Park bench (DISCONTINUED)

Negotiation Is Key

Chapter 12

DALIA

WHEN Natalia told me to reply to her message, I accidentally read it.

'I'm not happy about it. You make me angry all the time and you say it's my fault. Well, this time it clearly isn't. I'm just happy you left in time'

When I read it, I was left in utter confusion. What did he mean? First he said he was angry about her going and then he said he was happy she went. Bipolar much? As soon as I handed her phone back, I didn't know what to say. I think she knows I read it, because she kept giving me slight looks from the corner of her eyes.

"Hey, do you want me to take over?" Fabian leans forward from the backseat. Natalia sighs and yawns.

"No... it's fine" she rubs her eyes, almost losing control of the steering wheel.

"Come on Nat, just let him drive. You're tired" she gives me a shocked look because of the nickname and I didn't even realise I called her that, surprising myself in the process. First the hug and now the nickname? What is happening to me?

"Umm, Okay sure." She parks on the side and puts the hazards on. Natalia and Fabian quickly swap seats and soon, we're off again.

After a few minutes, I look back and see her asleep. She must be freezing. She has a thin jacket on. I put the heat on higher and see Fabian's coat draped around the head of his seat.

"You using your coat?" I ask him. He looks at me for a brief second and shakes his head. "I'm going to give it to Natalia as a blanket" he smirks and I frown. "What?"

"Didn't know you cared for her wellbeing" I shrug and start to cover her with his think warm coat. It has fur inside and the hood is huge, allowing her to cover her face.

"I don't."

"Oh please. And what was with that nickname early? Don't think I didn't catch it"

"Nothing. I guess, I'm seeing that there's no time in my life for failed friendships" I say honestly and he nods his head.

"What about our failed friendship?" He asks me and I look out of the window. The snow sticks to the floor, telling us it's nearing the heavy bit of snowfall.

"Apparently, we're going to be hit with a heavy snow storm this year. Closing off roads, shops staying shut." I say, changing the subject. Fabian sighs and takes one of my hands in his.

"Stop, Dali"

"Don't" I say giving him a warning glare and taking my hand out of his.

"Why can't you at least try to forgive me?" He asks me frustratingly. All I do is shrug.

"You need to earn it" I mumble lowly. I can tell he heard me because he nods, showing he understands.

"Okay. I will then. I'll do anything Dalia" he tells me sincerely and my heart melts. I just want to tell him not to bother because I already forgive him. It's then I remember what he said when he first came to see me. "I want to tell you Dali, but I'm scared of how you'll react"

Why would he be scared? Am I scary? What does he want to tell me but can't? All these questions are making me hungry. I dig into my bag and see a cereal bar. Well, it'll have to do. I peel the wrapper open and start to munch on it.

"Sharing is caring" I scoff and shove the rest into my mouth. His mouth hangs open and I chuckle. I shake my head, and take out the last bit from the pack which I broke off. "I though you ate it all" he says.

"I may be mean, but I'm not heartless. Open wide" he opens his mouth and I place the piece in his mouth. Before taking my hand away, he bites on to my finger and holds it. "Umm, can I have my finger back now?" I ask him amusedly and he smirks and shakes his head. I sigh and lean back in my seat. I wait a while and then look back at him. "Can I have it back now?"

"In a while" he mutters and I roll my eyes. I feel his drool sliding down my finger and I cringe.

"Eww, stop drooling" I say and he chuckles, releasing my finger and I quickly wipe my finger on his jumper. "Disgusting"

"You forget, you did kiss me once" he says with a smirk and I blush. I did in fact, kiss him once and that was it.

"Yeah, when we were like, 12" I reply back. Silence fills the car after that. The music plays out, filling the emptiness.

"What do I have to do?" I look at him confused. "To earn your forgiveness" he clarifies and I think about this. I don't really know to be honest. What can he do? Soon, an idea pops into my head.

"Well, I'm in need of a cover for kimmy-Lee so..." he sighs and groans.

"Anything but that. I hate books"

"I'm not telling you to read one. But then again, if you think about it, maybe you should read one. It'll be good for your five year old brain" I mock and he scowls at me.

"I don't care. I'm not reading a book. Not ever" I roll my eyes.

"Then we'll be foes for the rest of our lives" I say and he sighs. I smirk and watch him as he looks at me with pleading eyes. "It's just one book and short hours. And then, I'll see if you've earned it" he scoffs and shakes his head.

"No, you won't see. You will forgive me Dali" he says with an amused look. I purse my lips and pretend to think.

"Umm.... hmmmm."

"Aaghhh Dali" he whines and I laugh. I see Natalia stirring and I hush.

"Oops. Fine, you'll be forgiven" he smiles brightly and turns the radio up. My eyes go wide and I turn it all the way down to zero and smack the back of his head. "Natalia is sleeping" I tell him and point back to her.

"You didn't need to hit me. All you had to do was inform me about it" I roll my eyes and decide not to argue about something as pointless as this. I guess we're both still kids at heart.

**

Natalia groans in the backseat and sits up, clinging the jacket to her body. She sniffs it and then frowns.

"Who's is this?" She grimaces and pushes it to the side. I snicker and look at Fabian looking offended.

"That is mine. How dare you do that? It smells nice" he backs himself.

"Yeah, sure. What perfume is that?"

"Hugo boss" he says and my eyes go wide. I love Hugo boss.

"Oh god. No wonder why it stinks" I turn my head to Natalia so fast, I think I nearly got whiplash.

"You don't like Hugo boss?" I ask her with shock. She shakes her head and then shrugs.

"Nope."

"How can you not?" I ask her, wondrously.

"I just... don't" she replies dryly and I slowly nod my head. Turning back to face the front, I sigh and feel my eyes slightly shutting.

"Hey" I look over at Fabian. His hand touches mine with warmth. "Sleep" I sigh contently and feel my eyes finally close as he makes small circles on the back of my hand with his thumb.