The following story is adult in nature and does contain consenual sex between high school teenagers within the age of consent laws where the author lives in the Midwest US. Themes of underage drug and alcohol use are depicted along with illegal parties and contains all the high school drama we dealt with. All characters contained within are property of the aurhor and my not be used in your stories with out the authors express written consent. Some songs are copyright to Taylor Swift/Republic Records UMG. Simply said this story is not for mentors under the age of 17 or anyone offended by the themes contained within. You have been warned. If you are okay with this than buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Chapter 4 - Secrets Told

It was the next morning when Nate woke up suddenly only to find Alyssa in bed with him  snoozing away in his arms, purring. He felt a bit sick from the weed he smoked and panicked for a minute before her purring calmed him down. About 10 minutes later Alyssa woke up as she looked at him in the eyes and said, "Morning stud." Nate stareted panicing again, "We didn't do what... .I think we did last night did we? Because I can't even remember last night." "I don't think so, I think the alcohol made me pass out." Alyssa said. "Because If I did sleep with you this is going to make it more awkward. between us." he said. "Pretty sure I didnt." She said reaching down as she ran her fingers over her pussy inside and out, "I don't feel anything that suggest we had sex. Unless you used a rubber." "I don't have a rubber Alyssa." "What your mom never gave you one? "She asked. "Yes she did but I threw it out long ago. Don't know why." he said getting up and still looking paranoid as he put his boxers on, He wasn't erect but his cock was out of its sheath making him wonder if him and Allyssa did have sex. "Man last night was awkward." he said under his breath.  Knowing Nate wouldnt walnt to talk about this further. Alyssa got up and and got dressed as she gave him a peck on the cheek and said, "I gotta get back home before my parents find out what we did at that party last night, See you ronight Nate." as she left. When he closed the door he leaned against it and slumped down in his boxers, "What have I done, I think I just fucked our friendship."

Nate walked out of his bedroom a few hours later exhausted as all hell as Damion and Tyler were already eating breakfast, "Morning Nate, I see you  had Alyssa sleep over last night." "Yeah and I don't know if she'll ever be back." Nate said. "What did you do," His mom said. "I don't know I don't even remember last night, I just remember we woke up in bed together and now I don't know what happened and I'm scared something did and I  made it awkward and screwed our freindship over." he said. as he sat down at the Island to eat breakfast. "Relax Nate. I'm sure it will all be fine. Did she say anything happened?" His mom asked. "I don't think she said anything happened. I got concered maybe I was wrapped up by I lost that years ago." Nate said. Tyler looked at Damion with an awkward glance as they discussed last nights events. "You didn't drink while you were both there did you?" "Yes and No mom" he said "Someone spiked the punch and we didnt realize it , so I took Alyssa right home and let her sleep it off. I didn't want her getting introuble with her parents." "Every partyy, These kids I swear." his mom said. "I see you reek of weed Nate." "Yeah we had a few joints." he said. "Like I've told you, I don't care if you smoke grass, just don't get caught by cops or get yourself fired from work." She said. "And dont overdo it either." she added.

"I'll take a shower later and clean that stench off Mom. Besides it's Karaoke Night, we're all going down there tonight. At least I think Alyssa is  she hasn't answer my texts yet." Nate said. "She just left she has to walk over to the next street give her time Nate. Everything will be okay. She's a stubborn girl you didn't screw anything over." His mom said,. "I wish I had tour confidence mom." Nate said slumping down on the stool and eating breakfast. "Can we not discuss whether or not Nate had sex last night, this is a bit awkward." Damion said. "Sorry Damion, I'll change the subject." Nate's mom said.

Sundays were always slow  and by the time evening rolled around, his phone dinged. It was a text message from Alyssa.

 'Sorry I've been quiet Nate. I had some thinking to do. I'm down for tonight if you wanna swing by and pick me up.'

