Return III

Chapter 14

Natalie's POV

The walk upstairs is almost completely silent, other than the sound of our foot steps. I think of something to say, but decide to stay quiet instead. After all, it may be better to keep my mouth shut after everything we had all heard on tv just a few short minutes ago.

As the four of us finally make it up to the second level of our grandparents' house, I watch as everyone splits into different directions- off to their rooms for the night. I sigh rather loudly, part of me hoping that someone will stop and turn around, but no one does, and I make my way to my room quietly.

It had been nearly a year and a half since I found out that the Jackson's ere my family, and since then, I had been at my grandparents' house a lot. And due to that, I have been granted with my very own bedroom, which had once been the guest bedroom, and, with a little help from Paris, I have altered it to my liking.

When I walk into my room, I close the door behind me and look around and take in the decorations on the walls- examining them like this is the first time I had ever stepped foot inside of this room. I have a habit of doing that, but I guess you could say that it's a good habit, because I don't know when the last time I will see this room will be.

I take one step forward, towards my bed, then jump when I hear knocking at my door.

"Who is it?" I call, turning my body around to face the closed door. I take a few steps backwards until the backs of my knees touch my bed, then sit down.

"Is it a friend of mine?" the person behind the door sings and I look down at my feet and laugh at the song reference. The door then opens and Paris steps in, then closing the door behind her. She smiles widely as she walks over to me.

"Funny how that song was stuck in my head earlier." she says and I lightly chuckle, not saying anything in return.

"I checked the time," Paris says, shaking her head. "it's not even late."

I look up at her, tilting my head, then grab my phone and press the middle button, only to see that she was right. It's almost ten o'clock.

I shut the screen off and sigh, staring at the floor. I can see Paris's facial expressions changing from the corner of my eye, and I know that I am about to have some explaining to do.

"What's bothering you?" Paris asks and I smile.

"You noticed?" I ask and Paris tilts her head as if to say "really?" and I smile again, then sigh and the smile fades. I turn my body so that my right leg is resting on my bed and I am facing Paris fully.

"I think tonight went great." she says and I nod.

"That's not what it is." I say, and she shifts positions as well.

"What is it then?" she asks and I press my lips into a straight line. I look down at her shirt, then back up to her beautiful blue eyes. I had always been jealous of them.

"You know, I've always been so used to the normality. Like, this life is so different for me. I mean, I kind of like it, but you know." I pause and Paris nods. I sigh once again, then continue. "It's so awesome being in this family. I mean, I still can't believe this is all happening. It's so... surreal, you know?"

Paris smiles wide and nods. She studies my face carefully, waiting to see if there is anything else that I want to say before she responds.

"You know, sometimes I feel the same way." she says and I furrow my eye brows at her.

"But you grew up in this. You've been around and in this your whole life." I say and she nods continuously.

"I know." she says quietly. She runs her fingers through her hair to push it back and I take that time to think of my next choice of words. But before I can speak, Paris beats me to it.