Roommates

51

5 chapters left and I kind of forgot about their finals so let's just go with it

Saturday, December 21

[Narrator]

Finals were over and Barry was packing up to head to back home. Caitlin was packing also and Barry also invited Cisco, Finn, Simone, and Jessica.

Natalie hasn't spoken to them after she left the dorm since she met Kai. She didn't know what to do, but she knew that she didn't want to stay at the campus for Christmas.

"I think you should just go. Be brave and tell your father that you're an adult and not going to listen to him."

Natalie sighed. "I wish it was that easy, Kai. But knowing my father, he'd seek me down."

"Natalie, you don't have to be afraid of him, you know that right?"

"I am. I know he's short tempered. If I were to disobey him, he'd be furious."

"Then let him be. You have to fight to stay with your family and friends if you want to."

"What about you?"

Kai gave her a smile. "I'll be okay. Don't worry about me."

As Natalie contemplated whether or not to leave, Oliver was trying to say goodbye to Felicity.

"I'm going to think about you all the time, everyday."

"Or, you could see me everyday if I come with you. Or you come with me. But that's if you want to come with me. Or if you want me to go with you. But us meeting each other's families is kind of weird right now since we're not even together yet."

Oliver stopped her. "I would love to spend Christmas with you."

Felicity gave him a smile. "I'll let my mom know."

While she made the call, Oliver went to pack and Rían and Mimi watched him.

"You're going home for the holidays?"

"No, I'm going to spend it with Felicity with her mom."

Rían grinned. "Oh, really?"

"Yes, really."

"Get in there, Oliver."

Mimi rolled her eyes. "Ignore him. I, for one, am glad you guys are spending time together."

"Thanks, Mimi."

"It's about time you got serious with someone. She looks nice."

"She is."

As Oliver continued to pack, Natalie went to Barry and Caitlin's dorm with Kai to talk to them.

"This is Kai."

"It's nice to meet you both. I'm guessing your Caitlin, her sister?"

"Yes. That's me. It's nice to meet you too. You helped my sister figure out her major, so I have to thank you for helping her."

"It's not a problem. That's what I like to do. Which is why we're here. I told Natalie to just go spend Christmas with you instead of listening to her father."

"Does mom know?"

Natalie shook her head. "No. I haven't had the guts to tell her."

"Natalie. You need to tell her."

She sighed. "I know."

"Do it now. Get it out of the way."

Natalie glanced between Caitlin and Kai.

"We'll be right here for you, Nat."

Natalie nodded and pulled out her phone to dial her mother's number.

"Natalie?"

"Mom, I have to tell you something."

Natalie told her everything her father had told her and by the end, Carla sighed.

"Your father has that kind of attitude for Thomas and Caitlin. He never did care for either of them. You can go spend Christmas with her. Don't worry about your father. Just promise me you two will come by before the break is over."

"We will."

"Merry Christmas, Natalie."

"Merry Christmas, mom."

Natalie hung up and smiled. "She's letting me spend Christmas with you guys."

Kai smiled. "I knew it."

"Thank you, Kai. You've been a big help." Natalie glanced at Barry, who let them have their moment. "Can Kai come spend Christmas with us? Please?"

Caitlin glanced at Barry and he shrugged.

"I would have to ask my parents, but I don't see why not."

They all decided to get lunch before they headed to Barry's home, so the four of them, plus Jessica, Simone, Finn and Cisco went to Big Belly Burger.

They left around 3 in the afternoon. Barry took Caitlin, Natalie and Kai in his car while Finn took the others in his. When they got there, Kai, Barry and Finn helped with the bags as Caitlin rang the doorbell as Barry stood next to her.

"Barry! My beautiful boy, come in."

Nora everyone and then was introduced to Natalie and Kai.

"Mom, is there any way Kai and Natalie could stay here too?"

"I'm sure we could find some place for them to sleep."

Once everyone's bags were place in their assorted rooms and sleeping areas, they all gathered in the living room, except for Jessica and Barry. Jessica had pulled him into his room and gave him a look.

"You haven't spoken to her yet, have you?"

Barry sighed. "No, and before you say anything, I have a plan. It just won't happen until Christmas."

"Barry."

"Just trust me, alright? I know what I'm doing."

Jessica sighed. "Okay. I'll just let you do this yourself."

Meanwhile, Natalie was not wanting to call her father, but she had to. When she called, she was relieved when it went straight to voicemail.

"Hey, dad. Uh, I know when we last spoke, you told me that I couldn't come home and that I had to stay on campus. But I'm an adult, dad. I get to chose who I want to be surrounded by. I get to chose who I want to be close to me. And I want Caitlin, my sister, to be close to me. I'm spending Christmas with her whether you like it or not. And I don't care what you're going to say."

Natalie felt a huge weight off her chest and was able to enjoy the rest of the day without him in her head. But what she didn't know was that he heard it, and was furious that Natalie would go against his words. So he went to his car and turned it on

He was going to find her