Save Myself

Chapter 10

Natalie got home from work that night and sighed slightly as she looked out at the view of Boston from her apartment window. The sun was going down and even though it was her third week here, she still wasn't sick of watching.

Boston was great - it really was. But, she couldn't help but miss Chicago, a lot. It was where she grew up, anyways. She missed a lot of things: her favorite spots, the buildings, the food, but mostly the people.

She was shaken out of her thoughts as she heard some knocking on her door. Confused, as she wasn't expecting company, Natalie slowly walked over to the door and swung the door open only to be met with surprise.

"Natalie." The voice she missed the most said.

"Jimmy." She let out, "What are you doin here?" She asked, suddenly shy. Why was he just showing up out of nowhere? Couldn't he see she was just trying to move on with her life. No matter if she missed him or not.

"Can I come in for a minute?" He asked hesitantly. He wasn't sure how to act with her. Things seemed different. All he wanted to do was swoop her into a hug, but he couldn't. They weren't like that with each other anymore. Something changed.

"Um, sure." She nodded, moving aside to let him in.

"This is a nice place." He nodded, taking her apartment in, it was very her.

"Thanks." She smiled softly, pulling her sweater tighter to her.

"So-" They both began at the same time.

"Go ahead." They both replied.

"No," Natalie shook her head, "I'm just...what's goin on, you're here?" She questioned.

"Yeah, right." Jimmy nodded, taking a deep breath. "I uh," he began, scratching the back of his neck, "Um, yeah, Nat I miss you." He shrugged.

"You miss me?" She asked, unconvinced. "You came all the way here, just to say what's up?"

"No." He shook his head, "I just..." He bit his lip, getting lost with what to say. He didn't really have an explanation, he came here on a whim.

"Jimmy." Natalie began, "I don't kn-"

"Why didn't you tell me?" He questioned, a little hurt in his voice.

"What?" She asked, a little taken aback.

"You didn't tell me." He reiterated, "That you were moving here."

"Oh." Natalie realized, looking to the floor.

"I don't know." He sighed, "I thought we were friends."

"We were!" She exclaimed, "We are."

"I don't know, Natalie." He shook his head. He hadn't let these emotions out yet - and he wasn't sure this was the right way, but he was doing it anyways. "You didn't tell me about Robert, you didn't tell me about the drinking...."

"That's all over now." She struggled to get out, fighting the tears that were brimming in her eyes.

"Is it?" He asked, "How am I supposed to know that for sure?"

"If you don't trust me, that's not really my problem." She sniffled, with a shrug.

"Natalie, you just picked up and left?" He yelled, "Do you not get that?" He shook his head, "You didn't tell me shit!"

"What was I supposed to say?!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms out, "Oh hey Jimmy, I know you're already super busy and stressed out with being and NBA player and figuring out how you're gonna propose to your girlfriend and all, but when you have a minute I'm kinda in an abusive relationship and I'm drinking a lot. So, I'm gonna move to Boston." She said sarcastically. "It that what you wanted?"

"Yeah, actually." He nodded, a little calmer now, "Natalie, I don't care what shit I have going on, you're the most important person in my life. I'd drop anything for you."

"Shut up." She shook her head, not believing a word of it, "Jimmy, c'mon be serious."

"I am." He said, with a stale look.

"What about Taya?" She asked, refusing to make eye contact.

"What about her?" He shrugged. "We're not together anymore."

Natalie was about to lose her shit, "Is that why you're here?" She asked, "Taya did something again?"

"What?" He questioned, "No, Natalie - I broke it off with her. I never proposed."

"Huh?" She whispered, "Why? What happened?"

"She...she's not what I want." He nodded, "I was tryna force it, I don't know."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, really." He assured, "I'm better off."

"Yeah, you are." She let out as Jimmy laughed slightly, "Sorry." She looked up, realizing she probably shouldn't have said that.

"No, it's cool." He smiled at her, looking into those eyes that got him every time.

"So, what you came here to yell at me and tell me you're a different person?"

"Kinda." He shrugged, "I know what I want now."

"Okay?" Natalie laughed, what the hell was up with him?

"Natalie, I came here..." He trailed off, "Because I want you to come home."

"Jimmy." She sniffled, "I haven't even been here a month. Why the hell would I do that?"

"For me." He suggested.

"You think I'm gonna move home just so you can have another friend to deal with your shit?" She raised an eyebrow.

"No." He shook his head, "I want you to come home." He repeated, "I..." He began, thinking if this was the right timing. "I think I'm in love with you."