Summertime Sadness

Nicole:

Nate's been gone for almost two weeks now. It's been so different around here. He hasn't called or even sent me a single text. things have been getting harder since my dad is really sick. He has been sick before, but this time it's worse. Normally I have Nate to talk to about it, but obviously I don't have that now. I decided to return some of Nate's hoodies and sweat pants he had left over my house. I don't need the reminders of our fight.

I knocked on his front door and- Knocking, I never knocked, I guess it just felt like the right thing to do after that fight. Nate's mom opened the door surprised. "Nicole? So nice to see you! Come in, come in!" I walked into the kitchen and put Nate's clothes on the table. "What's this?" She chuckled at the small pile of clothes. "All of Nate's clothes from my house, I can't hold onto them. Not after the other night." She frowned and walked over and looked at each of the hoodies and sweatpants. "His Shattuck hoodie, Team Canada, Halifax, IIHF Champions, and Colorado. I haven't seen these in awhile." She shot me a smile and I gave a faint one back. "I'm guessing you haven't heard from him yet?" I shook my head no and walked over to look at the picture of Nate and I on the fridge from the Memorial Cup. "He was so happy to have you there that day. He couldn't have imagined it without you." "Well, that was months ago. he doesn't even talk to me now, so." "If it helps, I talked to him today. He asked about you." I looked up at her and chuckled a bit.

"You don't have to lie, he didn't ask." She sighed. "Well, I brought you up and then he asked, but it did happen." "But you had to bring me up. You shouldn't have to do that." She walked over and rubbed my shoulders. "Nate is just going through lot right now. I know he still loves you Nicole. But right now, he is just trying to figure things out for himself, and he isn't himself. I'm even worried, but I know he will make things right. Trust me." I gave her a smile and then a hug. "Thank you. I hope you're right. Bye." "Bye honey." I gave her one last hug and headed out to my car. I decided I needed someone to talk to who might be able to relate a little bit easier. I drove to an old friends house who I haven't hung out with in awhile. I took a deep breath and went up to the door. I knocked and waited, almost wishing he wouldn't answer so I wouldn't have to try and think of a reason I decided to come over after who knows how long. I heard the door open and I quickly turned around. "Nicole?" I flashed him a smile. "Zach, hey." He looked a bit confused. "Um, what's up?" "Look, I know we haven't really hung out a lot or anything, but I just, really need someone to talk to." "Sure, come on in." We went up to his room to talk and I realized this might have been the best decision I could've made right now. Zach listened to the whole story and gave me he honest opinion. "Nicole, you have to know that's not Nathan, he would never do something like that. Just leaving the way he did. you know that's not him."

"I know, I get he was under a bunch of stress, but he could've said something, not just walk away get in your truck and drive." "Nicole, trust me, he had his reasons. Maybe he didn't want to say something stupid before leaving so he didn't say anything at all." "Maybe." I looked up and saw a picture that I completely forgot about sitting on Zach's dresser. "Oh yeah, I keep forgetting to show you that." I smiled. "I totally forgot we took this." "Yeah, that was a great day. I'm glad you could be there for Nate, you made his last game really special." "How did you know it was his last game?" He shot me an 'are you stupid look.' "Nicole this is Nate we're talking about. He scored a freaking hat trick and he is just amazing. I mean he's such an amazing player, there was no way he is coming back to Halifax. It's a sad thing to say, but it's true. He's in Colorado to stay." I looked down at the picture. "How about you keep that. in case I leave too. "Thanks, but what do you mean?" "I have training camp in two days for Montreal, I might not be here much longer." "Well, at least you will say goodbye before you leave." I gave him a smile and a hug. "Hey, remember what I said, he might have done the right thing by leaving without saying anything. I know Nate will fix this, he can do anything. I mean he did score a hat trick in the Memorial Cup finals." He gave me a cheeky smile and we both laughed. "Bye Zach." "Bye Nicole."

I got in my car and I couldn't help but smile at the picture. I put it on my passenger seat and looked at my phone. 1 Missed Call & 1 New Voice Mail I opened my phone to see who they were from and my heart skipped a beat. Nate I typed in my code and listened to the voice mail.

Nicole, It's Nathan. I know I should've called sooner. I just, I'm so busy here. And I know I just packed up and left, and trust me I know it wasn't the right thing to do. But I heard about your dad, and I'm sorry. I'm really sorry Nicole. I'm trying my best here to make this team like you said and you wanted. I'm gonna get this camp over with and be back soon. I promise. I love you. click

I couldn't help but tear up at the message. I could even hear Nate getting choked up a bit. I drove home and went up to my room. I contemplated calling him back. I wanted to leave a message, it'd be a lot easier, but the risk of him answering, I wasn't sure. I picked up my phone and decided to take the chance.

Hey, Nathan. It's me. Look, I'm so proud of you for what you're doing, but. I miss you. And I really wish you were here. I know you heard things aren't exactly easy right now. I just, really miss you.

I hung up the phone and sighed. I just hope Zach and Nate's mom were right and Nate will just come home and apologize and fix it all, but I still have a tiny bit of doubt in the back of my mind.