The next morning, Arilelle went back home to Taylor's. Her mom seemed to be doing better, and she wanted to be there for Natalie as well. She found Natalie sitting on the couch upon entering the house. She was half watching tv and just sitting there in a daze. Sitting next to her, Arielle gave her a little hug. " Are you okay, Natalie?"
" I guess." She looked at her with tired eyes. " I didn't sleep very well last night. I kept having nightmares."
" Why don't you go upstairs to your room and I will bring you a cup of chamomille tea. Then you can try getting a nap in, and we can grab some lunch and head to the mall after." She suggested. " Let me treat you for a change."
" That sounds great." Natalie stood up, and yawned as she stretched. " Thank you for being so great to me, Arielle." She gave her a little smile, and headed up the stairs. The other day had taken it's toll on her, and she was having a hard time shaking it. Hoping she was tired enough to sleep, she got into bed and waited for Arielle to bring her the cup of tea. They visited while she sipped on it, and then she laid down to try taking that nap.
Arielle flipped through the channels until her dad came in the room and asked where Natalie had gone. She told him that she had sent her to take a nap, and what her plans were for after that. He was happy to hear that she was adjusting to everything, and he hoped that meant she would happily come to his and Natalie's wedding.
They spent some time talking and watched Jurassic Park. Christopher came down twenty minutes into the movie and joined them, sitting in between the two. Arielle could tell her was struggling, and she kept glancing at him every once in awhile. He told her that he would be fine, but that didn't keep her from keeping an eye on him.
When the movie was over, Arielle went upstairs to wake Natalie up. She hadn't meant for her to take a short nap when suggesting it, knowing that she needed the rest. Upon waking her up, she went into the bathroom and waited for her downstairs.
Natalie came down wearing a purple Vera Wang floral shirt and black jeans. Her hair was pulled up with a flower hair clip, and she had obviously thrown on her favorite perfume, which was Cashmere Mist.
Taylor smiled when he saw her come down the stairs. She had been rather lazy the last few days, and hadn't been taking very good care of herself. So it was a nice change to see her looking as beautiful as she did. " You look amazing, honey." He told her, with a big smile on his face.
" Thank you, Taylor." She smied back at him, and grabbed her purse before throwing a pair of sandals on. " Are you ready, Arielle?"
" Yep. I'll have her back in a couple of hours, dad." She gave him a hug, and followed Natalie at the door.
They stopped at PF Changs for a late lunch and enjoyed their meal of lettuce wraps, sweet and sour chicken, and New York Style cheesecake. At the mall, they went on a shopping spree. Both bought a few new outfts, new CD's, and movies they felt they had to have. They also went into Bath & Body Works for shower gel and other things.
On their way out the door, Arielle turned to saw something to Natalie, and accidently brushed her arm against someone. She started to apologize, but he looked into her eyes and gave her a big smile. " We have got to stop meeting like this." He told her, keeping eye contact with her.
She smiled back. " Hi Avery. How are you today?"
" I'm doing good. It's nice to see you again." He looked from her to Natalie. " Is this your mom?"
" No. This is my step-mom Natalie." She told him, and proceeded to introduce Natalie to him.
" It's nice to meet you, Avery." Natalie gave him a smile, and gave Arielle a look to say she approved. She shook his hand. " I take it you must be new in town?"
" Yeah. I just moved from Tennessee a couple of weeks ago. My dad got a job here during my senior year, go figure." He rolled his eyes, but gave Arielle another smile. " I need to get some things and get home. Can I give you a call later?"
" I would like that." She smiled back. " Bye."
He said goodbye and walked away. Natalie couldn't help but tease Arielle a bit on the way home.
