misidentifying the nerd

Curiosity killed the cat

Nat's POV

When I got home as usual I unlocked the door and walked into a empty house. My mom was off again on some business trip, or at least that's what she says. I wouldn't be surprised if she was off living somewhere else. Ever since the last incident with my dad she couldn't look at me and the excuses got more and more as she tried to explain away her absence from home and me. By now I had grown quite accustomed to it and never questioned her anymore. I was happy having the house to myself. It meant I got a lot more freedom as other teens. I got to choose what I ate, chose what i watched, chose when to sleep, when to be home, and any other rules parents set for teens. I could even put things wherever I wanted, which I did every time I cleaned. When i get bored I clean and when I clean I rearrange and reorganize everything. I didn't need a job because my mom had set me up a bank account that she transfers money into on a weekly bases so I was never hurting for money. Actually to be honest I had more money than I knew what to do with. I know normal teens would be ecstatic about that but to me it was just another reminder she wasn't here. I never had to worry about paying utilities, or car payments, or even just a phone bill. She always took care of that from where ever she was, she gave me money for food, clothes, school supplies and gas. Then on top of that she still paid me an allowance. For birthdays over the years she would just email me asking what I wanted and on the day of my birthday I would wake up to find it. For example on my sixteenth birthday I woke up to find my car in the driveway, I didn't ask for it I had asked for her to come home but instead I got a gorgeous car, which I'm not complaining about, with a note apologizing for it saying she couldn't be home and she just bought me the first thing that came to mind which was a car. she then went on to explain that she didn't know what type car I wanted so she asked her partner's son what type of car he liked and bought that. Which brings me to the surprise i found when walking into my room. My mom can't stand giving me simple gifts if she doesn't think what i asked for isn't good enough she'll do as I asked and then more. Which leads me to think she doesn't think name change is good enough. So inside my room I found a few bags laying on my bed. Now you're probably wondering how does my mom get my gifts to me inside my house without her being here. Well your guess is as good as mine, I gave up trying to figure it out myself along time ago. It's almost like she has some ninja hired to sneak them in. But back to the bags they were all from hot topic. Hmm so she at least knows my favorite store. In side I found a few shirts, jeans, and few random nick nacks. The shirts were some of my favorite bands, the jeans where different colored pairs of ripped skinny jeans. Then in the last bag were just a few random things, like a few CDs, bracelets, a pair fake glasses and a pair of sunglasses,  and on the bottom of the bag was new lip rings. So she had noticed, I smiled at myself as I picked up the gifts and went to put them away. My mom may not be around a lot but she's still a great mom and I love her. After I finished putting the things away, I decided I should email her. As I walked to my computer and I saw myself in the mirror, I smiled and decided to take a picture to send to my mom. She would be so happy to see me wearing a dress. I sat down and opened my computer, and started a new email.
    Dear Mother,
I would like to formally thank you for the gifts you have sent me. You really didn't need to get me all of that, the name change was really just fine, but I do thank you. I really love it all, makes me see just how well you know me. My birthday is going well. I wore Jessy's gift today, I'll be attaching an image. I am doing fine, I'm eating well, the house is in order, and I'm keeping up with all my studies, so there is nothing for you to worry about. I hope you are well and your trip is going as you planned. I can't wait till I see you again. I love you.
    Sincerely your Daughter; Natalie
I finished the email, and attached the image before sending it. I then closed my laptop and got up to go to the kitchen to see what I would be cooking for dinner. When I got to the kitchen I started looking through the cupboards and fridge and noticed I had forgotten to go shopping for food. Well I guess my shower will have to wait until I get back from the store. I went and got my phone, keys and wallet and went out to my car. I drove to the nearby grocery store and entered thinking about everything I needed to get. I needed Milk, Cereal, apples, orange juice, waffles, rice, eggs... My chain of thought was cut off by someone calling me.
"Nat!? Is that you? IT IS!" I snapped my head to the origin of the voice and to my horror there to no other than Chace.  
"Urg. Are you stalking me? What can a girl do to be left alone?" I ask turning to walk away. But he stopped me. I let out an exaggerated breath and turned back giving him a 'what the heck do you want' menacing glare.
"I'm sorry, I was just so happy to see you. I mean I didn't leave you early in such a good mood..." He trailed off looking down at the ground. Urg why do I have to be such a softy.
"Okay I'm sorry, but why did you stop me?" I ask softening my glare.
"Oh um I just wanted to talk, um may I help you with your shopping we can can talk while we walk." He said gesturing to the cart I had.
"Ok fine." I said walking away while pushing the cart towards the aisles. I guess I could at least give him the chance to talk.

