Is it really worth it?

"Hey stranger.." Nathan makes a little smile for us but it doesn't last long. I can't stop looking at the black and blue bruise on his face. I feel the anger coming, building up in my core and I close my hands in tight fists. No one hurts the people I care about.

"I'll wait for you on the field.." Maddie caresses my back and Nathan's shoulder before leaving us our space. 

"What the hell happened to your face?" I lightly stroke his cheek, feeling the tense skin under my finger. What I would do to take the pain away.

"Is it that bad?" Nathan removes his sunglasses only for me to see the also his right eye is slightly bruised. What the f**k.

"Tell me who's this bastard, I'm gonna rip his f*****g throat open with my bare hands. No one touches you." I grind my teeth, spitting out the words like venom, as retrieve my hand from his face. He shakes his head, looking at his feet.

"Tell me already." I search his look with my eyes, and by his gaze I assume that I must have the most terrific expression on my face.

"It was.. my mom.." He looks behind me, avoiding eye contact, and quickly puts his glasses back on.

"You're kidding." His mom? Even with all my strength I rarely leave bruises like this on Marcus, I hardly believe that a woman without training could do something like this.

"No.. she.. she was pissed off because last night I came home late." Nathan shakes his shoulder, still not looking at me, and takes me by my hand, walking to P.E. . I knew that I would have caused him trouble.

"My God Nathan.. I'm so sorry.. it's all my fault. Let me talk to her." I desperately search his gaze and I turn his head to mine, avoiding the hurting cheek. 

"No! I mean.. there's no need." He kisses my hand and makes a little smile, but I can't see his expression behind those black lenses.

"I'm so sorry Nat.. really.. I knew it, I told you. I'm only bad news." Nathan stops just before the entrance of the field, facing me, and places his hands on my cheeks, cupping my face. He raises his glasses, placing them on his head and looks at me straight in the eyes.

"Hey. Like I said, you're worth it." His gaze is so pure, I can see the intensity of these words in his eyes. But I can't stop thinking that I could have done better. That I could have spared him this punishment.

"No.. no if you end up hurt." Nathan takes a deep breath and grabs firmly my shoulders. His touch is heavy and confident, his look filled with determination.

"Stop it Katherine, it's just a bruise. It's not the first one and it won't be the last, but I would go through hell and back for you." My eyes fill up with tears. I can't stand to see the most amazing person that I ever met to be hurt like this. Why? Why him?

"Come here pretty face." He pulls me to his chest and hugs me tight, stroking my hair as I wrap my arms tightly around his waist. I'm so f*****g angry. With myself, with his mother and with that dickhead of Lewis. If it wasn't for him, he wouldn't be hurt now. I swear, when I'll have him in my hands he will regret his own life. 

"Let's go practice. Right now I just want to see you all sweaty in tiny training clothes." Nathan places a kiss on top of my head and when I look up at his face he has a smirk on his mouth and a playful look in his eyes.

"I could say the same. But we can leave out the clothes part." I get on my tiptoes and whisper near his mouth before biting down my lower lips.

"What I would do to you." He like his lips and leans even more on me, tightening his hug around my body.

"LOVEBIRDS! I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOUR FAIRY TALE! BUT GET YOUR ASS ON THE FIELD IF YOU DON'T WANT DETENTION!" We jump away from each other, facing the P.E. teacher pointing at us from the field. We look at each other faces and we burst into laughter before running to our locker.

*End of school.*

"Ready to go?" Maddie put her arm on my shoulder and we exit the locker room to go home. Even after all the exercise I'm still fuming for what happened to Nathan. As we turn the corner I see him, leaning on the wall. When he raises his head and meets my gaze, a big smile appear on his mouth.

"I'll wait the car." Maddie whispers in my ear and giggles before going to the parking lot.

"Hey handsome" I give Nathan a deep kiss and his big hands run along my back.

"What do you say if tonight I'll pay you a visit?" He pulls away from my lips, still keeping me in his embrace.  

"And risk to get you hurt again? Don't even think about it." I strongly shake my head, I won't be the cause of his pain two time in a row.

