RYANS POV
Today is the day. Yesterday I went to get my hair cut for the first time in months and bought a cool new shirt. So I feel ready. I am finally going to ask my best friend out on a date.I have watched so many guys ask her out. Every time that it happens when I am around my heart practically stops beating.
She always replied, "No thank you" with a hint of irritation in her voice but it still scares me.
To say I am nervous about getting the same reply is an understatement.
I have already taken two showers this morning because I am sweating so much. I used way to much deodorant and half of my favorite cologne bottle. I brushed my teeth for at least ten minutes while rehearsing my speech. So yeah, I'm nervous.
Today is her birthday. I figured it was the best time to ask. I plan to pop the question while I give her our homemade cards, some flowers and a necklace by mom helped me pick out. I prayed so hard last night for guidance. My biggest fear is her rejecting me and then losing her friendship.
My dad always says learn a girl's heart before falling in love and I had followed that advice to the fullest extent. She is my best friend. No conversation ever seems forced between us, and we listen to each other when we disagree about something. In my opinion her heart is made of gold.
She hides hurt feelings with snappy, sometimes, hurtful comments but she always has guilt shining in her eyes immediately after. She is a bit judgmental about others and quick to negative assumptions but no one is perfect. Behind her gorgeous face is a gorgeous calculating mind.
During last weeks' family meeting I told my parents my plan and my mom took me shopping for the necklace immediately after.
Mom and the girls are already in the livingroom when I finally come downstairs. I can feel the heat on my ears when I see them watching me. Stacy is giggling at me, Lacy is holding her nose, and mom is tearing up like I am graduating.
"Way to much perfumee, Ryan," Stacy says through her giggles.
Crap. I guess it is even stronger then I thought it was.
"Let's just go," I finally say after standing there awkwardly for a fee seconds.Mom pinches my cheek and gives the girls hugs before we leave. I use the car ride to school as my meditation time and ignore the girls innocent jokes.
I couldn't concentrate in any of my classes. I just kept thinking about her gifts in my locker and if I should actually do this. I should just give her the gifts and not ask her out. If she doesn't like me back then I will lose her as my friend. My hands are dripping with sweat when the bell for lunch finally rings.
The girls are going to join us for lunch to celebrate Nat turning 18. So my sisters and I set up the table as fancy as we can make it with all her gifts in the middle. Many girls say "aww" as they pass by our display.
Natalie never shows up and worry begins to creep up my spine. I text Nat several times during lunch but I don't get a reply. She messaged me this morning after I messaged happy birthday to her. She would have told me then if she wasn't coming to school.After the lunch bell rings I decide that I should check with the office if Natalie called in sick. Ms. Lee likes me so I figure she won't mind.
When I open the office door I hear multiple sniffles at the front desk and loud sobs coming from Mrs. Sheppards office. When I get to Ms. Lee's computer I realize she is the one making the sniffing sounds.
"Ms. Lee are you okay," I ask feeling awful for whatever hurt her and Mrs. Sheppard.
She looks up and whispers, "I'm fine Ryan. I'm just a little shook up. What can I help you with?""Oh, I was wondering if my friend Natalie Marshall called in sick today she wasn't at lunch and it's her birthday," I ask and Ms.Lee's eyes widen before she just completely breaks down.It's like the flood gates have been opened. I immediately go around her desk and grab her hand.
"Ms. Lee, you should go home. You can't be here in this condition. You are having too hard of a time today. Should I call my Dad for you. He is my next period and he has an aid so the students won't be alone. You shouldn't drive in your condition," I say and Ms Lee shakes her head.
I open my mouth to plead my case again, but all the sudden Mrs. Sheppard's door slams. I jerked around quickly to see what's going on and my breathe leaves my chest as I stare at the girl I love looking broken and beautiful.
Her hair is curled and she is wearing a beautiful dress. But her face is covered in makeup streaks and tear trails.I stand up so fast I get dizzy.
"Nat wha," is all I manage to get out of my mouth before she runs across the room and slams into my chest sobbing.
I look up to see Mrs. Sheppard, a police office, and our school counselor all crying while watching us.
Natalie slowly sinks to the floor and I follow rubbing her head. I have no idea what is wrong but I know it is bad. Natalie never cries. Natalie is the strongest girl I have ever met.
"Dear lord, please give me strength to aid Natalie with whatever this is about," I silently pray while stroking Natalie.
"Ms.Lee, can you page my dad please," I whisper after a few moments and she nods.
When dad arrives Mrs. Sheppard whispers something to him that makes him look as sad as the day the girls were born too early.
He quickly calls my sisters to the office and they get all of our belongings together. I am still rubbing Nat and praying. It must be something really bad for dad to pull the girls out of class.
