Reborn: A Second Chance Through Time

Anna and Leah bombarded me the moment we sat down for lunch.

"Okay, spill," Anna said, leaning forward with a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "How do you know Nathan Carter?"

I sighed, taking a sip of my water to buy time. "It's nothing, really. I bumped into him the other day, dropped my bookmark, and he handed it back to me. That's all."

Anna squinted at me. "That doesn't explain why he followed you on Instagram. Nathan doesn't follow anyone—he doesn't even use it!"

"I know," I said, shrugging, "and that's why I'm just as confused as you are."

Leah's face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Maybe he likes you."

I quickly brushed it off, my cheeks warming. "Don't be ridiculous. He's probably just being nice."

Anna frowned. "Nathan doesn't just talk to girls, Lily. He doesn't talk to anyone. The guy's a ghost when it comes to social interaction. And did you see everyone's faces when he handed you coffee? He might as well have proposed in the hallway."

"Seriously, Lily," Leah added, nudging me. "He really likes you."

I shook my head, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Let's just stop talking about Nathan, okay? What about prom? Have you guys decided on dresses yet?"

Anna and Leah eagerly dove into the new topic, sparing me from further interrogation. But their words lingered in my mind. Could Nathan really like me? The idea seemed absurd. Why would someone like him be interested in me? We'd only just met.

After school, Anna and Leah had to leave early, but I stayed behind in the library to finish my assignments. I had a photo shoot the next day, and I couldn't afford to fall behind. The library was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional rustle of papers. I was so focused on my work that I didn't notice someone sitting beside me until I heard a familiar voice.

"You're always reading or studying when I see you."

I looked up, startled, to find Nathan Carter sitting next to me, his expression calm and curious.

"Oh," I stammered, trying to compose myself. "Yeah, I… I like to stay on top of things."

"It's impressive," he said, glancing at my notebook. "Not many people take school as seriously as you do."

I laughed softly, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Well, I have to. Between school and modeling, my schedule is pretty packed. I can't afford to fall behind."

His eyebrows lifted slightly. "Modeling? That's cool. Is it something you're passionate about?"

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. "I like it, but it's more of a stepping stone for me. I want to explore other opportunities once I graduate."

Nathan nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. You're ambitious. I respect that."

A small smile tugged at my lips. "Thanks. What about you? What drives you?"

"Creating things," he said simply. "I like solving problems, finding new ways to approach old ideas. It's challenging, but it keeps me motivated."

We talked for a while longer, our conversation flowing effortlessly. He asked about my favorite books, and I mentioned Pride and Prejudice. He smiled, saying it was a classic worth rereading. For someone so reserved, Nathan was surprisingly easy to talk to.

As the sun began to set, my phone buzzed with a call from Noah.

"Hey," he said. "I'm heading home now. Are you still at school? We could walk back together."

"Sure," I replied, not wanting to bother my mom for a ride. I turned to Nathan, gathering my things. "I have to go. Thanks for the conversation."

He stood up as well. "I'll walk you down."

"You don't have to—"

"I insist," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As we walked, we talked more about books. Nathan listened intently as I explained why I loved Elizabeth Bennet's wit and independence. He shared his thoughts on the themes of societal expectations and personal growth. It was one of the most engaging conversations I'd ever had.

When we reached the parking lot, I saw Noah waiting near his car, his expression unreadable. As I said goodbye to Nathan, Noah's frown deepened.

"You're close with Nathan Carter?" he asked once Nathan was out of earshot.

I shifted awkwardly. "Yeah, I met him the other day. Why?"

Noah crossed his arms, his tone sharp. "He doesn't seem like the type to hang out with you. What's his angle?"

I blinked, taken aback. "Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's just… he's not exactly friendly with people. And now he's suddenly all buddy-buddy with you?"

"Maybe he's just a nice person," I snapped, annoyance bubbling up. "You don't have to act like I'm not worth his time."

Noah's expression softened slightly, but his frustration lingered. "That's not what I meant. I just don't trust him."

"Well, that's your problem, not mine," I said, turning to get into his car. The ride home was tense, and we barely spoke. When we reached my house, I muttered a quick "Thanks" and got out, not waiting for his response.

Later that night, my phone buzzed with a text from Noah.

Noah: "Are you mad at me? If I upset you, I'm sorry."

I stared at the message, my irritation fading slightly. After a moment, I typed back:

Me: "I'm not mad. Just… don't be so judgmental next time. Nathan's been nothing but kind to me."

Noah: "Got it. I'll back off. Goodnight, Lily."

Me: "Goodnight."

I put my phone down and exhaled, my thoughts a tangle of emotions. Between Nathan's surprising attention and Noah's protective streak, my life suddenly felt a lot more complicated.

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