Hey, thank you everyone for reviewing. It makes me extremely happy, especially when I didn't know I would get so many reviews for my first story! Just WOW. Anyways, I want to dedicate this chapter to all the CoD fans who have been playing the latest episodes and are depressed because of the lack of Maltara and the proposal, let's stay strong guys… Also I've been trying really hard to make my stories more descriptive and better, so any tips? Oh, and one last thing, I'm going to be moving soon which means I might not be able to update for a long time seeing as I'm probably not going to have any internet. As a result I'm going to TRY to speed up the story, and finish it before the big move. I'm so excited I have everything planned already! Enjoy.
Natara's POV
You make your way to the gate, refusing to look at Mal, and certainly he does the same. Along the way you wait for your face cool down from embarrassment before you break the awkward silence that has settled between you.
Natara: Um Mal, could you give me a hand with the beach towels and the trash?
Mal: Sure…
After you scurried and got all the things you notice Neha still standing next to the gate. She's obviously trying to hide back a chuckle and looks at you, then at Mal respectively and back to you.
Neha: I-I hope I wasn't… interrupting anything heh.
Natara: No! I mean of course not. Don't be silly. We were just…
Mal: Having fun?
Instinctively you shoot Mal an almost imperceptible glare that could shatter glass. Just then he realizes the sound of what he said and his face drops to the color of stone. He gives you an apologetic look and you can't help but think: He's just too cute! Then, he turns his face to an adorable pout, making you feel sorry for being maybe too hard on him, so you decide to just let it go.
Neha: Right… Sorry
Natara: No no no, not like that. Believe it or not we were… we were fake-fighting alright; which by the way Mal I was totally winning.
You nudge him and smile tenderly at him. Thankfully the happiness in his face comes back, until he takes in what you said.
Mal: Yea… Whoa, what? I had the upper hand and you know it! I was just… distracted that's all.
Natara: Uh huh, sure you were. And distracted by what may I ask?
Neha: Um guys I'll check on you later, I going to go help mom with… dinner!
Nodding at Neha and turning to Mal you raise your eyebrows expectantly.
Mal: You know what? You're just… a cheater. Yea that's it, you cheated, with your psychic mind reading techniques.
Natara: Oh really now? Are you sure about that?
Mal: Uh… yes! Very sure, a hundred percent sure in fact…
Confidently you take the things from Mal and stroll to a nearby table to set them down. As you do, you notice you're both closer to the big POOL. Walking up closer to Mal you look at him with a blank expression.
Mal: W-what? What is it Nat? N-Nat?
Ignoring his question you just keep on walking until you now stand in front of him. Reluctantly you raise your hands carefully and slowly trying to set tension. Finally, you place them on his chest just like you did a few minutes ago, and it still feels amazing to do so. He looks down at you with his loving eyes while you start to caress his soft chest. A pleased smirk finds a way to his lips and you return it. Is he… is he enjoying this? I mean… is that even a good thing? As Mal starts to close in the space between you by grabbing you around the waist, you push your thoughts away and continue to do what you had intended to do.
Natara: Payback.
By this time your smile is enormous, foreshadowing the events that are going to take place next; and before Mal has even the slightest chance of asking 'what' you've already pushed him back and he's falling into the pool.
SPLASH!
Natara: Hahaha! Oh, Mal… Haha!
After a few seconds Mal bobs his head out of the water making you laugh even harder. Never in your life have you laughed so hard. He stares at you while your face turns red as a rose and your tears of laughter flood your face. Your breathing is short and your lungs struggle to find the air, making you feel tired and vulnerable.
Mal: Funny, real funny Nat. Payback huh, that's how you want to play this? Ok…
Mal's sense of humor returns as he grabs the edge of the pool with both hands and in one neat jump he pulls himself up and out of the water. He smirks before making a run for it and whisking you away in his strong arms yet again.
Mal: Who's paying now? Huh?
Somehow Mal manages to tickle your sides without letting you go. The peals of laughter return and you're able to breathe in between giggles… yes giggles… the kind that high school girls with secret crushes on cute guys do.
Natara: Mal! Stop it!
Mal: Never.
With a cheesy grin he holds you tight and runs toward the pool. He jumps, and doesn't let go…
Mal: Cannonball!
You spend the next couple of hours in the water with Mal, playing and laughing. You had several swimming races, all of which you won, however if you asked Mal he just came up with a silly excuse. Eventually he got tired of you beating him and he begged you to have a water gun fight; and you agreed amused by the annoyed look he had on his face. Surprisingly he shot you several times, but you refused to let him win so you got out of the pool and started running around it instead, avoiding him. Just as you expected, he protested that you were cheating, nevertheless you ignored him. Finally giving up, Mal got out of the pool too and started chasing you; all of which culminated in you both trying to push each other into the pool several times. Giggles, laughter, and splashing were the only things you could hear. You lost track of time, not even a bit worried about dinner, or anything else for that matter. And you obviously didn't notice your mom or Neha peeking through one of the windows on different occasions…
Neha's POV
Anita: I'll go get the popcorn! Don't move so you can fill me in when I come back!
Neha: Heh, Mom! I swear you're even worse than me sometimes!
Anita: Aw for goodness' sake! Don't be such a grouch. I'm just trying to be a caring mother. I want to know everything and anything that goes on in my daughters' life!
You shake your head as your mom leaves and goes into the kitchen. You can't help but smile quietly at your mom's excuse for spying on Mal and Natara. Hey, who can blame her? They just look so darn cute together! Looking out the window again you spot Mal and Natara standing close together, laughing like they've done plenty of times before. The look on their faces is so pure, full of love; something you've never experienced before… then you realize Oh no! They don't know they're in love with each other! Are they even in love? I… I have to do something…
Mal's POV
Natara: Back off Mal. Back off or I swear…
Mal: What? I'm not going to throw you into the pool, I've done that today a hundred times, which by the way means I won.