Chace's POV

I was at the store to pick up some milk for my mom, when I saw Nat walk in. I know it's just an ordinary grocery store not exactly the usual setting for the whole clique scene for boy awestruck by a girls beauty but all the same that's what happened. I was standing in line with the my milk when she walked in. She was still dressed like she was at school. when she walked in the fans above the doors blow her hair and dress gently, the sun shining in through the store windows behind her. with her hair lightly flowing back and the sun giving her a slight halo glow. I couldn't help but stop breathing when I saw her. The moment seemed to slow down as I watched, but then it quickly ended when she she turned to grab a cart and walk further in. I abandoned the milk and called out the her. She seemed lost in thought, so when I called out she scared me by her sudden unnatural turn of her head. Then when she saw it was me she looked even more like she could kill someone. she snap out at me what I wanted and I started to regret this. But when she turned to leave I couldn't help stopping her. When she turn back I swear I would of pissed myself, she can be scary. I went on to to try and talk to her, she seemed to soften and next thing lead to the neck and I had convinced her to let me help her shop. This was finally my chance to talk to her. Now we were walking through the store as she grabbed things off the shelves. She got alot of different things, but everything was either in small portions, or when it was in bigger portions it was things that could last a long time. I thought I was weird to see someone my own age look like she was actually doing all the grocery shopping so my curiosity took over.
"what do you do your family's shopping all yourself?"
"You could say that." SHe said as she went on taking things off the shelf. I couldn't leave it at that.
"what do you mean? I was just a simple yes or no question." I pressed on. she stopped and let out a breath like she always does when she is annoyed. Oh great I've annoyed her.
"I pretty much live on my own, so obviously I do all my own shopping." She said with her eyes closed and head slightly turned toward me, before she opened her eyes again and walked away.
"you live alone? I thought you lived with your mom." I said still letting my curiosity take over
"She isn't home much, she goes on a lot of business trips." She said stopping again but this time turn around to face me with her arms crossed then she continued. "What else do you want to ask, get it all out now." I was taken back by her sudden willingness to talk so I just started spouting off question like a complete fool.
"OK. WHy do you hate me? Why do you only talk to Jessy? Do you an jessy have something going on? How can you be so pretty? If you are so pretty why do you try and hid it? Why did you always dress as a boy? Did you want everyone to think you were a guy? Is so why? Also if so why get mad when I thought you were a guy? Will you let me kiss you one day? What is your favorite food? Color? Song? Band? Would you go out with me? How old are you today? What do you have planned latter? WOuld you wear the hat I got you tomorrow? Have you tried it on yet? DO you like it?...."
"ENOUGH!!" she yelled cutting me off then murmured to herself "don't you know curiosity killed the cat?"
"Oh but I'm not a cat" I said trying to be a smart alek she just rolled her eyes and started answering my questions.
"I don't hate you, you annoy me. Jessy is my best friend. He is my best friend. I don't understand. I didn't try hiding anything. That is none of your business. NO. You are an idiot. NO. Orange Chicken. Orange. Angel with a shotgun. The Cab. NO. 18. None of your business once again. Perhaps. NO. and it's nice, thank you." She said counting of the questions on her fingers "that was almost like a game of 20 questions." She said excitedly as she started off again with the cart. this time heading to the check out. I followed quietly and helped her with her groceries. After she paid I carried her bags to her car. If it weren't for her catching them, I would of dropped all the bags. I stood there gaping at the sight of her car as she proceeded to put the bags into her trunk. The sound of it closing brought me back to reality.
"Whoa whoa whoa there is no way. THIS is your car?" I asked pointing at it she just laughed a little as she walked to the driver door.
"Yes, this is mine, gift from my mother. Good Bye Chace. Thankyou for your help. see you tomorrow." She said with a small smile and nod to be as she got in and started the car. She backed out and began to drive out when I called out again.
"HEY! Natalie by the way you look great in that dress today!" In reply I got a wave of her hand out the window. But i knew she was smiling. I walked to my car and left as well but almost home I remembered something. I forgot the Milk.