Well, without further delay here's part 3 of how Natalie and Felix met. Also, I have just been on absolute writing KICK this past week and that inspiration iron struck HOT! Lol. XD This chapter is going to be pretty exposition heavy so buckle up ya'll! Hope you all enjoy! :)

(Natalie's POV)

Okay… I think I'm in the right place?

I don't know, I spent my entire lunch period at school trying to figure out where that guy was. Since I was so pissed off and over everything yesterday, I really had no idea where I even was in the neighborhoods surrounding my gym.

Ever since last night with that guy… I don't know?

I just felt… guilty, I guess?

And I couldn't even sleep last night because all I could think about was everything that happened and his words going through my head.

Either way, I knew I was going to drive myself crazy until I at least did something about it. If anything, at least for the sake of my sanity and conscience to not let it eat at me forever.

And after looking for any and any auto shop that could have been the one that could be it.

Heredia & Son Automotive.

I kept looking around to double check and even glanced up the street only to see the exact same bus stop I used after I stomped off.

Right as I got to the opened garage door, I froze and slowly felt my heart almost crawling up my throat as my stomach felt like it was twisting.

Dammit Nat. Will you just get a grip already?!

Slowly, I looked around the corner, hoping it was possibly someone else… yeah, wishful thinking.

Front and center in the garage sitting on a creeper in front of a car he was working on, was him. Even though I realized just now that I hardly even remembered completely what he looked like from how pissed I was yesterday.

But, the height, broad shouldered build, almond shaped medium brown eyes, tanned olive complexion, dark brown hair…

It was him.

He was wiping off his face with a towel as I tried to figure out what the hell I was doing?

Like… do I just say hi? Or what?

As I was thinking I noticed him nodding his head to classic 80's rock music playing on the radio in the corner.

Hmm… good taste in music.

Although right as I got it in me to walk in, my eyes went wide and I froze up as he rolled up the pant leg on the left side of his jeans to reveal a prosthetic leg as he started readjusting it.

Great… not only was I a bitch to someone being nice to me, but he ALSO is missing one of his legs?!

Just… great!

Now I really feel like the world's biggest raging bitch.

But, I wasn't going to let it stop me as I straightened up and finally walked in as I said, "Um… hey."

He whipped his head over to look at me until his eyes went wide before he got a slightly unsure look on his face.

Yeah… he remembers me.

Fuck…

I looked away and bit my lip, thinking I just made the stupidest possible decision to do this until I heard a surprisingly calm but confused, "Hey."

I looked over only to see him rolling his jeans back down over his prosthetic as he stood up from the creeper.

Wow… tall.

I mean, I'm a little over 5'9" so I'm not exactly 'short' so this guy has to be at least 6'2" or maybe 6'3".

We just kind of awkwardly stood there just 'looking at each other' for a few moments, eventually making him cross his arms and give me an almost unsure look.

Probably trying to figure out why this chick that yelled at him yesterday was just 'stopping by' to say hi. And honestly… that makes 2 of us, except I know 'the reason'.

Eventually I scrunched my eyes and bit my lip as finally said with a sharp exasperated sigh, "I'm sorry."

Slowly I glanced up to see him going wide eyed at what I said.

Well, might as well just rip off the rest of the band aid, right?

"Look… I was having a really shitty day yesterday and I took it out on you when you were just trying to help me out. It wasn't cool and I understand if you still think I'm a total bitch, but… I'm sorry."

Depsite feeling like a tank was lifted off my chest from getting it out, I still felt like shit somehow.

I was looking down until I heard and then saw his work boots step into view as he started, "If you really were a bitch, then you wouldn't be doing this. Don't worry about it, we all have crap days, so it's all good. Here, wanna start over? I'm Felix. Felix Heredia."

Then I saw his hand extending toward me, causing me to look up and see him smiling at me until I saw his eyes go wide again before he pulled his hand back and started in a flustered tone to himself, "Ay, mierda. Sorry 'bout that. My hand grease all over it from working on the car."

He quickly wiped his hand off on the side of his jeans before looking back up at me, smiling, and extending his hand out to me again.

I tilted my head for a second as I hesitated while trying to 'figure him out'.

Is this guy for real?

