Summary. He was the 'delinquent leader' of the school and a major ass. She was the nerdy ice princess of the school and keeps to herself. They clashed. All hell broke loose. Inspired by Bowling for Soup's random songs.

Chapter 18

High School Never Ends

Nate's eyes clouded with tears. He took another step back from me, shaking his head vigorously. I didn't want to give up yet I didn't want him to see the pitiful creature I turned out to be so I spun around to leave. The pain in my heart was consuming me that it took all I have not to break down and beg for him to take me back.

But then, white, hot rage began to consume me.

How dare he do this to me? I thought furiously. I am not the fricking ice princess of the school for nothing. How dare he?

I picked up the nearest thing to me, my back hiding my movement from him. It was a vase. I had never been much of a violent person but Nate always seemed to bring the violence out of me. I wasn't going to let him tear me down without putting up a goddamn fight–

"I've been hoping for you, too."

I gasped, dropping the vase which shattered into thousand pieces.

I whirled around in disbelief, wondering if what I heard was true, praying to God that what he said was true. But, there he was, giving me a tender smile that I loved and missed, filling me with content and happiness.

He lifted his hands and I rushed quickly into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He held me tightly to his body before pulling back so he could bury his lips into mine. I kissed him back with all the passion inside me and reveled in the fact that it felt so right. It always felt right when I was with him.

When we ended the kiss, he kept holding me tightly; as if afraid I was going to bolt any second now. But, I wasn't going anywhere. Contented, I snuggled deeper as possible against his hard chest.

"I love you, Nate."

He sighed and dropped a kiss on my forehead. "I love you, Ellen."

I pulled back a little so that I could see his face.

"I missed you so much and I swear if you're not getting back together with me again, I'll cut you," I tearfully threatened him and was gifted with another smile.

"I'm not going anywhere, Ellen. And, since you asked so nicely, I'll be your boyfriend again," he said with a laugh.

I resumed crying and he embraced me again.

"You were so indifferent to me. I was so afraid."

"I'm sorry, Ellen," I heard him say. "Please stop crying. I know now that letting you go was stupid. I came here to think of the ways I could get you to take me back. But, when you appeared, I was surprised. It felt so surreal that I almost thought I was dreaming."

I sniffed. "You're a jerk."

He let out a strangled laugh. "I love you, too."

I didn't know how long we stayed like that, just hugging each other and afraid to let go.

"I'm still going to beat you up, though," I said as an afterthought.

"That vase you dropped was an antique. I wonder how you'll pay for that, babe."

I laughed nervously as I stared at the priceless wreckage on the floor. Then, he was kissing me again, the vase forgotten.

Misha was ecstatic to know that we were finally back together. I didn't even know they were waiting for us at the parking lot. Matt must have told Misha and Michael about telling me where Nate was and so they must have been waiting for the results.

Misha broke off from Matt's arms when she saw us approaching them. She looked hopefully for some sign that we were back together and when she saw our entwined hands, she squealed in delight.

"I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed, engulfing me in a big hug.

I struggled for breath, her embrace was that tight.

"Yeah, whatever," I managed to gasp out. "Now, get off me before I die from suffocation."

Matt had to pry Misha's arms off me with a laugh.

"She was really worried," he told me.

"Thank God this fricking drama fest is over," Michael said before taking a big bite from his chocolate bar. "It's about time you freaks get back together.

Nate growled at him but before he could mouth off at Michael, Misha suddenly stepped in front of him, glaring fiercely at him.

Uh-oh, I thought.

"Can we talk for a moment, Nate?" she asked with sweet smile on her face.

"Misha-" Matt started but was cut-off when Misha glared at him. "Okay, Nate. Why don't you go with her for a while?"

Nate looked wary for a moment but then, he shrugged.

"Sure."

Misha and Nate walked at the end of the parking lot.

"I've got to hear this," Michael muttered.

Before we could protest, he crouched behind cars and crawled until he was near enough to Nate and Misha's position. His antics were so amusing that Matt and I began to snicker. I didn't have to hear what Misha had to say to Nate though. Nate's face growing paler and paler told me that whatever Misha was saying was having the desired effect she wanted based on her smug expression.

