This is War

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - Natalie's P.O.V 

"He did what?" Nate ground out, furious after I told him what Matt had done to me. At least my brother had allowed me to change, wash my face and put my hair up in a messy bun before I had to explain. 

"I'm not saying it again," I sighed, taking another bite of the chocolate ice cream. 

Nate shook his head, "I'm gonna kill both of those bastards." 

"Nathaniel!" Mom scolded,  walking in, "Why are you using that type of language in my home?" 

I laughed a little and Nate shot me a look before explaining himself, "Well, Nat's new boyfriend turned out to be playing her the whole time for this asshole who Natalie has been having a prank war with for a while now. So basically, I'm going to kill two tools who hurt my baby sister." 

"I'm not a baby,"  I muttered, but it went unheard. 

My mom turned to me, concern on her face, "Oh! My poor baby, are you alright honey? Do you need a girl day? Tell you what, tomorrow we'll go get pedicures, okay?" 

Groaning, I slid off the counter, "Mom, I love you, but I don't need a pedicure. What I need is to see Matt and Noah publicly humiliated so much that they'll never want to show their faces again." 

"That's rude, Natalie, don't say that," She snapped and I almost laughed at the bipolar side of her. 

 I rolled my eyes, "They publicly harassed me first." 

She scolded me, "I don't care who did it first, you are above them, so don't stoop down to their level!" 

 "Mom," I groaned, "That's not even fair! If you knew half the things they did to me--" 

"Life isn't fair!" She exclaimed, "I'm going upstairs. Don't let me catch you two talking like that again or I'll tell your father." 

With that, she turned and stormed up the steps. Once we heard her bedroom door shut, Nate shook his head, "I can't believe her. I don't care if she tells dad, he's lenient, but she's practically Lucifer in the form of a middle-aged woman." 

I laughed, "Nate, be nice." 

"Like she was?" He questioned. 

"Come on, Nate," I sighed, "Give her a break. You and I know she's just stressed because of Gram."

Nate frowned, "We're all stressed. It doesn't mean we have to take it out on each other." 

Pursing my lips, I didn't respond and took another bite of ice cream. 

Dad walked into the silence and I gave him a smile, "Hey, daddy." 

"There's ice cream out," He frowned, "Why is there ice cream?" 

"Boy issues," Nate answered for me, seeing as I had a giant glob of chocolatey goodness in my mouth. I gave them both a chocolate smile, making them laugh. 

Mid-laugh, dad stopped, "What kind of boy troubles?" 

"He was playing me the whole time," I answered, "For a stupid prank. Matt, you know the guy I was dating, was just helping Noah with this big epic prank." 

Dad furrowed his eyebrows, "Noah? As in, Noah Hall?" 

I nodded, "Why?" 

He gave me an apologetic look, "We're going to the Hall's house for dinner tomorrow." 

"So?" I questioned and gave a shrug, "I'll just stay here." 

"Well," Dad started and I knew it meant bad news, "I kind of already told them that both you and Nathaniel are coming." 

"Great," Nate muttered. 

I gave dad a look and raised an eyebrow, "You're still gonna make me go, aren't you?" 

He nodded, "He's my boss, Nat. I'm sorry, but it's just dinner. You'll be fine." 

"If dessert doesn't get dumped on me," I muttered sourly and dad chuckled, making his way upstairs. I turned to face Nate, "Can you believe this?" 

My brother frowned and wrapped me up in a hug, "If he does anything, I'll beat him to a bloody pulp." 

I laughed. 

"Natalie!" Mom shouted, calling up the steps. 

Marking my page, I closed shut the book I was reading, "What?" 

"I hope you're getting ready! We're leaving in an hour and a half!" She shouted back up. 

Groaning, I set down my book and walked into the bathroom, where my freshly washed hair was limp, down to the bottom of my back. Picking up my straightener, I began to do my hair and braided the front part of my hair back. 

Putting on my usual makeup, I walked back in my room to see a dress laid out for me. 

Once again, I groaned. 

It was a flowing, white, peach and gold strapless dress. There was a pair of white flats next to it and I rolled my eyes-- you have got to be kidding me. 

It wasn't that I didn't like the outfit-- trust me I did-- it's just I didn't want to go to Noah's house dressed like this. Nevertheless, I began to put on the outfit and sighed as I looked in the mirror. 

"We're matching," A new voice popped up and I turned to see Nate in the doorway, he was wearing a long-sleeved white button up shirt tucked into dress pants with a gold tie. 

I snorted, "What do you know." 

Grabbing my matching gold clutch, I slid in my phone before walking down the stairs with Nate. Mom clapped her hands when she saw us, "Look at my babies, so pretty!" 

She really needs to get her mood swings checked. 

"Alright, let's go," Dad called and we all piled into the car, Nate and I sitting in the back with unhappy faces. 

Mom faced us, "Turn your frowns upside down! This dinner is very important for your father." 

"Relax mom," Nate soothed her but I interrupted. 

With a bitter-sweet smile I told her, "We'll pretend to be a happy, perfect family once we're there." 

"Natalie," Dad warned, "Don't talk to your mother like that." 

Huffing, I sat back in my seat. I felt Nate elbow me and he flashed me a thumbs up. The corners of my lips turned up in a smile. 

The car started to slow down and I looked out the window to see a mansion, elegantly designed with a water fountain in the middle of the front yard. Why was I not surprised that the one and only Noah Hall was filthy rich. 

"Happy faces on!" Mom ordered before we got out of the car and up the extensive walkway to the front porch. 

Dad rang the doorbell and a smiling Noah opened the door. His smile faltered, only for a second, as he took in my scowling face. 

∞ 

next chapter is going to be in Noah's point of view. ;)