Warrior

CHAPTER FOUR

NATASHA'S POV

I had no idea why James left in a hurry - and through the bathroom window - not until I saw two drunk people storm through the studio door. The man was built like James but taller while the woman was smaller and sickly thin. Both look furious but both their eyes look glazed over from whatever they've been taking. I don't think I've even seen my father so angry.
"He's not here, George. He doesn't attend the studio anymore." My respect for Mrs Belle just skyrocketed. She's not even fazed by their state, neither are a few dances. I'm guessing this has happened before.
Poor James. He shouldn't have to live with this. Without a second thought, I step forward. Neither of them have registered me yet.
"James said he was going to a gym after school." I say, my voice not wavering in the slightest when George turns to face me, fire in his eyes.
"I followed him here." He grunts. I'm surprised he can speak normally, I can smell the alcohol from here and I'm not even close to them.
"He was walking me here before hitting the gym." I say firmly, noticing the small nod from my teacher. "You should leave. He's not here."
"I'm gonna kick his - " Before he can finish that sentence, I deck him and watch as he drops like a sack of potatoes. A ball of anger had burst inside me and I just lashed out. I'm not sorry about it though. "You little - "
"I wouldn't threaten my daughter, if I were you." My father scowls from the doorway but I can't help but smile widely. I never thought he'd ever pick me up from here. I'm excited to say the least. "How are you doing, little one?"
"I'm good dad but I think my friend's parents want to hurt him." I glare at the man still down on the floor and the woman who looks ready to collapse. I hope James won't hate me because of this. "I can't show you what I'm working on, top secret."
"Always is," The usually cold man smiles wide and offers his hand to Mrs Belle. "My name is Anton, you must be Mrs Belle. My daughter has spoken highly of you."
"Indeed I am, you have a fine young dancer." Mrs Belle smiles, pretty much everyone has forgotten about the little scuffle and going about their routines.
"Father, can I go find James?" I ask, though I still have an hour of dance left but there's no point without my partner.
"Be careful." He rubs my cheek affectionately, something he doesn't normally do but it's appreciated.
"I will." I smile wide before running off to change back into my jeans and hoodie.
The shock of my father being a father is extended when he takes my backpack from me before I sprint out the door. It's weird that he's being so loving, I'm guessing he wants something but I'm too distracted to care. I need to find James. I remember a gym he mentioned, so I put in Google maps and follow the trail to it.
"Nat?" I hear James' voice before I see him. He's sitting on the bench, his right foot propped up next to him with an ice pack and some bandages.
"I can see why you didn't want me to meet your parents." I mutter, walking over and sitting cross-legged on the floor next to him. He turns his face away, probably embarrassed. "I uh, I um... I may have decked your old man..."
"What?" I mentally sigh in relief hearing surprise over anger about that.
"Your dad said he was going to kick your ass... I just snapped." I mumble, running my finger along the floor. Looking up when a well built man walks over with a first aid kit. "Hi, I'm Natasha."
"Dion, I've heard a lot about you." His voice is deep and his beard is a little shaggy but they suit him well. He sits next to Bucky's propped up foot then looks the blue eyed teen right in the eye with a serious look. "You better sit still, Lupul mic."
I chuckle at the nickname because it suits James but James' cheeks flare up in embarrassment from it. He's so cute when he blushes. I've never thought of a guy, especially James, as cute before but the word definitely suits him when he blushes like this.
"You shouldn't go home," I say finally after watching the boy flinch and whine from Dion fixing up his feet. "My father will let you stay with us."
"I can't. That will just make them angrier." James whispers, his whole face has paled and not from pain. I frown and open my mouth to say something but he beats me to it. "I promise, I'll be okay. I'll get a job and save up to live above here, okay?"
"You don't have to pay rent, James." Dion sighs, his eyes still on making sure there's no stones, glass or brick in James' feet.
I'm guessing Dion owns the place by that comment.
"Either way, I need a job to get by." James looks ready to cry. I don't know how he's holding it together but he is, probably because of myself and Dion.
"How bout we drop it for now?" I offer. Dion grunts while his patient looks relieved. "I'm going to call my father, shouldn't take long."
James nods, watching me as I get up and step away so I'm out of earshot. I whip out my phone and call my phone, once again surprised by my father when he picks up almost right away. I tell him the name of the gym and where it is and that James is fine but being stubborn about his living situation. I may or may not have asked my dad if he knows where any jobs are going for an eighteen year old that doesn't involve what my father really does. My father just tells me that he'll talk to James when he arrives.