Right Place and Right Time

Chapter 09

Chapter 9:

Natalie’s POV

I sat there shocked, just registering the bunch of words he said. Then I shook my head and drove away. On my way home, I tried to ignore everything he said. I told myself, ‘he probably tells every girl he meets that, you’re nothing special Natalie.’ I finally got back home and Tiffany was already there; I guess her friend dropped her off.

            “What were you doing?” she asked.

            I just help up my bags and said, “Shopping.”

            “You went shopping without me? How could you!”

            “Tiffany you have too many clothes. You don’t need to go shopping,” I said. Then I just turned around and walked up to my room. I got up and checked my window; perfect conditions to practice. There weren’t that many people, and even though it was getting dark, I could just turn on the lights Steve’s handyman set up for me. I changed out of my clothes and put on a t-shirt and spandex. I went outside with a cart of balls and practiced all the basic skills; tryouts started tomorrow and I was ready to keep my spot on varsity.

            When I play volleyball, it’s the most perfect thing in the world. I could be having the worst day ever, and as soon as I just touch the ball, I forget all of my worries. You could say this is absolute state of bliss. I forget everything and just play. Play until it’s too late, play until someone tells me to stop. Volleyball even makes me temporarily forget about my dad, and if I could forget something like that while playing, I could forget about Harry anytime. I was practicing my jump serve when I heard a voice.

            “Hey,” he said quietly.

            “I’m not in the mood to talk right now,” I told the voice as I turned around to face them.

            Honestly, I don’t know who I was really expecting, but in movies the person there’s usually Harry, isn’t it? It wasn’t Harry though thank God; it was Zayn.

            “How did you know I would be here?” I asked him.

            “Your car had Malibu High School stickers on the bumper so I just came over here.”

            That made sense, I guess.

            “Harry really likes you, if you haven’t noticed,” Zayn said.

            I opened my mouth and released a cold laugh. “Why would he like me? I’m pretty sure he’s seen prettier fans than me.”

            “Honestly, I can’t answer that question. I don’t know why he would like you,” he said.

            “Oh thanks.” I turned away and started walking away from him, getting slightly annoyed.

            “No, wait! I wasn’t here to say that! Ugh… Harry sent me here; he wants me to tell you that”

            That’s it. Harry this, Harry that. I’m sick of hearing that name. I turned around and yelled at Zayn; like full out yelled. “I don’t care what he wants you to tell me. I’m sick of him and tell him I never want to see him and his curly hair again. Never ever.” And then I left Zayn alone on the beach.

Zayn’s POV

            “He wants me to tell you that -- ” I said.

            Then she turns around and just totally screams at me; what the heck. And now I’m standing alone on the beach. I should probably leave before some late time beach strollers that happen to be a fan pops up. I walked up to the taxi that we called at the Spectrum after Natalie left us. Louis opened the door and I squished in next to Niall and the door. Harry sat next to Louis on the other end, staring out of the window and looking pathetic as ever. Poor guy. I just sat there awkwardly, not knowing how to tell Harry the bad news. Everybody kept shooting me curious looks so I just murmured, “At the hotel.”

            We sat in silence with some Mexican music coming out of the radio until we got to the hotel. A lot of the fans were gone, just a few left sitting on the front steps. We just walked up to them and signed CDs, took pictures, the usual. Then we walked up to our hotel rooms and everybody came into my and Harry’s room to hear what news I bear.

            How to start this? I dunno.

            “Well,” I started off, “she’s not a fan of your curls.”

            Well that’s a bloody terrible start Zayn.

            “I mean, like she, um, never wants to see you. Like never ever.”

            Oh that’s even better Zayn; absolutely wonderful, bravo.

            Harry looked down at his hands sadly; he’s not one who’s used to the sharp blade of rejection.

            “Why do you even like her Harry? She’s not that great; far from a ten,” I said, attempting to cheer him up.

            The boys just looked at me as if I said the wrong thing, which I most likely did.

            Harry opened his mouth to say something, but then just closed it again while shaking his head.

            “Look Harry, it’s fine. We have a concert this Friday and a signing even the day after. Just hook up with one or two girls after the events and boom, you won’t even remember who this Natalie girl is,” I said, taking another jab at cheering him up.

            Now this may seem rude, and people may think like, ‘oh that’s so disrespectful for girls,’ but hey, they’re pretty much throwing themselves at us, and some of them are extremely hot. Plus, we’re single and ready to mingle. Everyone’s face lit up at the idea and Louis patted Harry on the back.

            “Yeah Harry! It’ll be great! Perfect opportunity!” he said excitedly.