Chapter 2: Pucks and no more Burnt Embers

The group walked into Pucks and were immediately assaulted by loud music and people talking. They were brought to a table near the back but still have a great view of the band. The band that was playing was made up of all of the girls that Natalie is friends with. Natalie turned to her friends, newly found friends.

"Are you guys hungry?" they nodded or said yes enthusiastically, Goldberg of course went for the last one. "Kay hold on." Natalie raised her hand in the air; apparently, that is how you get to have a waiter and or waitress to come over.

"Hello how…" she trailed off seeing Natalie. "Nat oh my god I haven't seen you for a few weeks how have you been. "I've been good thanks. How have you been Malcah it's been a while." Natalie replied to the blond who had bright pink bangs in her hair. "Good oh who are these people?" she asked curiously.

She pointed to Portman. "This is my brother Dean, his best friend Fulton and their other friends Julie, Connie, Charlie, Adam and Goldberg. Guys and girls this is my friend Malcah Bohdan." they greeted politely. Malcah went to get their menus and said she would be quick.

They eventually decided what to order, Charlie and Goldberg decided to get hamburgers with fries, only instead of fries Charlie ordered onion rings. Fulton got Chicken strips with honey mustard and a side of fries.

Portman got a steak with a side of cheese curds. Natalie got chicken strips with a side of fries with honey. Julie got a lemon-peppered chicken with Buffalo wings and Connie got a chicken salad with a side of cheese curds.

As they were waiting for their food, they decided to try and get to know Natalie better. "So why do you live in Minnesota and Portman in Chicago?" Goldberg asked. Charlie rammed his Elbow in his side. "What, what did I say?" he asked.

"Well our parents divorced when we were seven or eight, officially at least. Dad moved to Chicago with Dean and I stayed in Minnesota with our mom and sister. We unusually go on vacation together or go to the other state every other summer. I've moved about nine times and it's only within three towns too." Goldberg went silent for a moment.

Julie spoke up now. "So where do you go to school here in town or some where else, because I didn't see a school anywhere." she said Natalie laughed a bit. "Yeah, there's a school on Broadway. Plainview Public, last year we combined with Elgin so we have about 145 students in my grade maybe more I don't really know. But yeah that's fun, fun, fun with all the stupid preps and all of the idiots in the school." she said bitterly.

"I take it you don't get along with them at all." Charlie said to her. "That in a nutshell, they don't like me I don't like them; we understand that between our two groups. The girls are the ones who don't like me and a few guys but that's it."

She paused a moment. "The girls hate it that I'm friends with one of the guys that they like and they think I like him in more than a friend way which is absolutely stupid. I couldn't be like that with him its just eugh." she paused for a moment and looked over the crowd and smiled.

"They all just want to get some from him and once one girl is with him the others will be jealous and then they will be against each other. They're so stupid half the time." Julie shrugged, Fulton looked at her. "Not much you can do, most of them are rich snobs who don't know anything past their make-up brand."

Natalie nodded in agreement. "Yeah that's what I say but the preps never seem to agree." she decided to change the subject to the band that was playing. "You see that band playing up there." she asked them, they nodded. "All of them I went to or go to school with." Julie looked at her and asked something. "How many bands do you know?"

Natalie smirked. "I know about three, the one my friends are in Wilted Rose they all love to do music but most of them hate being the middle of attention. It's Ironic how they are up there now, yet they hate to have attention focused on them." she smiled as she watched them play. "That one that is singing is my friend Hope Kujath, she is big into Japanese Anime and the drama area." Natalie pointed to a blond that had a white and black corset looking top on with black pants and a silver belt.

"The girl with black hair and that's quite thin that is my good friend Becky Erdman, me and her were tight when we were in third grade until eighth. Then I got into the punk/Goth scene and we drifted but we still are really close." A girl with black hair with blond streaks going through was playing the keyboard. She was wearing a worn pair of Jeans and a light green shirt that said Pepsi on it.

Natalie continued. "The one playing the guitar near Becky is Breanna Davis, she's big into sports. Basketball, Volleyball, Shot-put and Softball, she loves to do them all." Breanna had her hair up in a messy bun, she had long brown hair that had natural golden highlights, and she was wearing a jean skirt and a light pink tank top with a white long sleeve one over it.

