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[sub]Collaboration with [@LovelyComplex] || featuring best female friend, [url=https://i.imgur.com/RZX2X7e.png][color=00f453]Miranda "Mandy" Warner[/color][/url][/sub]
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Nathan Blake had always cherished the time he spent with Mandy. It didn’t matter if it was taking their almost weekly road trips that they started in college with them often just playing a classic game of rock, paper, or scissors to decide who gets to drive to recent traditions of him getting most of his non-meat groceries straight from her farm. Every moment spent with her has made not living in his hometown of Palm Beach seem not so bad, especially in early years of college when he had to live with the fact that his ex-girlfriend, Jasper Delamar, was at the same college he was.

Mandy was his rock, his anchor, and during some pretty bad nights where he drank too much vodka or smoked a little too much weed, the angel on his shoulder. 

And today, she was in the driver’s seat, taking him to the airport. 

For the first half of the trip, Nate was feeling great. He was riding a high because he thought about how long it’s been since he’s seen any of his old, casual friends from high school. Of course, he maintained contact with most of everyone, but not everyone. Years go by and things happen, life shifts everyone in different directions, but there were always a few people Nate never lost contact with: Spike and Max. Anytime that he went to LA or NY, which was almost every year since graduating high school, Nate has visited two of them whenever he could. When Spike started making ripples in the comic world, Nate went to every comic con he was going to appear at. Best buds support each other and Nate owns a physical copy of every issue, book, omnibus that Spike has ever released.

Yeah, for the first half of the trip, Nate was really excited. No doubt Mandy felt that energy. They sang and cheered as much they could that didn’t take much of Mandy’s focus away from, you know, [i]driving[/i], but at some point after that high, Nate let the excitement die down. Whether it organically simmered down or he willingly turned down the flame under his ass, one thing was for certain. During the intermission between high and his current lost-in-his-head low, Nate’s mind went from trying not to fuck up the lyrics of whatever song they were jamming along with to thinking about the reunion and the realization that it was envitable he’d run into Jasper.

[color=springgreen][i]Jasper…[/i][/color]

There wasn’t a moment that Nate hadn’t thought about his ex-girlfriend from high school nor how real his feelings were — [i]are[/i] — for her. Despite everything and all the time that’s passed, Nate still held a great deal of affection for Jasper. His prom-posal, which was very different than what anyone else thinks of when they hear that word, was so long ago yet the memory of the anguish caused by her rejection still rung his bell every time he thought about it. It wasn’t because she flat out said no. Nate had always been the kind of guy who never let it ever stand in his way of moving forward, but it was her reaction to it after the fact and the strain it put on their relationship post-graduation.

[color=springgreen][i]Not to mention the very awkward and tense reunion at college.[/i][/color]

Yeah, he couldn’t forget the way she just scowled at him. 

And that thought just brought Nate into an even worse mood. He never saw her look so cold at him in his life. And that was roughly nine years ago. He wondered if time changed her opinion of him? He didn’t know if it did or not. 

As he lamented on that for a few minutes, Nate looked down at his phone. He must’ve pulled it out at some point because he didn’t exactly remember when, but he looked at the time. [color=springgreen]“Just under two hours until my flight leaves…”[/color] He muttered, though it was obvious that every bit of joy he had when they left was now locked away somewhere behind an apparent misery in his voice. [color=springgreen]“I think our exit is coming up soon,”[/color] Nate said to Mandy, though he didn’t necessarily look up at her when he said it.

Instinctively and abruptly, Miranda Warner pulled to the shoulder and put her car in park. Putting her hazard lights on, she turned her attention to the man next to her and gently reminded him of why it was important for him to go to this event. [color=00f453]“You know what we’re not going to do? We’re not going to get stuck in our heads and think of the worst-case scenarios.”[/color] 

She reached out and offered her hand for him to grab, [color=00f453]“The one that we shall not name has already broken your heart, Nate. What more could she do that she hasn’t already done? Good people are going to be there and they will be there for you. I promise.”[/color] When he grabbed her hand, she tightly squeezed it, [color=00f453]“Do you really think she’s going to go out of her way to torment you?”[/color] If anything, she was probably just as nervous to see him, but like the average tsundere, she would push him away before she admits her feelings. Mandy would know, she used to be one. 

