The Only Girl He Couldn't Get [F][O][U][R] Surprise, Surprise

"Natalie stop being such a drama queen!" Samantha finally shouted at her friend as they sat at their bench during lunch the next day.

Natalie slumped and stopped her childish complaining, giving the group their first moment of silence in the past 30 minutes. It was better than yesterday though; Natalie had spent the remainder of the day complaining.

"Finally." Katie said, rubbing her temples. "I thought you'd never shut up."

"Hey, it's not my fault. You should really be blaming Mrs. Simmons. You know, she really is evil! I bet she's had this planned for years, just waiting until the time was right. Evil, manipulating, sadistic, heartless, cruel old bat! What have I ever done to deserve this? Huh? Answer me that! I'm a good student, I never back chat; what the hell has made her hate me that much that she'd practically force me into giving tutoring lessons to someone who's aim in life seems to be to piss me off?!"

Samantha, Bo and Katie all groaned. God, could Natalie waffle.

"Technically your just keeping me focused, not tutoring. And my aim in life has nothing to do with pissing you off."

Everyone's heads instantly snapped towards the newcomer; none other than Trey Barker.

"Hiya Trey." Katie said.

"Hi Katie, Bo, Samantha." Trey said. "Hey Natalie."

Samantha blushed very slightly and squeaked out an awkward 'hello'. Bo just nodded his head. Natalie didn't say anything. Instead she frowned at him, wondering what he was doing at there table, but not bothering to ask him.

Trey stared into Natalie's eyes, knowing exactly what she was thinking, but giving no answer. If she wanted to know bad enough, she'd ask.

"So," Katie said, catching both Trey's and Natalie's attention, "what brings you all the way over here?"

Well there goes that idea. Trey thought.

Natalie focused her attention back on Trey, waiting for his answer. Yes Mr. Barker. What are you doing here?

"Just stopping by to say hello." Natalie raised an eyebrow. "And to ask Natalie where I should meet her after school for our 'study session' of course."

Natalie opened her mouth to tell him to 'shove his study session up his ass' but thought better of it, replying instead with a short "here after the bell."

Trey smirked at the obvious thoughts of annoyance that must have been running through Natalie's head. She looks hot when she's pissed. He thought.

"Alright, I'll see you then. Bye ladies, Bo." He said.

"Bye Trey!" Katie called back as he began walking away. Samantha mumbled an almost inaudible 'goodbye' whilst Bo remained silent.

"Really Natalie, I don't see why you dislike him; he's bloody gorgeous!" Katie said.

"Mmm, he really is." Samantha mumbled, a dazed look crossing her face.

Natalie rolled her eyes. Bo mumbled something along the lines of 'this group needs more testosterone' and Natalie couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh by the way, did I tell you guys my mum finally got engaged to that fellow she's been dating for ages?" Natalie asked. I guess not. She thought, noting the surprised expressions appearing on her friends faces.

"That's great Nat!" Katie bellowed, before adding quickly, "That is great right? I mean, you like the guy, yeah?"

Natalie shrugged. "I haven't actually met him. I'm supposed to have dinner on Saturday night with them. I said I didn't mind waiting till next week when I stayed at her, well I suppose their, place but she insisted I meet him as soon as possible, so I'm going there early. Apparently he's got a son around our age."

"Well that's good. At least you'll make a new friend." Samantha said.

"What if I don't like him?" Natalie asked.

"Must you always be such a pessimist?"

-x-

Trey jumped slightly when a paper ball landed on his desk. He'd been too busy drawing a little caricature of Natalie to notice his best friend who had been trying to catch his attention for the past 10 minutes.

Trey picked up the small ball and unrolled it, instantly recognising the writing as Matt's.
Zubo's after school. You in?
Trey scribbled his reply of 'Can't. Study date, remember?' and waited until their English teacher had his back to the class before throwing back the little ball to Matt. Trey watched as Matt read the reply and quickly wrote his own, throwing it back to Trey.
So you and Natalie all alone in a big, empty school, ey? Sounds like things could get a bit interesting *wink wink*
Trey gave a small laugh, but the teacher caught it.