"Ryan, carry your friend to your car and take her to her house. Have her pack an overnight bag. She is gonna stay at our house for a few days. The girls and I will meet you at home. I need to warn your mom," dad commands in a quiet voice.
Once I get Nat settled in the car I have to get her to tell me where she lives. Although Nat has been to our house several times to study I have never been to hers.
The apartment building just down the street from the school is old, but looks clean. She opens a door on the ground level and when she walks in she heads straight to the back of the apartment. I follow feeling extremely uneasy and unsure.
Nat didn't tell me anything in the car besides whispering her address. When I get down the hall I find her in the master bedroom curled up on the bed crying.
"Nat, what happened," I asked quietly while sitting down on the end of the bed facing her.
She sobs for a few more minutes before mumbling, "my mom died today."
As soon as those words leave her mouth my heart breaks for her.
She lost her mom on her birthday. Her only parent. The parent who frustrated her and leaves her feeling lonely all the time. The parent who I get mad at all the time for not hanging out with her.
"I'm sorry Nat. I can pack your bag for you if you just tell me were your stuff is. My dad is totally right you need to come home with us," I whisper and Nat nods while slowly standing up from the bed.
I want to hold her hand but I don't figure now is the best time. I wrap my arm around her shoulders instead. She guides us to her room.Her room is very basic. No bright colors or pictures. It has a twin bed, desk, vanity, dresser, and a half bath. She pulls out a duffel bag from her closet and starts silently packing.
"Nat, I can do that for you," I say but even before I am done talking Nat is shaking her head.
She gathers three outfits and some hygiene supplies from her bathroom. I watch while sitting at her vanity. I dont know what to say to her. I have never lost anyone before. She finally drops the bag on the bed and asks if I can give her a minute."Sure, I will meet you in the car," I say before grabbing her bag and heading outside.Once I am inside my car I immediately call my dad for advice. Dad lost his parents before I was born so maybe he will know what to say.
"Hello.""Dad, what do I say to her?""Nothing yet Ryan. She is in shock. Just get her home okay. Is she not wanting to come?""No she packed her bag and everything she asked for me to give her a minute alone. I think she is gonna change, knowing her, dresses arent really a common outfit for her.""Okay, son. Dont press her right now its gonna take a while for the shock to pass. Just put on some music when she gets in the car so she has something to think about.""Thanks dad that's a great idea.""Bye""Bye"When Natalie finally comes out she looks like she took a shower. Her hair is braided and wet. She is in pjs and house slippers. And she doen't have any of her usual makeup on. She looks so beautiful and so so sad. The drive home is a comfortable silence due to the low music dad suggested.
I show Nat to the guest room once we get to my house. Mom brings in a sandwhich and two water bottles. Then mom tells me to go to the kitchen while she talks to Nat.I feel exhausted, and it is only 5 in the afternoon. I know Nat must be super tired from all her crying. Being told to go to the kitchen means only one thing, "Emergency Family Meeting."NATALIE POV"How? What do you mean," I yell?My mind is running frantically. Her words aren't making any sense to me. It's like she is speaking another language.Mrs. Sheppard doesnt seem shocked that I am yelling at her. She looks like she pities me."Your mom was at the hospital last night, and she passed peacefully this morning," Mrs. Sheppard says calmly as if that explains anything."Why was she in the hospital? Did she get into a car accident," I ask, a bit calmer but just as confused as before.Mrs. Sheppard looks at the officer, this time with a slightly confused expression."Natalie, your mom, unfortunately, lost her battle this morning," she says as she turns her head back towards me.Confusion courses through my mind like a plague. Lost her battle? Was she in a fight with someone? Finally, the lady with the red glasses shifts in her chair slightly."Natalie, my name is Mrs. Phillip. I am the school
PLEASE LEAVE REVIEWS IT HELPS MY STORIES!!! I NEED TO KNOW WHERE I CAN IMPROVE OR WHAT I AM DOING RIGHT. THANK YOU NATALIE POV My mom had planned everything for her burial. All I had to do was sign some papers. Then two days later, before I had even come to terms with her death, I attended her tiny funeral service. I didn't participate in her viewing. Instead, I sat outside in the hall. Ryan had sat outside with me, silently providing me comfort, which I felt numb to. Somehow yesterday, the Wilsons had convinced me to move in with them and put most of the apartment's stuff into storage. They even hired people to pack everything and move it to a storage facility. My whole life has changed in three days. All my plans have disappeared. It feels like my life is gone, even though it's just my stranger of a mom who is gone. At her funeral, I hadn't realized they were starting to lower her down into the dark until Ryan asked me if I was ready to go. I didn't reply; I just started walkin