"So," Matt began after clearing his throat. "How are you feeling?"

I turned to him and gave him a smile.

"Do you have to ask, Matt?" I replied. "Thank you, by the way."

He glanced at Misha.

"It really was about time you guys make up. I don't like to see my friends down and hurting. And after all the things you've done for me and Misha, well, I had to help you, you know."

"I guess that's what friends are for, right?" I said shyly.

He beamed at me. "That's what friends for."

We turned when we heard footsteps. Misha was smiling widely at us. Nate looked pallid and Michael, well, he looked green.

Matt sighed and took Misha in his arms. "You didn't."

She laughed. "I did."

Matt took one look at Nate's face and hastily made Misha get in his car. He must have been thinking that he'd probably catch hell from Nate for leaving him at his girlfriend's mercy.

"We're going. Bye, guys!" he called out from the driver's seat amidst Misha's protest that she wasn't ready to go yet.

We heard Misha scolding Matt as he sped away and I winced. He's sure to catch hell from Misha first, I thought. When the car rounded the corner, I turned and patted Nate sympathetically.

"So, how was it?"

"Horrible." I had to lean closer to hear him because his voice sounded hoarse. "She was telling me the gory details of my impending castration if I dare leave you again."

I suppressed a smile. I didn't think he'd appreciate it if I laugh at him now.

"I think I'm about to puke," Michael gasped out behind us.

We turned around to see Michael vanish into school, holding mouth with his hand. I burst out laughing. Served him right for being an eavesdropper.

"She didn't have to warn me," Nate continued with a shudder. "I won't ever let you go again. Where the hell did she learn about that? I thought she was only into modeling."

I laughed, patting his arm in comfort.

"Her brother is a doctor and the other one is a nurse," I informed him.

As I stared at Nate smiling down at me with amusement, I realized I truly love him in a way I'd never be able to express through words. We were a part of each other. We needed each other in a way indescribable. No matter what situation life throws at us, we will be able to withstand it, as long as we were together.

His undying faith was what kept the flame out of our love alive.

Nate's POV

"Welcome to our graduation party, everyone!"

The crowd hollered and cheered as Michael drunkenly spoke to the microphone on the makeshift stage in the ballroom of my house. Or mansion, as Ellen once pointed out to me. I shook my head in amusement as I looked at him from our table at the back of the room. Ellen shifted beside me and I looked down to see her twist the hem of her dress nervously. I grinned when she caught my eye. She glared at me.

"What's so funny?" she snapped petulantly.

I pointed at Michael and she huffed before returning her gaze to the stage once more. I decided not to diss her since she was already deep into one of her moods. I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to me and I smiled to myself when she allowed the show of affection.

She was slowly coming out of her shell. She wasn't glaring at everyone she saw anymore and she was smiling more often now. But sometimes, when she was in a really pissy mood, then everyone better get out of her way or they'll be on the receiving end of her lashes. The usual victim would be me but I didn't care. Call me a masochist but I kind of enjoyed seeing her angry with her face flushed and her eyes blazing. She was absolutely beautiful.

A year had passed. It had been quite a peaceful year for both of us, not counting the times we fought over something petty, which was a lot. But, hey. At least it was never boring with us. And, God, the way she smiled at me when we reconciled made every argument so worth it.

"By the way," she spoke again. "Leigh sends us his regards. He wants to take us out to dinner next week to congratulate us for graduating."

My light mood completely vanished. "Okay."

She nudged me with her shoulder in reproach but didn't push the topic, which I was thankful for. Any mention of Leigh in my presence always sent me into a bad mood because it made me remember what he did to Ellen and how I almost lost her.

But, Ellen, being her usual pushy self, made me sit down with Leigh and coaxed me to forgive him since she already did. The first time she did it, I just stared at her incredulously.

Why the hell would she forgive a complete psychopath like Leigh?

"You forgave him?"

She sent me an impatient glare before gesturing to the cowering bastard sitting in front of us. What I had thought was a nice evening for the two of us at my place turned out to be a complete nightmare when she made me sit in the living room before she brought Leigh in.

