This is War

Chapter 21

Chapter 21 - Natalie's P.O.V 

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I sighed before putting the straightener away. Styling my hair took way too much effort, hence the reason I threw up my hair in a messy bun, slipping on an old track t-shirt and a pair of black leggings with brown Uggs. I hate Mondays. 

It was October and the air was noticeably cooler, the temperatures dropping down into the forties. 

Hearing the doorbell ring, I furrowed my eyebrows before jogging down the steps and pulling the front door open to reveal Kate, nervously wringing her hands. 

"I have to tell you something," She states before brushing past me and walking into the house. Now even more confused, I shut the door and followed her into my living room, sitting across from her. I'd last seen her three days ago on Friday at mini golfing, although I didn't see much of her since I was with Noah and she and Jarrett left so early. 

She was still wringing her hands, something she only did when she was scared. Looking back up, I met her eyes, "Shoot." 

Her eyes started watering and she blinked furiously to try and hold them back. Taking in a big, shaky breath, she started, "I didn't tell any of you, but there was a hearing on Saturday morning about the Jason thing." 

I held my breath when I realized this was about her scary run-in with Jason in the city a few weeks ago. 

"I-he-he got released and he's coming back to school today," She looks down and wipes the tears away with the palms of her hands. "Apparently there wasn't enough evidence to convict him." 

"Shh, you'll be alright," I whisper, moving to sit next to her and pulling her towards me, an arm wrapped around her shoulders. "It's going to be alright, Kate, I promise." 

Sitting there like that for a few minutes, she eventually pulled away, sniffling and wiping underneath her eyes, "I have a restraining order on him, though. He has to stay at least 500 feet away from me at all times. His schedule was changed so that I don't have any classes with him, not even lunch." 

"That's a good thing, right?" I question. 

"It's just not right," She sobs, "He's not even being punished for what he tried to do to me, Natalie!" 

I nodded, "You're right, it's not fair. And life isn't fair either. It's cruel and cold and dark. But we have to remember that nothing is all bad. Out of this entire ordeal you gained something good." 

"I did?" She asks. 

"Yeah," I answer, "You got Jarrett." 

Kate smiled through the tears, nodding a little and wiped a few drops away, "You're right, you're completely right, Nat. Thank you." 

"It's what I'm here for," I give him a hug. 

"I should probably get going if I want to go back home to fix myself up before school," She says to herself more than me and I nod. 

Opening the door for her, I smiled, "See you at school, Kate." 

She nodded, "Yeah. Thanks again, Natalie." 

"Of course," Waving her off, I closed the door and made my way into the kitchen, letting out a squeak of surprise when I found Nate sitting on the counter. Placing a hand over my rapidly beating heart, I glared at him, "You scared the crap out of me." 

He shrugged, "You're a good friend, you know." 

I blushed slightly, "You heard that?" 

"Yep," He answered, hopping off the counter and disappearing upstairs. Sighing, I grabbed my bag and walked out the front door, the chilly air hitting me full force. Shivering slightly, I started my car and began the five minute drive to school.