Nathan by Bald K

---

“Our last day of school before the end of term," Jake said to Nathan as they made their way to the classroom for registration.
“And then it will be revision, mock exams and tests," Nathan replied.
“You will p*** all of your exams," Jake laughed.
“And then it will be the sixth form for our A-level studies," Nathan replied as they sat down in the classroom. "I guess you are off for a couple of weeks to your family villa in Spain during our break before the exams."
“We fly out tomorrow, it is a pity your stepfather will not allow you to join us," Jake told Nathan.
“Ever since my mother died all my stepfather does is work and then get drunk at home, the house stinks of cigarette smoke," Nathan sighed.
“I really do feel for you, mate," Jake said to Nathan as Mr Long walked in.
“Good morning for the final time this term," Mr Long said to the class. “I hope you will use the two weeks break to study and enjoy yourselves."
“Thank you, sir," the class said to Mr Long.
“Nathan, could you please go and see the principle," Mr Long said to Nathan.
Nathan shrugged his shoulders as he picked up his holdall and made his way to the headmaster’s office. Nathan paused for a moment before knocking on the principal’s door.
“Enter!" The principal shouted out.
Nathan opened the door and walked in, shutting the door behind him, and walking over to the principal.
“You wanted to see me, sir," Nathan said to the principal.
“Ahh, yes, it seems there has been a problem with the direct debit for the summer term," the principal told Nathan.
“My father has recently changed over bank accounts," Nathan lied. “I will arrange for my father to arrange a new direct debit."
“We certainly do not want to lose you, Nathan, you are one of our brightest students," the principle told Nathan. “Also, your hair is getting a bit long."
“I am sure it will be sorted by the time we sit our exams, I will get my haircut during the break," Nathan said to the principle before walking out and set off to take his maths lesson.
“Everything ok mate?" Jake asked Nathan as Nathan sat down.
“My father has forgotten to give the school a new direct debit after changing banks," Nathan lied. “It will be sorted soon."

“I will see you after the break," Jake said to Nathan as they walked out of the school gates. “Can I offer you a lift home?"
“I need to get a haircut, so I will catch the bus home after I get my haircut," Nathan replied.
“It is a bit long for school regulations," Jake laughed. “I will be visiting the barber when I get back off my holiday."
“Catch you later mate, zoom chat me if you can," Nathan sighed as Jake got into his mother’s car.
Nathan made his way into the city centre and went to a cash machine to get money out for a haircut.
“Damn, dad has not put in my f***Ing allowance," Nathan said to himself as he put his bank card back in his wallet. “I don’t even have enough to get the bus home."
Arriving home, Nathan walked into the house to see his dad sitting in an armchair drinking a can of lager.
“You need to sort out next term's payment to my school," Nathan said to his dad. “Also, my allowance has not gone in."
“You can go to the ordinary school for your exams, I am not paying any more school fees," Nathan’s dad replied. “You are sixteen in a couple of weeks’ time, so go and find yourself a job."
“Ever since mum died, all you are interested in is alcohol and cigarettes," Nathan told his dad. “You are not even my real dad!"
“Go and live with your grandparents then, you snobbish c***," Nathan’s dad told Nathan.
Without saying a word, Nathan stormed into his bedroom and got a small suitcase out from his wardrobe and threw his clothes in along with his laptop and phone charger. Nathan closed his suitcase and pulled it off his bed before walking out of the house.
“Why did my mum have to marry a p**** like him?" Nathan thought to himself as he made the short journey to where his grandparents lived.
Nathan walked down the side passage of if his grandparents’ house and saw his nan weeding the flower bed.
“Can I stay with you for a while?" Nathan asked his nan, “My dad has not paid my school fees and said that I will be attending a public school for my exams."
“You know you are always welcome to live with us," Nathan’s nan said. “There is no way my only grandson will not be attending his private school."
“Thank you, nan," Nathan smiled. “I will go and put my suitcase in my room."
Nathan made his way to his bedroom and unpacked his clothes and put his laptop on charge before walking back downstairs and back into the garden.
“So, tell me what happened," Nathan’s nan said to Nathan.
“I was summoned to the principal’s office where he informed me that the fees for next term had not been paid," Nathan told his grandad. “So, I lied saying that he had changed bank accounts."
“And when you got home?" Nathan’s nan inquired.
“He told me bluntly that I would no longer be attending the private school," Nathan sighed.
“We will sort that out on Monday, when your grandfather is not working," Nathan’s nan told Nathan. “I better call your grandad and tell him to make it three portions of fish and chips for tonight."
"You’re the best," Nathan told his gran.

