Notes to Natalie

Chapter 26

Natalie's POV

Prom is only one night away, and I still have no date. Ever since Niall told me about his feelings, everything has just been, strange. Luke hasn't texted or tried calling me for a week, and Emily hasn't spoken to me either.

I sat in my bedroom playing a game on my phone. It's a Thursday night, without any homework or TV shows. This is the first time in awhile that I actually have been bored. That was until my phone buzzed three times.

'I'm picking you up at 6:00. Be ready.' sent from Luke

'okay actually 6:15'

'6:30**'

I glanced at my clock. It read 6:26. Crap, I thought. Only four minutes to prepare myself for who knows what Luke had planned.

My parents weren't home, which meant they wouldn't rant about Luke and how they disapprove of him. Just go, I thought. You either go and possibly have a great time, or not go and ruin your relationship with Luke forever. But, did I even want to stay with Luke? After all of the things he has done..he didn't even seem worth it. Did I...like Niall? I quickly erased all of my stressful thoughts from my head and got dressed.

**

It was 6:33 when I walked onto my front porch to wait for Luke. I wore my light pink sundress and gold flats. My straightened hair was pulled back just a tad.

'Almost there.' he said. 'You ready?'

I didn't have enough time to respond because as soon as I looked up from my phone, there he was in the driveway.

"So..where are we headed?" I asked as soon as my seatbelt was buckled.

"That's for you to find out.." he replied with a smirk.

**

The car ride felt long. I felt a little tired, very hungry, and extremely cold. I guess he had noticed.

"Oh! Sorry Nat. Here, I'll turn the heat up. Oh wait, I-I mean Natalie. Only your friends call you Nat..sorry, I forgot."

"Luke..it's fine. I was acting dumb. Really, you can call me Nat."

"Okay. Sorry I was being so stuck-up. You just seemed so mad, and I wanted to make things right and-"

"Luke...it's fine, really. Just forget about it."

He took a deep breath and just focused on driving.

**

"Hello, my name is Todd and I'll be your server for tonight. May I start you off with drinks?" I chuckled a little. I remember my friend telling me about a waiter named Todd.

"I'll have a Dr. Pepper please."

"And...I'll just have some water with lemon please." I told him.

Todd came back about five minutes later with our drinks. We were at a fancy restaurant named something I could not even pronounce. Once I saw prices on the menu, I begged Luke to not pay for everything. But he insisted.

Once we ordered our food, we started to just chat for a little. We caught up on things. I felt safe with him again. But as the night went on, Niall started to pop in my head. I could here his voice saying, "Natalie Parker, I'm in love with you." repeating and repeating itself.

How was I supposed to know if I wanted Luke or Niall? They both had such great personalities and features. I probably sound so childish right now, like a twelve year old who thinks she's old enough to have a boyfriend. But..I'm 18. I'm going to college next year. Why don't I know how to handle boy situations?

"Um, I'll be right back." I told Luke. I just needed some fresh air.

"You okay? Do you need me-" I cut him off by just walking away.

The fresh air flew through my nostrils and I shivered a little. I stood out on the balcony. Something about this just didn't feel right. I mean, how could you date someone if you possibly have feelings for someone else? All I wanted was to go home, watch a movie and forget about everything.

Thank goodness she answered right away. "Hey Natalie what's wrong?" It was Emily. So glad she could always be here for me.

"Hey, Em. Look, could we talk? It's kind of important." I could here loud music in the background. I also heard a lot voices, like she was at a party.

"Natalie? Did you say something??" You could tell she was almost drunk. Oh no, what trouble was she getting herself into. Oh whatever, that isn't important right now.

"Em? Emily! C-Can you hear me? Hello?"

Silent footsteps came behind me. I already knew who it was.

"Is...everything all right?" his low voice spoke. Why did he have to be so clingy?

"I-I'm fine really. Could I please be alone for a few minutes?" It didn't even bother me that I was being rude.

"Well, actually I thought this would be a good time." Great, more stress.

"A good time for what?"

He pulled out a rose from behind his back. Those precious blue eyes fluttered at me. They reminded me of Niall's. I could tell he was nervous. Niall got like that too.

"I know that this is well overdue.." Shit. Luke is going to ask you to Prom.

"But, late is better than never. Natalie...will you go to-"

"Stop! Natalie don't say it! Don't say yes!" My heart stopped.

He stood there in the doorway. His blond hair was a mess. He wore sweatpants and a Beatles t-shirt. But it didn't matter what he wore. None of it would ever change my mind. He would always be the same. Clumsy, blond, adorable Niall Horan.

"N-Natalie. Listen to me! He isn't who you think he is! He isn't right for you...Natalie please just listen!" He walked towards us. Luke's face was a red I've never even seen before.

"No..I'm not letting you get away from me again!" Luke yelled while he ran over to me before Niall could. He pressed his hard lips against mine and stayed like that for a long time. No no no I wasn't going to give in just like that. He didn't own me. 

I pushed him away from me a he nearly fell over the railing. He was the sickest bastard and I hated him. I hate him, I hate him.

I wrapped my shivering arms around Niall and cried. He was the only one who could make me feel safe. I wasn't going to let him get away.

"Shh..it's okay, it's okay. I'm here. He's gone." He kissed the top of my head and we swayed back and forth in each other's arms.

Niall Horan..I'm in love with you.