Is it too much to ask (you to never let me go)
SENIOR YEAR
MARCH 23RD
Nat wasn't even gonna show up to the party. He was just gonna pick up extra shifts at his job; Then he got fired and he didn't want to stay home dealing with his mom. It was spring break and he was a senior now so he was at Lottie's party.
Nat had originally been hanging out with Rick and Kevyn. Then they left to go to the junkyard and Nat didn't go with them. So now Natalie was still at the party, needing to figure out who could drive him home. Van most likely would, he couldn't find them though. So, he was once again walking around the Matthews’ household, keeping his eyes out for the redhead.
When he entered the living room, he saw everyone on the soccer team sitting on and around the couch. Probably due to Jackie saying they needed to do a bonding experience. Nat was about to just walk out, he didn't want to be a part of it but speak of the devil and the devil is sure to speak. “Natalie! There you are,” Jackie's voice rained through the house making Nat just pause. “Join us, hang out with your teammates for once.”
Fucking Jackie Taylor. Never knowing how to mind her fucking business. Nat wanted to leave, but he didn't have a ride. He didn't want to walk home when he lived across town; which was very far from Lottie's house. So, he had no choice but to join them with whatever they were doing.
There wasn't any room on the couch anymore. So, he had no choice but to sit on the floor, next to lottie who had also seemed to be sitting on the floor. Nat was slightly confused on that part, it was her house and she was sitting on the ground? But, he didn't talk about it. Nat learned a while ago Lottie felt more comfortable sitting on the floor.
“So Nat, we were planning on maybe all going to a movie tomorrow. And we needed to decide on–” A voice cut off Jackie. “Jackie, come over here.” Jeff Sadecki waved his hand at the blonde, who smiled brightly at the sound of his voice. Before quickly getting off the couch and running over to Jeff.
It got quiet at that. Then the quiet scoff from Shauna was heard. “Whatever. I'll see you guys at practice tomorrow,” Shauna mumbled before walking off. She seemed pissed. Nat didn't get it. He didn't get the way Shauna and Jackie acted. Because, Jackie obviously wasn't happy with Jeff. The guy was an asshole. And Shauna, Shauna obviously loved Jackie.
“Well then..” Van cleared their throat at the slightly awkward silence. Getting up off the couch and Tai doing the same. “Nat. Need a ride home? Me and Tai are leaving now. It's getting late and my house and yours is across town.” It was around 2 am and Nat knew Van had to also drive Tai home. “Yeah, uh kevyn left so..”
Nat answered as he got up from the floor. “I just need to grab my jacket,” He had left it outside. Van nodded, “We'll meet you in the car.” And then Van and Tai left.
Nat turned to go to the back yard, where he left his jacket but Lottie grabbed his arm. Turning the blonde towards her. “Lottie? Do you need something?” For a moment Lottie just stared at Nat. They didn't know why. It was just silence between them. The loud music was still heard. But between Lottie and Nat, it was just silence.
“You looked pretty tonight. You always look pretty. And I– I hate how you always have a certain look on your face. I hate how I always want to k–” How much did Lottie have to drink? He knew he had seen Lottie drinking but… they didn't pay attention to how many drinks she had. Before now Natalie didn't see Lottie around the party much. “You're drunk.”
Before Lottie could say another sentence, even utter another word out, the sound of footsteps were heard. But all he could focus on was Lottie's face. She looked like she wanted to ask something. Like she didn't ever want to let Nat go.
“Nat, let's go! I'm not having Van wait for you again.” The blonde looked at Lottie before looking at Tai, then back to Lottie. “I have to go,” He grabbed Lottie’s hand, slowly removing it from his arm. “You should drink some water.” An awkward smile was sent before walking off.
Nat never got his jacket back.
𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪
PRESENT
PARIS
All of them were at lunch. Some fancy restaurant that Nat couldn't remember the name of. All he could was that Lottie was wearing his jacket. The jacket he left that night at the party during spring break. The party where Lottie was telling Nat that he was pretty.
He had never questioned that night. They just thought Lottie was drunk. Like badly drunk. That it was nothing more because people say stupid things when they're drunk. Lottie almost saying that she wanted to kiss Natalie Scatorccio? That was stupid.
So, Nat thought she was just drunk and didn't mean it. Though every weekend, the same party, everytime Lottie was drunk or slightly tipsy was just filled with Lottie ignoring him.
But she was wearing Nat's jacket. Nat's only jacket that was oversized for him because he had grabbed the wrong size. Lottie was wearing it. That's what made him remember that stupid party. Here he was, sitting next to Van and Tai. Van who was rambling about whatever..And Nat was just sitting there. Remembering that stupid party.
The night that would run on replay in his mind weeks after. Because maybe if he questioned Lottie on it, he would know why Lottie looked so comfortable and at home when wearing his jacket. Maybe Tai picked up on that. Because the next thing he knew Tai was laying a napkin in front of Nat that had writing on it.
‘Isn't the jacket Lottie is wearing yours? Why is she wearing it?’ Was what he read off the napkin. He nodded to say ‘Yes, it's mine.’ then shrugged on the other part. Because he didn't know why.
They really didn't know why and they wanted Tai to just leave it alone.
𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪
“You're wearing my jacket,” Natalie pointed out when they got back to the hotel and were in their room. “What?” Lottie paused on brushing her hair, turning to Nat. “That jacket. It's mine, Lottie.”
“Oh, yeah. But you left it and I needed a jacket… I can give it back.” Nat thought on that. He technically didn't need it back. He didn't really like the jacket that much, and it didn't fit.
Did he want the jacket back? Maybe. “No. It's fine," Nat shook his head instead.
“It looks better on you anyways.” Maybe he liked the thought of Lottie wearing his jacket better.