Before You Go

The Day I Met You

It was a normal school day at Brooklyn High School. Teens hanging out with their friends in the hallway, waiting for the bell to ring for each class. Well that wasn't something Natalie could relate to. She didn't have any friends, and she was an easy target for bullies.  She was bullied ever since her 1st grade year. Now she gets death threats written on her locker, and threats being messaged to her. She never told anyone about it. Not a single person.

As soon as the bell rang, she walked to her class and sat down on her seat, waiting for the teacher to call her name for attendance. "Natalie Jensen" the teacher called out. Natalie raised her hand and the teacher marked her as present. Mr. Collins' class was boring as usual, so she fell asleep. As soon as she woke up, she saw that nobody was in the class, only the teacher was. "You really shouldn't be taking naps in my class, Miss Jensen." Mr. Collins said. "I'm sorry sir, it's just I haven't had enough sleep lately" Natalie explained. The teacher understood and told her to try to get some rest so she won't be tired the next day. After that, she grabbed her backpack and left the class. It was a break between classes so she was relieved. While walking, she looked down on her phone, checking her notifications. Since she wasn't looking forward to make sure she doesn't bump into anyone, she accidentally bumps into a random girl. She was beautiful. She had long, dark brown hair with red streaks of dye. Her eyes were sparkling with a light brown color. Her facial features were perfect, like she had no imperfections. "Oh I'm so sorry I didn't mean to bump into you..." Natalie apologized as she blushed. "It's ok, I sometimes do that too haha!" the girl answered. Natalie stared at her at complete shock "Someone's actually being nice to me?" She said in her head. The girl asked if she was ok, and Natalie answered with a yes. "I'm Riley Davis, nice to meet you!" she said in a friendly tone. "H-hi, I'm Natalie J-Jensen." She said as she stuttered, shocked by Riley's friendliness and her beauty. The two girls stared at each other for at least 3 seconds, while blushing. Natalie felt her heart beat faster, her pupils were dilating, and a feeling she never felt before. Riley suddenly stopped staring and looked at Natalie's phone. "Can I get your number?" Riley asked. "Oh uh... sure haha!" She said nervously. They quickly exchanged numbers before going on to their next class. Natalie couldn't stop thinking about the girl. It felt like she knew her, her entire life. 

It was finally lunch, and students were hungry, trying to get in front of the line. Natalie tried to get in line too, but someone pushed her out the way."Watch where you're going you moron!" the boy said. Suddenly a familiar voice spoke out and defended her. It was Riley. Natalie looked at her in shock, but also happiness. No one ever really stood up for her before. After being scolded, the guy walked away from her, angry. "Are you ok?" she asked. "Yes I'm ok, thank you, no one has really stood up for me before..." Natalie said. Riley hugged her and said that she's glad that she's ok. Natalie couldn't help but blush. They picked a lunch table and sat together. While getting to know each other, Riley finally asked her to be her friend. Of course, Natalie accepted. They both laughed and laughed during the entire lunch period. This was the first time Natalie felt really happy. But, there was more, there was something about her that made her feel extremely attracted to her.

School ended. Everyone was waiting to go home. Natalie walked home, knowing that her home will be a living hell. Her dad is an alcoholic, so he normally smells like alcohol. She fears him when he's drunk because he gets very aggressive. He shouts at everyone, sometimes tries to pick a fight, but the wife doesn't let him hit his own children. But Natalie's mom constantly brings her down, body shames her, tells her that she is going nowhere in life, and tells her that she is a disappointment, etc. Whenever she doesn't meet her mother's high expectations, she cries, knowing that she's going to be in trouble. Her siblings doesn't really talk to her because they are always "busy". Her older brother Daniel, is extremely social and always has somewhere to go. But he sometimes talks and jokes around with her. Sophia, her younger sister, is always doing something else like making crafts, or talking with friends. Natalie's used to being alone, she has been most of her life. But school is also hell. Bullies target her everyday and sometimes it gets serious, to the point where there's blood. They can kick her, throw her to the lockers, or just punch her till she bleeds. But with Riley, she feels safe, and doesn't feel the need to fear her or anything.

It was midnight. 12:30am. Natalie got sleepy so she went to sleep. A few seconds later, she got a text. It was from Riley.

Riley: Hey you awake? 

Natalie: Yea why?  

Riley: Can I tell you something? 

Natalie: Yea sure anything 

Riley: Goodnight :) I hope you sleep well!

Natalie: Oh, goodnight, I hope you sleep well too! 

Riley: I'll text you tomorrow ok?

Natalie: Ok, goodnight

Natalie kept staring at the texts... confused, but blushing. After rereading the texts a few times, she put her phone down and went to bed.