Don’t hate me
108. Don’t hate me
🤍🖤🤍 Natalie 🤍🖤🤍
Coach is throwing a lunch party today. He asked me to wear something nice, which was odd, but I wore a dress anyway.
Nobody knows, it’s my birthday, and I am feeling a little odd. I cannot help but think about Jacob’s birthday, which is after a week.
“Wow, I am older than you.” I grinned when he told me.
“A week!” he grumbled, “that doesn’t even count!”
I still miss him, but I don’t dare to check his profile anymore. Last time I checked his profile, he was with Riley at some party. His arm around her shoulder. I don’t want to know if they are really dating or if it was just a random outing.
It shouldn’t matter to me. Still, I cannot help but feel a strange bitterness towards Riley.
I pull out my phone and call my teammates again. First Ashley, then Nikki. None of them pick up. I lock my room and walk towards theirs to see them. But their room is locked.
Damn, they left already.
“Natalie!” I turn and see Lucas walking towards me.
“You are late!” He says and I flush. I took a little longer in the shower today and I also put some extra effort into getting ready today.
“I am ready now!”
“I can see that,” He says grinning. “You look nice…”
I smile, and he puts his hand on my back as we walk together towards the restaurant.
My heartbeat quickens. It’s nothing, I tell myself. Sometimes Lucas does this, and it makes me feel uncomfortable and confused. He is a nice guy and is probably interested in me. If I wasn’t trying to get over my own mess, I might have paid attention to him.
And let’s not forget the promise I made to dad.
No more boys trouble.
As we near the restaurant, I slip away from him. Last thing I want is Ashley and Nikkie to tease me about him.
…..
As I open the door to the tiny restaurant, a loud voice booms out.
“Happy Birthday!”
Fuck! it’s a surprise party.
My heart thumps with excitement and my eyes go watery as I see my family.
Mom, Dad and Amy are here… Fuck they are here!! With my teammates and a few freshman year friends.
“Happy 18th birthday, Sweetie..” Dad hugs me and whispers.
“I thought you guys will meet me on the weekend,” I choke out.
“You thought we would let you spend your birthday alone?” Mom asks, raising an eyebrow at me.
I didn’t want to think about it. I was afraid to get disappointed by keeping false hopes.
“Well, she isn’t exactly alone here,” Coach Seb says and gives me a pat on my back.
“No offense, Sebastian… but nothing beats a family.” My dad quips.
The lunch goes great and I feel immensely happy. After lunch, I take a leave with my family while others head back to their dorms.
“We are throwing a small party tonight… you have to be there…” Ash tells me.
I frown but nod.
We have been to parties before. Still, I get a little wary because with each party these girls are getting bolder and bolder. Technically, we haven’t even started college. We are still a bunch of high schoolers hanging out in college.
The parties usually happen behind the Dormitory building. There is a little opening, which is a nice hiding spot to hang out in groups. Usually it’s just us and a bunch of freshman year students. Our Residence Hall Director isn’t very strict. I feel it’s only a matter of time until he gets annoyed with us and stops giving us privileges.
….
Dad takes us to the Art museum, because Amy wanted to see that. We spend hours there and it’s boring as hell. After that we roam around Matthaei Botanical Garden and Arboretum.
Suddenly, a memory flashes in my head and I feel a sharp pang of pain in my heart.
‘My first date was a visit to an arboretum... We stayed too late and got chased out by the cops.’ Jacob had told me on our first date.
I take a breath. It feels like that date happened years ago. Suddenly I want to cry.
“Honey, you ok?” Mom asks me.
“Yeah… I… I just miss Ira..”
It’s not a lie. I miss her so much. It’s been too long since I talked to her. I am afraid she might be angry with me. That’s why she hasn’t called. Her mom’s wedding was supposed to happen.
Oh wait, what date is it?
Didn’t dad get any invitation yet?
“Hasn’t she called yet?” I ask dad and I see a flicker of guilt on his face.
“What happened?” I ask him then look at mom.
“Honey… I don’t know… I never liked her… She was always too loud and-”
“Stop right there!” I tell mom before she can pass any insult against her.
“Watch your tone, Natalie,” Dad warns me.
I swallow and ask,” Did she call?”
“Yes, but I thought you needed to be away from your old troubles.”
“What the hell did she do to get into your bad books?” I exclaim. “And you don’t get to decide if you can cut off friends from my life, Dad.”
I feel furious and angry.
Most of all betrayed.
….
We drive towards the Dormitory in silence, and Dad gives me her number. I don’t dare to ask him how many times she has called. I am afraid I will not like the answer.
By the time I am walking towards my room, angry, hot tears stream down my face. He had told me he would let me talk to her if she called.
Why would he lie to me?
Fuck! Why did I even listen to him?
“Natalie! Don’t bother unlocking your room…” A voice comes from behind as I am near my room.
I wipe my tears quickly and turn to see Ash and some freshman girls walking towards me.
“We are heading to the party.” She says, “Let’s go.”
I nod and get along with them.
…..
I have taken a few drinks. But I am absolutely under control. Some students are dancing. Some are shooting random dares at people and we are laughing a lot.
It’s fun. Exactly what I need to recover from my frustrating evening.
“I heard it's someone’s 18th birthday today.”
A senior asks, and I stiffen.
Damn! Time to get out of here…
“Yes!!! Natalie…” Nikkie betrays me and grabs me by my waist.
“Come on! Bring her here…”
She holds me by my shoulder as I stand next to her. She is fucking tall and I feel tiny in front of her.
“Sooo…” The senior drawls. “How’s your birthday going so far?”
“It’s good…” I say, unsure, wondering what she has in her mind.
“She seems unsure.” Someone quips, grinning.
Fuck me!
“Ohhh!!! We have to make her day better… Right guys!” she asks and everyone roars.
“Have you ever kissed a boy… Natalie…”
I almost roll my eyes. “Yes…” I say.
“Have you kissed a boy here on campus yet…”
“Yes!” I lie.
“No! She hasn’t,” Nikkie yells and everyone hoots.
“”
“Silence! Silence!” The senior girl says.
“Are you lying to us Natalie…” she asks me.
“Nooo…” I try my best not to squirm under her gaze.
“Jesus, this girl is lying.”
Everyone laughs.
“Such a naughty - naughty girl she is!”
What the fuck!
I laugh.
“I had to try!” I defend myself.
“Now baby-girl, you are in trouble…”
She leaves my shoulder and walks in front of me.
“You! Natalie… Have to understand you are an adult now... When you lie… and get caught.. you have to face the consequences.”
I look at her amused then say, “Alright… Bring it on.”
“Kiss a boy you like…”
I roll my eyes and quip, “What is it? A middle school?”
“Wooooo,” everyone hoots.
“She wants something better than a kiss!” someone says.
My eyes widen with realization.
“Nooo.” I yell at them.
She raises her brow at me and asks, “Are you challenging me?”
I raise my hand. “No!! Hell no!”
“Better!” she approves, grinning.
“So… Who is it then?”
Without realizing, my eyes flicker towards Lucas.
“Ohh, she likes him!”
Some students push Lucas towards the middle. She pulls him and brings him in front of me and I panic.
No No No…
He is my teammate. It will make things damn awkward. I look around, trying to find someone to save me. To my horror, Nikkie and Ash start chanting like little kids and everyone follows suit.
“Natalie! Lucas! Natalie! Lucas! Natalie! Lucas!”
Lucas takes a step towards me, and I freeze in my spot.
He holds my chin and whispers, “Don’t hate me for this...”
