Kristina couldn't believe Nat was calling her on a Saturday night. He, like her, was usually out with his family.
"Nat, what are you doing, calling here so late?" She asked.
"It's 5:00 pm, not 5:00 am, Kris."
"Aren't you supposed to be out with your family?"
"Well…yeah, but I'm not. Aren't you?"
"No. They're out with friends."
"Look, if you don't want me to call-"
"No! I'm so happy you called."
There was an awkward silence. Nat squirmed a little on the couch he was sitting on. He hoped he didn't call at a bad time.
"Why aren't you out with your family? Was there an argument?" Kristina asked again.
"Well, we were going to go out to a restaurant like we always do, but I faked sick."
"Umm, well, I just didn't like the restaurant they were going to." Nat lied. At the time his father and brother left, all Nat could think about was Kristina. He had to see her tonight, or at least hear her voice.
"So, umm, uhh, well, would you like to go to a restaurant that you like?" He asked nervously.
"Sure, but won't your family be jealous?"
Nat laughed.
"No?"
Nat laughed even harder.
"Umm, okay." Kristina started giggling nervously. "So it's a date?"
"Sure. Where do you want to go?"
"Denny's?"
"Denny's it is." Nat hung up the phone and charged for the bathroom to get ready. The idea of spending alone time with Kristina on a Saturday night had him walking on air.
After Nat had taken a shower, gotten dressed up, shaved, and put on his new cologne he had bought himself in case of a night like this, he was ready to go. Nat wanted to drive Kristina, but since he only had his learner's permit and there was no one with a license around, he had to settle for walking her. That would be no problem. The time would go by slower.
Nat locked the door and started walking down the sidewalk. He zipped up his leather jacket. The autumn nights were so cold. He usually loved them and let the chilly air embrace him, but tonight he didn't want to let go of that warm feeling he got in his body every time he heard Kristina say his name.
Nat knocked on Kristina's door. His hands were shaking. He ran his fingers through his hair. I hope I look okay, he thought nervously.
"Just a minute!" He heard Kristina shout. Kristina looked at herself long and hard in the mirror. She put on mascara, lip gloss, and perfume. She ran her hands up and down her clothes, trying to smooth them of any wrinkles. She ran to the door and put her hand on the knob. She rolled her eyes at herself. Why was she being so silly? She and Nat were just friends going out to Denny's for Saturday night. There was no need to be fussy.
Kristina swung the door open. Nat studied her up and down. She had on a red turtleneck, tight dark blue jeans, and, as usual when she wasn't rehearsing, Nikes. She had on cherry lip gloss. Nat covered his lips with his hands, out of embarrassment of the fact he had just imagined kissing her…and liking it. All in all, Kristina looked gorgeous.
Nat wasn't dressed up much. He wore plain black T-Shirt with holey jeans (holey as in holes) and a black leather jacket and black shoes. But Kristina couldn't help but think he looked a little…hot?
"Ready to party at Denny's?" Nat asked. They both laughed.
"Yeah right. There's not much fun to stir up at Denny's. Let's go." Kristina linked her arm through Nat's and they started walking.
"So…" said Kristina, a little uncomfortably. She hoped she could start some sort of friendly conversation, even though it seemed like there was nothing to say.
"So…" Nat looked up at the sky. "Do you really believe there's such a thing as being able to see things in the stars?"
"Sure. Why?"
"Because I don't believe it.
"Why not?"
Nat shrugged and looked at her. "Because…"
"Because?"
Nat looked down. It was hard to talk when he stared at Kristina. She was so beautiful, she had him star struck.
"I never see anything in the stars, even when I look really hard."
"Well, keep looking and don't give up. Think of it as connect the dots."
Nat shrugged again. How could anyone see anything in the stars, really? They're just stars. Nat glanced at Kristina again. Then again, I can see something in the stars of Kristina's eyes.
Nat shuddered a little. Partly from the cold, partly of the fact he was getting so corny.