"Do you find something funny, Mr. Barker?" he asked. Trey looked up and gave another little chuckle as he caught sight of his teacher. "Well?!"

"I do, sir." Trey said.

"And what would that something be, Barker?"

"It's a secret." Trey said and watched as the teacher's pudgy face reddened in anger.

"Out with it, boy!" he literally spat. There's a reason nobody sat in the front row of this class.

"Well sir, I believe your hair is missing."

There was an explosion of laughter in the classroom as the teacher, Mr. Thomas, felt the top of his head and confirmed that his hair was indeed gone. He began frantically looking around for his missing toupee, while the class roared with laughter when they caught sight of it tucked into the collar of his shirt.

Out of the corner of his eye, Trey could see Natalie smiling to herself, her eyes twinkling in amusement. It made Trey smile to see that look upon her face because of him.

When the bell finally rang signalling the end of the day Trey, along with most of the class, practically ran out of the room, leaving the still-searching Mr. Thomas behind. Matt caught up to Trey just as he left the room.

"So, feeling excited about spending the next 2 hours of your life studying with a girl you've got a major jones for?" he asked.

"Hey, I'm up for anything that gets me closer to her." Trey said.

"Well just remember; girls like guys who aren't interested. Don't pay her so much attention. And be nice." Matt said as they stopped at the exit of the building.

"To her, nice would be not hitting on her."

"Oh, alright. I'll catch ya later man." Trey said.

"See ya." Matt replied as the two boys walked off in opposite directions.

Trey walked towards the table where Natalie was already seated, tapping her fingers to a beat in her head; something she would do when bored, annoyed or frustrated. Trey thought about what Matt said; girls like guys who aren't interested. Would that work with Natalie?

Let's hope so. Trey thought. Besides, even if it doesn't work, what harm will it do?

-x-

Natalie had watched as Trey practically bolted out of their English classroom. As usual she was the only remaining student in the room...not that Mr. Thomas noticed; he was still looking for his hair. Natalie felt bad for the poor balding bloke so she politely informed him of his toupee's location before hurrying off towards her lunch table, hoping Trey hadn't been sitting there by himself for too long.

Not that I care. She thought.

But Trey wasn't there when Natalie arrived so she sat down and waited, wondering where the hell he could be.

He left before me. How could I beat him here? Unless he's forgotten...nah, he can't have.

Quickly becoming annoyed and fidgety, Natalie began to tap her fingers against the table along to the beat of "Smooth." Soon she heard footsteps heading towards her. She turned in her seat to see Trey's figure blocking the sun, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Nice of you to show up." Natalie said, gesturing to the seat opposite her. Trey didn't say anything, but sat down across from Natalie all the same.

Hmm, that's odd.

"So, we have Math and Art homework right?" Natalie asked. Trey just shrugged his shoulders and started pulling out his books. Natalie sighed and did the same.

This is going to be the longest afternoon of my life.

-x-

"Natalie! Hurry up! Your mother will be here any minute!" Lorna screeched from her comfortable position on the couch.

Natalie ignored her stepmother and continued stuffing odd things into her already tightly packed duffel bag things she knew she would never need, but it cant hurt to have them just in case...right? Natalie would be staying at her mother's new house for 2 weeks, as was the agreement between her parents.

For once, Natalie was actually dreading her stay with her mother; after all, today was the day she would be meeting her soon-to-be stepfather and stepbrother. She was almost as nervous as when she gave her captaincy speech.

Oh, you haven't been told about that, have you? Yes well, Natalie is also the female school captain for 2005. Hey, just because she's quiet, doesn't mean she isn't popular...ish. Or maybe it was just that anyone with half a brain could see that Natalie would make a much better captain that someone like Stacey.

"Natalie! SHE'S HERE!" Lorna screamed.

Natalie quickly stuffed a few more pieces of clothing into her bag and zipped it up, grabbing it with slight difficultly, then heaving it down the stairs and out the front door, paying no mind to Lorna who still hadn't moved from the damn couch!

