Chapter 2 - Snowstorm

Since Monika dismissed the club early today, I decided I'd watch some T.V to keep my mind occupied. I already cleaned the house in preparation for Natsuki's visit tomorrow. I figure a crappy Hallmark Christmas movie should help me feel better.

Me:"Let's see what we've got here."

A Grumpy Cat Christmas.

Me:"Oh...God...It's purrfect!" I am ashamed of that pun. And there's not even anyone around.

About fifteen minutes into this tripe, my doorbell rings.

Ding-dong*

Ugh...friggin' Jehovah's Witnesses...Just ignore 'em maybe they'll spontaneously combust...Or freeze to death, It's a friggin' blizzard out there. A real snowstorm.

Ding-dong*

Go. away. Stranger.

Ding-dong*

Natsuki:"C'mon Eli! It's freezing out here!"

Me:"Natsuki?!" I spring to my feet and clumsily make my way to the door and swing it open. She comes in immediately without hesitation.

Natsuki:"Brrr...Jeez don't you answer your door?"

Me:"Well, no actually." I stopped answering my door because so many door-to-door salesman or the aforementioned Jehovah's Witnesses gave me a hard time. So I'd either ignore them, or yell obscenities at them until the went away. "I thought you said you said you were coming over tomorrow?"

Natsuki:" I am. I just decided to come over today as well...Hey could take some of this, it's gettin' heavy."

Me:"Yeah sure." As I take a few things off Natsuki's hands, I notice how much crap she brought with her. A tray of cupcakes, several volumes of manga, a couple board games, her laptop and a suitcase. It's quite obvious she plans to stay the night. "Did you and Yuri get into a fight again? What, did she say manga isn't literature?"

Natsuki:"Hmph...No, Yuri and I didn't get into a fight. I just thought I'd come see you, ya big jerk!" She says as lays her various accessories down on my coffee table.

Me:"Just wanted to come see me huh? Izzat why you brought a suitcase then? Just for a little pop-in visit?" Ha! Got 'er...

Natsuki:"Well fine! I guess I'll leave then!" Natsuki starts to grab up the things she just laid down.

Me:"You know that's not what I mean Nat." I stand in front of my door to prevent her from leaving.

Natsuki:"Grrr...Fine! You got me, okay? I was worried about you! You a*hole!" Natsuki slams her foot into the ground and crosses her arms. Her face red.

Me:"Now was that so hard? Look, I'm more than happy to let you stay the night with me. But you've gotta quit thinking I'm gonna kill myself, okay?" I decide to just go ahead and say what I know she's been thinking, Nat's blunt like that anyhow. She remains quiet for a moment, she wasn't expecting me to just say it like that.

Natsuki:"I-I'm just scared Eli! I already lost Sayori and I wasn't there to stop her, I can't lose you too!" That one hit me pretty hard. Even made me a little misty eyed. Natsuki doesn't express her true feelings much but when she does, hoo boy, you feel it alright. For better or worse. I walk up to her and pull her into a hug like she did to me earlier.

Me:"Weren't you listening to me in the clubroom today? I'm not going anywhere. You guys are all I have now. I'm not leaving you behind."

Natsuki*Sniffle* "Y'know, for a moron, you sure are sweet..."

Me:"Besides I'm too young to drink myself to death. Ow!" Natsuki punches me in the arm.

Natsuki:"And you can sure ruin a moment! Jeez... Besides who said anything about me staying the night?"

I point to the pile of crap Nat brought over, specifically, the suitcase, and raise an eyebrow.

Natsuki:"S-so? Anything could be in there. It could be baking supplies for all you know!" She states smugly.

Me:"Baking supplies. In a suitcase..." Natsuki nods. "Well I guess I'll just have a look-see."

Natsuki:"N-no don't! Alright yes I was planning to stay! Just don't open my suitcase!" Natsuki pleads.

Me:"I thought so. Alright I won't open it." Nat sighs with relief. "No reason to be so scared I might see a pair of panties-*Thud* Ow! That friggin' hurt!" Natsuki threw a volume of manga at my head like a throwing star.

Natsuki:"Well, you shouldn't say things like that! Y-you perv!" And so it begins...

