Ok here's the next chapter! Thanks to iNvIsIbLe GiRl 12 for the idea! :D

Disclaimer: the usual, i don't own N2N...


When Natalie woke up the next morning, she almost completely forgot what had happened the night before. But then she felt Henry's arms around her and heard his gentle breathing in her ear, and she smiled to herself. She also frowned a little, since she knew Henry was really upset.

She glanced at the clock and it was...8! They were late. They should be in homeroom right now, waiting another seven minutes for their first class to start.

"Shit," she muttered, pulling herself out of Henry's grip and getting out of bed. The minute he wasn't touching her, his eyes shot open.

"Natalie, what's wrong?" he asked.

"We're late," she told him. "School already started." She started pulling clothes to wear out of her drawers. Henry just laughed.

"Calm down," he said with a smile, still comfortably under the covers. "It's no big deal. I'm so tired from last, so worn out. Let's just ditch."

"In case you've forgotten, I cut a lot of class when we were fighting, plus the days I missed when I was in hospital. I can not afford to miss a whole day of school right now."

Henry just smiled at her. "Come on, please. For me?"

She sighed and looked at him. She did feel really bad about his parents, and she was tired too. It would be so easy just to climb into bed next to him and sleep. "Alright," she said. "We'll ditch." She got back into to bed.

He pulled her close until they were in the same position they woke up in. "That's my girl," he muttered before quickly falling asleep again.


It was about noon when they both woke up again. This time, Natalie was not falling asleep again; she got up and changed while Henry stretched. He rolled out of bed to pull on the same clothes he wore the night before.

"I think we should go to my house and pick up some clothes and stuff while my mom's at work," he said as he buttoned his shirt.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Natalie agreed.

Once they were both totally dressed and groomed, they went downstairs for breakfast. Natalie let out a little scream when she saw her dad sitting at the table sipping his coffee.

"What are you doing home?" she asked, holding Henry's hands behind her back.

"I have the day off," Dan explained, "because of my business trip. What are you doing home?"

"Um, see, we...I..."

"Let me explain," Henry cut in. "I forced Natalie to cut school today, Mr. Goodman. I'm just...I can't go to school today. The thing with my parents...I know it's not an excuse to ditch, but it's really taking a toll on me. Natalie's my rock, sir. We kind of always have to be together. Sorry, Mr. Goodman. I really apologize. I didn't think-"

"I get it," Dan interrupted. "But don't think you'll be cutting any more school while you're staying here. I may not be your father, but I'm Natalie's and I have to think about her education."

"Absolutely, sir. This won't happen again."

Mr. Goodman stood and put on his jacket. "I'll go pick up some groceries." And he left.

"That was scary," Natalie said finally. She let go of Henry's hands and got some waffles to make for breakfast.

"You think your dad was really mad?" Henry asked, sitting in the chair her dad was just occupying.

"Maybe. But he'll get over it. Honestly, I think he's kind of happy you're in the house. It's been quiet, a little lonely, with just the two of us. Everyone knows you are just the life of the party," she joked.

"I try."

After they ate, they drove over to Henry's place. Once inside, they were surprised a second time by another unexpecting parental figure. Henry's mom.

"Where have you been?" she fumed.

"At Natalie's," he answered. "Hi, Mom, nice to see you too."

"I was so worried about you. Your father was driving around all night looking for you. I took the day off to see if you'd come home during the day." Meanwhile, Natalie had been standing in the corner. Henry's mother pointed at her. "Instead, you were off galavanting with...with...her!" Henry's parents never really liked Natalie. They thought she was stand-off-ish and had a lot of problems. Which was true.

"Natalie, Mom," Henry shouted. "Her name is Natalie!"

"Oh, excuse me," his mother mocked. "Let me guess, did you sleep at Natalie's last night?"

"I did, Mom, thanks for asking."

"Henry, what is the matter with you? Why didn't you come home? Or at least call?"

"Because I didn't want to be here, Mom!" he screamed. Natalie jumped at his fierce tone. "You and Dad lied to me, your only son. And you didn't even apologize! Don't you understand that I'm angry? Don't you get that I am so disappointed in you two?"

Henry's mom processed the words in silence. Finally she asked, "Why did you come back then?"

"To get my stuff." And with that, he ran up the stairs. Natalie hurried to follow, but Henry's mom stopped her.

"Hey," his mother said. "Um, Natalie, I know we don't really get along, and you probably won't listen to me. But will you at least talk to him? Just tell him that I love him and that I want him to come home." Tears filled the woman's eyes. "Tell him he's my baby and I miss him."

Natalie stood there awkwardly. "Um," she said, "I...I can tell him. I can't promise he'll listen."

"But he listens to everything you say. He's hopelessly in love with you."

"Not hopelessly. I love him too."

His mom blinked at the sharpness in Natalie's voice. Natalie just sighed before running up to Henry's room. He was shoving a bunch of clothes into a suitcase.

"Hey," he said, looking up at her. "What did my mom say to you?"

"She just wants you to come home," Natalie said simply. "She thinks you only listen to me."

"I kind of do," Henry laughed. "So what do you think?"

"I think she misses you, but it's only been a day. And I think it's up to you." She kissed him gently, then hugged him tightly.

"I'm going to stay with you," he said finally, breaking away from her to finish packing.

Once he was all set, they walked back downstairs, hand in hand. Henry's mother was standing in the exact same spot. She laughed when she saw them.

"I guess you've chosen to go with her," she said. Henry glared at her. "Sorry. Natalie."

"Yeah," Henry said, walking right past her and out the door.

"Please come back!" his mom shouted after him. But he threw his luggage into the trunk, got into the car, and drove back to Natalie's house.


Reviews please!

I hope you guys like it so far!

I think I'm going to do something about them and college next!