[color=00f453]“Plus—”[/color] She leaned her head on his shoulder, taking in the stillness of her car. [color=00f453]“—I know you and I know you want to talk to her. You want closure. And you’ll get just that, you just have to keep pushing, like I know you can. It’ll be okay. You will do GREAT because it’s you, Nate. You always do great.”[/color] 
 
For a moment, Nate was going to ask how she knew, but this was Mandy. Even when he didn’t think she knew he was getting lost in his head, or letting bad thoughts consume the good, she knew. This was because whenever he was at his lowest, Mandy always knew exactly what to say and exactly whose name not to mention. And she was right, of course. He did want closure. And she was also right about how there would be people at the reunion like Spike and Max and even Marg (if she was going). So many people that he could fill up the weekend with positive vibes. 

But if he were to make the most out of this weekend and if Nate was being honest, he needed to talk to Jasper, too. Because so many things were left unsaid and no amount of Mandy’s pep talk could shake that out of him. 

Looking at his female best friend, Nate mouthed a silent [color=springgreen]”thank you”[/color]. When it really counted, she was there for him and always — [i]always[/i] — knew what to say to get him smiling again like his usual self.

Well, he wasn’t out of the woods but he wasn’t as down. [color=springgreen]“Oh, by the way, I don’t think she wants to torment me. Lord knows she did that plenty ten years ago and some during college.”[/color] Nate had to laugh at the awkwardness of seeing her around Meadow U for nearly four years. He had thought about transferring to make it easier for them, but obviously, he didn’t. [color=springgreen]“And you know, I know people who haven’t scarred me for life will be there to relive some old, fun memories. I can’t wait to see Spike again…even though it’s been only a year since I last saw him at last year’s Comic-Con.”[/color] Another laugh as his smile became more genuine and wider. [color=springgreen]“But there is a part of me that wishes you could come along. I’m sure you-know-who would get a real kick out of it.”[/color] Ah yes, that would’ve made any potential torment null and void…maybe. 

[color=00f453]“Ha.”[/color] Mandy chortled at the scenario. [color=00f453]“Uh-huh, you know she can’t stand me. She never did.”[/color] Taking a quick glance at the time, the woman behind the driver's seat sat up and adjusted herself. Smiling to herself, she took the car off park and eased her way back on the highway, turning off her hazard lights. In a shy manner, Mandy muttered, near inaudible, [color=00f453]“If I went with you… I’d miss my date.”[/color] She had yet to tell Nate about a… guy… a teacher that she’d taken a strong liking to. Nate had been incredibly distracted - so bringing up her crush, or love interest, while all he could think about was Jasper felt selfish. [color=00f453]“He’s nice.”[/color] Mandy wasn’t the best at talking about her feelings. It took her a couple of years to get to this point with her best friend. [color=00f453]“He’s a teacher and he cooks really good.”[/color]

[color=springgreen]“Whoa! Date?”[/color] Nate exclaimed, completely ignoring everything else she said before it. This was the first time she’s even mentioned such a thing and they were the types who told each other just about any appropriate thought that came to them. [color=springgreen]“Well, that’s good he’s nice. Teachers are always nice…well, except my tenth-grade geometry teacher, but he was a grandpa.”[/color] Nate glanced at Mandy, a thought coming to him. [color=springgreen]“And it’s good he knows how to cook because the best way to anyone’s heart and especially yours is food. Or one of them.”[/color] Shaking his head slightly, Nate steered his train of thought back on course. [color=springgreen]“I’m super duper happy for you, Mandy! You have to tell me all about him whenever I get back. And whenever you think he’d be okay with it, I’d love to have you guys over at my place one of these days!”[/color] Was Nate getting ahead of himself? Maybe. But his excitement couldn’t be contained - not when it came to Mandy’s happiness. That was the most important thing!

[color=00f453]“Woah, woah, woah. Slow down buddy. This is our first date. So far we’ve had conversations at the market and he’s surprised me with some food, but yeah don’t get ahead of yourself.”[/color] She sighed, realizing her doubt in herself only meant she was jinxing the possibility of a relationship even before it started. [color=00f453]“Either way, it might all be for show. You’re like the only other nice guy I know.”[/color] Mandy anxiously laughed, realizing her luck in the dating field was complete shit. Hey, at least her and Nate had that in common. 

