For the next few weeks, Nat and Allie spent a bit of time together. Allie was there at all his sporting events and they even hung out a bit during school hours. The only time she didn't get to hang out with Nat was on weekends, but she watched him play in his games and events. Allie also went to every party every weekend, with her friends and had a blast. During some of this past time, Allie decided to get back into cheer leading, along with Sky. Allie made try outs by the coach and now she's a part of the squad. Nat congratulated her and he was even there at her try outs. Allie's mom was now at every game and sporting event, watching her cheer again, and she quite enjoyed watching Nat play, too, along with talking and hanging out with Nat's parents. Laura was finally warming up more to the city. The next couple of months pass by, with everyone having fun and getting close. Allie met a lot of new people around Hunter High and made some more friends, but she mostly hangs with Kristina, Sky, Nat, and the guys. Over the time that's passed, Allie's been learning more and more about Nat. She also writes about him every day and takes pictures of him with his Nikon. She saves the pictures on her laptop and stares at them every night, before she goes to sleep. Nat thinks about Allie also, but doesn't know how he feels about her. He just sees them as good friends. He's never looked at her as more. In October, Nat and his friends spent Halloween together. They went trick or treating together with Nat's parents, and also went to a Halloween party. On the first day of November, Nat was gone for a week, for Alex's birthday. They celebrated at the Atlantis resort, in the Bahamas. During that time, Allie talked to some other guy friends of hers and actually liked some of them, but not as much as she likes Nat. Its now the middle of November. Everyone is at school, sitting at lunch, talking.)

Sky: So, how does the wrestling work? I mean, its not necessarily team effort, is it? It's more independent, right?

Christian: Yeah, basically. And Nat's the only one nationally ranked. He takes the trophy every year.

Kristina: Why is he not at lunch again?

David: Kris, this is an every day thing. *chuckles*

Kristina: I'm so about to text him. We have plans to make! *gets out her cellphone*

Allie: You guys have literally been undefeated all season.

Danny: We told you. We go hard. We're in it to win it.

Allie: I see that.

Thomas: How's it feel being a cheerleader again?

Allie: It feels great. I missed it.

Sky: However, Ash has it out for her.

Danny: *scoffs* For what?

Sky: For 1. She's hot. And 2. She doesn't like her hanging with Nat.

Danny: Tell her to get the fuck over it. They're friends.

Sky: Not in the eyes of half the cheer squad.

Kristina: Tell them to fuck off. It's not their business and not Ash's business either.

Qaasim: It's not just Ash, it's all of his exes. They're pissed.

David: For what? Because he doesn't wanna talk to them?

Mason: He's been avoiding them all year. They know. Most of all, Bianca. She's like a pit bull.

Major: Yeah, she is borderline hunting him.

Kristina: I will punch that bitch.

David: Let's just get back to talking about the party this weekend. It's on the hotel roof, right?

Sky: Yeah. My dad's hotel. He doesn't mind. Everything's set.

Kanaan: And the whole junior and senior classes are gonna be there. This is gonna be crazy. *chuckles*

Stiles: Of course. But, Nat needs to hurry the hell up, so we can talk about Montauk.

Allie: Montauk? What's Montauk?

Stiles: It's a beach.

Allie: Beach? It's winter.

Stiles: So? *chuckles* Montauk is awesome. And there's plenty of stuff to do up there. No one's swimming or anything. Nat's parents own a beach house out there and we're throwing a party, next weekend. It's gonna be awesome.

Sky: And the beach is so beautiful in the winter. Trust me, you're gonna have fun.

Allie: OK.

Kristina: Which is why he needs to hurry the hell up! Ugh! He's not responding to my text messages!

David: Call him.

Kristina: I did. Straight to voicemail. Jarvis said he's busy.

Allie: Jarvis? Like from Iron Man? The talking computer?

Christian: *chuckles* Exactly like that. You know Iron Man is Nat's favorite super hero of all time. Nat did something that most people didn't even think was possible. He actually created Jarvis.

Allie: Are you serious?

Christian: Yes. *chuckles* Jarvis is uploaded to all of Nat's technology. Nat created artificial intelligence.

Allie: That is crazy! *shocked chuckle* He never told me that.

Christian: *chuckles* You've still got a lot to learn, buddy. (Someone approaches the table. It's Bianca.)

Stiles: What do you want?

Bianca: Fuck off, Stiles! Where is he?

Christian: Not here evidently!

Bianca: No, I'm not buying that shit anymore! OK? You've been saying that all damn year! All of you! I know you know where he is, 'cause he's been fucking avoiding me since we got back! I'm not stupid!

Kristina: I guess not, since you finally figured out he's avoiding you.

Bianca: Fuck you, Kristina!

Kristina: No, fuck yourself, OK?

Bianca: Look, I'm not fucking leaving until I see him!

Major: *sees someone in the distance and secretly taps Mason*

Mason: *looks at Major*

Major: *secretly points towards the cafeteria entrance*

Mason: *looks in the direction he's pointing and sees Nat, talking to a random group of people* (He's wearing black jeans, a black/white crew neck baseball t-shirt, black/white Vans, and a black LA snapback, worn backwards on his head.)

