No Guidelines

Chapter 6-2

Oct. 21, 2015 Wed.

"Adrian is going over to your place today?" Emma repeated.
"Yes, did you not hear me the first time?" Natalie replied.
"I did! I just- I mean, just you two? Alone? Want me to go too?"
"No, I'll just get distracted, I need to focus."
"But won't people think you're seeing him? Imagine what the others will say! What'll Jacob think?"
"It won't matter what they say, In a week the only thing people will care about is the carnival and our party, and I'll already be dating Jacob."
"God I wish I was you. How are you always so sure of things?"
"All a part of the plan babe."

Natalie departs, leaving to meet up with Adrian. She walked all the way to the side entrance of the school. There he stood, leaning on the gate, scrolling through his phone while he waited. His lips formed a smile as he looked up to see Natalie, his eyes met hers.

"Hey Natalie!"
"Adrian! Hi! Are we ready to go?"
"Just waiting on my mom."
"Okay cool, sorry she has to drive us again."
"It's okay, I let her know that your parents were busy. Plus, this way, she'll know where to pick me up."
"Okay, that makes me feel a bit better."

It wasn't long before Adrian's mom had pulled up in front of them.
"It's nice to see you again dear!" Mrs. Parker said, greeting Natalie.
"It's nice to see you too! Thank you for taking us to my house Liv!"
"Oh you remembered my name! I'm so sorry honey, what was your name again?"
"It's alright, it's Natalie."
"Oh, I remember now, he talks about you a lot!"
She gave a sweet smile to Natalie. Natalie laughed and smiled back. Adrian grew red faced.
"I talk about everyone in the group a lot," he interjected.
"Don't be so embarrassed Adrian, I'm used to people talking about me."

They got closer to her house, Mrs. Parker drove slowly in the residential area so she wouldn't miss any turns.

"Which street honey?" She asked.
"This next one ahead, Fairchild Cir." Natalie replied.

Mrs. Parker drove into a cul de sac. Natalie's house was one of the fancier homes at the end—first on the left, in the curve.

"Thank you Liv! I'll take good care of him!" Natalie said.
"Thanks mom! See you at 8," Adrian said.
"Bye you two, love you sweetie, see you soon, good luck!"

They walked to the front door. Not one word was said between either of them. "You okay?" Natalie finally asked.

Adrian didn't respond at first. His eyes were locked, facing the ground. Gently, she touched his shoulder. He jumped in surprise.

"Sorry! Are you nervous or something?" She asked again.
"Oh yeah. I've never been to a girls house.. alone I mean."

She let out a loud laugh—one that made him embarrassed. He laughed nervously along with her trying to mask the fact.

"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't mean to laugh that hard. I just think it's adorable!"

She unlocked the door and let him in. "If it makes you feel any better, you're the first boy to ever be in this house alone with me."

Adrian grew even more nervous. He found it hard to swallow with his mouth being so dry. His heartbeat increased little by little.

"Please make yourself at home," Natalie said.

She took off her shoes and left them by the door. Adrian followed suit. He walked on over to the living room by the front door and made himself comfy on the couch next to the coffee table. His eyes moved around the house, admiring the open space of it all, taking notice of all the fancy antiques and gorgeous plants. "Your house is really big," he said.

"Yeah, my parents work too much but make a lot of money at least."
"No foolin, Compared to my small home, this is luxury."
"Oh please, We're no different from anyone else."
"What do your parents do to afford all this?"
"My dad's a doctor and my mom's a real estate agent. That's why they're usually too busy to pick me up after school."
"So you just stay home alone?"