RYAN POVIt's been two months since Natalie lost her mom and started staying with us. She doesn't talk much, and she never smiles. Mom and I are extremely worried about her, but dad says to give her space.Every day she comes home, does her homework, eats dinner with us, showers, and goes to her room for the night. She is overly polite and formal with all of us. Even the girls can't get a laugh or genuine smile from her.I miss my best friend. Football season is over, so I have nothing to distract myself with. We didn't win state this year. The loss hit me hard. My last high school game ended with a loss. Natalie quit soccer as soon as she returned to school.When I asked her about it, she only shrugged.We still eat lunch together, but a couple of my buddies now sit at the table too. I can tell Natalie dislikes them. She never engages into the conversations, but sometimes I catch her rolling her eyes.Today is the same as usual. Nat is
Natalie POVI can't believe how sweet he is. I watch him as we gather the soccer balls that I have been kicking for over an hour.He helps me unhook the school's net and fold it. He does it all with a small smile in the freezing wind and it amazes me. His whole family amazes me. They aren't afraid to show every emotion they feel. Whether they need to cry or laugh. They share it with each other.His sisters are complete angels. They are glued at the hip and I've only seen them get upset with each other once. The disagreement lasted for about 5 minutes.Lacy spent longer apologizing then they had actually spent mad at each other. It was beautiful.I dont deserve their kindness. My anger boils so close to the edge all the time. I feel like a complete misfit in their perfect home. I just yelled and cussed at the best person in my life.Why am I like this?When we finally finish putting away my stress reliever, I grab Ryan's hand and
THIRD-PERSON POVTerri and Rick get ready for bed in silence. Each thinking about Ryan and Natalie. Terri brushes her hair, washes her face, and pulls on her favorite silk nightie.Rick washes the remaining gel out of his hair and pulls on a pair of old basketball shorts. He rubs his neck with both hands, trying to ease the knots."Rick, honey, come sit in front of me. I will do that," Terri says while patting the bed in front of herself.Rick loves his wife's massages. No matter what, they always seem to ease the tension in his neck and shoulders."Today was a tough day for Natalie," Terri states."Do you think she will regret Ryan kissing her," Rick asks his wife?When it comes to emotions and understanding, Terri is the master. She pulled him from a deep depression after his parents' death. And when he felt like the world was crumbling in on them when the girls needed so many surgeries as newborns, it was his wife that
NATALIE POV Ryan opens the car door for me like a true gentleman, and I slide into the seat while blushing. I began to panic as he rounds the back of the car. What if I do something embarrassing? How do you even act on a date? Once Ryan gets in the car, I am relieved to see that he is just as nervous as me. He keeps having to wipe his palms on his pants, which is definitely one of his habits when he is nervous. I smile while looking at my lap. Okay, say something, Natalie, be brave. "I am excited about Mexican Food," I say quickly before smiling at him. "This isn't true Mexican food," Ryan says with a smirk. There's my best friend. "Okay, okay, I'm excited for this chain restaurant food that passes for Mexican food. Because it is delicious," I state dramatically, and Ryan laughs. I love that we could slip into an easy conversation. I know if I were going on my first date with someone that wasn't my best
RYAN POV I open Nat's door and hold her hand as we walk up the porch steps. Since we live together, I don't know if I should try for the good night kiss now or walk her to her room. I must have frozen at the front door while I was weighing my options because Nat pulls and squeezes my hand a little. "Ryan, are you okay," Nat asks with concern in her voice. I feel my ears flame up for the hundredth time tonight as I try to look calm. I keep repeating to myself that I've already kissed her before, but that does nothing for my nerves. "Umm, yeah, I'm fine. I was just going to ask if I could kissyouugoodnight," I ask with the last part coming out fast and high-pitched. I clear my throat to repeat my question slowly and clearly, "I was wondering if I could kiss you goodnight?" "Sure," Nat says, blushing a little bit. I place both my hands on the sides of her face and lean down while staring into he
RYAN POV She kissed me. She kissed ME!! I slowly unfreeze as a smile consumes my face. I immediately start doing a happy dance. Giggles interrupt my glee, and I freeze all over again. "What are you doing, Ryan," Stacy asks from behind me. "Celebrating my date with Nat," I say while my ears go red, and I turn to look at my little sister. "You are so funny, Ryan. Lacy and I are waiting for you to tell us goodnight. Hurry. Hurry," Stacy says, grabbing my hand and dragging me to their room. After telling the girls goodnight and giving them their "special big brother hugs," I head to my room. Stacy has called my bedtime hugs that since we were super little. It has become a family tradition, and to be honest, I don't think I could sleep without hugging my sisters. I launch myself onto my bed and smile into my pillow. I can't believe how perfect today went. I have kissed my dream girl three times. I am dating my dream girl. And my parents