Chapter 10 - Noah's P.O.V
I hated work dinners. They were dumb and unnecessary since all anyone ever talked about were fake stories trying to exaggerate how rich the other family was. Literally, it was like the Cold War but on a smaller scale between two families that wanted the other to think they liked them, even though they just envied them.
Really, it was an unbreakable cycle that corrupts families. Like my family, for example.
Reluctantly, as I stood in my room, I pulled on the burgundy blazer over the white button up I was wearing and pulled on black slacks. Mom walked in, smiling but suddenly frowning, "Honey, you need to fix your collar! How many times must I tell you?"
The fake caring mother begins now, apparently.
She walked over, high heels somehow finding their way through the carpet of his room, and buttoned the collar of his shirt all the way up and folded it over. I fake gagged and she scolded, "Stop right now. Your father won't tolerate this behavior during the dinner."
"Chill, mom," I rolled my eyes, "I'll be the perfect son you never had as soon as the other prudes get her."
"What am I going to do with you?" She sighed, walking out of my bedroom.
Grumbling, I tried to adjust the collar with no luck. Quickly, I unbuttoned the top button and smirked as the doorbell rang. Perfect timing. I thought. Now she can't fix it in front of them.
Jogging down the steps, I plastered my fake smile on and opened the door. A man stood at the front of the group, sharply dressed, his hair slicked back. Next to him, a woman with short, dark brown hair and familiar eyes. Next to her, to my surprise was a scowling face. I blinked and my smile faltered, before I pasted it back on, "Hello, come on in."
Natalie's family stepped in and she folded her arms, pouting no doubt, when her mother scolded her and she stood up straighter, flashing her an award-winning most fake smile ever. She had on a white dress with gold and peach in it, making her tan skin pop out. She was striking, not that I was into her or anything.
Mom and dad walked in with smiles on and dad clapped Natalie's dad on the back, "David! How are you my good man?"
"I'm doing very well!" David, Natalie's dad, responded, "And you?"
Mom walked over to the woman, whom I was sure was Natalie's mom because of their striking resemblance, "Hello! You must be Maria. I'm Sophie, Joseph's wife. Come on, let us girls talk in the kitchen, eh?"
"I'd love to," Maria accepted gracefully and was whisked in the kitchen. Dad and David were sitting in the office, probably smoking cigars with the window open so mom didn't find out. Most likely, she'd find out and throw out all the cigars, but he'd just have even more the next day. It was really a tiring process.
"Noah," Dad called out, "Why don't you take Nathaniel and Natalie to the living room? You're all around the same age. Mingle it up!"
I rolled my eyes and turned to the two people glaring at me. I smiled, "Follow me."
Surprisingly enough, they did. I led them to the living room and I sat on the white chair. Natalie and her brother sat down on the black couch next to it. Her brother sat closer to me and she on his other side.
"How have you been, Nat?" I asked her. "Were your Friday evening plans lovely?"
She gave me a sour smile, "It went great! How are your balls?"
Her brother stifled a laugh.
"Nathaniel, right?" I start, "Some big brother you are. I mean, had you been here at all, you would have known--"
YOU ARE READING
This is War
فكاهةNatalie Brooks is a senior and just wants to get by her last year of high school with ease and then go off to college. That is, until the infamous Noah Hall returns. Noah has made Natalie's life a living hell all throughout high school, except for...