"On the other side of Hope is Ashley Brunelle playing bass guitar, Breanna's best friend. She is cool, she likes a lot of the same things that I do so me and her are quite close." Ashley had dark brown hair with blond streaks, she's big boned like Breanna is. She is wearing a pair of jeans and a Fox racing t-shirt.

"In the back playing the drums is my friend Crystal Sheehan. She is more into the sports than even Bre is. She's slightly deaf in her left ear though." Crystal was very small and petite wearing a peasant shirt with the sleeves off the shoulder and a black pair of jeans. She had dirty blond hair that was in a ponytail like it always seems to be.

Their food soon arrived and they concentrated on that for a while. Once they were done, they began talking again. And to anyone it seemed Natalie has always been friends with them and she did fit in quite well. Breanna and her band just got off the stage and a group of guys went on, but they were missing one single person from that band that was out in the audience.

"Hello as you all know we're Burnt Embers but we seem to be missing a member, our lead singer seems to be hiding in the crowd." he had big bright red Liberty spikes. His eyes were all black, obviously contacts but that's one of the reasons that band is so liked. Natalie's cousin Nate joined the group and smirked at Natalie. "So Brat it looks like you are going to have to see to that." he said, the group other than Portman looked confused at that. Natalie glared at her cousin. "You spoil everything." She stood up and everyone looked at her as she walked up to the stage. With the help of two of her band mates, she was lifted onto the stage.

Natalie walked up to the mic and sighed. "Hello all, were Burnt Embers and lets get this music goin' what do ya say?" she asked them all. There was a loud cheer going through the club. She nodded at that and looked back at the band and nodded at them.

Like a Stone
On a cobweb afternoon
In a room full of emptiness
By a freeway I confess
I was lost in the pages
Of a book full of death
Reading how we'll die alone
And if we're good we'll lay to rest
Anywhere we want to go

Nate smiled at the companions at the table, their shock so amusing to him since he is like Natalie's second brother. "So I'm guessing that you didn't know about this part and that Portman didn't tell you about it." all eyes then turned to Portman. "What I wanted it to be a surprise." Goldberg put a fake hurt look on his face but soon laughed.

In your house I long to be
Room by room patiently
I'll wait for you there
Like a stone I'll wait for you there
Alone

Nathan began to tell them who each member of the band is he pointed to one who had a bass guitar. "The guy with spikes that's Ishtar Sylvania, he and Natalie met about four years ago at a camp when they were both still somewhat preppy. Now look at them totally opposite from what they were." They were all watching Natalie sway her hips to the music she was singing.

On my deathbed I will prey
To the gods and the angels
Like a pagan to anyone
Who will take me to heaven
To a place I recall
I was there so long ago
The sky was bruised
The wine was bled
And there you led me on

"The one over there who took Natalie's things to her he's Stokley. He and Nat met about a two years ago when they started the band." He pointed to a guy who had a tall Mohawk that was neon green. ."

In your house I long to be
Room by room patiently
I'll wait for you there
Like a stone I'll wait for you there
Alone

"Over there is Neioth, he's the vampire of the band, and he has long blond hair and unknown color of blue eyes, and dresses in old century clothes and made his teeth fangs permanently." Nate pointed to a man in a frock coat, breeches, boots and old fashion peasant shirt, he was playing the keyboard.

"There is Titus, he's well him. Natalie picked him up at a wedding party her sister was going to for one of her friends and apparently he was a cousin. So she said she was starting a band but couldn't find a drummer he mentioned he did and ever since he's been with the band."

And on I read
Until the day was done
And I sat in regret
Of all the things I've done
For all that I've blessed
And all that I've wronged
In dreams until my death
I will wander on

Natalie looked straight at the band and smirked and mad e the number two with her finger and nodded at the band.

