The Domino Effect

TDE : 2

POV : NATALIE

"Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"NATALIE MARIE ANDERSON! YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO GET DOWNSTAIRS! ", a voice boomed across the hallway.

Ah. A perfect morning start.

"Yes mother ", I hollered back.

After having a shower I take a final look at myself before heading out. I had picked out a pink tank top and jean shorts. My hair was tied up in a ponytail, courtesy of cheerleading practise.

I heard impatient honking, knowing it would be Rachel. I head down as quickly as my heels could take me. Grabbing a granola bar, I gave a kiss on my mom's cheek, promising I'll be home by 7 as I headed out.

Knowing Rachel she would probably be blasting All Time Low to calm her nerves. And boy was I correct.

"I'll be damned if I do ya, I'll be damned if I don't!"

"You can do me babe", winked Shane from behind.

"Sorry but you're not Alex Gaskarth."

I sat in the back seat while Shane being his dramatic self pouted.

"Happens buddy ", smirked Andrew as he leaned back to pat Shane on his head. Shane swatted his arm and flipped his imaginary hair looking out of the window.

"Don't buddy me okay. Let me just enjoy the nature. "

"We are in the school parking lot"

Realising that, he hastily got out of the car and stood next to the school doors. Jutting his butt out and putting his hand on his waist he gave us an incredulous look.

" What-ever. I knew that. Later peeps.", he says turning around and walks while giving his butt a swing.

"Why are we friends with him again?", asked Rachel.

"Because someone here has a teeny tiny crush on him, right Natalie?", Andrew smirked at me.

I blushed but quickly covered it up with a defensive look.

"I never said that!", I replied haughtily as we make our way to the head office to collect our timetables.

"Yeah? Don't you remember that time when we were six and playing tag and you wouldn't allow anyone else to team up with him?", quizzed Rachel.

"That was a really long time ago", I replied, dragging the really.

"Yeah? What about that time when you colour co-ordinated with him every single time we went out in 10th grade?", asked Andrew raising his eyebrows.

"There is this word known as coincidence Andy.", I replied.

"You did that for a year Natalie. Coincidence? I think not.", Rachel retorted.

Okay, so maybe I woke up early to take a look at what he was wearing. I mean, for heavens sake, he lived right next to me and he never closed his window. Now what's a girl gotta do.

We took our timetables. It was almost the same as last year. I took a look at Rachel's. We were sharing our first periods.

"Ohoh! And remember that time last year when sh-"

"I get it, you guys. But I'm a changed woman now.", I said, pointing to myself.

"Woman? More like a classified stalker.", Andrew muttered under his breath as we parted ways.

"I heard that", I shouted across the hallway. He just gave me the finger in reply.

We took our paths to our homerooms.

"See you at lunch?", asked Rachel before heading inside her class.

"Sure.", I confirmed.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. The warning bell rang indicating that only a minute was left before we could officially be classified late.

Senior year, here I come.

I opened the door.

As I scanned the room for familiar faces, my eyes met a pair of green ones.

They looked at mine searching for answers but how could I give them when the only thing running on my mind were questions.

Why did he come back?

"Hello Natalie. Nice to see you again.", he smiles.

Wish I could say the same.

"Welcome back Ryder", I replied hastily.

I quickly scrambled to my seat. The memories started rushing through my mind and my heartbeat fastened.
It feels like it was just yesterday when he left this town.

This is going to be one hell of a senior year.