why’s she so pretty? that’s not weird to think.. right? we’re practically the same age.. jeez, is she always this pretty when she’s talking about smart people stuff? is everything that’s running through nat’s head right now.

nat shifts a little on the floor, sitting cross-legged with her head tilted to lean on her palm. all while she has her gaze fixed on your face when you talk about whatever english essay structure nat is supposed to be getting help with.

what was nat paying you for again?

oh, right. help with her college course. totally.

“you need to extend your vocabulary,” you mutter, glancing over nat’s practice essays, “you repeat yourself every line.”

totally, yeah.

“uh huh,” nat murmurs, tilting her head even more to look at your eyes under your bangs.

she’s not listening to a word.

“plus, you need to fix your grammar. there’s a difference between its and it’s, you know.”

nat nods slowly, glancing down at the papers you’re going through.

“are you even listening?” you finally say, meeting nat’s dreamy expression.

“huh? what? no, of course i am,” nat splutters, fumbling with her notepad and pencil.

so she’s an idiot and a liar. great. nat is so over this.