The Girl he Wants

18- Doesn't Look Like She Listened

***NATALIE'S POV***

"I've never seen someone talk down James like that." Natalie admits as Sam and she walk down the hallway together toward the student parking lot. Finn went in the opposite way, and so did James, so the two of them are alone for the first time. "Thanks."

   Sam doesn't smile. "No problem."

   Natalie awkwardly glances at the hallway floor, silence entering the corridor. Well, not complete silence; the sounds of their footsteps against the marble flooring bounces off the walls. Finally, as they meet the back door of the school, Sam asks, "So, what did James mean you two used to make out?"

   "Freshmen year we dated." Natalie responds, and then for some reason she feels the urge to add, "That'll never happen again."

Sam seems to loosen up as he opens one of the back doors and holds it for her. As she glides through, she meets his intent gaze. Accidentally, she rubs across his hard chest, heat washing over her body. Her breath cuts short, her heart skips a beat, and the next thing she knows she is walking beside him again, recovering very slowly.

It's like his touch is toxic.

Natalie unknowingly begins to twirl her black hair around her finger, the soft texture comfortable on her dark skin. After a few minutes, she asks, "So, are you going on the trip to New York City?"

   "Yeah." Sam replies, casually digging both his hands in his pockets. "You?"

   "Yep." Natalie bites her lip, attempting to hold back her excitement. If she and Sam are going to be on the same plane together, on the same trip, in the same hotel together, who knows what will happen? "I can't believe we are leaving this coming Monday."

   "Yeah." Sam agrees, the breeze making his hair float in the air. Natalie notices this and can't help but let a smile creep on her full lips. Sam glances down at them, and his gaze lingers there long enough for Natalie to blush and lower her eyes to her feet self-consciously. Sam lets out a gentle laugh, and then says, "Are you doing anything this weekend?"

Natalie's mind abruptly soars. What is Sam thinking? Is Sam thinking the two of them could go to the mall? Out to eat? Go to his place and just hangout?

Then, Natalie remembers something vital and sighs. "I have to work this weekend."

The ends of Sam's lips turn down. "Oh, okay."

"Yeah... I work all day during the weekends." Natalie informs him as the two's feet clomp on the pavement of the parking lot. Then, she grabs her phone from her back pocket and turns it on. As soon as she sees the time, adrenaline spurts through her. "Oh my goodness, I actually am about to be late for work right now!"

Natalie's mind urges her to take off, to run away from Sam and to her car so that she makes it in time, but her feet keep their slow, steady pace and her warm, brown eyes remain locked on Sam's gaze.

"Oh no! Better run!" Sam tells her, his caramel eyes widening and thick eyebrows raising.

"Yeah." Natalie adds, smiling. "Bye, Sam!"

Her feet pick up speed and the next thing she knows she is flying past the few cars still parked in the lot. Only when she gets to her own black vehicle does she turn around. She catches Sam's gaze, making his lips curve into a kind grin. Waving gently, she slides into her car, revs the engine, and drives away, Sam still on her mind.

***ELIZABETH'S P.O.V***

"This party is going to be so much fun." Ruth tells Elizabeth as she looks her up and down feverishly. Elizabeth can't blame her for that; Elizabeth feels beautiful tonight. Her long, brown hair is pulled back in a loose fishtail, strands free on both sides of her face, shaping her features. Makeup is only dabbed on her cheeks, eyes, and lips--not enough for anyone to notice. Her body is covered in a beautiful dark blue dress, but the fabric barely reaches past her butt. The dress is tight, has thick straps that drape off the sides of her shoulders, and has a long V-neck in the front that makes her breasts appear larger than they actually are.