Months ago, I decided that when late summer rolled around and the seemingly unending task of unpacking boxes in the California heat was finished, I would reinvent myself. It only made sense that a new school in a new state would mean no more super preppy me, but a new and improved Margaret Wintergreen. I could be myself, finally.

At that time the extreme summer heat was just beginning to fade, now the leaves on the few deciduous trees were turning golden yellows and rusty reds. The homeroom bell chimed, and then, amid the frantic seat-searching and friend-greeting, I realized there was one small fault in my plan: Nathan Forrester. He landed a spot diagonal in front of me to my right in homeroom. I easily recognized him because of the sandy tousled mob of hair and his ever-present awkward shyness. Of course, he had to be the one person that went to South Haven High from summer camp in the early summer. Since being completely new was no longer an option, I decided just to spit it out.

"Hi," I said while gently tapping his shoulder.
His face clearly displayed confusion.
"Umm, hi?" was the response I got.
"Sorry, you probably don't remember me, I'm Margaret, Margaret Wintergreen, from summer camp," I officially am the most awkward person in the world. Possibly more awkward than Nathan Forrester.
"Oh yeah," I knew he didn't really remember me, or really anyone for that matter, from summer camp.
"So how was the rest of your summer?"
"Fine."
I really wanted to carry on a conversation so I didn't look like a total loner, but Nathan was making that goal extremely difficult to reach.

***

After a weeks of talking, carrying on a conversation with him was no longer a dread, but really the highlight of my day. Surprisingly, he became my best friend. Despite the way that our first interaction made him seem, he is actually very exciting, kind, and smart. Currently, me and my best friend were walking around the petite downtown area after stopping at a cute coffee shop/cafe for fresh coffee. We both agreed that coffee shop chains were too mainstream and we much rather preferred cute, quaint cafes. I really felt comfortable around Nathan. Then a small feeling started bubbling inside of me.

"You know, you're not the same person, you were preppier at camp, and I mean that in the best way possible," Nathan said.

"That's because I didn't know who I was or was supposed to be at camp," I confessed.

"That's easy, you're supposed to be yourself."

"But I didn't know how to do that then. I know now, with you."

"How? How did you not know how or want to be the beautiful, magical human being you are?"


Then I recognized the feeling that exploded inside me and the happiness hit me like a train on a track. For once, I indeed felt magical. I felt bad because my only response was blushed cheeks and a small "Thanks."

***

Fall gave way to winter, which, in Cali, doesn't seem like winter, and Nathan and my adventures got more frequent we only got closer. I'll admit, it's pretty great and I don't even know if he's my best friend or boyfriend (I don't think he does either) but it's kinda perfect because we can be both.
"Extra butter, please," I told the popcorn lady at the movie theater while preforming a balancing act with drinks and candy because Nathan went to the men's room.

He returned a few minutes later with many "You got that"s and "Here, let me help you"s. Shifting the various concessions, we made our way to a pair of seats. I'm actually not even sure what movie were seeing, I just wanted to be with Nate. It sounds super cheesy I know.

Two hours later, when the strange action/comedy/nothing-like-I've-ever-seen-before movie came to a close and the universe was safe, we made our way out to Nathan's car to head home. It was only 9:15, but I was getting tired.

We hardly spoke on the way home, just enjoying each other's presence. The best part was that I felt free of the past and I felt like myself. Perfection. Turn left onto Kingswood. Go for two miles. Turn left onto Washington. Go for half a- CRASH! I didn't have time to scream, or even think. My heart raced, airbags inflated, and time seemed to stand still and go so fast all at once. I scrambled to check on Nathan and find my phone to call 911. Nate looked like he was unconscious.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"Hi," I spat out, "um, we were hit by a car on Washington Avenue right before Fulton. Please come quickly he's unconscious," My voice and whole body were shaking.

"Who is 'he' ma'am?"

"My boyfriend/best friend just please come fast, please!" At this pony tears streaked my faced.

I didn't know what to do, the world was just one big haze and I only returned to reality when the screeching sirens and flashing light brought me back.
"Miss," a cop asked, "could please tell us what happened?"
"I don't really know, we were just driving and a car came out of nowhere and hit us head-on, hard."
"Do you know what kind of car it was?"
I was truly a mess, sobbing and shaking, and I wasn't even hurt that badly, "No, I don't really remember I wasn't really paying attention to that and I can't really see that well in the murky darkness."

He understood and stopped asking me questions for a while. An ambulance wheeled up to take Nate and I began to yell and beg them to let me come. The paramedics said no, not until they knew his condition and whether or not he was stable. In a tidal wave of fear, millions of thoughts swam through my head, and I could do was sit on the curb and cry and cry and cry until my mom came to pick me up. (and then I cried some more) I'm not even sure why I just bawled, I just did, it seemed instinctive.

***

Tomorrow became today, and by 8:00 a.m. I had changed and gotten ready to visit Nate at the hospital. I received a phone call at 11:30 last night informing me that Nathan regained consciousness but then fell asleep. He got away with a bump on his head, a broken arm, and some scratches. I left the site with fresh scratches and tender bruises. I slept relieved that nothing too major had happened to him. As I was driving to the hospital I still hadn't rehearsed what I was going to say to him. "Hey, how's it going since we got into an accident and you're in the hospital and I'm pretty much okay with just a few emotional scars" didn't sound good to me. I decided just to speak in the moment, whatever I say, I say.
When I arrived, the lady at the front desk asked if I was here for Nate and I said yes, then she asked me for my name, I told her Margaret. Then she left to alert Nathan and signaled for me to come.

His eyes lit up when I strolled in.

"Hi," was all I managed to say while walking into the room.

Nate just smiled weakly. I sat there on the bed next to him, we were just enjoying each other's presence, just like last night. He just smiled, that beautiful smile. I smiled too. God knows what's in those beautiful blue, sunken eyes that made me smile.

Then I whispered, "Nathan Theodore Forrester, you are magical."