This is War

Chapter 20

Chapter 20 - Natalie's P.O.V

I sat slumped in my chair, cheek resting against my fist as our Chemistry teacher sat there at her desk, blubbering about how she had seen her husband (soon-to-be-ex) with another woman last night. She was a mess, crazy hair, no makeup, tears streaming down her face. In all honesty, I kind of felt bad for her. 

Glancing over at Olivia, she did the same, giving me an exasperated look. She mouthed the words to me "Oh my god". 

Nodding, I mouthed back, "I know." 

Interrupting our teacher mid-sob, the final bell rang and the class all but cheered as we could finally get out of this class. Walking down the halls, I grabbed my things from my locker quickly before leaning on the locker next to Kate's. 

She gave me a nervous smile, "Hey, Nat." 

"Are you excited for tonight?" I question. 

"If by excited you mean a giant mess of nerves and stress and so much anxiety I literally ran away from Jarrett today, then yes, I'm totally excited," She rushes out, running a hand through her messy brown hair. 

I frowned, "Oh, come on, it can't be that bad!" 

Kate gave me a dry look, "It's worse. My stomach feels like there's a giant rock in it, my head is fuzzy and I feel like I'm going to faint any minute now." 

"Alright, so I'll drive, then?" I try and bring a little humor into our conversation. 

It worked and she chuckled lightly before nodding and handing me her keys. She had driven me to school this morning and I had just brought a change of clothes for mini golfing later on in a separate bag. 

Driving us back to her house, we walked into the empty home together. Her parents were always out working and I just felt so bad for her because they were never around even when she needed them. It didn't matter, the guys, Olivia and I were a better family for her anyways. 

"Let's eat and then we'll start getting ready, sound good?" I suggest. 

She nods, licking her lips as her stomach rumbles. We laugh together at the strange sound it makes. 

"I'm making macaroni and cheese," I declare, pulling a box from the pantry and setting a pot filled with water on the stove. 

"Fine by me," She calls out from the living room where she's sitting on the couch, watching an old Wizard's of Waverly Place rerun and I roll my eyes at her childish act. 

My attention back on the macaroni, I make sure the noodles are cooked to perfection before adding the cheese powder, butter and milk. Stirring it all together, I evenly disputed it into bowls and went out into the living room, handing Kate her bowl and keeping my bowl. We sat on the couch, watching Disney Channel as we ate our mac-n-cheese. 

"This is really good," Kate mumbles through a mouthful. 

I chuckle, "Thanks, I could tell by the way you inhaled that." 

She blushed looking from her now-empty bowl to my half-filled bowl. I laughed even harder at that. 

Finishing up my food, I stood up, clapping my hands together, "Alright, let's go get ready for what's going to be the best best-friend-supervised-date ever!" 

Laughing, we went upstairs and into her room where I pulled out my outfit and changed into it. It was a loose grey tank top with the words Vivre à l'abri, French for Live Free. And trust me, I've taken French for five years now.