You're Living a Lie, You Just Can't Hide From Me

Natalie grinned widely as she emerged from the water. She felt so free and weightless in the water. Garrett stood before her, already drying off by their clothes. He smiled at her as she headed over to where he was. There was something about her that just made him giddy. She was so cheery and alive. It was so different than the girl he'd ever expected.

The older boy offered her the towel he'd taken before they left. She smiled, taking it and starting to dry off. He couldn't help himself but give her the once over as her whole body still dripped from the water. God, she was beautiful. The most beautiful thing was that she didn't really understand just how beautiful she really was.

"That was fun."

"Yeah. It was."

Natalie smiled softly. "My mom used to say that she thought I should've been a mermaid because I love water the way I do."

"Like Ariel?"

She grinned. "Yeah. Especially now that I'm a redhead."

"Why'd you dye it? Just for change?"

"New city... new me."

"I have to admit you're... you're really different than I'd expected."

"Good different?"

"Good different." Garrett grinned. "Nat, I-"

"I like that... no one's ever called me Nat before."

He nodded. "Should we head back inside?"

"Hmm... I think I want to hang out a little longer... the sky looks beautiful at night." Her gaze was raised to the night sky and she began trying to find different constellations.

The sky and the stars were something that amazed Natalie. The way that she felt so small, insignificant when there was so much more to this world. It made her realize that other things were far more important than she was.

Garrett didn't totally understand her fascination, but his own gaze went to the stars. She was definitely unlike any girl he'd ever known. He was trying to see what was so amazing about the sky. He had never cared much about any stars apart from Star Wars.

He sat there, as she pointed out constellations, and educated him on her favorites. Garrett probably wouldn't have cared if it was anyone else, but Natalie made it interesting to him. But the fact that despite her gorgeous appearance, she was just as much of a nerd as he was. And that was something that he was really comforted by.

Natalie was still outside, gazing at the stars after Garrett had politely excused himself, saying that he was really exhausted, even though he wanted to spend more time with her. She didn't mind being alone, after spending so much time on her own before Alyssa had become her friend. The beach was so comforting and she felt totally safe. Perhaps that was why she didn't notice when someone joined her.

"Hey." A male voice called beside her and she turned to see John.

"Hey."

"What're you still doing out here?"

"I just like it... its comforting, you know?"

"I know what you mean." He nodded. "My family used to come to California every summer when I was a kid, and being near the water just felt... calming."

"Exactly." She smiled.

John smiled, moving the slightest bit closer to her. Natalie didn't seem to notice as she kept a steady gaze on the sky. He felt oddly shy around her, just as he'd been when the band first started. He'd made all this progress, but the girl made him feel as if he was still shy and insecure as ever.

She turned her gaze from the sky, and at the boy beside her. His eyes were shining brightly, and his lips held a contagious smile. She couldn't help but smile, not saying anything, just taking in his features. John O'Callaghan was definitely a good looking boy, and she could tell that she wasn't going to be able to resist him.

"T-that song you're working on, I liked it a lot."

"I'm glad to hear that." He told her, swallowing the fact that he wrote it for her. He couldn't tell her that even though it seemed obvious to him.

Natalie nodded. "I like your voice a lot... you seem to be a whole lot more confident now."

"After playing so many shows, I kind of figured that I had to break out of my shell."

"I'm still working on that."

"I don't know, from what Pat said you were like in high school, it sounds like you have."

Natalie was a bit curious that John had spoken to Pat about her. That he'd wondered about her. It somehow made her feel special, that he'd spent time thinking about her. She couldn't help but smile; she'd never felt the way John made her feel. It was different than Garrett made her feel. With Garrett, she felt oddly comfortable, but with John, she felt nervous and shy, and...

"So why'd you come out here?" Natalie asked quietly, bringing her knees to her chest.

"Couldn't sleep... and I was wondering what you were up to."

She nodded.

"Alyssa passed out, and I think she stole my bed anyway."

The girl didn't respond, just bit her lower lip.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, actually." She paused. "And I'm guessing you guys haven't been grocery shopping?"

"You'd guess right."

"Well, I know a good 24 hour diner close by, you wanna go?"

"Sure."