Ride Home To Me

Chapter 36

A/N: WOWOWOWOWWWWWWWW OMG SORRY GUYS I RLY JUST DIPPED WITHOUT A WORD ON THAT LAST CHAPTER LMFAO. There's been SO much going on!! Many apologies for that unexpected hiatus but I am BACK and will try my absolute best to get back to posting more regularly. Little update that nobody asked for, I FINALLY graduated high school and am moving on to study marine science in hawaii because I'm a nerd :)) And I made it into a really fun job for the next few months so summer's gonna be fun! (and much less busy lol so yay more time for writing and hopefully finishing up this story in the next couple chapters) Anyways, sorry again for disappearing but ya girl's back and ready to go! Enjoy! XD

"Ok. You're done. Get up and make yourself something to eat." Natalia walks into my room without warning and pulls the curtains open.

"Nati what the fuck-?"

"Come on. We've got leftover Chinese and some random stuff sitting in the fridge if you want a sandwich or something."

"Nati I really don't feel like getting-hey!"

She huffs and yanks the covers off me.

"I don't care. It wasn't a question. Get up and come get something to eat."

I glare at her.

"And what's with the sudden care for my well-being?"

"I never stopped caring about you Gabs!"

I pause at that, and look down. Nati sighs in exasperation and pinches the bridge of her nose.

"Look," she says. "You've been living here with me for weeks. I haven't pushed you, I've tried being nice and giving you space, but I think there's an elephant in the room and we need to talk about it. I'll be in the kitchen."

I watch her exit the room and sigh. She's right. I've been wallowing long enough. Right now, the best I can do is at least get myself ready and grab some food. So I do. I take a quick shower, change my clothes, and go to the kitchen to find her sitting on the counter with a cup of coffee.

"How you feeling?" she asks.

"Better," I say. I hesitate for a moment. "Thanks."

She waves her hand and puts her drink down. "Nah don't start with that. You really don't owe me shit right now, much less a thank you."

"Fair enough."

I make a sandwich and take it to the couch, where Nati plops down next to me. I stare at her. It's almost like I can see the gears turning in her head as she fiddles with her hands and scrambles to find words to say.

"Something you wanna let out Nat?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry," she blurts.

My jaw drops. "What-?"

"I just... when Hector called me and said something happened I just wanted to make it right so bad, Gabi. Honestly. I'm sorry. I'm sorry about what happened with your team, I'm sorry I got you into this mess with that driving job, for kissing you, for messing with you on purpose..." She trails off and looks down at her hands. "I'm sorry for what I did. All those years ago. God," she scoffs, "I really fucked you over."

"Yeah," I manage to say. "You did."

"I just needed you to hear that I guess," Nati sighs. "Uh, you can keep staying here if you want, and you don't have to talk to me or try to get along with me or anything, you can just crash when you need-"

"Why'd you do it?" I grind out.

Nati looks at me, then down at her hands.

"Nati, you literally gave me physical scars and lasting mental issues. I don't care if you let me stay here, if you feed me, or support me, or whatever. I can find somewhere else to go if I have to. The least you can do is explain."