Christian: Bianca, he seriously does not want to talk to you.

Bianca: I don't care! He's being fucking childish right now and he's pissing me off! So now, I'm handling this! (Meanwhile, Nat glanced at his table and saw Bianca snapping at them in the distance. He sighs and shakes his head.)

Nat: Shit. Guys, I gotta- I gotta run. I'll catch you later.

Group: OK. Later, Nat.

Nat: *walks off and heads toward his friends slowly* (He gets to the table and stands on the opposite of the table, away from Bianca.)

Nat: *soft voice* Hey, guys. What's up?

Christian: *claps palms with Nat* Hey, what's up hermano.

Bianca: So, I guess you don't know anybody anymore, huh?

Nat: *soft voice, weak smile* Nah. I guess not.

Bianca: So, now you wanna be funny?

Nat: *miserable voice* What do you want, Bianca?

Bianca: To talk.

Nat: What about?

Bianca: You know what about!

Nat: I thought we finished all that? There's nothing to talk about anymore. That was all over when you walked away, right? We said our peace and went separate ways, right?

Bianca: It's not like you ran after me!

Nat: You're right, I didn't. 'Cause I didn't want to. I was relieved. Happy. You did me a favor- you made it easier on me.

Bianca: What are you saying?

Nat: I'm saying I was gonna break up with you anyway, Bianca.

Bianca: Excuse me?

Nat: Come on. Don't play dumb. You knew what was up.

Bianca: So you were gonna just dump me?

Nat: Like you gave me a choice? Look, you know what you were doing, you know how you were acting. The fighting, the arguing, the accusations, the distrust. I'm not about all that. I don't need that, I don't need somebody like that. Somebody like you. You're unfaithful, disloyal, abusive, manipulative, controlling, unfair, and insecure. I don't like that. Any of it. And I'm done. That's all there is to it. I don't want anything to do with you. I just wanna live my life and move on.

Bianca: Controlling? Because I wanted you to listen to me?

Nat: No, you wanted me to do everything you wanted, when you wanted it. You wanted a pawn. That's what you wanted. You wanted to control me. But you can't. You don't. And you never will. *chuckles a bit* See, you don't get to treat me like that. Not when I was nothing but good to you.

Bianca: Unfaithful?

Nat: You had zero belief in me. At all. Every time I came to you, you thought I had something to hide. Every time I came to you, you saw me as a liar in everything. I don't deserve that shit. I don't have time for it. I was nothing but honest with you. And what faith did you have in me? None. You can take that shit back. Loyal? You don't meaning of the word. 'Cause you couldn't stand by me for shit. You constantly tried to manipulate me, you weren't fair about anything, and you're insecure as shit. Everywhere I went, you thought I was cheating. And with Kristina of all people. And you know she's my friend.

Bianca: How do I know any of that shit is true, Nat? Every time I turned around, you were talking to girls! Literally! And you were spending way too much time with this bitch! *points to Kristina* And she was a little too cozy with you!

Nat: OK, I'll ask you nicely to watch your mouth when you address her. She's not a bitch, so you don't call her that. Second, like I said, she's one of my best friends. What was wrong with me hanging out with her? You're basically mad because I'm nice. What more could I have done to please you? To get you to trust me? You had the passwords to my cellphones and online accounts, for God's sake! What more could I have done? Not a damn thing, because I shouldn't have even had to jump through all those hoops and break my damn back, trying to convince you that I was being truthful. I had nothing to hide. Not a damn thing. And you chose to make me liar.

Bianca: Nat!

Nat: And don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about when I say you're abusive. Because you are. All that hitting? The threats? You remember all that shit? Huh? 'Cause I sure as hell do. My parents do. The teachers do.

Bianca: That's not fair! You were making me so damn mad all the time! I lashed out! You know I have a anger problem! You know I didn't mean it!

Nat: Yes you did. Look, Bianca, I don't wanna hear it. OK? I'm done. I don't wanna speak to you, and truthfully, I don't wanna see you either. But hey, we go to the same school. What can you do, right? *shrugs carelessly* Oh well. I'll get over it. But, yeah, I-I'm done. And I'm happy again. I'm out because I wasn't happy. And if I'm not happy, I'm out. So, there it is. That's how I feel about the whole thing. There's my closure.

Bianca: Closure? Nat, I'm trying to apologize! I'm trying to fix this!

Nat: There's nothing to fix. You can't fix this. You can't take back anything that you've done to me or said to me. You just can't. You don't mean that apology, you just wanna get back together again. Like the others. But, guess what? I don't want any of you back. And definitely not you. It all ended for a reason. And you all just need to deal with it. I'm done, Bianca. *starts to walk off*

Bianca: *runs in front of him* Where are you going?

Nat: Away. Please, just get out of my face. *miserable, soft voice*

Bianca: No! Talk to me!