Nathan woke the next morning and put his dressing gown on before making his way down to the kitchen where his grandad was sitting reading the newspaper.
“Is it alright if I have a shower?" Nathan asked his grandad.
“You live here now, you can shower whenever you like," Nathan’s grandad replied. “When I close the pharmacy at lunchtime we will drive over and collect the rest of your belongings."
“Thank you, I never want to see my stepdad after today," Nathan told his grandad. “I will go and have my shower."
Nathan made his way upstairs and into the bathroom after getting a towel out of a cupboard and his toothbrush and deodorant.
“I do need a haircut," Nathan thought to himself as he looked in a mirror. “I know exactly what style I want."
Nathan quickly showered and dried himself before dressing and making his way back to the kitchen.
“Grandad, do you have any part-time jobs going at the pharmacy?" Nathan inquired.
“What sort of hours are you thinking about?" Nathan's grandad asked Nathan.
“Some hours after school and Saturdays," Nathan replied.
“I am sure I can sort out some hours for you, and Saturday is a certain yes," Nathan’s grandad told Nathan. “It will help you when you start up at university to do your degree."
“Thank you, I will not let you down," Nathan smiled. “Also, I need to get my haircut on Monday."
“I have some things to do on Monday in the city, so I will take you in with me," Nathan’s grandad told Nathan.
“As long as you don’t take me to your stylist," Nathan laughed.
“I will give you some money and you can go where you want," Nathan’s grandad grinned. “Now I must go and open the pharmacy."

Nathan and his grandad arrived at Nathan’s home and walked in to see his stepfather watching the television with a can of lager in his hand.
“Well, if it isn’t my snobbish stepson and his snob of a grandfather," Jason said as he saw Nathan and his grandfather. “Come to get the rest of your designer s*** and other stuff?"
“Yes, I have," Nathan replied. “You will never see me again after today."
“Good, I suppose you are going to pay for him to attend the snob school?" Jason said to Nathan’s grandad.
“Indeed, I am, Nathan will be taking over my pharmacy when he obtains his degree in pharmacy," Nathan’s grandad replied. “Come along, Nathan, let us get the rest of your belongings."
Nathan followed his grandad into his room and packed the suitcase that they had bought with them along with his PS5 and his hi-fi. Nathan took the suitcase to the car and placed it in the boot of the car before loading his PS5 and hi-fi and his other belongings.
“Goodbye, Jason enjoy your pitiful life of lager and cigarettes," Nathan’s grandad said as he placed Nathan’s keys on the table."
“P*** off," Jason replied. “Get out of my house."
“Jason Baldwin?" A man in a suit and tie asked Nathan’s grandad as he walked out of the house. “My name is Mr Black; I am a debt collector working for the owner of this house."
“You will find Jason inside the house," Nathan’s grandad told Mr Black.
“Thank you," Mr Black said to Nathan’s grandad as he walked into the house.
“Who was that?" Nathan asked his grandad,
“Nobody important," Nathan’s grandad replied as he started the car and drove off.