"Mom. I'm leaving to pick Alyssa up we're going to karaoke night." Nate said.  "Be back by midnight, Nate." She said. "How come he gets a midnight curfew." Damion protested. "Because he's almost 18, and he's a responsble young man unlike you Damion," Liz said.  Nate went and got into his car and took off down the street, and when we got to Alyssa's house he blew the horn. Alyssa came running out and hopped in the passenger seat. "Ready?" she asked, buckling up,. "I am" He said. And they took off for the local pub Callahan's. 

That night the group of friends went to their annual favorite event, Karaoke night at the local pub Callighans' which ran this once a year. The premise wass Simple use the restaurants app to input your name and select a song. This put you is a queue and when it was your turn they called you up. Alyssa came prepared and input her information.

Within an hour a queue was set up as the host announced ghe start of the event. several singers later and her name was called.  As she approached the stage she took the microphone as the floor monitors prepped her song. "This song is dedicated to a special friend in my life. He knows who he is." she said. Shortly after the song started. She belted out lyric after lyric until she got to the chorus. "

If you could see that I'm the one who understands you

Been here all along, so why can't you see?

You belong with me

Standing by and waiting at your back door

All this time, how could you not know, baby?

You belong with me, you belong with me

Alyssa had an unfair advantage as all four friends were in a band and sang well. But usually she was backup vocals, tonight she got to be a star and shine. She exted the stage to a round of applause as she sauntered over to her freidns at their table. She sat down quietly as Nate said, "Damn you were on point tonight." "Thanks," she said, " I just had a lot on my mind tonight is all." "So whats on your mind?" he asked. "I wish i could tell you buy I never seem to have a moment alone to tell you." She said. Sensing something was up Ace chimed in in," I need some air, Care to join me Naomi?" "I'm good I think..." She cut herself off as she noticed a look from Ace and said, "On second thought I think I'lll join you." They quietly and quickly got up and walked towards the exit.

"Well that was the easy part," Alyssa said, "Now to just rip the entire bandage off." "What's up?" Nate said. "Weneed to talk about last night." Alyssa said. "Yeah about that I'm sorry I didn't mean for any of that to happen." Nate said. "Don't apologize, We were stoned and drunk. I willingly got iinto bed with you and it doesnt matter if we had sex or not. I loved every moment of waking up next to you. "Alyssa said.  "I mean" she continued, "Can't say you didnt enjoy it either. "Well" said Nate, "It felt awkward for like a minute til i woke up to you purring in my arms.I'd be lying if I didnt say it felt like heaven/" "I say we make this a thing." Alyssa said. "What like friends with benefit's kind of  regular thing?" he asked.  "No Nate  she said," "Something more. see something I have been waiting a while to say so please just hear me out." she said. "Nate how long have we known each other?" He looked puzzled at this question, "Since we were two. Why?" She sighed and breathed down the fear an anxiety of what she was about to say was causing, "When we were little I followed you around like a shadow because you were a cool kid in my eyes and a good friend. I hung around you a lot, so much so that i had developed  crush on you. I chalked that up to silly schoolyard kid stuff." she said. " "But when we got older and we started in on high school I realized it wasn't a silly thing. It was genuine. My feelings for you grew deeper within my heart. And after last night my heart is singing so much I want to make it more than just us screwing around on our free time" "So why didnt you say anything?" he asked. "I mean I've tried, but at the time you were with Serah and I felt it wasnt appropriate to tell you then. I didnt want you to think I was meddling in your relationship, so despite seeing it was going off the rails, i respected your relationship and stayed out of it. And when it finally ended  and I  though i had successfully got ten through to you, it was like you were ignoring me.  You've been in this eternal dpressive funk for almost a year Nate. I mean did you not hear that song I sang up on stage? Could I  be more obvious?"

