Natalie

Chapter 8

"I want to go back."

"No," Ashton didn't need to elaborate before I knew what he wanted to do. My night with Hunter did exactly as he intended. I'd left all my worries in Falls Church City, because of that the past two days had been my most productive.

"You don't have to go, I'll go alone. Just give me the key," he whispered, we were sitting in class and the lecturer started to notice us not paying attention.

"Fine Ashton, go. But don't bother me with your theories or findings okay?" I whispered back, hoping that would shut him up about it all.

"The key?" He said, holding out his hand. I rolled my eyes at his impatience but unclipped the key from my key ring.

"Thank you," he said triumphantly.

...

Ashton didn't bother walking out of class with me, he practically ran out. I could only guess he was on his way to discover the wonders of a flat Earth.

I was half way across the quad when a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Natalie!" I turned around to see Harry Styles running towards me with a grin on his face, "How are you?" He asked once next to me.

"I was doing amazingly until now. Can I help you with something?" I said, allowing him to walk with me.

"Aw you're always so mean to me! Have I not earned your respect yet?" He said, putting his hands in his pockets. Both of us looking ahead as we spoke, noticing the stares as people saw us walking together. Both of us not caring.

"How was your date?" I asked, taking small pleasures in not answering his questions.

"It went quite well thank you, I took your advice and took a long shower and rinsed my mouth. She loved it," I instantly regretted asking.

"I'm never wrong. I'm relieved to see you're intelligent enough to see that."

He chuckled, "You might find this strange, Natalie, but I do enjoy your company."

"Does this mean you're going to continue bothering me with yours?"

"Probably."

We were almost to the diner where I was supposed to meet Aurora and Demitria.

"I have a better idea. I have this friend who'd love to meet you. Maybe she'd be better company to you than me, she's much bitchier than I am," I smiled at him. He returned it, showing off perfectly white and straightened teeth.

I thought of two words at his practised charm.

Fuck Boy

"I'd love to. When do I meet her?"

"Right now. She's meeting me here," I said, opening the diner door.

"How exciting," I was surprised not to hear any sarcasm in his tone.

I looked around, trying to spot my friends. I saw Aurora's red hair in the corner, her back facing me.

"This way," I said to Harry, I didn't look back to see if he followed.

Demitria finally caught my eye, and by her expression I knew Harry was behind me.

"Hey guys," Aurora's eyes went wide at seeing my companion.

"Aurora, nice to see you outside of class," he smiled mockingly at her. She meekly returned it.

"And this is...?" Demitria asked innocently, acting as if she was oblivious to his name.

"Oh, Harry meet Demitria. Demitria... Harry," I said, gesturing to each one, "Or in better words; Asshole meet Queen Bitch. Queen Bitch... Asshole."

Harry smiled as if it was the average introduction. Demitria practically took it as a compliment.

Harry held his hand out to Demitria, giving her his most seductive smile. She battering her eye lashes to start a hurricane.

"Your Highness," he said before kissing her hand.

Demitria smiled, enjoying every second of the meeting, "This is going to be fun."

...

"That was horrible. Why would you do that to me?" Aurora asked after our lunch with Harry Styles.

"I wanted to introduce him to Demitria. Come on he can be funny," I said, slightly disgusted with myself at defending him.

"Then I don't have a sense of humour," she said stubbornly, "You sleeping by me tonight?"

"If you don't mind, Candy is back."

"Her mother wanted her to be a slut. Who names their child Candy? Either that or she just didn't love her," Aurora seemed shocked at the mere name. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I think her full name is Candice though."

"My argument stands," she said, laughing with me this time.

It was almost dark when we reached her dorm. Still joking about Candy we jumped at my phone ringing, it was Ashton.

"You go up, I'll be there soon," I said to Aurora, guessing what the conversation with Ashton might lead to.

She nodded, walking up.

"Yes Ashton?"

I know you said not to call but this is important.

"What? What could be so important as to bother me with the one thing I asked you not to?"

I've been reading through some of these books and journals and you come up a few times right. And he mentions your dad. I know your uncle's crazy but this all connects so... perfectly.

I stared straight ahead. The mention of my father unexpected, not even my mother talks about my father. All I knew about him was that he was a Marine and was lost at sea when my mother was two months pregnant with me.

"Ashton, my father is dead and I'd rather not talk about him right now or the near future," my voice came out monotonous and soft.

Except he might not be.