Seriously, I was such a bitch yesterday and he's just being so 'cool' with everything? Eventually I shook his hand and responded, "Natalie Burromuerto."

After we shook hands we just… stood there.

Should I… say something?

"So… you work on cars?" I got out as the only moronic observation thing going through my head.

Wow, that was stupid.

But, like he'd been doing almost the entire time, he just smiled and said, "Yeah, this is my dad's shop. But, I work here in the evening after school to help him out and apprentice. I really want to take over and make my dad retire since his back is totally shot, but my parents want me to finish school first. Kinda sucks, but I just gotta get through the rest of this year and next year and then I'll be good!"

I let out a scoff as I got out, more just thinking out loud, "I get that. I just want to get the hell out of school and get right into boxing."

"Whoa! Hold up, you're a boxer? That's fuckin' cool as shit! You like compete and stuff?" He said, actually looking genuinely interested.

It kind of took me off guard for a second.

He actually thinks it's cool?

Normally people always either don't care or say I'm 'too pretty' for boxing or 'I can't make a career out of it' (just ask my stupid mother).

To which I always say 'screw them'.

And I don't know why? But… I just kept talking as I responded, "I started boxing when I was 9 and I've been my gym's junior women's champion since I was eligible to compete when I was 14. That was where I was coming from yesterday after…"

Natalie, what the hell? Why are you just talking out of your ass right now in front of this guy you literally just met?!

But I knew it was too late since he immediately quirked up an eyebrow and asked, "Why? What's up? Did something happen?"

Great job, Natalie… fantastic!

But, I didn't need to say anything else as he kept saying, "Hey, if something happened, do you… wanna talk about it?"

I felt that feeling of my heart crawling up my throat again as I crossed my arms and looked away for a second, not knowing what to do.

I think he caught what was going on as he said, "Look, it's okay if you don't. But, I'm just saying. It's not like I'm gonna tell anyone. I literally work in a garage with no one else. Hey, if you want, ask me somethin'. I'm an open book, anything."

After a couple moments I finally looked back at him, still feeling really uncomfortable.

But… not because of Felix.

If anything… he's been making me anything but that shockingly.

There's just something about him that doesn't 'irk' me. Like he just radiates this warm, calm, and just open energy that's weirdly making me not want to run.

If anything… and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually not minding talking to him right now.

I looked back over to see Felix just smiling and my eyes just kept looking down at his leg.

Don't say his leg.

DON'T say his leg.

FOR FUCK'S SAKE, NATALIE! Don't say anything about his fucking leg!

It was like he was reading my mind as he said, almost playfully matter of fact, "You wanna know about my leg, don't you?"

But, when I looked back up, as I pointed out, trying not to sound awful or show how stupid I felt, "Is it that obvious?"

But, he let out a laugh and didn't even look remotely offended at all as he said, waving it off like nothing with a smile, "Eh, don't worry about it. I'm used to it. Honestly, I'd be kinda surprised if that wasn't your first question. Here let me get ya a stool or something. My leg's a little easier to explain when we're sitting. Hold on."

He went off as I just kept standing there and looked around the shop.

Even though everything looked pretty old and a bit outdated… everything was actually pretty well maintained. There was a car with its hood popped open right next to me and another car that was covered with a canvas tarp over in the far corner.

I didn't really have time to look around more as he came back around the corner holding up what looked like two plastic crates as he started, "So… I didn't have any stools, but I got milk crates! Here, sit and I'll show you."

He set the milk crates down and sat down as he started rolling up his jeans again. Eventually I sat down on the opposite crate as I asked, now that this was all out here, "So… did like… something happen?"

Once Felix got his jeans rolled up, he said with a smile and slight laugh, "Well, I wish I had some 'badass story' behind my leg. Something blew up, shark attack, somethin' like that, ya know? Something actually cool. But, I was just born like this. According to the docs, I was affected by a condition called 'Phocomelia' while my mom was pregnant with me that caused the lower half of my left leg to be deformed. I have a thigh and a knee, but everything from mid-shin down was never there. I can show ya, if you want?"

I didn't really know what to say, but… I did weirdly want to see what he was talking about as I nodded.

He just smirked at me before extending out his left leg and rolled a heavy duty elastic sleeve down his thigh and over the prosthetic and then pulled out his leg that was exactly what he was talking about.

