Chapter 6 Quite a stunt

11. A dog?

🤍🖤🤍 Natalie 🤍🖤🤍

A dog?

My head turns so quickly it gives me whiplash. Almost.

I head towards the door to welcome the most precious four-legged creature in the world. And guess what? There is no freaking dog. Talk about disappointment. Just the stupid owner.

Stupid because he looks very amused for some reason.

And.... He looks familiar...

Brown eyes- black hair- tall-probably into sports. Perfect tanned skinned. Something I never had... No matter how much I burn myself in the Sun! Let's ignore for a while that he is too handsome for his own good with Jawline, so sharp it's gonna cut Girls' hearts left and right. He's gonna create a deafening buzz when he joins the school.

"I thought there was a dog..." I complain.

He forwards his hand, grinning. "I didn't know the dog was invited. I am Jacob, by the way."

"Natalie... Still disappointed" I take his hand. Strong grip. Definitely into sports.

Mom chuckles and rushes towards the kitchen, hearing the oven timer beep.

"You will meet her soon"

"Hopefully sooner," I take him towards the dining area. "Sorry, we started without you. You are veryyy late."

"She was bothering me for a walk. I didn't want to say no to her."

Ok.. My heart just melted...

At the dinner table, Jacob seems shy and awkward. He fumbles while taking some soup and spills. Looks like someone is nervous.

"So, when are you joining school here?" My dad asks him.

"Next week. I participated in a competition here and want to be done with it before transfer."

"How's school here? I am excited but nervous at the same time." He shoots me a question in turn.

"Just like everywhere, I guess. Dull. Mean and happening at the same time."

He nods and asks absentmindedly, "And what are you? Dull? Mean or happening?" He winces immediately after asking. Amy and June giggle.

Did he just flirt with me?

"You will know next week," I answer, trying to retain my laughter. Guess he isn't shy after all.

"Are you into sports?" I shoot the next question as I see my dad staring at him. Dad will scrutinize him so badly, he will probably melt in his chair.

Jacob tries to compose himself. "Yea, hockey. I am actually looking forward to attending school with the local team. They were terrific in practice and matches..." he adds.

My heart sinks. I was hoping he was into soccer or basketball, not hockey. Is this why he seems familiar? And for fuck's sake... Why does everyone have to play hockey? This is the United State of America for God's sake! I take a huge gulp of my drink.

Not many people have a nice opinion about me at school, but him being on the hockey team can make things worse for me. I don't want that shit following me at home. Being neighbors with a hockey player is no good to me.

"This school is way ahead of our older school. I am behind in four subjects. I guess it will be the same for you." June acknowledges his brother.

"or worse," my sister adds. Amy & June are the same age.

June, his sister, is a handful. She joined the school a week ago, and she is creating a buzz already. Probably she has been filled with rumors about me at school. That could explain the smirks she's been throwing in my direction.

"Maybe you guys can plan a study session over the weekend. Natalie would be happy to help. Right, Natalie?" My mom suggests, glancing towards me and Jacob.

Mom worries a lot and tries to get me to socialize often. Barely misses an opportunity when she sees one. I don't mind people. The problem is people don't like me (Anymore I must add).

"Sure Happy to help. Better bring your dog next time." He nods uncomfortably. I realize Dad is still giving him looks.

12. Quite a stunt

🤍🖤🤍 Natalie 🤍🖤🤍

Adults start with their nightcap routine. Amy takes June to her room for some board games. That leaves me and Jacob sitting in the living room watching tv. I want to lay in my bed. It was an exhausting day. But I am sure dad won't appreciate Jacob in my room. Thanks to the innocent Dull-Mean-Happening comment. I chuckle, recalling that conversation.

He glances and raises his eyebrow in question. I realize it's not appropriate to laugh at the scene that is playing on tv.

"Quite a stunt you pulled in front of my dad there," I say, smiling.

He cringes and says, "Sorry. I was nervous."

"Don't be. It was refreshing to watch." I say sipping my water in hopes it was beer.

He grins and turns his attention back to tv. It's been long since I've hung out with someone my age. His smiling profile with a dimple in the perfect spot isn't helping me.

Sigh!

I fall for the same types of guys. Don't I. Gorgeous, athletic, malicious. Him being in hockey is certainly cherry on top. It's a pattern I follow. I sincerely hope by the time my prefrontal cortex is fully developed, I start making some better decisions. But that time is 8-9 years away.

"So, what did June tell you about school?" I am damn curious how much he knows.

"Well, she tried, but I stopped her."

I frown, and he grins. "I would like to experience things myself. And moreover, I am sure she has nothing to tell apart from gossip."

"So you don't like to get warned about things. Would you rather experience it?" I ask in bewilderment.

He chuckles softly. "Yea... It has landed me in strange, less comfortable situations sometimes... but it makes life exciting." He frowns then adds, "Sometimes miserable... but it's worth it so far."

"Wow, that's bold." I always get anxious when I don't know what's happening behind my back. The answer is 'usually a lot'.

"So what was the worst situation it has gotten you into?" I ask after a pause.

He thinks for a while and says, "My friends thought it would be fun to watch me evade a girl who stalked me real bad. They never informed me if she was around. Even though I begged them to. If I had any idea about her nature, I wouldn't have dated her."

"Wow, was she beautiful?"

Don't judge! I like to gossip. OK!!

"Yea... But sometimes things don't click, you know." He adds after a pause, "Girl stalking a guy might sound funny, but it isn't. People usually don't take it seriously if it happens to a guy."

I feel bad instantly. Indeed, it's sexist. I didn't consider it to be a problem when he said he had a stalker. I would have certainly taken it much more seriously if I or Amy had a stalker.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. Just understand it's a problem," He says, then adds," So going back to the main story... If I had followed Gossip among my friends or school rumors, I would have known better. But rumors usually can be right or wrong, so I am still happy to take my risks."

I nod. "Although... I am sure you have many girls trailing behind you in your school."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you interested to know?"

"Nah. I just know." I chuckle.

"Ok! I won't correct you..."

Now it's my turn to raise an eyebrow. I don't believe him, but I'm not gonna press it.

"What about you... any boyfriend or stalker in the picture?"

My smile fades as West flashes through my mind. Not sure why he still torments my mind. He looks at me, noticing stupid emotions cross my face.

"No" I regain my composure and glue my eyes back on tv as if some historic event is being telecasted and I cannot afford to miss it.

As we hear our parents calling Amy and June downstairs to say goodbye, I contemplate if I should ask for his number. Also, if I should ask him not to acknowledge me at school. There is a reason people don't wanna talk to me anymore. His demeanor might change once he joins the school... Meanwhile, I could enjoy getting to know this new neighbor. I have a week after all.

If Jacob has some spine, we could still be friends.