I've done everything as you say
I've followed your rules without question
I thought it would help me see things clearly
but instead of helping me to see
I look around and it's like I'm blinded

I'm spinning out of control
out of control
I'm spinning out of control
out of control

Where should I go?
what should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me
cause I don't know
if I can trust you
I don't understand what you want from me

I feel like I'm spinning out of control
try to focus but everything's twisted
and all alone I thought you would be there
(thought you would be there)
to let me know I'm not alone
but in fact that's exactly what I was

I'm spinning out of control
out of control
I'm spinning out of control
out of control

Where should I go?
what should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me
cause I don't know
if I can trust you
all of the things you've said to me

I may never know the answer
to this famous mystery

Where should I go?
what should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me

It's in a mystery
it's in a mystery

I'm spinning out of control
out of control

Where should I go?
what should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me
cause I don't know
if I can trust you
all the things you've said to me

And I may never know the answer
to this famous mystery

Where should I go?
what should I do?
I don't understand what you want from me

I'm spinning out of control
out of control
I'm spinning out of control
out of control

Natalie and the band stopped she took the mic into her hand and smiled at the crowd. "My friends and fans many of you who know me know I love to sing and perform this music for all of you. Well my band and I have some good and some bad news. This is the last year I will be with this band, I know you all love my music but I am sorry but there are other things that I want to concentrate on instead." she paused a moment in what she was saying and took a deep breath. This was the hard part of the speech.

"The good news is that Burnt Embers will be getting a new singer who I have known for years and has been a good friend of mine since I was about six so please don't be mean or judge her upon my style." Natalie jumped off stage and walked in utter quietness to her table.

Nathan leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Real easy way to break it to the crowd Nat, real easy." Natalie glared at him but didn't say anything else really, at least not until the next band went up. "You are really good Natalie, I was amazed by how loud you were." Adam said, Natalie gave him a questioning look not completely understanding what he meant.

"Well what I mean is that you are so quiet and then you come here and you're loud in the music area and very different from what I was expecting you to be." Natalie laughed and nodded. "I agree once everyone meets me as my quiet self and then see me with my band they don't know what to think." Natalie leaned back and sighed. She looked up and a face was hovering above her, a very angry face of someone who likes her music but not her as a person.

"Hi Courtney." Natalie stood up and saw that a few others were with as well. "Hi Kelsey, Shultz, Kyle, Riley, Doug. What can I do for all of you?" Natalie asked politely as she could, knowing that they were beyond pissed with her. "I want to talk with you, so come on." Courtney grabbed her upper arm and proceeded to drag her away. "Well it looks like I am going to be talked to quite sternly too, so I'll be back in a bit guys."

They took Natalie to in front of the building and looked at her. "What, what do you want me to do. I'm not staying with the band and there is nothing anyone can do to stop that." Natalie replied looking at Courtney, who was glaring sadistically at her. Courtney didn't scare Natalie in the least she was at least three inches taller than her and she could hurt her if she needed to after all she does the enforcing when she plays street hockey. It's the only way to go, but she also plays defense to.

Kyle and all the guys looked like they didn't want to be dragged into this but were forced to by Kelsey. "Natalie this is one of the only good things us teenagers have here that we actually enjoy and now you are ruining that because you have better things to concentrate on. Like what, which prep to pick on now?" Kelsey said with her hand on her hips. Natalie's eyebrow rose slightly.

"Look guys I'm sorry you feel this way, but I am moving on to something I love to do and enjoy?" Natalie sighed as she saw them glare even more and deadlier. "What you don't enjoy singing." Kyle asked. Natalie gave him a look that made him feel stupid. "Yes I do enjoy singing but it isn't active enough for me and any ways I'm moving out of this scraggly town." the others looked shocked that she was moving away. "And why are you moving can't stand us people any longer." Natalie shook her head at their obvious stupidity.

"No I'm moving because I am going to Eden Hall school probably, and that's where the thing I love is." They obviously have heard of the place. "Eden hall the most well known school where many professional Athletes have gone." Natalie smirked at them and nodded.

"One and the same my friends. I'm going on a scholarship." she said to them and waited for their reactions to this information. Kelsey and Courtney's eye were bulging out like a fish, or at least that's what it looked like.

"What, the only way you can get scholarships at that place is if you play a sport, and from what I know you can't play any sports." Riley said to her, Natalie shook her head at them. "Well obviously you don't know me well enough do you. I play Hockey, and have been since I was about six years old." She looked at them and smiled brightly.

