Mark of Light

Chapter 2

I had just finished a batch of popcorn and was putting the popper away when the doorbell rang.  

“Sup, Ash?”  Dakota yelled as he let himself in.  

“Dont forget to put the spare key back, I got locked out after school yesterday because you left it inside!”  I answered back, as he came in the kitchen.  

“Yeah, I remembered this time.”  he took a handful of popcorn, shoved it in his mouth, and made a face.  “Ew, is this plain?”  

“Yeah.  It’s healthier.”  He got the salt off the table and shook some at me before putting some on the popcorn, despite my protesting.  

“Now c’mon, I don't think Nat’s gonna mind us starting the movie without her.  

We sprawled out on the couch, munching on popcorn.  I had my feet up on the ottoman, and dakota lay along the couch, legs on my lap.  there was little conversation, as we were both absorbed in the movie.  I mean, come on.  I wasnt that into most guys, but legolas was pretty hot.  I totally dug the hair.  it was probably really soft.  

After a while the doorbell rang yet again, and I could see Natalie’s hair through the stained glass.  

“Come in, it’s open!”  I yelled, not looking away from the tv.  Dakota was the first one to tear his eyes away as Natalie entered the room.  

“Where’s your ‘friend’?”  he asked curiously.  

“He’ll be here in a little bit.”  So it was a he.  Interesting.  I finally tore my gaze away from the beautiful eyes of Frodo Baggins.

“Is this a special friend, Nat?”  I asked,  wiggling my eyebrows.  I could’ve sworn she blushed.  since when did Natalie get flustered over dating?  I wondered.  

“Uhh, yes.  Its my new…  boyfriend.”  She choked on the last word.  Dakota blanched.  I’m pretty sure I had a similar look.  “We’ve, uh, been dating for a couple weeks now.  Id have told you guys sooner, but we kinda wanted to keep it on the D-L.”  she blushed like mad and wouldn’t meet our eyes.  

“Nat,”  I started, “It’s ok-”  I broke off as the doorbell rang.  

“That must be him.”  Natalie’s face brightened and she skipped to the door.  “I’ll get it!”  I couldn't completely see the figure at the door as she hugged him, standing on her tip-toes.  He wrapped an arm around her and they came back into the living room.  “Guys, this is Rhys.  Rhys Blevins.  Rhys, this is Ashlynn and Dakota.”  she said gesturing to Dakota and I.  Rhys smiled at me and gave one of those annoying nods to Dakota.  She led him over to the couch and they sat, Natalie curling up somewhat stiffly next to Rhys.  

Despite how Natalie was acting, Rhys seemed completely comfortable with her.  he had a peaceful look on his face, casually draped across a chair.  he had light blonde hair that flipped around his face in gold wisps.  he had an arm slung around natalie’s shoulder.  He had a certain uncaring air about him.  I went back to paying attention to the movie.

 

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I could’ve sworn I noticed Rhys staring at me several times.  But every time I looked over to him, he was watching the movie or stroking Natalie’s hair.  Natalie looked over to me more than usual as well.  It was like they were watching me, or something.  

Natys, (I shipped them, and that was their ship name), was disgustingly adorable.  They sat together on a recliner and murmured to each other.  I could tell from the way Dakota shifted every time they laughed at something one of them said that he was growing increasingly uncomfortable.  I gave him a sympathetic look.  All he did was pout back.  Now this whole day was screwy.  First Natalie was awkward about having a boyfriend, then Dakota was flustered.  Dakota never got flustered.  He was probably the most "chill" person you'd ever meet.  

We were almost through the second movie when the whispering between Rhys and Natalie grew kind of heated.  They looked angry, or at least annoyed.  Finally Natalie got up and grabbed Rhys by the shirt, dragging him out of the room with her.  

Dakota shot me a panicked look.  I tried, but probably failed, to look reassuring.  I listened to try and hear what they were saying.  I caught "waste of time," and "I don't make mistakes like that."  The argument seemed to be growing more and more heated, until finally Natalie yelled "FINE THEN.  JUST GO."  And Rhys stormed out past us and left, slamming the door behind him.  There were a few seconds of silence before Natalie came back in the room, obviously trying to calm herself down.  

"Sorry about that," she hissed, "we were having a bit of a...  Disagreement."  

Dakota and I shared a look.  "You sure you're ok, Nat?"  I asked.

"Yeah.  I'm all good.  Let's just get back to this stupid movie.  She climbed back on the chair she had been in previously, but I could barely tell she was a lot more relaxed than when Rhys had been there.