I Adore You // Braeden Lemasters

Chapter 11: Pictures of Girls

"I can't believe you." Aubrey scoffed. "He was good to you."

"I'm doing what's best for me!" Natalie fired back.

"Why do you always run away from things? You literally pushed him away, for what? Why don't you loosen up instead of being such a damn stick in the mud?"

At this Natalie's face dropped. Aubrey's face did the same after she realized what she had said. Natalie darted for the door, grabbing her keys on the way out.

"Wait, Nat—" Aubrey tried to plea, but Natalie slammed the door on her way out.

Natalie drove to an empty parking lot and just sat their awhile. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, resting her forehead on it. Suddenly it was 3am and Natalie realized she had fallen asleep. Then she made the drive back home, falling back asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

In the morning, birds chirped outside her window. She felt a very empty feeling inside. She checked her phone. It was almost noon, and no notifications. She tossed her phone to the other side of her bed and stared at the ceiling for a little while. Homesickness was still weighing heavily on her. Thoughts of a tight hug from her mother teased her mind.

Natalie didn't speak to Aubrey for a few days. Aubrey apologized several times, and eventually Natalie forgave her, and half heartedly even agreed with Aubrey that she can be a little unadventurous at times. They shared a long hug.

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Two Weeks Later

"Guys we gotta go! Everyone's going. They never play around here."

"I dunno. I'm not sure I'm in the mood to go out, right now." Natalie said.

Aubrey and Hailey looked at each other then at Natalie.

"Pleeeeaaase," they both began to say, tickling her.

Natalie laughed uncontrollably, "Okay, okay, fine!"

A couple hours later they were at the Hollywood Bowl. The place was packed. They made it just in time to catch Current Joys coming out on stage. They cheered enthusiastically. Aubrey put an arm around Natalie and squeezed her.

After the show they headed toward the exit. By a random stroke of chance Natalie bumped right into a familiar figure with a mop of curls on his head. He glanced over his shoulder and then did a double take.

"Natalie?" He said.

"Cole!" She said happily. "How are you?"

He gave her a side hug as they both headed for the exit through the messy crowd of people.

"Doing alright. How have you been?" He said, brushing his hair away from his eyes.

"Same old, same old." She said with a shrug and paused for a second. "How's Braeden doing?"

"He's hanging in there, I guess." Cole hesitated, "He wants the best for you. You just gotta do what's best for you."

"Yeah..." she said a bit awkwardly.

"Well hey, we're playing at the Whiskey on Friday if you wanna come."

Cole's friends were pulling him along to head toward their car.

"Maybe. I'll see what I have going on." She said, knowing all too well she didn't have any plans at all that day.

"I'll tell Braeden you said hi?" Cole asked, walking backward with his friends.

"Sure." She said firmly.

In reality, she didn't know if she planned to go to the show or not. In her heart she missed Braeden, but didn't know if it would be the best idea to see him. She knew it would be nearly impossible for her to stay friends with someone she had feelings for.

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Friday Night: the Whisky a Go Go

The club wasn't that busy for a Friday night. It was only at about half capacity, maybe 200 - 300 people. Natalie walked in, side by side with Aubrey. Natalie wore here long dark hair up in a high pony tail, which fell softly midway down her back. They made their way around the club, finding a place to sit near the back. Aubrey was excited to have a couple drinks and unwind. Natalie had planned to stay sober for the night, to keep her mind clear.

Around ten o'clock the band came out on stage. The lights lit their faces, and blinded their eyes. It was difficult for them to see the audience. Natalie's heart was thumping in her chest. She smiled coyly as she watched Braeden on stage. He was focused on his guitar, nodding his head to the beat of the music.

Pictures of Girls was the last song on their setlist. She couldn't be sure, but it almost seemed as though Braeden was looking right at her as he passionately sang,

"You should be down in Hollywood."

The crowd was enjoying Wallows. And almost as quickly as it began, the show was over. Another band was coming out on stage to take their place.

"Wanna head back home?" Natalie asked Aubrey, who sat drunkenly beside her.

"Noo, I wanna hear the next band."

"Alright." Natalie said with a deep breath.

A few minutes later somebody approached her in the darkness of the club.

"Hey," he yelled, voice muffled by the music.

It was Dylan. He was bent down near the table so she could hear him.

"Great set." Natalie said, trying to talk over the music.

"Thank you!" Dylan said. "So umm, listen, I don't know what happened with you and Braeden. But I do know he really cares about you. It's been a really long time since I've seen him feel this way about someone."

Natalie listened, biting her cheek. She sat silent.

"I know it's not my place." He shouted over the music, putting his hands out in front of him. "But maybe you guys could work it out."

"Did Braeden tell you to come find me?" She asked, curiously.

"No, no." Dylan said raising his eyebrows. "He's been upset the last couple weeks. He didn't even wanna play the show tonight, actually. I hate seeing him so hurt, so I figured I'd see what I can do."

Natalie smirked, and Dylan smirked back.

"You're a good friend." Natalie said.

"Think about it!" Dylan said, pointing a finger at her and disappearing into the sea of people in the club.