Natalia and Adriana were just having fun, goofing off in the guest room when Anthony burst through the door.
"Natalia? We could really use your help right now," he said.
"What's going on," Natalia asked as she got up from her spot on the floor.
"Jess is a mess. She's taking it harder than we thought," Anthony explained.
"Okay, let's go then," Natalia said as she followed Anthony to Kris' room.
"You've known Jess the longest, so I figured you'd know how to calm her down," Anthony said as they walked down the hallway.
"Yeah, I do. It's just been a while since I've seen Jess upset. I thought she had gotten it out of her system when she yelled at them," Natalia explained.
"She didn't. She's throwing a fit in the room," Anthony said as he opened the door.
True to his word, Jessie was crying in the middle of the room as Kris desperately tried to comfort her.
"Jess, it's okay. You said yourself we don't need their blessing," Kris tried to say.
"Yeah, b-but who's going t-to walk me do-down the aisle," Jessie cried.
Natalia's heart broke at the sight. Her best friend, one of the kindest people she had ever met, simply didn't deserve the pain.
"Jess," Natalia called.
Jessie looked up from Kris' should and to Natalia expectantly.
"Wipe you tears because they're not worth them. This wedding is about your love. If they don't want to support it, who cares? Because, guess what? You have a whole group of people who do," Natalia said as she gingerly wiped Jessie's tears.
"It'll work out right? It always does," Jessie asked in a mere whisper.
"Absolutely, and you want to know how I know," Natalia asked as she brushed Jessie's hair out of her face.
"Because a few years ago, my smart, courageous, and gorgeous sister told me that. Everything would always work itself out," Natalia said by heart.
And it was true, Jessie had always told her that when all her problems started. It was one of the few things that kept Natalia going when things got hard.
Jessie let out a small laugh as she grabbed Natalia's hand, "Thank you for always being there."
"What kind of maid of honor would I be if I wasn't," Natalia joked, "Now clean yourself up because the day is still young. We can always go do something."
With that, Natalia walked out the door and smiled at Anthony as she passed.
However, Anthony pulled her back when he grabbed her hand, "Hey, Nat?"
"Yeah," Natalia asked as she turned to face him.
"At the dinner, you told Jess' dad that you hadn't seen Chase. How come?"
Natalia sighed as she said, "You're a lot more observant than I thought."
"I notice things," Anthony shrugged,"So what's the deal?"
"Chase's dad does business with Mr. Delp. Before everything, Chase's dad was cool with Mr. Delp. The first night things went south, I ran to their house, and obviously had to explain the bruise on my face. They would never admit it, but I'm the reason the Delp's didn't sign this thousand dollar contract with the McDaniels'. It makes me feel bad enough, so I just like to avoid more problems by not saying anything," Natalia explained.
"Sounds like Chase's family is pretty powerful around here."
"That's exactly why I don't like coming. It feels like everyone sees me and wants to call it in like I'm some criminal on the loose," Natalia muttered.
"Good news is we're leaving tomorrow," Anthony said with a smile.
"And thank goodness for that because I don't think I could survive here one more day. I miss Chicago too much," Natalia laughed.
"It grew on you then."
"Chicago? Definitely," Natalia said as she turned away, "Anyways, I should probably go get dressed."
"Right," Anthony said, "I'll see you after."
As Natalia passed, she couldn't help but sniff the air.
Whatever cologne that is, is my new favorite smell, she giggled to herself.
-
-
-
Making the trek to the old baseball field by their neighborhood, the gang felt nostalgic about it all.
"That's where Adriana fell off of the pyramid sophomore year," Mason laughed.
"Yeah, and that's where you got rejected by Cynthia Reed," Adriana retorted as she stuck her tongue out at her older brother.
"Yeah, but I ended up taking her to prom, so who's the loser now," Mason said as he shrugged.
"Still you," Adriana laughed, "because you guys didn't actually date. It was a one time thing for the cheerleader auction."
"Ah, the cheerleader auction," Jessie laughed, "the stupidest idea ever."
"I have no idea what that is, but it does sound stupid," Anthony laughed.
"The Bonanza High 'Cheerleading Auction,'" Natalia began to explained, "It was where the cheerleaders would be auctioned for a date and all proceeds would go to a 'meaningful cause.' Cheer Camp."
"Natalia was the first one to go every year," Adriana giggled, "I remember when that one nerd won you junior year."
"The one time I would ever be grateful to Chase was that one night," Natalia said with a light laugh, "The nerd was getting too close for comfort and Chase just clocked him."
"He thought one night meant a whole relationship," Jessie laughed.
"The poor guy never even looked my way after Chase hit him," Natalia said.
"What about the time the scouts came to see us play, and Adriana and Mason got into a huge fight on the field," Kris said.
"That one was really bad," Adriana agreed, "I'll admit, I started it that time."
"Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun during high school," Anthony said to Natalia as the others began to bicker about differing memories.
"We did," Natalia agreed, "Life was just a lot easier when we were younger. I mean, I don't know if you feel that way."
"I do," Anthony said, "There was a lot less to think about it."
"But hey, at least you grew up to live out your dream of being a professional baseball player. Not everyone can say that," Natalia laughed.
"It was a hard route to get there, but so worth it," Anthony agreed.
"Do you miss it? Home," Natalia randomly asked.
"All the time," Anthony said, "It's where I grew up. It's where my family is. It's just filled with all these memories."
"It's weird because sometimes I actually do miss it here. I wish I could come back no problem, but it's just been ruined for me," Natalia sighed.
"It doesn't have to be," Anthony retorted, "You can always focus on the good and make new memories here."
"Thank you," Natalia said as she looked him straight in the eyes, "I'll be honest with you. I thought you were a douche bag and I wasn't looking forward to being partners for the wedding, but you've proved me wrong. So thank you."
"You thought I was a douche bag? Why," Anthony asked with a laugh.
"I have my reasons," Natalia giggled.
"So we're sticking with the whole 'ominous and mysterious' thing? Okay, I thought we were passed it, but okay," Anthony joked.
Natalia laughed as she turned away from him and looked back at her friends.
Everyone seemed so happy, and that meant everything.
---------------
So there was some Anthony and Natalia action in the end ‼️🎉 yay for that lol
For those that think I'm taking it too slow, I just don't want them to get together so fast. I want to develop their relationship and give it actual meaning
Also, the character Q&A is still a thing, so send in questions for any of the characters!
Until next time,
Gabby
PS: I just found out I passed my AP tests this year. Idk if any of you have taken them, but it's a super nerve wracking experience, and I'm literally beaming so hard rn 🎉‼️ ahhhhh, I'm so happy