He couldn’t contain a chuckle. [color=springgreen]“Conversations, huh? Meaning more than one?”[/color] He asked, raising an eyebrow. If that wasn’t a hint at something there, then Nate was probably looking too much into that specific detail. On the other hand, it could also mean this guy was for real. [color=springgreen]“Not for nothing, but I don’t think it’s just for show. I think if he caught your attention enough for you to say yes to a date, then he’s the real deal and you’re going to have an amazing time on this date.”[/color] He smiled and gave her hand a squeeze. [color=springgreen]“And I can’t wait to hear all about it when I get back from Florida!”[/color]

[color=00f453]“Let’s hope we both don't self-sabotage ourselves.”[/color] Mandy was already questioning what her interest even saw in her and all the things that could go wrong, instead of the things that could go right and have already gone right. Like the fact that she trusts him enough to go on a date. Still, Mandy prefers facts, figures, animals, having a full understanding of things, and a good handle over her life. Romance? Love? Sex? Those were tricky. Like feeling before she could even process what she was feeling. That, honestly and deeply, scared her. It wasn’t that she had commitment issues either. She was the most loyal person out there, but that doesn’t change she was cautious and didn’t like reckless dating. Mandy hated wasting her time. And yet, in the game of love you had to, to find your counterpart. Your soulmate.

Having already gotten off the exit, she found herself getting closer and closer to departures, coming to terms that her friend would leave her, as he revisited the past. Pulling to the side, she looked over to him and twinkled a bright smile, throwing her anxiety for her date away to focus on the man on a mission, [color=00f453]“You’re going to call me if you need me, right?”[/color]

[color=springgreen]“Hell yeah I will! I’ll call you tonight and tell you all about the first day! Trust me, I don’t want to leave you out of the loop of anything.”[/color]

Nate and Mandy exchanged a few more words, mostly about her wishing him a safe flight and making sure he had everything for his carry-on bag. Truth be told, she always knew how to remind him to have everything he needed. Whether it was the flight or just in general, without him he’d truly be lost. There was a part of him that was actually serious about wanting her to come with him. There was a part of him that wished she was coming because, as much as he was so grateful that she always managed to shift his mind away from the dark side and the previously goth goddess that ruled over it (A.K.A. Jasper Delamar), seeing her again made him nervous even now.

Even now as he gave Mandy a big hug that lasted several moments and he made his way through the airport. Even as he boarded the plane and it was taking off, Nate wished she was coming with him because she was the pillar that always held him up…or maybe it was that she was the veil that covered him and protected him from his own thoughts.

But he also knew she was right. He needed closure. 

[color=springgreen]“Closure…”[/color] Nate said in a low tone, smiling as he mumbled along with the song he was listening to.  He had his headphones on so the person sitting next to him on the plane didn’t hear, but he was listening to [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpBCSW5uN8]familiar sounds[/url].

[color=springgreen][sub]”I say oh girl,
Shocked me like an electric eel.
Babygirl,
You turn me on like an electric feel…”[/sub][/color]

It wasn’t the original artist, but there was something about Henry Green’s melancholic voice that hit all the right notes, especially the more Nate just sat there, listening to the song over and over again, thinking about Jasper. It wasn’t in a bad way either. It was bittersweet because of the last time they saw each other. The last they met eyes was at the graduation party that was held at the Bonfamile Manor in Meadow. They were both there, of course. Mandy was there. His other boys and her girls. Everyone was having fun and Nate wanted to just…talk to her, but he never did. He never said what he should have said so many years ago.

This was the closure he needed to achieve. He needed to make so many things right and he’d start with Jasper. When he was young, he didn’t understand why she was so angry and in the years that followed, Nate never got the chance to ask her about it. This weekend would that time. He was older and wiser. He liked to think he was more mature than he was ten years ago. He’d do it on this weekend and damn it if he was going to let uncomfortable memories get in the way of that.

And shortly, as the plane landed and Nate got off the plane, about an hour would pass before he collected his baggage. Something to do with delays and misplacing his luggage. He wasn’t stressing [i]too[/i] much. He got enough sleep on the five-hour flight, but there was something of a worry in the back of his mind. He was a lot behind schedule. He had only an hour until he had to be at the cocktail party. Between how long it took him to shower, get dressed, and look as presentable as he could, Nate pressed for time.

“Sorry for the delay, sir!” 

Nate shook his head. [color=springgreen]“No worries~”[/color] He flashed a smile at the lady at the baggage claim counter who looked overworked, so of course, Nate wanted to try and make her feel better (if he could). Not long after, she would inform him they found his stuff and he collected it.

And then he found the closest taxi he could and in fifteen minutes, he was at the resort. As nice as it was and as much as Nate wanted to bask in its glory, he had no time to spare. [color=springgreen]“Take in the sights tomorrow! You’ll have plenty of time to do that!”[/color] 

With that firm reminder, Nate was off to the races. Forty-five minutes to get checked in, pick out an outfit, and make it in time to arrive on time at the shindig.

[color=springgreen]“Easy peasy!”[/color][/indent][/indent][/color]