"Talk," she ordered sternly.

I leaned on my chair and crossed my arms in defiance. "Hell, no."

She suddenly stood up, the chair she was sitting in made a loud scraping noise, and looked down at me with an angry look.

"Talk or by God, you won't be seeing me for a week."

I raised a brow at her as I leaned back on my chair and folded my arms over my chest.

"Are you sure you wouldn't be the first one to cave in, Ellen?"

She let out a loud suffering sigh.

"Ellen," the bastard finally spoke. I stiffened, the urge to pound him becoming hard to control. "Just let it go."

"No." She sat beside me again and faced me fully. "Please, Nate? Won't you do this for me?"

I groaned. "Why?"

She sent me an imploring look.

"I'm tired of all this hate, Nate. So tired. And I can see how this hate consumes you, affects you. It's true," she said, when I tried to deny it. "I know that sometimes, you think about whether Leigh would hurt us again. Whether he would jeopardize our relationship or the lives of our friends. I want you to talk so you can finally have a peace of mind. He's changed, Nate."

"How would you know that he's changed?" I told her calmly, trying to control my temper. She saw that I was beginning to reach the conclusion because she held her hands up in an attempt to placate my anger.

"We met and talked. For only a couple of times," she rushed on when she saw that I was about to jump Leigh. "I was going to tell you. And, hey! I did, right?"

"Not funny," I grumbled, sending daggers at the bastard's way.

She turned to him. "And I know Leigh wants you to forgive him, too, so he could get rid of the guilt and move on."

"He's feeling guilty?" The rage began to burst out of me. "Well, he should! He caused me so much grief and pain! He hurt you! And, he wants me to make it easy for him so he could what? Move on?"

"I'm sorry."

I turned to look at Leigh. He returned my look, his eyes filled with sorrow and pain that my anger slowly dissipated.

"You knew that I considered you my brother," I told him, grimly. "You knew that you could have asked me for anything and I would do everything I could to give it you. Yet, you threw our brotherhood away just because of one phone call. One fucking phone call."

"I know and I know that I couldn't take everything back," he beseeched me. "If I could, I would. I know I'm so fucked up that my parents could barely look at me. I know that."

"If you think pity would make me forgive you, then you're wrong."

"What do you want from me, Nate?" he cried, standing up. "I know sorry doesn't make everything right. But, it's the only thing I could give you right now and if you let me in again, I could give you more."

I was about to punch his fucking face off when Ellen intervened and announced that it was time for her to go home. During the drive to her place, with me still fuming, she patted my arm affectionately.

"Baby steps, Nate. Baby steps."

And that's when I knew that that wouldn't be the last time she would make me talk with Leigh. The fourth time we met, we were exchanging insults and cursing at each other, Leigh talking nonsense about how I was so intelligent and popular unlike him, and me cursing him for being such a wussfor not speaking out his mind during the times when it counted the most. Ellen just watched us, sipping coke from a bendable straw, interjecting comments now and then which just fueled our rage with each other. By the time we almost came to blows, Ellen primly stood up and announced that it was time for her leave.

Dinner next week would be the sixth and by then, I would probably forgive Leigh just to take Ellen off my case. I would probably mean it, too. Just so I could get rid of the burden in my heart. Ellen was right. I should get rid of the hate and move on.

"My parents are taking us out for dinner next week, too," I smugly told her, and she groaned. "Your parents are, of course, invited."

She groaned louder. "If I had to endure talks about wedding plans and babies one more time, I'll stab myself with a fork," she muttered.

I hid a smile.

When I told Ellen she was meeting my parents, she was such a nervous wreck. She took Misha with her to the mall to buy proper outfits and shoes and she wouldn't stop talking about what they would think of her and whether they like her.

"Of course, they'd like you. And they would definitely think that you're right for me."

She sent me her famous glare before scoffing, "Of course, they'd think I'm right for you. I'm not a delinquent like you. I'm intelligent and exceptional in class and by no means am I a mediocre when it comes to school projects and…"

She went on and on about her achievements that I had to kiss her just to get her to shut up. In the end, I told her the meeting was cancelled because my parents decided to continue their trip abroad which relieved her. But, actually, it wasn't true.