Nat: *soft, miserable voice* I don't wanna talk to you. Didn't you just hear me? I don't have anything to say. I just wanna get away from you. You wanted to talk, we talked. Now, I'm done.

Bianca: *getting frustrated* I'm not done! *shoves his chest* Goddamn it!

Nat: *lightly stumbles back and sighs miserably*

Bianca: Would you just fucking listen to me!? I hate it when you do this! I can't stand it when you do this childish shit! That's why I get pissed off! You always do this! You always wanna make me look like the bad guy! I just wanna have a mature fucking conversation with you, and you always wanna play the silent treatment and shit! That's childish, Nat!

Nat: I don't care. *miserable voice and expression* Think what you want. I'm childish because I don't wanna talk to you? OK. So what. I don't have to talk to you if I don't want to. See. There you go with that controlling shit again. I just don't care anymore, Bianca. *turns around and starts walking*

Bianca: Nat!

Nat: *keeps walking* Just leave me alone, Bianca. *miserable voice* (Nat disappears in a crowd of people.)

Bianca: UGH! *crying, she storms off*

Christian: She always does that shit. Now, she's got him pissed off.

Kristina: I swear, she got one more time to put her hands on him, and I'm gonna drop her ass.

Stiles: We should go find him, guys.

Kristina: Yeah. (They get up and go look for Nat. They look around for 10 minutes, until they finally find him in the gym, sitting down on the bench, bouncing a basketball, with his head down.)

The Guys: *jog over to him*

Christian: Dude, you OK? *touches his shoulder*

Nat: Yeah. *looking down, bouncing the ball*

Kristina: You want me to kick her ass?

Nat: *chuckles* No thanks, Kris. *looks up at her, with a smile* Can't have you getting in trouble, now.

Kristina: *giggles and kisses his cheek* Aw, baby.

Christian: *sits next to Nat and puts his arm around his shoulders* Don't even trip about her, hermano. You know we got you.

Nat: Yeah. I just.. I hate it when she does that. I hate that she's like that, you know?

Christian: I know. But you're not the reason for it.

Nat: *shakes his head* Sometimes, I can't even believe I dated her. I don't regret it. I just can't believe it sometimes.

David: Yeah, neither can we. That bitch is crazy. *chuckles*

Everyone: *laughs*

Nat: *chuckling* Yeah, Dave. Crazy.

Christian: Don't worry about her. *chuckles at Nat* It's our time, remember?

Nat: *looks over at Christian and smiles*

Christian: *holds his fist out* All us?

Nat: *chuckles and fist bumps him* All us.

Christian: *laughs and pats his back* That's my boy!

Nat: *chuckles and smiles*

Danny: Did you eat yet?

Nat: Mom's bringing my Chipotle now.

Christian: Come on. We'll just hang outside and eat with you.

Nat: Alright. But first, trick shot. *stands up, bounces the ball hard against the floor, and makes it fly high in the air, making it right through the basketball hoop*

The Guys: Ohh!

Nat: Booyah! *high fives Christian*

The Guys: *laugh* (They leave the gym and go outside. Nat's mom drops off his lunch and he sits outside with his friends, eating.)

Stiles: So, buddy, we still gotta discuss Montauk.

Nat: Yeah. So, next weekend. We'll be there all weekend, but the party is just for Saturday. We'll take off right after the game on Friday. And after Saturday, the place is ours for whatever.

The Guys: Awesome.

Nat: Kris, Sky, I know you guys are going. Small Town? How 'bout you?

Allie: *smiles at him* Yeah.

Nat: *chuckles* OK.

Kristina: Great. Now I can finally tell my parents. (The guys start talking amongst themselves, and Kristina starts talking to Sky.)

Allie: *moves next to Nat* Hey.

Nat: *smiles* Hey.

Allie: You feelin' better?

Nat: Yeah.

Allie: What was that all about?

Nat: That was Bianca. One of my exes.

Allie: The one that used to hit you, right?

Nat: *nods* Yeah.

Allie: You wanna talk about it?

Nat: *looks at her* You don't wanna hear about my pathetic love life. *chuckles a bit*

Allie: No, I do. It helps to talk about stuff, right?

Nat: Yeah, but, I mean..why would you care about all this?

Allie: Because I care about you. And you're my friend. *takes his hand and holds it*

Nat: *looks down at their hands, then back up at her, and smiles a bit*

Allie: *smiles at him, leans in, and kisses his cheek*

Nat: *surprised* Oh. *blushes a bit*

Allie: *giggles a bit* Please?

Nat: *chuckles at her* OK. How about today, after school? I don't have practice today and I'm off work. We can talk all you want. *cute smile*

Allie: *smiles at him* I'd love that.

Nat: *cute smile* OK. My place or yours?

Allie: We always go to my place. I've haven't even been to yours yet. *chuckles*

Nat: Oh, that's right. You haven't. *chuckles* I just realized that.

Allie: *giggles* Yeah.

Nat: *chuckles* OK. My place it is.

Allie: Cool. *smiling*

Nat: Meet me right here, OK?

Allie: OK. *smiling*

Nat: *smiles too*