"If you would have told me back than I would have left her, especially now that I know she was a snake in the grass." he said. "Hind sight is twenty-twenty Nate. Believe it or not I did try telling you but either something got in the way or you were busy being depressed and hating the world. The point is when she broke your heat mine shattered. I didn't know what to do to help you. You started acting so distant. We were all concerned for you. Remember when I said something good is always going to sneak up behind you?" she asked. "Yes." was his respone.  "Well hey! Hello!" she said waving her hands. "For years I've been right here screaming silently that you would notice me. Last night was the closest I've ever been to feeling like I was in heaven. I don't want that feeling to ever end. Everytime i think of how  when Serah pulled her stunt it hurts me to think she had brought you down and that there really was nothing i could do to help because you clearly aware acting like you dont want it. I wanted you to come to me to vent your grief so bad like you've done in the  past but I was afraid you would think I was trying to swoop in like a rebound." she said. "So what are you saying?" He asked almost oblivious to what she was saying. "I'm saying a good man like you deserves to be happy and I want to be the one to give you that chance." she said. Nate almost had his jaw on the floor as he almost fell out of his chair. He started looking around uncomfortable, "I...uh.... I don't know what to say. You kind just dropped a bombshell on me. I mean maybe as a kid I might have thought that way But you know what they say don't date your freinds. And the prospect of that and screwing a relationship up is what scares me."

"Screwing up how?" She asked. "For starters if we break up that bridge of friendship over the years gets torched and I can bear the thought of losing you." he said. Something wasn't adding up in her mind. He has never been this twitchy before and she knew it. "Bullshit Nate," she said boldly, "That bridge of friendship we built has only gotten stronger over the years. I don't believe it can be broken. Second off You can bullshit our friends but you can;t bullshit me. I've known you since we were two and I can read you like an open book. That's not the reason and even when you said that you started acting squirrely. What's the real reason and I want the truth. You've never lied to be before and I'm not going to let you start now."  "Okay, truth is after Serah she jaded my outlook on love, life, and happiness. They always say there's someone out there for everyone, but lately I don't believe that. I'm scared the next girl that comes along is going to hurt me. And if would be devastating to me if it was you." he said. Alyssa shook her head slowly, "That would never happen and you know it. Have you little faith in me over the years?  When have I ever done anything to hurt you? I'm always the one who stood by you when things got tough. Hell i know more about you than most do. Like how much of a techical nerd you are. I see all the little electronic gizmos you've installed in your model trains and in the club layout, I know when you're depressed you play Scratch 21's The Rhyme, which scares me because that's a song about suicide, And I know you've never missed a Cubs radio broadcast since you were 7. And that someday you hope to either play for the Cubs or the Twins.  " she said. "I know," he said, "But it's like...." he struggled to find the words. "Like she got inside your head and started pulling levers. Nate even I can see that. Look I'm sorrhy she did so much damage to your pschy, I reall am. I get that tthis is new and different.  That you're scared to death thanks to her. But you've never had your heart broken before and now you're scared it will happen again. And the thought of it being someone close to you scares the living shit out of you. I get that." she said, "But trust me I would never do that Just trust your heart to me, I know its broken but I'll keep it safe and fix it slowly."

"I'm simply asking for you to throw those fears aside and please give me a chance." she said. "Trust me when I say there is good waiting for you in life and it's sitting right in front of you. Trust me, Nate,  please." she said. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to pick yourself back up and get back in the saddle when you just had your whole world shattered?" he asked. "No, I don't," she said, "But I know it's most likely painful."  "Especially when you have to get up every morning and look at yourself in the mirror and realize I did I do something wrong to cause this.... Am I really a person worth anything in life?" he said.  "It wasn't your fault and you know it. You're letting her gas light you into thinking you did something wrong, but you didn't. the only thing you did wrong is  love her with all your heart and soul and she took that for granted.  Please Nate wake up. I miss seeing that happy go lucky boy whose smile lights up the whole room. She dragged you through the mud and dirt and even after breaking up with you she's still finding ways to get her jollies off you. , Let me please help you back up" she said. 