"I thought we were going to a restaurant?" Ellen asked as we entered my house, donning one of the pretty dresses she bought with Misha. "Did you forget something? Our reservations might get can–"

"It is great to finally meet you, my dear."

Ellen's eyes widened as she was engulfed in the embrace of my mother. She shot me a wait-till-I-get-you-alone glare before plastering a smile on her face.

"It is a pleasure of mine, Mrs. River."

My mother let out a twinkling laugh before answering, "Please, none of that. Call me Mignonette. And this is my husband, Norman."

"Good evening, sir." She tried to shake hands with my father but was surprised when dad embraced her like mom did.

"Hello, Ellen. I finally get to meet the girl who changed our little sport's reckless ways."

I bristled at the word little. My father constantly thought of me as still a child and it wasn't funny anymore. He enjoyed riling me occasionally and this was clearly one of those occasions. He was the one who wanted to meet Ellen so badly that mom made me promise to bring Ellen over to dinner when they arrived from their business trip. I had tried to think of many excuses but mom had the final word.

Ellen's brows went up and she mouthed 'little sport' to me before she was pulled by my mother to our dining room. Dad was on his cell phone again, talking to one of his investors but when we were seated in place in the dining table, mom made him end the call.

During dinner, mom and Ellen talked about school and she was clearly impressed by Ellen's scholastic achievements. Dad was more interested about college and was proud to hear that she was going to the same college he went to. I was going to mom's college which was an hour and a half drive away from hers.

"So, Ellen," my mother began as soon as dessert arrived. "Where do your parents work?"

I resisted the urge to groan aloud. It was always work for them and I knew this would come out sooner or later but hearing it finally still made me resent the fact that work was always important for them. They were still superficial and shallow but at least they seemed to genuinely liked Ellen. But, still.

"My dad is a businessman and my mother is a landscape artist," Ellen answered politely.

Dad quickly asked what company her dad was in and when she answered, his interest in her grew. I sent him a warning look and he put on his refined façade once more. But still, I could see from his greedy expression that he couldn't wait for another opportunity to question Ellen about her father.

"Oh, heavens! I know your mother, dear," mom said, her eyes brighter than usual. "She's really famous among my peers. Why, I'm even thinking of having her redecorate our gardens but it's difficult since she is occupied at the moment with other projects, I heard. To think I'm meeting her daughter! This is such great luck."

Ellen smiled courteously while I couldn't wait to get her out of my parents' claws. On second thought, after wincing when she kicked me under the table, I let her suffer.

The next time we had dinner with our parents, we were dumbfounded to see Ellen's parents and my parents hitting it off in the restaurant where we were supposed to meet. Ellen clearly had no idea about it, neither did I and we had to suffer interrogations from both sets of parents about when we were going to get married and was humiliating.

"Shouldn't you on the stage right now, Ellie?"

I glared at Matt who just shrugged. I had told him to make Misha stay away from Ellen tonight especially if she had begun drinking. Somehow, I knew he was going to let her walk all over him again because he just couldn't deny her anything. She was obviously drunk when she swayed on her seat beside Ellen while talking animatedly.

"Get your girlfriend away from here, you freaking doormat," I hissed at him when I saw Ellen's face getting whiter and whiter. "She's nervous enough without having Misha constantly reminding her."

Matt chuckled before pulling Misha up to his side. He whispered something to her which made her glance at me with a sly smile. She giggled and I just rolled my eyes. We watched the two go to the dance floor, Matt holding Misha tightly since the latter kept stumbling on her heels.

"I can't do this after all, Nate!" Ellen burst out in panic, clutching my arm.

"We talked about this, Ellie," I cajoled, holding her face. "You said you could do this. And, I believe in you, babe. You just have to try."

"I'm scared."

"You can do this," I said firmly. "Trust me."

I gazed into her beautiful, aquamarine eyes, willing her to be strong. She shivered once before sighing in surrender.