No foot, ankle, or lower half of his leg from mid shin down on his left leg.

All of it was covered in another protective sleeve as he explained, "I know it looks pretty crazy, but I'm just used to it since I've always worn some kind of prosthetic my whole life so I could walk normally. Although I was on a crutch for a while before I got this beast last year. My family doesn't exactly have much money and since I ended up being pretty tall, I needed more customization on my prosthetic. Ever hear the expression 'it takes a village'? Well, my neighborhood literally all pitched in to get me my 'adult leg' and surprised me and my parents with the money. We didn't want to take it since we don't like owing anyone, but… we're all like family here and we all look out for each other."

I felt like I was pretty much talking on pure reflex as I started, not even believing everything I just heard, "Your neighbor's actually did that for you? My parent's neighbors suck and get pissed just by look at each other's cars and landscaping and making shitty comments about things they don't like."

He laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, I don't get any of that. But… yeah. None of us have a lot but we all try to help each other out. We all go in on birthdays, holidays, quinceañeras… you name it, we all help out and pitch in. Wanna take a guess at how many times I've been one of the 'Chambelanes'?"

I tilted my head and shrugged as I said, saying exactly what I was thinking, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He looked shocked as he went wide eyed and started, "Wait, you've never had or been to a quinceañera? I thought 'Burromuerto' sounded pretty latin? That's your last name, right?"

I shrugged and said, "Oh no, I am. But, not 'Latin American'. My dad's from Spain and most of his side lives over there and we don't really do 'quinceañeras' in Spain. Also I'm only half anyway since my mom is a random hodgepodge of Asian and European ancestry. So… I'm just a weird-ass mix. Closest I guess I had was my 'Sweet Sixteen Coming Out' party last year that's just the usual 'high societal tradition' crap. I didn't even want it, but like usual I didn't really get a choice since my parents always have to fuckin' show off."

I looked back up and saw him giving me a look as I just looked at him wide eyed.

Seriously, why the HELL did I say all that to him?!

But, I didn't have any time to backtrack as he said, "Wait… you're rich? That must be nice not worrying about money and stuff."

Great…

I sighed as I started, "Believe me, it's not as 'nice' as you think. Besides, it's not like I'm even 'rich' anyway. Just my parents are. My 'money' depends on my 'compliance' with what my parents and our community 'expect' from me. And as a 'girl with wealthy parents', I'm expected to always 'smile and look pretty'. Country club dinners, events, and being a glorified breathing 'prop' for my parents to impress people. That's my life… and I fucking hate it."

It was dead silent for a couple seconds until I heard him let out a sigh before he responded, "Damn… that sucks."

"Whatever… not like I care. The moment I graduate high school, I just want to cut and run and do what I want to do. I don't care how broke I am or how long it takes, but I just want to be a boxer. Even though my stupid mom does nothing but shit on my dreams, I don't give a fuck. I'm gonna box and she can just stick it. Even if it means putting up with that handsy skeezy, perv at my gym to get there." I let out even though my eyes went wide not even a second later at what I let slip again.

Natalie… STOP TALKING.

It was too late again as he said, sounding almost concerned, "Wait, what? Is that what happened to you yesterday?"

Ah… fuck me.

I knew I couldn't cover it up as I said, "Look, it's fine. Some dick at my gym just started getting in my space and putting his hands on me so I knocked his ass out."

I thought that would make him drop it as he said, leaning closer to me and sounding very serious, "No it's not! Nothing about that is 'fine'. Let me go kick this guy's ass. Where does this mamahuevo live?"

He started putting his prosthetic back on as I started, "Felix look, it really is okay. If anything, I've hopefully just made him leave me alone or else then he really is just that stupid."

I froze up a little bit as I saw Felix just… looking at me.

He was still hesitant but also looked somehow… worried. Almost like he really did actually care about what happened to me yesterday and seemed like he really was willing to kick Hector's ass if I let him.

In some weird way… he cared, and he hardly even knows me.

Is this what it's like having a real 'friend', like someone who actually cares and wants to help you?

I shook my head as Felix let out a sigh and said, "Okay, but just let me know if he tries anything, a'right? I don't care if he's a boxer, I'll beat the crap out of him with my leg if I have to. I don't give a shit about fair fights."

