Chapter 2: Accepting the Facts
2 years later
Fifteen year old Nat tossed and turned as he slept restlessly.
"No! I didn't mean it! Come back! Rosalina! COME BACK!"
Nat shot straight up in his bed as cold sweat poured down his face. He turned on his lamp and looked around the room. Everything was different now. Sonny Wolff and Betty had gotten married and had a baby, Jennifer. So they moved to a new house and Nat and Alex each had their own rooms. And after Rosalina was kidnapped, the Naked Brothers Band broke up, but they remained friends.
Nat got out of bed and went over his dresser. He picked up a picture that was taken 3 years ago. It was of the band, but Nat only focused on himself and Rosalina. They had their arms around each other and were smiling bigger than anyone else in the picture. Nat went back over to his bed and picked up the phone. He dialed his best friend, Cooper's number.
"Hello?" said a sleepy Cooper.
"Hey Coop," Nat said. "I had the dream again."
"Nat…….you heard what the police said. Why can't you just accept the facts and move on?"
"How can I Cooper?" Nat said. "Rosalina is the only girl I ever loved. I mean, I still love her."
"I know Nat, but get real," Cooper said. "What are the chances she's still alive? It's been 2 years."
"I know, I know," Nat said. "I just……"
"What?"
"Well……it's just hard to believe that she's never coming back," Nat said as tears cam to his eyes.
"I know it's hard Nat," Cooper said. "And not just for you, but for all of us."
"I know," Nat said. He glanced at the picture then looked out the window. "But I guess you're right. I just have to accept the fact that……..I'll never see her again."
"Nat….."
"No….it's okay Coop," Nat lied. "I think we should get back to sleep now."
"Okay….bye."
"Bye Coop."
Nat hung up the phone and turned off the light. He layed back and stared at the ceiling.
"Why did this happen? Why Rosalina? Why did you leave us? I miss you," Nat said quietly. "I really, really miss you."