Natalie placed her bag in the boot seat of her mother's black Mercedes

before jumping in the front seat and giving her mother a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Hi dear." Her mother, Katrina, said, pulling away from the curb. "How's things?"

"Lorna's being a cow again. 'Ooh, I'm barely pregnant. Go and do everything I say or I'll fake stomach pains and make everyone worry!'" Natalie said, imitating Lorna's slightly high-pitched voice.

Katrina remained silent, but Natalie saw the corner of her mouth twitch as if she were resisting the urge to smile. Katrina never bad-mouthed Lorna out loud, even if she did hate her like there was no tomorrow (but could you blame her? I bet you wouldn't like the person who broke up your marriage).

"So are you looking forward to meeting Steve?" Katrina asked.

Way to change the subject, mum.

"...I suppose. What's he like?" Natalie asked, soon wishing she hadn't. She spent the remainder of the drive 'home' listening to her mother compliment her fiance.

When they arrived, Natalie stepped out the car as her mother retrieved the bag from the boot. Natalie admired the giant house her mother had moved into with Steve and his son.

"Nice, isn't it?" Katrina asked as her daughter stared open mouthed at the house.

Natalie would have replied, but her attention was soon diverted to a man casually striding towards them.

Natalie's mother gave her shoulder a slight nudge.

"Come on Nat. Time to meet Steve."

-x-

"God I'm bored." Matt whined as he lounged around on the couch in Trey's room. Trey was on the bed, thinking much the same thing.

"You've been saying that for the past 15 minutes." Trey replied.

"Just trying to get a point across. Oh hey, I never asked how that little 'study date' went." Matt raised his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. Trey threw a pillow at him.

"It was fine, but I'm not sure what annoys Natalie more; me hitting on her, or me ignoring her." He said.

"So I'm guessing she hasn't fallen head over heals in love with you yet?" Matt asked.

"Not yet, but she will. I have a way with women." Trey said.

"Which is why three years have passed with you trying to get this girl, with no success." Another pillow flew across the room at Matt's head. "Oi! Quit it! Hey what's the time?"

"Uh, six-ish." Trey said, raising his arm to read his watch.

"Fuck! I'm late! I have some dinner thing with my dad! I'll talk to you later, man." Matt said, springing from the couch and bolting down the stairs.

Trey heard Matt's car start and take off down the street, going much to fast than what was legal. But his friend's questionable driving skills weren't what Trey was focused on.

No, he was more fixated on a certain green-eyed beauty who had often haunted his dreams and thoughts, more than usual of late.

Trey rolled over onto his stomach, his chin resting on the only remaining pillow on his bed. He sighed and stared out the window behind his bed into his backyard.

First love is only a little foolishness and a lot of curiosity.

Trey's dad had often said that to him, reminding him never to take these years of his life to seriously.

Trey thought about that little comment.

Could Natalie possibly be his first love?

And if so, is this just him being foolish or too curious for his own good?

-x-

"Lord, where is that boy? I swear, teenagers these days..." Natalie was only half listening as Steve fretted over the whereabouts of his son, who was now almost 25 minutes late for dinner.

Natalie had spent the last 4 or so hours learning a lot about Steve. She liked him. He was sweet to Katrina, cared a lot about his son and had a great sense of humour. He didn't smoke, he didn't drink and to top it all of he was a doctor.

He was absolutely perfect for Natalie's mother.

But once again, Natalie was feeling nervous. She was anxious about meeting Steve's son, and could only hope he was as nice as his dad.

Like father like son, right?

Pulling Natalie from her thoughts, the sound of hurried footsteps caught her attention. She stared at her hands, her stomach doing flip flops.

Alright, here he comes. Just be calm.

"Well finally. It's nice of you to join us son." Steve said. "Now, Natalie I'd like you to meet my son."

Natalie cautiously looked up from her hands and froze, a similar reaction occurring in Steve's son.

"Natalie, this is Mathew. Matt, meet Natalie."

Matt Langdon snapped out of his little shock zone and smirked, one thought running through his mind.

I can't wait to see Trey's face when I tell him about this.