I smirked at that before I responded with a smirk at what he said, "Well, if you're planning on using your leg to beat the crap out of him, then how strong is your stance gonna be?"

He smirked back before saying, "Well, you'd help hold me up while I smack him around with my leg, right?"

Then I don't know why, but I felt like such a loser as I snorted and immediately started laughing.

Honestly, I don't think I genuinely laughed like that in my life probably… ever.

I was pretty much wiping tears from my eyes as I stopped laughing and looked up only to see Felix smiling at me.

It wasn't his smile he'd been using. It was just different? Not bad! But just… different. Almost like there was a softness to it, but still somehow keeping that 'warmth' he had for some reason.

I looked away at a clock and said, genuinely seeing it was getting late but also wanting to get out before I did or said anything else stupid, "Um, hey, I think I gotta go."

I got up and started walking away until I heard, "Hey, Natalie. Wait up."

I looked behind me and saw Felix rolling his jeans back down over his leg and stood up. My feet felt almost glued to the floor as I responded, trying to cool, "Um… yeah?"

He smiled at me again as he said, "Thanks for coming by and don't worry about that stuff yesterday. We're cool. And if you ever want to hang again, just come by. I'm always here in the evening working. Besides, I'd like to talk to someone other than myself for a change when I'm in here working. Ya know, if you want?"

Is he… asking me to 'hang out'? Like, any time?

I seriously yelled at him and shoved him off me yesterday for trying to help me and he actually wants me to hang out with him. Like I said, I've never really had any friends, but… Felix isn't some stupid, shallow poser. Felix is actually really cool.

And… I'd like to keep hanging out with him.

I smirked and replied, "Uh, sure… same time tomorrow?" His smile somehow got even bigger as he said, "You know where I'll be."

We both let out a short laugh and I was about to turn around before I heard, "Natalie, one more question and then I'll let you go home, but… Hablas español?" I turned back to see him giving me this almost playful smile as I responded, giving him a slight look with a smirk, "Sí, hablo español con fluidez… chico."

We both laughed as I finally walked out and unlike when I went to the bus stop yesterday… I actually felt good.

Like just the feeling of not being as 'alone' as I thought.

And this was the start of Felix and Natalie's friendship that grew through their evenings of hanging out in the garage and eventually developed into a romantic relationship. :) Through this chapter I wanted to show more of Natalie and Felix as people. Especially that while Natalie is an angry and unhappy person, she still has a good conscience and heart to own up to her moments when she knows she did wrong by someone. Then Felix… I really wanted to show off even more about Felix's character. And while being a person who could have a lot of reasons to be angry with being born without a leg and helping his aging parents who live paycheck to paycheck, he's just a really happy and genuine guy that doesn't want anyone to pitty him with the loyal personality of a golden retriever that Natalie slowly but surely fell in love with. XD I'd love to show more chapters of how he and Natalie ended up getting closer if you all would like, but I just wanted to make a character that would make sense in Natalie's life for having a close romantic relationship. Natalie is a very guarded girl and doesn't easily trust just anyone because of how little she's been loved for the vast majority of her life, but when she met Felix (a guy with a lot of open and trusting energy) who she regularly spent time with, she slowly learned to open up and trust him fully and both mutually fell for each other, even if it seems like Felix had more of a crush for a bit longer. Sure, he may not have a lot of 'material wealth'... but Felix is a sweetheart and low key pretty charming in Natalie's eyes. Lol. ;) I also wanted to make Felix a form of representation for someone with a 'physical' non-norm about him. I had a friend in high school much like Felix who was born without a leg and wore a prosthetic. And I feel like people with prosthetics to help them physically walk and play sports are often not talked about enough in our media and I wanted to bring in more representation. :) Besides, as you can see, nothing seems to be slowing Felix down. That's for sure! ;) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and next chapter we'll be joining back in with Diego, Natalie, and Felix from chapter 23 and see what unfolds now that Diego finally knows about Felix being in Natalie's life. So… stay tune ya'll! ;) As always, thanks to you all for taking the time out of your day to stop by and read and constructive feedback is always very much appreciated.

Stay classy and above all in our current times… love and care for eachother and stay safe!

Dexter1995