Something Worth Fighting For

Chapter Eleven: Denial

Chapter Eleven: Denial

With one week left in vacation, Dallas had not seen a trace of Natalia. He sat in the television area. Where has she been? He wondered. Although they lived in the same house, it was as though she had made herself scarce. Like someone had heard his thoughts, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Dallas looked to see who it was. Natalia! He thought as he saw her walk down the hall. He quickly moved back to where he was sitting.

As soon as Natalia saw him, he could hear her groan. She turned sharply on her heel and started to walk back. “Lia? Lia! What’s up?” Dallas called to her. Natalia didn’t pay any heed. She ran quickly up the stairs.

“What is her problem?” Dallas wondered out loud. I thought we were alright now…he thought to himself. Since their dinner at the Pickle Barrel, Natalia had been out of sight. Why are girls so hard to figure out? He questioned.

The last few days Dallas had spent watching movies and television, as well as exercising. January was upon him. The training camp would be starting soon. He would have to work hard to get one of the five spots for the team. This was his last shot at getting what he longed for. As Dallas’ thoughts wandered, they returned back to Natalia.

He walked up the stairs to his room. He was going to change before heading out for the soccer center. He had just walked into the hallway when he saw her. Natalia had gotten out of her room when she saw him. She quickly turned to go back, but Dallas was too fast for her. He stood in front of her; he had grabbed her hand, pulling her to him.

“Natalia, what’s wrong?” Dallas asked with concern. “Nothing, now let go of me.” Natalia didn’t even look at him as she said this. Natalia tried to pull her hand out of his, but Dallas didn’t let go.

“Lia, please, why are you avoiding me? I thought we were past the awkwardness?” Dallas asked her. Natalia still wouldn’t look at him. “Really? Well you thought wrong!” She told him, yanking her hand out of his grip. Dallas stood rooted where he was standing, as Natalia slammed the door in his face.

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An hour had passed, Natalia was sitting at her desk, fuming. Past the awkwardness…right! She thought. We were avoiding the awkwardness...not past it…She realized. I still hate you Dallas! She was furious with herself and with him.

He had probably called the waitress the next day. Natalia had noticed how little he stayed at home since he was at home. He had left shortly after she had slammed the door. Probably gone to see her…Natalia wondered. Why do I care again? She questioned herself. It made no sense, why was she angry at him when technically she didn’t like him.

This is so stupid, why am I doing this to myself…the thought had been occurring to her since she had begun giving Dallas the silent treatment. Pointless…she thought. It was her house, yet she was the one holed up in her room.

I’m not jealous…I’m definitely not jealous…She repeated the mantra over and over in her head. Who am I kidding...I am…urgh…stupid Dallas…I wish he had never come back…She thought much to her dismay. Moving from her desk to her bed, Natalia lay staring at the wall. Dallas…I wish I didn’t feel anything…She thought miserably.

“Lia! I’m home!” She heard a familiar voice call her. Natalia got up and went to see who had come home. There was only one possibility. “Hey Derek.” Natalia said sullenly from where she stood at the top of the stairs. “How are you?” Her older brother asked. “Fine.” With that she retreated back to her room.

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Dallas had tried hard to concentrate on the tasks at hand. As he played with some of the other guys trying out for the top five spots, his mind kept wandering back to Natalia. I can’t distract myself, he thought over and over again. No good is going to come out of me worrying over other things…He was tired of reasoning with himself.