PART 4

A week later, Nan was sitting at her usual table in the lunchroom. She was studying for a Health class test that was to be the next class hour. Somebody came up behind her and spoke to her.

"Excuse me. May I sit here?" a friendly voice asked Nan.

Nan turned away from her book and looked up at the stranger. He was tall with short blond hair and sparkly green eyes. Nan recognized him as one of the guys in her pre-med classes. "Yeah, sure," Nan said, trying to be friendly to this handsome intrusion.

The young man sat down beside Nan. "I’m Aaron Hunter," he introduced himself.

"I’m…"

"Nan. Yes, I know. I’m in a few of your classes."

"I thought that’s where I recognized you from," she said.

"So you’re going into medicine?" Aaron asked her.

"Yes, I am." She said excitedly.

"It’s always good for us doctors to have nurses around to help us out." He assumed that she was going to be a nurse.

"Well, actually…" she began.

He cut her off as he looked over at the book, "Oh, I’m sorry. You’re studying for Health. I shouldn’t have interrupted you."

Nan decided not to bother correcting his mistake of her wanting to be a nurse. "That’s OK," she told him. "I don’t mind the company," she added.

"Oh, well, if you’re sure I won’t be a bother to you." Aaron made himself comfortable in the chair beside Nan.

"Maybe you could help me out since you’re in the class. Usually Anna studies with me, but she’s sick today."

"Oh, I’d love to help you out." He looked thrilled that she had asked him to help her. They spent the last twenty minutes of the lunch hour studying.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Finally, time for a break, Nat thought. Time to see Nan, he added to his thoughts. He headed out of English Literature to the lunchroom.

As he walked into the lunchroom, he spotted Nan sitting at her usual table; however, something else caught his attention. The guy sitting next to her. They were laughing about something.

Nat felt like somebody had just stabbed him straight through the heart. "Who is that guy?" he said to himself. Nat had never felt jealous before. But then again, he’d never seen Nan with a strange guy, laughing and smiling at him as if she actually enjoyed his company. Nat was the only one that Nan was supposed to enjoy the company of.

He stood in the doorway a few minutes before deciding not to interrupt them. I’ll just casually mention this to her tonight, he thought, before going to find another room to take a break in.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Later that evening; Joseph, Nan, and Nat were at the supper table eating a supper that Joseph had made.

"This chicken is really good, Father," Nan said.

"Why, thank you, Nan. I had to learn to cook."

"After Mother died," Nan finished for her father.

"Yeah," he looked sad as he thought about his wife. "So, how was school today," he continued, trying to change the subject.

"It was OK. Anna was sick today, so I didn’t have her there to help me study before our Health class test." Nan told her father.

"Who was that you were with in the lunchroom before your class?" Nat asked curiously.

"In the lunchroom? Oh, you mean Aaron. Aaron’s in a few of my classes. I just met him today, though."

Today, he thought to himself. They looked awfully friendly to have just met today. "Oh," he said out loud.

"Nat? How come you didn’t come over to join me?" Nat thought she looked a little disappointed, but he couldn’t be sure.

"Uh, well, I was on my way to meet Andy," he lied.

"Oh, OK."

The rest of supper passed quietly.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A half-hour later, Nat and Nan were in their rooms studying. There was a knock on the door. Joseph went over to answer it. He opened the door.

"Hello, may I help you?" he asked the young man standing in front of him.

"I’m looking for a Miss Anthea Harding." He told Joseph. "I heard she lives here."

"Yes, she does. I’m her father, Joseph Harding," he shook the young man’s hand.

"I’m Aaron Hunter. I’m in a few of her classes."

"Oh, yes, come on in, Aaron."

"Thank you, sir," he walked inside and turned back toward Joseph, as Joseph shut the door behind him.

"So, what can I do for you?"

"I’ve come to call on your daughter. If you will allow me too, of course," he said politely.

"Come then, follow me," Joseph took Aaron into the parlor to get to know him a little better.