Mutiny Below

Natalia

After making lunch for Nick and Eric then cleaning up the kitchen, I went back into my room and settled into my still unmade bed with Sense and Sensibility. I hadn't been interrupted for nearly four hours when my door swung open and my brother's head appeared from behind it.

"Watcha doing?"

I held up my book and he rolled his eyes as he came into the room.

"You should go shower and get ready for tonight."

"What's tonight?"

"We're all going out."

"And why would I be included in that?"

"Nat, just get dressed."

"Nick, did you forget who you're taking to?"

He rolled his eyes at me.

"Bro, come on. You just told me, Natalia Santino, to put down the book and get dressed to go out. Are you flipping kidding me?"

"Nat, please. Come on. It'll be fun."

"Fun? Nick, you know that's not me. Drinking, dancing, big crowds-- that's not my thing. Even small crowds aren't my thing. Sitting at home alone reading a book. That is my thing."

The door was flung open and Eric stood before us. "Can I help you?"

"You're coming, right?" Eric's eyes were in full puppy mode. I sighed and looked over at Nick, who was trying not to smile and failing miserably.

"Eric, you guys both know that partying is so not my thing. I don't know why you even want me to go at all."

Eric jumped onto my bed. "Nat, pleeeeease come! I promise you'll have fun!"

He rolled his lip out and pouted as he bounced up and down on my bed, shaking me and Nick both along with him.

"Fine. But if I don't, I blame you."

"Deal!"

He jumped up and ran out of the room, leaving me with Nick. He got up and went to the door then stopped and turned back to me. "Thanks, Nat." He shut the door behind him when he left and I sighed and got up to go rummaging through my bags to find something to wear. Once I got some clothes, I went into the bathroom to take a shower.

By the time I got out and wrapped my towel around my body, someone was banging on the door.

"Natalia, Eric saiys hurry up."

I rolled my eyes and opened the door but I froze when I saw John standing before me. I don't know who I thought it was at the door but I surely wasn't expecting it to be him. He just stared at me for a minute before clearing his throat and looking down at the ground.

"Uhh, Eric said hurry up because we're leaving in fifteen minutes."

"Okay. Thanks."

He nodded and glanced up at me once more before heading off back down the hallway toward the den. I hurried to my bedroom in my towel and locked the door, just for good measure. I blow dryed my hair as fast as possible then got dressed and put on some light makeup before going into the den where Eric and Nick were lounging on the couch.

"Woah, Nat, you look smokin'!"

I felt my face immediately heat up but I mumbled a thanks to Eric as they stood up from the couch and headed out the door. I locked the door and followed behind to Eric's car where we stood and waited for everyone else. I don't know who suggested it, but we were all going to be riding in Eric's car. Ridiculous, no?

After a few minutes of Eric looking at his watch and sighing, we spotted the group approaching the car where we were.

"You guys are late," Eric said, stating the obvious.

"Okay, guys. I'm sorry I take forever to get ready! Happy?" Jayce exclaimed.

As we all piled into the car, I was squeezed into one seat with Nick while everyone else piled into the backseat. It was ridiculous how tightly we were packed into that car. The ride was incredibly awkward and it felt like it would never end. I finally began to see lights and big signs and I began to feel sort of sick. When we pulled into the parking lot, I pushed Nick out of the car so that I could get out and get some fresh air. I felt so clausterphobic in the car with everyone.

Everyone started walking toward the club doors but I lagged behind everyone else. We stopped at the door to wait for John and Jayce, who had stayed back for a minute. As we approached the doors, I could hear the music blaring and the noise of the people who were already in the club and I felt naseous. I knew I shouldn't have given in and come because I knew it was going to end badly. Eric threw his arm around my shoulder and leaned down to whisper in my ear. "I got a question for ya."

"Uhm, okay?"

"Is it really a hippopotamus or is it just a cool opotamus?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his cheesy joke. He was trying to make me feel less awkward by taking my mind off the fact that I was entering a club with loud music and lots of people and alcohol.

Jared looked from his phone up to us. "Kenny says he's got a table over by the wall already."

"And the fun begins." Garrett led the way into the club, which was darker than I expected.

"Don't you mean the alcohol?" John asked Garrett, nudgind him with his elbow. Garrett nodded grinning as we all followed him to a booth in the back corner of the room. Gemma and Kennedy were already there wrapped up in each other, and Pat and Tim were there as well.

I silently slid into the booth after Nick and Eric squished himself into the tiny space that was left beside me. While Nick talked to Tim, Eric entertained me with an amusing tour story involving lots of alcohol and a crowd of crazy fangirls. Kennedy ordered a round of drinks for everyone but poor Pat was forced to settle for a Shirley Temple like I drank. Eric raised his glass so everyone followed his example. "To Natalia! For lasting a whole week with our crazy asses!"

I literally wanted to die right then. Or kill Eric, at least. Everyone looked at me and I just knew I was blushing like mad. Eric laughed so I elbowed him as hard as I could, which only made him laugh harder. Everyone repeated what Eric had said then tilted their glasses back to drink. A few more toasts were made and then the group began to split off.

Some went over to the bar, some to the dance floor. I, however, decided to stay put in our booth. I'm sure I looked pitiful sitting there all alone with my non-alcoholic beverage while everyone else was drinking, dancing, and having fun. My thoughts were confirmed when John strode over to the table.

"Hey."

"Hi," I mumbled in response. Really, Natalia? Way to start a conversation.

"Come on, let's dance."

I was horrified at just the thought of it. Dancing? With John, no less. No freaking way. I shook my head and stared down at the pink drink in my hand.

"Nat, come on. You look bored to death."

"No, it's really okay. I don't-"

He didn't let me even finish my sentence. He grabbed my hand and yanked me up into a standing position then pulled me toward the mass of bodies that were already on the dance floor. I really thought I'd die of embarrassment right then. Natalia Santino does not dance. Ever.

John wasted no time in bringing out the dance moves. The cheesy, embarrassing dance moves. It's like the boy had no shame; he was having the time of his life just doing his own little dances in the middle of everyone. I didn't even have to worry about dancing. I spent the entire time laughing at him and how ridiculous he looked.

Eventually, Eric came to my rescue and pulled me to the bar to get more drinks. While Eric politely chatted with a fan who'd come up to him, I stood silently and sipped on my shirley temple. My eyes scanned the room and I found myself looking straight into John's brilliant green eyes. He gave me a grin then went back to talking to Tim while I moved my gaze down to my black toenail polish.

When we finally got back to the car, I noticed Jayce asleep in the backseat. I nudged John, who was behind me and he peered in the window to look at her. She must've heard Garrett's loud drunk mouth because she sat up and rubbed her eyes, which I noticed looked a little red like she'd been crying. John climbed into the back and wrapped his arms around her, whispering into her ear.

As I squished myself into the front seat with Nick, I couldn't help but feel a little sad.

So I like a guy that's madly in love with his girlfriend. Someone shoot me now.