He Expected The World

Nathan was staring at the kitchen wall when I got home. His eyes were hollow and he was biting his lip, which was already bleeding.

“Hey.” I said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You wanna go with me to buy my dress for homecoming?”

Nathan said nothing. He stood up, took his keys and went over to the door.

“Uh… your hair… Did you brush it?”

“It’s fine.” He said softly.

“Are you su-”

“It’s FINE. Let’s go buy the dress!”

I followed my brother outside and tried to keep up with his quick strides. Halfway to the car, he suddenly froze; making me slam into him. He flipped around, tears in his eyes.

“Nathan?”

He pulled me into a bonecrushing hug.

“I’m sorry, Ivy.” He whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

He said nothing else. The drive was in silence. He didn’t even turn on the radio. I was about to ask him to go back home (he was bumming me out) but then we reached the store. My mouth dropped as I saw it.

“Nathan… this is too expensive. I’ll never be able to-.”

“I’ll buy you the dress. It’s the least I can do.”

He showed me the bills neatly folded in his wallet. I knew he had been saving those bills for his birthday…. So why was he spending them on me now?

Although I was burning with curiosity, I decided to keep my mouth shut and accept his generosity.

I must've tried on like ten dresses. All the while, Nathan was sitting on a black seat, staring at the floor. Every once in a while, he would look up and comment; then go back to moping.

I was too happy to care.

Finally, I found the one.

It was a beautiful electric blue with a corset in the back and glitter. It was short, but not slutty.

I stepped out of the fitting room.

“This is it.” I said softly.

Nathan looked up. As soon as he saw me, he began crying.

“Nathan… what’s wrong. Please tell me.”

“I’m so sorry Ivy!”

He was sobbing violently into his hands. I pulled him into my arms and he squeezed me very tightly.

He cried for twenty minutes straight.

Then, he let go of me and smiled softly.

“Now, go get that dress in a bag. Get some shoes too. You want some perfume? Get a crown.”

“Wow.” I said, laughing lightly. “It’s almost like you don’t want the money.”

“I don’t need it anymore, Ivy.” He said softly.

We bought the dress and I got a bow tie the same color (for Frank).

Nathan was quiet the whole way home. When we got home, he opened the door for me and gave me the rest of the money in his wallet.

“This is so you can buy another dress.”

“Why would I need another dress?”

“Who knows.”

He smiled and kissed my forehead.

“I love you.” He murmured into my hair.

Notes