoulder, snuggling into his side. "Having you as a sister is like having a built-in best friend. I feel like I can open my heart out and you know exactly how to comfort me. You just get me in ways that other people don't."
"I love you Nat." He finishes and wraps his arm around me.
I breathe in Xander's cologne as I snuggle into his chest. My eyes wander across the many bleachers to the football pitch. The green grass, the two opposing goals, the empty benches. The beaming sun from the blue sky and the many trees in the background. A gust of wind blows at me and I lean closer to Xander.
"I love you too." I quietly blurt, my voice just above a whisper.