"Kristina, are you cold?" He asked her.
"A little, why?"
"You didn't bring a jacket.
"It's a turtleneck, it will keep me warm enough for September."
"Yeah, well, just in case…"
Nat put his jacket over her.
"Nat, you need this way more than I do. You're wearing a short sleeved shirt."
"Yeah, but I was getting hot from walking."
Kristina blushed and squeezed the jacket. She really had been getting cold. Nat is such a gentleman.
Finally, Nat and Kristina reached Denny's. Nat opened the door for Kristina. Kristina took the jacket off. "Here's your jacket." Nat took it and put it on.
Nat and Kristina sat in a booth. "I think I'll have a hamburger…what are you having, Kristina?"
"Pancakes and sausage."
"What? At 6:00 pm?"
Kristina laughed. "I don't know, Nat, I just love pancakes."
"Are you sure they'll let you have it right now, though?" Nat asked, a little confused.
Kristina looked down and noticed the way Nat's foot has hanging out across the floor.
"Nat, I'd suggest you put your foot under the table."
"Why?"
"Because someone could trip."
"But I'm comfortable like this."
"That's awfully rude."
"Well…what's the worst that could happen?" Nat laughed.
Kristina started to bang on the table with rhythm. "I bet you'd be a very talented drummer, too." Nat said, bobbing his head to the beat.
Kristina laughed loudly. "Thanks, but I'll think I'll stick to the bass."
Kristina reached out and squeezed Nat's hand. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being so sweet to me."
"It's nothing you deserve it. I think your really-"
There was a loud crash and a yell. Nat looked over. Kristina was right. He had tripped someone. A waitress.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." Nat tried to help her up.
"Look Buster, I work my as- OH MY GOD!" She suddenly jumped up and screamed. "YOU'RE NAT WOLFF!"
"Yeah." Nat turned his head shyly.
"AND YOU'RE HIS NEW BASS PLAYER, KRISTINA REYES!" She started fanning herself with her notepad. "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!"
Nat was embarrassed to see that everyone in the restaurant was staring at this lady as though she were crazy.
"What do you guys want? Anything? Anything for free?"
"Sur-" Nat was interrupted by Kristina.
"No, we'll pay for a hamburger and fries for Nat, and pancakes and sausage for me."
The waitress, who's nametag said Cindy, wrote down their orders quickly. "So, are you two on a date?"
They looked at each other uncomfortably. "No." They said at the same time.
Cindy ran off.
"Nat Wolff, you sure are a little troublemaker. First you trip the woman, then you almost take advantage of her and ask for free food. What am I going to do with you?" Kristina folded her arms and shook her head disapprovingly.
Nat chuckled shyly. "I'm sorry." He bent his head down to look ashamed of himself.
Kristina rested her chin in her hand and stared out the window. The whole time Cindy was gone she stared out into the black city streets. Nat wondered what she was thinking of.
"Okay, here you guys are." Cindy handed out the food."Thanks." Nat took out his wallet and paid her.
"Can I have your autographs?"
"Sure." Nat took out a pen from his pocket wrote down his name, then handed the pen to Kristina so she could write down hers.
"Thanks so much."
After Cindy left, Nat and Kristina started eating. "I still can't believe you're eating pancakes this late."
"You better believe it!"
They both laughed.
"You're so funny." Nat said.
"Oh, you're just sayin' that."
"No, I mean it."
"Well, if you mean it then I won't argue with it."
Nat rolled his eyes and they laughed again.
Nat and Kristina were halfway through their food when Nat got a phone call. He checked the caller ID. It was his dad.
"Hey Dad."
"Hey Nat, get over here right now. We have a big problem."
Author's Note: Sorry guys, I rushed this one. I have a really busy schedule so I needed to get this one done. Hopefully this will hold you guys over until I can squeeze in another one. What's wrong with Mr. Wolff? Stay tuned!