"So it's not my fault that the only sport I play Plainview doesn't offer." she was waiting for them to respond and when they didn't she turned around to leave but Courtney stopped her. "You aren't going anywhere, you can't go to that place you wouldn't fit in." Natalie was about to respond when she saw Fulton and her brother come up behind the others. They were either about the same height or taller than the boys.

"You aren't terrorizing our friend are you, because of you want we can hurt you." Fulton said to them with a smirk on his face. They all turned around and looked at Fulton and Portman. "You wouldn't hit a girl would you?" Kelsey asked sweetly trying to come onto Portman, which was grossing Natalie out seeing as he is her brother.

"I'm in contact sports with girls and guys so hurting girls does not bother me. Besides I do it to sister dear over there all the time." They all turned again to look at Natalie. "SISTER"

Kelsey was looking from Portman to Natalie a few times until Courtney actually comprehended what was happening and stopped her friends head after a while. "Sister, do you mean to say that Natalie is your sister and that you are her brother as in same mom and dad." Doug asked him, Portman nodded. Natalie walked up to Fulton and Dean and stood between them.

"Yes this is my brother Dean Portman and our friend Fulton Reed, their both Hockey players." she said with a smirk on her face. "I'm going to go get the others then we will be out of here." Portman said and went back into Pucks. Soon Courtney and her people left and it was just Natalie and Fulton alone together.

Fulton looked down at Natalie and smiled. "So no vicious bite marks from the evil people in the world?" he asked jokingly. Natalie laughed. "Nope I fended them off until my knights in shinning Hockey gear rescued me." Fulton laughed at that phrase. "Knights in shinning Hockey gear, I always thought I t was knights in shinning armor." Natalie laughed along with him.

Ten minutes into their conversation, the others of the group came out and they began to go home and get some sleep. Fulton was walking next to her and he was wondering who those people were that were practically scratching her eyes out. "The were some kids in my grade from school, who think they are all that because they got tons of money to spend on the most stupid of things. Ya know."

Fulton looked at her and smiled, then she nearly tripped again. The other two girls were being carried by Charlie and Adam. Fulton sighed and picked Natalie up bridal style, getting sick of seeing her nearly fall flat on her face time after time again.

Portman walked up besides him and smirked, as if he knew something that Fulton doesn't realize quite yet, but will soon eventually realize what it is. Portman kept that disgusting smirk on his face for the whole walk back to his place and even when they got inside, he had it on.

Portman then turned to Fulton, "Can you take her to her room for me I have to go see if mom is home or not." he left down the hall without waiting to see what Fulton's answer would have been. Fulton looked down at the girl in his arms and sighed. "Well I guess I best get you into your room then wouldn't you say, he opened her door and repositioned her so he could put her under the covers.

He smiled at her sleeping form and walked out of her room smiling to himself. He caught sight of his best bro Portman and immediately wiped the smiled off his face. Portman smirked again at him, which is beginning to be quite more annoying than he had thought.

"I know what you're trying to hide, but dude she's my sister I notice things like this, it's kind of hard to miss someone taking an interest in your sister." Fulton looked at him confused but then realized that it is true and that he is interested in her and that she is a hottie is just adding to that factor. "I, well. You see." he couldn't really think of any sane response to what Portman said to him, and Portman was just laughing at his actions. "Dude, stop it that is getting annoying." Portman sobered up and looked at Fulton.

"Fulton you may be my best bro but I you even think about hurting Natalie in any way what so ever other than Hockey I will kill you n o matter what the consequences are, and please be careful she's not exactly good with the male side of the human race."

Fulton looked at Portman oddly. "Yes if you do hurt her you will wish you had never been born and that I would just kill you over and over again for what I will put you through for even thinking of hurting her. Are we clear." he asked looking him directly in the eye. Fulton nodded not knowing what he was supposed to say exactly. "Night." Portman walked down to his room and went in without looking back at Fulton again. Fulton was across from Portman's room and he went in there changed into his boxers and just flung himself onto his bed feeling exhausted and extremely tired. He fell asleep thinking of Natalie and that his best friend threatened to hurt him or kill him if he even thought about hurting his twin sister.