"Do you have any idea how scary this idea is? You're talking about about friends dating and we dont even know if it will really last or not . We know nothing about it or where it would even go. This journey would be unknown." he said. "That's how love is. For everyone." she said, "It's all unknown.  Life is unknown. We don't know where it takes us. But sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind and stop trying to fight it. She hurt you bad, I know you're scared to move forwards. Take my hand and I will walk with you Let me chase that fear away." "If I do this, baby steps. Because to lose you I couldnt bear the thought or the pain it would have on my heart. Unlike Serah you mean alot more to me in this world.  You were the only friend I had growing up, the only friend I shared my secrets with, my fears, my hopes and dreams." he said. "Well I wasnt saying lets jump in head first. But I get it and if you need to think this out, take your time, But if I didn't tell you now i truley felt I would be wonder what could have been. the rest of my entire life" she said. "You make a strong argument," he responded, "And I think I have some idea....." "And?" she asked. 

"Just be forewarned. I'm going to do stupid things." he said. And there will be arguments. I'm not perfect but neither are you." he said. "Nate, I love you because you're not perfect." she said " Besides You know we've never left an argument unresolved. But we'll learn what to do in this relationship together." she added. "I know you won't hurt me in the long run, I've always been the one you take your frustrations out on and in the end apologize but it's because you see me as a safe harbor that won't judge you for things you said that you never meant." she said. She continued, "I don't want some alpha male stereotype guy, I want you.  You're smart, funny , coolheaded, It does take a lot to get you flying off the handle, and you're not afraid to be emotional. That's the guy i want. I want my best friend. Which makes sense because lovers become best friends anyways." she said.  He sighed and nodded almost like something got through. "I guess what I'm trying to say is...." He leaned forwards and without saying anything Kissed her on the muzzle. This completely took her by surprise and she started blushing from the kiss. When he was done she said, "I will take that as a yes."

By the time Ace and Naomi got back, Alyssa was sitting in Nate's lap while he held her close. "Are you guys?" he asked. Alyssa nodded slowly. "Oh em gee," Naomi said, "Pandemonium. Cats and dogs living in harmony. Mass Hysteria!" she said jokingly. "Har har, very funny. Point is she made a very compelling argyment and I would be a fool to ignore it as terrifying as it is to me. Look I don't know where this is going, but I'm all in." he said. "Normally I'd say you two are perfect for each other. But in this situation I'm going to say, 'The hell took you so long dude. She's been right here the entire time.'" Ace said. "Long story man. Long story." was all Nate said.  "What happened to you two last night that changed your mind? I couldn't get either of you to answer your texts." Ace asked with a concerned face.  "Again man, its a long story I might tell you in the future."  Nate said. The evening ended on a high note, and when Nate dropped her off at home he walked her to the front door. It was here she kissed him passionately and said, "Thank you for a wonderful evening  and thank you for trusting me with your heart."  Nate drove home a renewed soul flying on cloud 9.

The next morning as Nate was eating breakfast Alyssa knocked on the door and was let in. "Morning  Nate." she said as she kissed him on the muzzle. "What the hell!?" Damion said. "I thought you said you screwed the pooch." "What can I say she made a convincing argument last night. I let her take my broken heart in for repair." Nate said. "Well it's about damned time." Liz said. "What?" Nate asked. "Oh for crying out loud how dense can you be man, everyone has see the flirting she's done with you over the past few months." "I can't believe it. Are you two seriously together ?" His mom asked. Alyssa smiled sitting on Nate's lap, "That party did lead to something good. He just needed to be reminded how much happier he used to be  and how he deserved someone who truly did love him."  "I somehow hoped you two would get together." Nate's mom said. Alyssa leaned into Nate's back Resting her head on his. "I couldn't be happier mom. We'll figure this out as we go along." Nate said. Nate and Alyssa got up and walked to the garage as they got in his car and headed to school. It had been a wird but good day after all.