“That was a great Sunday roast," Nathan told his gran as he placed his plate in the dishwasher. “You make great Yorkies."
“I suppose with your stepdad it was mainly pizza and takeaways," Nathan’s gran said to Nathan.
“Yeah, after he had been to the pub and knocked back the beer and vodka," Nathan sighed.
“Well, apart from Friday, I always do the cooking," Nathan’s gran smiled.
“I will just take this call from Jake," Nathan told his Gran. “Dude, how is your holiday going?"
“Can we meet up in the city mate? I have something to tell you," Jake replied.
“Sure, shall we say thirty minutes time outside the city hall?" Nathan suggested.
“Cool, see you in thirty," Jake replied before ending the call.
“I need to go out for a bit," Nathan told his gran. “I will be in by nine at the latest."
“Sure, you have a key to get in with," Nathan’s gran replied.
Nathan checked the bus times before walking out of the house and made his way to the bus stop and waited for the bus to arrive. “After a few minutes, the bus arrived, and Nathan boarded the bus and purchased a return ticket before sitting down. After a short journey into the city, Nathan saw Jake sitting on a bench next to the city hall.
“Dude, what happened to the holiday?" Nathan asked Jake as he alighted the bus.
“This is what happened," Jake replied as he handed Nathan a copy of the local newspaper.
“Holy f***!" Nathan shouted out as he saw the headline ‘Woodrow Electronics owner loses business due to massive debt.’
“How much did he owe?" Nathan asked Jake.
“Over a million pounds," Jake replied. “He took a massive loan out against our home and villa but now he is bankrupt."
“So where are you living?" Nathan asked Jake.
“The council has placed us in a temporary house, but I am out of school now as my dad cannot pay the school fees." Jake cried. “I have lost everything as the bailiffs cleared the house."
“You have nothing?" Nathan asked Jake.
“Only my clothes and my phone, but even that will go when they try to take the next payment," Jake told Nathan, as he wiped his eyes.
“F***, I wish I could help dude," Nathan told Jake. “I have just moved in with my grandparents."
“It is ok mate, I will catch you soon," Jake told Nathan. “I have to get home, well my temporary home."
“Dude, I have an old pay-as-you-go phone you can have so we can keep in touch with each other," Nathan told Jake. “I will get ten pounds put on it so you can text me."
“You are a true mate," Jake sighed.
“Meet me tomorrow, I am getting a haircut and I will give you the phone," Nathan told Jake.
“Ok, text me what time," Jake said. “I must go now."
Nathan watched as Jake walked off before deciding to walk back home.

