Anything For You

5: Attacks and Arrivals

-Natalie's POV-

-still at class-

The makeshift bell (a cowbell on a string) rang. Most of the class left, but I stayed to gather things slowly. Someone said my name.

"Yeah, that Natalie girl seemed pretty cute. Think I'd get her out?" The voice sounded like... Oh, who was it? I couldn't tell. "I mean, she must be easily susceptible."

"Aw man Leo, why would you want a street rat? The chick with glasses, the street rat, who else is in the nerds gang?"

"It's pretty much them, and them only, Ricardo. But the Hood and Daley girls are at least hot."

"No way, Jackson. The hot one's your sister, man." Someone whistled. I finished gathering my stuff in my bag, and left.

The boys were gathered right outside the door. They continued to chat like I didn't exist.

"So what about that Jaydah?"

"Awkward name, if ya ask me."

"It sounds so-so, but the last name is dead weight." I turned the corner. Someone appeared at my elbow. It was that Leo guy.

"Umm...hey Natalie. Would you mind goin' out with me this evening?" He sounded flirtatiously awkward.

"Hmm...nope. If you really wanna get a girl, try getting to know her first." I retorted. "And don't make fun of her. I heard every word out there." I didn't spare a glance at him.

"Those guys were just joking, Natalie! Let it go!"

"Yeah, but street rat? Tell 'em to get some rocks." I left him standing, stunned.

Castor caught up with me. "Natalie," he began.

"Don't lecture me on how they didn't mean anything," I barked. I sounded close to tears.

"Hey, are you okay?" Castor faced me, and wiped something off my cheek. "You're crying."

"Great discovery, Sherlock." I burst into tears.

Geez, what's wrong with me?

Castor pulled me into a hug.

"Don't listen to 'em, Nat. They're jerks."

"Yeah, they are," a new voice chimed in. I squirmed out of the embrace and looked at the new girl. It was Cara.

"Hey, I'm Cara. I've grown up around Leo. You were smart to deny him. He's a bit of a playboy," Cara said breezily. "And by the way, super impressed."

"For what?" I asked.

"You were homeless, and survived. I wouldn't have. So yeah, I was like, this girl has a will of iron. And I bet you got called street rat on the streets? Don't worry, it's a common enough insult these days. It's not anything special."

"It's only because I got help, Cara."

"Yeah, your new dad owned Daley Devices? My mom thinks he's the most brilliant person alive. Glow-in-the-dark-flashlight? I have like a million at my house because of that."

I chuckled. "You sure talk a lot."

"I've heard differently. Anyway, this is the most I've talked all year. And your boyfriend left."

"Oh, Castor? He's just a good friend. A great one."

"Oh, cool," Cara said. "I know your dad is the head of the night program, and if he has business there, and you come along, I could help you a bit. I go and stay with her pretty often."