"You do trust me right?"

She clucked in annoyance. "You know I do."

I suppressed a smile.

"And, now!" Michael once again spoke to the microphone, waving his beer around and sloshing everybody down the stage. "It's time for the most awesome performance tonight!"

"Let's go, Ellen," I murmured to her ear and she stood up reluctantly after me.

"You heard her once last year in school."

I half-dragged Ellen to the stage. The crowd parted easily for us both. Some stared, the others pointed but most were already inebriated to gossip about us.

"You all thought it was bizarre and completely out of character."

The crowd cheered their assent. I handed Ellen her guitar which she took timidly. Ellen, then, looked at me in the eyes and said, "I hate you for making me do this."

And I, already used to her 'I hate you' speeches, just kissed her and pushed her gently to the middle of the stage.

"I love you, too."

"Let me present to you our very own ice princess of Mayson High, or who used to be the ice princess, Ellen Lawliet!"

The crowd hushed as Ellen went up the stage. She glared Michael away from the microphone, which the latter hurriedly complied, and positioned herself in front of the microphone.

She searched the crowd for something, or maybe somebody. When her eyes reached me, I gave her a wave and smiled. It was all she needed.

I don't even know myself at all

I thought I would be happy by now

The more I try to push it

I realise – gotta let go of control

Everyone stared at her, completely dumbfounded. We were all in awe at the confidence she radiated, at the brilliant talent of singing she had been hiding for all these years, and at how beautiful she looked up on stage.

She is mine, I thought in rapture. She will be forever mine.

Gotta let it happen

Gotta let it happen

Gotta let it happen

Just let it happen

After the summer, we may be going to different colleges, but there was no way in hell I would let the distance keep me from visiting her every day. Yes. Every day. Even if I've got Michael and Misha there with her, they were not going to be enough to protect her from other assholes. Or from guys who would try to steal her away from me.

It's just a spark

But it's enough to keep me going

And when it's dark out, no one's around

It keeps glowing

Ellen had tried to put her foot down and convince me to only visit her maybe four times a week. She would never get any studying, she said because she knew that she couldn't concentrate with me around. At the end, she had to acquiesce, much to her chagrin and secretly, her delight.

And the salt in my wounds isn't burning anymore than it used to

It's not that I don't feel the pain, it's just I'm not afraid of hurting anymore

And the blood in these veins isn't pumping any less than it ever has

And that's the hope I have, the only thing I know that's keeping me alive

It's just a spark

But it's enough to keep me going

And when it's dark out, no one's around

It keeps glowing

Ohhh..

As the ending notes from Ellen's guitar rippled in the air, it seemed to awaken everyone in the room. They cheered so loud that I thought my eardrums would burst.

"Damn, that was unbelievable of her!"

"Who fucking knew that bitch could really sing? Remember that incident last year when we heard her voice through the speakers in school? I thought that was just a fluke!"

"If only I knew her first before Nate. She's so hot!"

"You did, jackass. You were just afraid of her glares."

"I'm so envious of her voice!"

I ignored the chatter of the people around me as I looked around for Ellen. She had run down the stage after her performance and I couldn't find her anywhere. I saw Misha and Matt together talking to Ryan. I approached them.

"Where is she?"

Ryan gave me a sullen look before pointing to the doors leading to the gardens. I hesitated before glancing at Matt.

"What's with him?" I asked, nodding at Ryan's direction.

Matt shook his head. "Michael's being difficult again."

I sent a fleeting look at Michael who was now calling another band on stage. I rolled my eyes and began to walk away to look for Ellen.

Ryan had finally broken down and confessed to Michael just before graduation. We all thought Michael would be happy, the two of them had been dancing with each other all fucking year, but he wasn't. He was still concerned of what his parents would think that he couldn't find it in him to be with Ryan once and for all. Ryan wouldn't give up, though. I admired his persistence.

Ellen was bathed in moonlight when I saw her. I paused, mesmerized by her. She must have heard me approach because she whirled and spotted me just staring at her.

"What?" she asked nervously.

I took the last steps to her. "You were great up there," I complimented her, taking her in my arms.