“Right young man, we have an appointment with your principle to sort out your school fees at eleven," Nathan’s grandad told Nathan.
“That will give me time to get my haircut," Nathan replied. “Could I possibly have fifty pounds so I can treat Jake to lunch after what happened yesterday?"
“There you go," Nathan’s grandad said as he handed over the money. “I will also arrange to have a monthly allowance put into your bank account."
“Thank you, grandad," Nathan told his grandad as he put the money in his wallet.
“Right, if you are all set, let us head off to the city," Nathan’s grandad said.
Nathan followed his grandad to the car and got in the passenger seat, securing his seatbelt.
“I will meet you back at the car at then thirty," Nathan’s grandad told Nathan as they set off to the city.
Arriving in the city, Nathan’s grandad found a parking slot in a car park and parked up. Nathan got out of the car and headed out of the car park. Nathan headed to blinders traditional barber shop, pushed the door, and walked in to see that the barber shop was empty.
“Take a seat young man," The barber said to Nathan as he put a magazine down.
Nathan walked over to the red leather barber’s chair and sat down and looked directly into the mirror at his black hair.
“What will it be young man?" The barber asked Nathan as he secured a neck strip around Nathan’s neck before folding it over the cape.
“A Finn Shelby, with the back and sides, shaved really high up and the top brushed back," Nathan replied confidently.
“A lot of young men are getting this haircut," the barber told Nathan as he picked up the edger clipper.
“Yeah, my cousin had his done," Nathan lied. “It is a really cool haircut."
The barber combed Nathan’s hair before flicking the switch on the edger clippers.
“Ready?" The barber asked Nathan.
“Get started man," Nathan replied. “Get it as short as possible."
Nathan watched as the barber placed the edger clipper on the right side of Nathan’s head and slowly ran them up reducing the black hair to a slight stubble.
“Oh yeah, that is really short," Nathan grinned as the barber continued to shave the side of Nathan’s head.
The barber moved to the back of Nathan’s head running the clippers up to the crown before moving to the other side of Nathan’s head and removing the black hair leaving a hint of stubble. The barber switched the edger clippers off and placed them back on the hook. The barber then picked up an electric shaver and proceeded to shave the remaining hair off the back and sides of Nathan's head. The barber then dampened the hair left on top of Nathan’s head. Nathan watched as the barber cut about an inch off the remaining hair before drying it. The barber then took a dollop of Bryl Cream out of a pot and massaged it into Nathan’s remaining hair before coming it back. The barber wiped his hands on a towel before picking up a mirror.
“How is that young man?" The barber asked Nathan as he showed Nathan the slight stubble that remained on the back of his head.
“Really cool, I love it," Nathan replied.
The barber removed the neck strip and cape before handing Nathan a tissue. Nathan wiped the back of his neck and threw the tissue in the waste bin.
“Oh yeah, I love the feel of having no hair on the back and sides," Nathan told the barber as he ran his hand up the back of his head.
“That will be thirteen pounds," The barber told Nathan.
“Keep the change, mate," Nathan said to the barber as he handed over fifteen pounds.
“Thank you, young man," The barber replied. “If you want to keep it looking fresh, I recommend you getting it cut every four weeks."
“Do you do appointments?" Nathan inquired.
“Yes, would you like to book an appointment?" The barber asked Nathan.
“Yes please, Saturday afternoons would be ideal for me," Nathan replied.
“How does three pm in four weeks sound?" The barber asked Nathan.
“Book me in," Nathan grinned.
The barber booked Nathan in for his next haircut and wrote it on a card for him and handed it to Nathan,
"See you soon," Nathan grinned as he walked out of the shop. “Old Woods will not be able to say my hair is to long for school now," Nathan thought to himself.

“Like my new haircut, grandad?" Nathan said as he walked over to the car where his grandad was waiting.
“Well, it is certainly short and yes I like it," Nathan’s grandad replied. “We had better get to the school and sort out the payment."
“The back and sides are shaved to the skin, just like Finn in peaky blinders," Nathan grinned. “It is the trend now on young men."
Nathan got into the car and put his seatbelt on before his grandad pulled out of the car park and drove the short distance to the school. Arriving at the school, Nathan and his grandad made their way to the reception and rang the bell.
“Can I help you?" The receptionist inquired.
“We are here to see the principal, my name is Chris Porter," Chris told the receptionist.
“Take a seat, I will tell Mr Woods you are here," The receptionist replied.
“Come on through," Mr Woods said to Chris and Nathan.
Chris and Nathan followed Mr Woods to his office and sat down.
“How can I help you?" Mr Woods inquired.
“I have come to pay my grandson's school fees for next term and set up a new direct debit for future terms," Chris replied. “Will a cheque be ok for the first payment?"
“That will be fine," Mr Woods replied. “I see you have had quite a severe haircut, Nathan."
“I hope it is not too long for school requirements now sir," Nathan grinned. “It is quite a trendy haircut on young men now."
“Maybe you could persuade a few others to visit your barber," Mr woods replied.
“There you are, a cheque to cover the school term for Nathan," Chris said as he handed over the cheque. “If you have a form, I could complete for direct debits for future payments I will fill it in now."
Mr Woods handed over a direct debit mandate which Chris quickly completed before handing it back to Mr Woods.
“That looks satisfactory," Mr Woods said as he checked the direct debit. “I will see you when the new term commences, Nathan."
“You will indeed sir," Nathan replied. “Can you drop me back in the city so I can meet Jake please, grandad?"
“No problem," Chris replied as they walked out of the principal’s office.
Nathan messaged Jake to say he was on the way into the city and would see him outside the city hall in ten minutes. Arriving back in the city centre, Nathan got out of the car and walked over to the bench to wait for Jake.

---