Natalie POV:
It's been a few days since I was kidnapped my psycho ex boyfriend.
It was now Monday and Clare, Eli, Adam and I decided to skip school today. We were all at the beach. Clare was wading in the water trying to convince Adam to get in the water. Eli and I were lying in the moist sand, holding each other; not saying a word.
"Eli?" I whispered quietly.
"Yea?"
"When you look at me, do you see Julia?"
"W-what are you talking about?"
"Yesterday Clare and I got into an argument over why she and Adam are really together. Words were said and she told me the only reason you're with me is because I remind you of Julia, but please tell me that isn't true." I said looking up into his beautiful green eyes.
"Don't believe everything you hear, Nat," he said sighing.
"Elijah, tell me the truth! Don't try to change the subject."
"At first, yes I liked you because you reminded me so much of…her, but now, I love you for you not because you resemble someone else."
I got up and headed towards the water.
"Natalie, don't be like this!" he said running after me. He grabbed hold of my upper arm, and held me in place.
"Let me go….." I said quietly.
"Not until you stop acting like a little brat, don't make this situation harder than it really is!"
"Oh so I'm a brat now?"
"That's what I'm saying!" He said still holding on to my arm.
"So when you sleep with me you're thinking of her right?" I yelled as I yanked my arm out of his hold on the verge of tears.
He just stood there staring at me. "How could you ever think that?"
"Because you know it's true. Just take me home please?"
"Sure, Clare, Adam, I'll be right back. I'm taking Nat home." He said as we headed to Morty.
The whole ride to my house was terrifyingly silent.
We arrived in my driveway; I started to get out when Eli finally broke the silence.
"Natalie, you know I love you and if there was more to be said; I would say it." He said quietly.
I nodded and got out of the car and into my house. I was the one making things worse, but it was necessary for me to distance myself before I got hurt.
I got to my room and plopped down on my bed. I thought how I've had to run away from so many situations to keep myself from getting hurt; and sooner or later it all caught up to me and bit me in the ass. Ever since I got here, I've been trying so hard to be anyone but myself, afraid that my friends wont like the real me. I try to hide my many insecurities, my problems, and my feelings. Everyone thinks I'm this bad ass who is strong and confident, but inside I'm just an insecure little girl who has lost her way.
I didn't leave my room for the rest of the night.
.
.
Morning came I took a shower and got ready. I didn't put on any makeup; I put on a plain purple v-neck and white short shorts and light blue vans, nothing special. I picked my book bag up from my bed and headed downstairs.
Mark was waiting by the door for me.
"Wow, you're already ready, usually I have to wait an hour." He said opening the door.
I nodded but said nothing. The ride to school was pretty quiet.
"What's wrong with you? You've been acting….weird." He said as he parked in the Degrassi student parking.
"I'm fine!" I yelled at I hopped the car.
Eli POV:
I was at my locker with Adam and Clare but all I could think about what happened between Natalie and I. Apparently that's what Clare was thinking about.
"What happened yesterday at the beach was pretty intense, are you okay?" Clare said.
"Yea, it's just what she said caught me off guard."
"I didn't even know that you guys were….intimate." She said almost whispering.
"Don't start this now, Clare." I said.
At that moment, I saw Natalie walk through the doors of Degrassi, she looked different, troubled.
She went straight to locker, which was right across from mine. She slid down to the floor and sat there staring straight forward. Her eyes were empty.
I could tell she wasn't wearing makeup; she was even more stunning that way. Her hair was down and wavy and her bangs were tucked behind her ear.
"Dude," Adam said snapping me out of my thoughts. "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know I should give her some space." I said closing my locker.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a guy kneel down next Natalie. They talked a bit and then she smiled and got up from the ground. They walked down the hallway together.
"We should get to class." Clare said. I nodded and we all headed to English.
We entered class just as the bell rang. Natalie wasn't in her seat in between Clare and I. Five minutes later Natalie entered the room.
"Glad you could join us Miss Fitzgerald." Ms. Dawes said.
"I'm not," she said sitting down.
"Excuse me?"
"Did I stutter?" Nat said as her eyes got a little wider.
"See me after class," she said turning back to the board.
"I'll do you one better, I'll just go to the principal's office now." She said gathering her things and leaving.
The three of us all exchanged weird looks.
Natalie POV:
Instead of going to the office, I left Degrassi. I walked into town not looking for anything particular, until I found a tattoo and piercing parlor. I walked in and asked for a tongue piercing.
It felt weird for a while put I thought it was pretty cool. I went back to school around lunch time, instead of going to the cafeteria; I went to the Zen garden to read a magazine. I saw Clare, Adam and Eli heading my way. Great, just what I need, a group lecture.
"What the hell is your problem?" Adam yelled at me.
"Nothing, what's yours?" I said almost yelling.
"What is that?" Eli said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said trying not to open my so much.
He got closer to me. "Open your mouth," he commanded and I obeyed. I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Happy now?" I said.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Why do you care?"
"You know what? I guess I don't. I'm done with this." He said as he left me behind. Clare and Adam left with him.
A/N: Tell me what you thought!