Natara: Yea, just keep telling yourself that.
Mal: Heh, come on Nat. Here I'll give you this as a peace offering.
With a smirk on your face you dig your hand into your tiny front pocket. Struggling to fit your hand in it you blush slightly. Finally you retrieve the small item holding it up with a proud look on your face for Natara to see.
Natara: What is it?
Mal: A starfish.
Natara: Where did you get it?
Mal: Just somewhere along the sea shore while SOMEBODY was too busy ignoring me.
She takes it from your hand and examines it closely. Touching the little bumps on the skin she wrinkles her nose slightly with newfound interest.
Natara: I've never touched one, it's so pretty.
You grin just like you…
Natara: Thanks Mal. Thanks for everything, I mean it.
Mal: Don't mention it.
Natara: A had great time today. You've been a great… distraction.
Mal: Distraction. You think I'm a distraction?
You smile at her as she blushes and playfully pokes you on the side.
Natara: You know what I mean. It's been fun… getting away from work, all the serial killers, and problems.
Mal: I know. And if it makes you feel any better I'm glad to be your distraction. As a matter of fact you can invite me over here anytime you like and be 'distracted'.
You both laugh in unison, looking at each other and letting a quiet moment linger.
Mal: So… Are we good now? You know, for real this time. No more 'payback'?
Natara: Haha, yea I guess…
As she says this, she puts on a mischievous smirk, making you feel the butterflies inside your stomach.
Mal: Funny, that's what you said last time…
Natara: Hehe! Fine I give up, I won't pull anymore tricks down my sleeve, I promise. In the mean time… do you want a drink?
Mal: Hit me!
Natara turns around and walks toward the tiki bar while you make your way over to the T.V. area. Grabbing the remote from the coffee table you lounge on one of the comfy chairs. You flip through channels only to stop when you discover what is on HBO; a grin finds its way to your face.
Mal: Nat Quick! You have to see this!
Natara: What is it?
She runs over carefully, making sure to avoid spilling the drinks on her two hands. You point to the T.V. and smile as you wait for her to catch on. Her jaw drops a little in disbelief.
Natara: Don't even think about it Mal. We are not watching the Maskmaker movie!
Mal: Why not?
Natara: You know why!
Mal: C'mon it's just the end. We never got to watch the end remember? You know you want to…
You pat the chair next to you signaling Natara to come sit. After much staring she finally gives in and sits down, handing you the drink.
Mal: Thanks.
Natara: No problem.
You continue watching the Maskmaker, somewhat entertained. This movie is so bad, it's funny. I wonder what Nat has to say… You glance at Natara who is watching the movie intensely until she notices you looking at her and gives you an irritable look.
Mal: What's the matter?
Natara: Seriously, I don't even sound anything like Natalia!
Mal: It's just a movie Nat. Besides, it's just cooler that way.
Natara: Ha, yea. I've heard that one before thanks…
Choosing to ignore your quip Natara turns her attention back to the movie and so do you. After a few more minutes, your favorite scene is about to come up, the one where Natalia and Hal kiss. You want to make sure she is still watching so you look at her, only to find her curled up into a tiny ball with her eyes half open and an empty drink on the table. She rubs her arms as a cold breeze sends chills down your still damp body. You realize it's getting dark and she looks at you with pleading eyes while rubbing her arms once again.
Mal: You're lazy, you know that?
Glad to have figured out her 'message' you smirk as you get a blanket from a nearby stool. Instead of handing it to her you open it up and cover her. She flashes you a thankful look and you smile as you sit in your own chair. A few seconds later and the movie is over. You sit there tiredly going over all the events that took place today. Satisfied, you kick back and relax but find it unable to do so because you're starting to feel cold. Unknowingly you rub your chest and your arms just like Natara did a few minutes ago and just like you noticed her, she notices you. Making little eye-contact she stands ups from her chair with the blanket in hand. She squeezes in next to you as she places the blanket to cover you both. You're left speechless and she smirks at you while snuggling closer and putting her head on your bare chest. At first your muscles tense up. You feel your heart about to explode from your chest while Natara is just hugging you tightly letting the heat radiate from her body to yours. You hope she doesn't hear your pounding heart and decide to give yourself a boost of confident by putting your arms around her. You feel a smile creep in to your face and you close your eyes taken in by the moment you share together, you completely loose yourself and whisper softly…
Mal: I love you.
Realizing what you just said you gulp and shoot your eyes open wide, expecting the worst. When the worst doesn't come you position your head to look down at Natara, who is sound asleep. Her face is peaceful and she has a slight smile on her lips… I wonder what she's dreaming about. You let your head fall to the back of the chair and close your eyes once again, a little disappointed but mostly just relieved. Oh well…
Neha's POV
You make your way down the stairs. As you do, you notice David coming up the stairs carrying a big, brown box almost covering his entire face except his eyes.
Neha: Hey David!
David: Oh, hello Miss Neha I didn't see you there!
Neha: What you got there?
David: Err nothing… just stuff… that your mom wanted me to put… away.
Anita: David!
David: I-I'm coming! Sorry Miss Neha I have to go!
You watch David disappear into your mother's room. He seemed somewhat on edge about something. As you approach the finals steps and open the backyard door you think. Well that was… weird… weirder than usual at least… hmm. You let your thoughts drift away for a second as your eyes fall on something else. The only thing you're thinking now is Awww before snapping a picture of Natara and Mal sleeping in each others' arms. They look downright adorable and you can't control your smile. The picture looks even cuter… I am so not going to let them forget this…