(Two hours later)

To my surprise, Natsuki actually liked that God-awful Grumpy Cat movie. Although, it's a cutesy Christmas movie starring a talking cat whomst is also a meme. I really shouldn't be shocked. Natsuki plays the tough girl, and she is for the most part, but she's also an adorable girly girl. Even if she'd kick my teeth in if knew I thought that.

Natsuki:"That was horrible...I loved it!"

Me:"I guess..."

Natsuki:"What's wrong Eli? Thinking about stuff again?"

Me:"Yeah. And thinking about how I was a jerk earlier when you had just come in. I really appreciate you coming over today. I...think I needed somebody."

Natsuki:"Ah don't worry about it, and you're welcome." Natsuki smiles a cute little smile.

Me:"Y'know, now that Sayori's gone, you guys are the closest thing to family I have anymore..."

Natsuki:"Huh? What about your parents?" I've never told the club about how my folks abandoned me when I was sixteen. Sayori was the only one who knew.

Me:"I guess I never told ya huh? My parents were neglectful too. But mine skipped out on me when I was sixteen."

Natsuki:"W-what?"

Me:"Yup... Just up and left. The only thing they left behind was a note telling me how long I had until the bank foreclosed on our house and I would be forced into Foster Care. No goodbye, no I love you. Not even a little money to help me get by. Just cold facts and numbers on a note."

I could see the anger welling up inside of Natsuki, she was pissed and then some.

Natsuki:"What a couple of sorry excuses for human life! Who just abandons their child like that! Well they sure missed out huh? Worked out in my favor...uh that is, I- ah screw it, you're a great guy! Your parents really screwed the pooch on this one." I couldn't help but smile hearing Natsuki get so angry and defensive over me. And she gave me a genuine complement!

Me:"I guess, I did alot of things during that time I'm not proud of just so I could eat and avoid Foster Care. I don't know how great of a guy I really am..." I say while remembering some of my not so proud moments.

Natsuki:"First of all, yes, you are great. And if I ever hear you say otherwise again i'll slap the taste out of your mouth! Second of all, what kind of stuff did you do?"

Me:"Heh...what didn't I do? I delivered drugs for a dealer for about three months until he got shot after a raw deal. I mugged people and stole from stores all the time. I boosted cars too."

Natsuki:"Y-you delivered drugs?!"

Me:"Yeah, I had a hard life. But look at me now. It's...marginally better..."

Natsuki:"Well, at least now you've got me- I mean the club! You've got the club!"

Me:"Heh...yeah. I do."

Natsuki:" I gotta ask though, why didn't you just live with Sayori?" A fair question, one I'd often ask myself during that time. But I just couldn't bring myself to burden them like that. It wasn't their fault, why should they clean up my mess.

Me:"I don't do handouts..."

Natauki:"Ah, so it was a pride thing? I feel ya. Hey wanna play a board game? Maybe it'll kill this thick atmosphere..."

Me:"Sure, whatcha got?"

For several hours, Natsuki and I played board games, talked about various things, I made supper for the two of us, and before I knew it, we were both tuckered out. It was midnight already! We had school tomorrow!

Me:"Oh man, it's midnight! We gotta hit the sack." As I say that I realize a problem. "I only have one bed."

Natsuki:"Well, as long as you don't breathe in my face all night..." She says as she turns her red face away from me and crosses her arms.

Me:"Bwahahahaha, good one Nat. Thanks, I needed that." I start to pull out some blankets to make a bed on the couch for myself.

Natsuki:"Uh...Y-you're welcome. Heh..." She was joking...Right?

A little bit after I finish making the couch up, and have changed into my sleeping clothes, A gray tank top, a pair of plaid lounge pants, and some black socks. Natsuki steps out of the bathroom in her nightime clothes, a loose fitting white t-shirt, a pair of pink short shorts, and fluffy pink socks.

Me:"Daaaaaaw! How cuuuuuuuute!" I say in an over-exaggerated fashion, just to annoy her.

Natsuki:"I. Am. Not. Cute! And goodnight Eli!" she cutely shouts as she cutely stomps up the stairs to my bedroom where she will sleep. Cutely!

Me:"Goodnight! Cutie!"

Natsuki:"Ugh! Screw you!"

As long as I've got her and the club, I'll make it okay. I'll carry on. This is for you Sayori.

(End chapter Two)