"It felt great, too," she said with a grin.

Four years, you think for sure

That's all you've got to endure

All the total dicks

All the stuck up chicks

So superficial so immature.

I kissed her softly on the lips and she kissed me back, running a hand through the back of my hair. When we ended the kiss, I pulled her close and sighed contentedly.

"I've always wondered how I ended up with a great girl like you."

"That's funny." She smiled mischievously. "I've always wondered that same thing, too."

"Really? You've been wondering how you ended up with a great guy like me, too?"

"No, I've always wondered how a great girl like me ended up with a delinquent like you."

I laughed. She would never change. She was still the same snarky, rude girl like the first time I met her. And I was still probably the same asshole like back then. But, we fit each other like two peas in a pod. And I would never let anything or anybody change that.

"I love that you're intelligent," I murmured, kissing her cheek.

"Really?"

"Yeah. 'Coz you were smart enough to fall in love with me."

As she threw her head back to laugh, I felt that same burst of happiness all over again. I love her for a million reasons that probably no words could do justice. Love was what she meant to me, and she meant everything to me.

Then when you graduate

You take a look around and you say hey wait!

This is the same as where I just came from

I thought it was over

Aw, that's just great.

"Here you are!"

I groaned as Ellen pushed me away from her. I turned to see Matt, Misha, Michael and Ryan coming towards us with cheeky grins on their stupid faces.

"Thanks for ruining our moment, assholes," I muttered sullenly.

Ellen elbowed me in the stomach and glared at me.

"There was nothing to ruin," she hissed before turning to our friends with a big smile. "Hey, guys."

The whole damn world is just as obsessed

With who's the best dressed and who's having sex,

Who's got the money, who gets the honeys,

Who's kinda cute and who's just a mess.

Misha hugged Ellen and she finally looked sober.

"Oh, Ellie! You were amazing up there! You totally rocked!"

Matt snickered.

"You should have seen her, Ellen," he said. "She was yelling to the people around us that you were her best friend and that she will cut whoever thinks you suck."

Ellen laughed. Ryan and Michael hung back from us, talking quietly but I noticed the pleased look on Ryan's face. Maybe they had settled their issues after all. On second thought, after seeing Michael sigh forlornly when Ryan went to Misha and Ellen to discuss Ellen's performance, maybe they hadn't really talk much.

"What are you thinking?" Matt asked me.

"How everything is going to change when we get to college."

"Nothing's going to change, man," Michael said, taking a swig from his beer. "Even if I'm not going to the same college like you two idiots, you're not getting away from me that easily."

I smirked.

"You're not going to get away from Ryan, too, you know," I pointed out. "He plans on visiting you like a lot."

"I guess he is," he said with a shrug. "After all, I told him I'd castrate him if he cheats on me."

Matt laughed and patted Michael's back.

"I knew you'd stop playing hard to get sooner or later."

Michael shrugged Matt's hand off with a scowl on his face.

"I wasn't playing hard to get," he muttered darkly. "You all know why."

Ah, yes. His parents still didn't know he was gay.

"If your parents throw you out, you can always stay in my place," I suggested.

"Or Ryan's place," Matt interjected with a grin.

"Whatever." He downed his beer and looked at the two of us. "Let's just enjoy the night, guys."

"Yeah," I mused, looking at the girl that I fell so hard for laughing with Misha and Ryan. "Let's just enjoy the night."

And you still don't have the right look

And you don't have the right friends

Nothing changes but the faces, the names, and the trends.

High school never ends.

END.

A/N:

I know I promised that it would have ended last month but with the earthquakes and the typhoon Yolanda hitting here, it was kind of hard to concentrate writing. My city is safe, no casualties from the typhoon, but north end of our little island is badly damaged as well as Leyte and Samar. I hope you have done your little something to help my little country. :"3

So, this is it! The end is here! After three years? hmm.. Oh, well. I hope you liked it. Do drop a review. I'm just glad I'm done with this project so I could start another.

Thank you everyone who subscribed to this story! Thank you for staying with me all these years! Thank you! :*:*:*