"It's ok Kate, listen. My mother is out of town, she won't know anything. And since you can't go out alone, I will come to you." Nathan makes a little laugh at my reaction, giving my a reassuring look.

"Are you sure?" I frown, but I want him really bad. How can I say no to him?

"Absolutely. We'll talk later ok? Now I have to run." I nod and he pulls me to his chest, our body perfectly matching. Then he whispers in my ear, making me shiver.

"I can't wait." 

*Home, in the gym.*

"You're crazy Katherine." Marcus his holding the punching bag for me, I'm still angry, I can't let it go.

"You're telling me that you wouldn't to something like this for Maddie?" I talk panting, punching the bag harder and harder.

"It's pretty obvious that I would." He frowns and rolls his eyes.

"Then where's the difference?" I glare at him, stopping my session to catch my breathing.

"Ok ok you're right. But if Boss finds out don't count on me. I care about my life and I want to be alive at least for 80 years." Marcus pats my shoulder smirking at me.

"Don't be so scared little girl." My dad really makes him shiver. Marcus plays the big, strong man but when he's face to face with him he turns into a little obedient puppy. When he realize what I said he launches at me, pinning me to the ground.

"Oh no, you didn't." I shake my head, staying still on the ground glaring at him.

"Oh I did it. Take back what you said." His eyes light up, daring me.

"Have I hurt your pride little p***y?" I make a pouty lip, making fun of him.

"That's it." Marcus raises his hand to punch me but doing so he frees mine. I tilt my head, avoiding the fist that hits the floor, and I punch him in the ribs two times. He loses his grip on me and I squeeze out of under him. I quickly get up kicking him on the stomach. 

"Always too slow." I make a step back and he gets on his knees.

"Always too distracted." Marcus pulls my ankle making me trip to the floor. He tries to get on top of me but I manage to put my feet on his chest, pushing him back. We get up and begin circling each other, staring deadly in our eyes.

"KIDS!" My dad's voice thunders and echoes throughout the gym. We both turn to him, startled. My dad is towering on us, his fists closed and his face red. Something tells me that we're in trouble.

"What did I said earlier?!" He glares at me and I raise my chin. I won't back down.

"No hand to hand because we were taking it too far." With the corner of my eye I see Marcus staring at the floor and I repeat to myself 'little p***y'.

"And care you tell me why the f**k were you fighting?!" I roll my eyes, staring back at my dad and as I open my mouth I raises his finger at me.

"I'm the freaking Boss here Katherine. Try to remember it." I shut my mouth, even if I don't like it, he is right.  

"And Marcus?" Marcus face jerks up at his command. Again 'little puppy'.

"Yes Sir." His jaw is tight, I clearly see the tension running thru his body.

"Don't make me lose my patience." My dads turns right around, slamming the door behind him. Me and Marcus stay still for a whole minute, staring at the closed door.

"He scares the crap out of me." Marcus lets go the breath he was holding till now, his body relaxes.

"You tell me? I'm gonna take a shower. See you later little girl." Before running away I swing my foot behind his, making him fall on his butt.

"f*****g cheater!" He yells at me and I laugh, running up the stairs.

Right now I just want to drown in my bathtub and I strip my clothes making my way to the bathroom. I fill up the tub with hot water and put on some music. I enter the bubbly water and I get goosebumps, oh God, how I love this sensation. I close my eyes, resting my head on the edge, and I forget about everything. My body relaxes in the hot water, my muscles ease the tension. About 30 minutes later a weird noise catches my attention and I stop the music. What the hell? I slowly get out of the tub, wrapping my body in a towel, going behind the door. Another noise, there's certainly someone in my bedroom. It's 1:30am, everyone else is already asleep and I grow nervous again. I pick up my gun, thank God I take it always with me, and I arm it. That bastard is going to regret this. I lean over the door and I hear footsteps. Ok, deep breaths Katherine. In and out, in and out. I slam open the door, facing the back of the intruder. I place the gun on his nape.

"Who the f**k are you and what are you doing in my room?!" The guy jumps away from the fright and raises his hands facing me. My finger hesitates on the trigger as his hoodie comes off and the soft light of the moon reflects on his face.

"Nathan?!"