Sydney had to stay after school and talk to her volleyball coach about some scheduling next week for their official school tryouts. She's the co-captain with Jessica Murphy.
Our small group has different talents. And our concerns.
I'm the hockey captain. I play like my life depends on it because it really does. My dad's an asshole, my mom's dead, and my brother is stuck in a boarding school.
Sydney's life is volleyball, parties, and daddy's money. I love the Wyatt's obviously, them being my home away from home and all. But Sydney isn't gonna have to worry about paying her way through college.
Yoda is Yoda. Brilliant at anything art related. That boy can sing, act, play instruments, draw, sculp, and paint like you'd never believe.
And Mobius now too.
I haven't quite figured him out but I will let you know when I do.
This night is going to go really well. I can feel it in my bones.
I spent hours trying to figure out what to wear, how to do my hair, if I should clean my car (I did), and how to do my makeup.
I never do makeup. But Scarlett Santoro wants to sit by me at this game.
I was finishing my mascara when I heard the front door open and shut, followed by heavy bags hitting the floor, and multiple pairs of feet on the living room floor.
I peaked my head out of my room and down the dimly lit hallway.
"She's probably in her room." My father's rude, cold voice was approaching.
I ducked in my room and sat in my bed, pretending I was sitting there the whole time.
Who was he talking to?
Maybe he's giving me away.
Or selling me.
Hopefully he's selling me.
I'm worth more than $0.
I'm hot.
"Natalie." He opened the door the rest of the way. His dad's voice is on.
His gentle, you're-so-precious-to-me voice. I haven't heard it since I was younger. Start of high school maybe.
"Yeah?" I sat up, pretending I actually gave a fuck what this abusive drunk has to say.
He cleared his throat, "Your brother is home and I would like us all to have dinner."
"What?" I sat up straighter, unsure of which part I was so confused about, "Melly is here?"
He nodded, his lips pursing together, "He'll be going to West on Monday." He stepped back, "I've brought home chicken so get out here and eat."
I stood up, setting my phone on the wireless charging pad sitting on my nightstand, "I actually told Sydney I would go to the football game with her tonight."
He groaned and looked at his watch, "When does it start?" He didn't look at me.
"6."
Without looking at his watch, he shook his head, "Won't work. Get out here."
My heart thumped in my chest. I don't even like football games. I don't understand football. I am sad because she wanted me there.
And Mobius did too but he's Mobius.
"Dad-"
"No." He put his hand up, "Go say hi to your brother."
I could cry right here.
But Malachi is here.
And I have missed him so much.
I came into the living room and... "Your hair is blonde."
"Yeah and yours is still brown." He stepped closer to me and wrapped his arms around me, "It was horrible there."
I stroked his head, missing the comfort of his embrace, "I've missed you Melly."
He choked back a cough and backed up from me, "Been a while since I've heard that."
I shook my head, "It's been too long." I smiled at him, "We have a lot of catching up to do."
He smirked, "I know."
________
After I showered, put on my pajamas, and finally laid in my bed, I got the courage to pick up my phone.
Yoda and Mobius are very upset with me. Sydney knows it's something to do with my dad. And an unknown number sent one message.
I opened that one first, dying to know who this is.
unknown [6:23 pm]
:(
me [9:39 pm]
who is this?
unknown [9:40 pm]
the person you were supposed
to sit with at the football game
Scarlett!
I sat up straight in my bed, so scared on how I should respond.
A million sorries? An explanation?
Wait.
How did she get my number?
unknown [9:43 pm]
before you think im stalking you,
i asked sydney for your number
Oh.
me [9:44 pm]
i am SO sorry about tonight!!!
my dad went kinda crazy and said no
unknown [9:47 pm]
no worries dads are weird!
send me a pic for your contact
Right.
I should save her number too.
And I should send her a picture that is cute. It needs to scream 'im hot and you know it so come over and fu-'
"Natalie?" My dad opened my door, not bothering to knock. But he's never done that.
"What's up?"
"Lights out in 20." He flipped the switch to my overhead light off, "I am leaving for Monaco in the morning but if you need anything, I'll send you some money."
"Thanks dad! Have a safe trip!" I hope your plane gets stuck by lightning and falls out of the sky in the middle of nowhere with no hope of survival.
Back to the task at hand, I found a good photo in my camera roll.
A sexy picture but not sexy enough to make her think anything beyond a pure friendship.
She's straight though so she probably wouldn't even be able to pick up those signs if I tried.
I was frantically searching through my camera roll, overthinking every picture I came across.
Until this one.
me [9:53 pm]
good?
scarlett?? [9:55 pm]
perfect
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.
Snap out of it! She said perfect because it is a good picture for the contact.
me [9:56 pm]
thats a good pic
scarlett?? [9:56 pm]
i agree
Play it cool.
me [9:57 pm]
your turn
scarlett?? [9:58 pm]
She's so hot.
I am gonna explode.
How the fuck do I respond.
Fuck.
I have to change her contact name too.
I know it's Scarlett why am I gonna put question marks next to her name.
But what should I make the fucking contact.
Why am I overthinking this so hard?
scarrr [10:00 pm]
mumsy said it's bed time
im still bummed you didnt come to the game
but i get it
i'm really hoping i see you tomorrow.
scarrr [10:01 pm]
goodnight natalie
me [10:01 pm]
ill see you tmr fs
goodnight scarlett
sleep well
me [10:04 pm]
sorry again about the game
scarrr [10:05 pm]
don't stress about it natalie
its just a football game
youll be at the next one and we can get together then
me [10:06 pm]
that sounds good
scarrr [10:07 pm]
it really does
The butterflies in my stomach are never leaving.