Chapter Nine

					*****
	Natalie laughed and threw a grape at AJ because of his distasteful joke.
“ I thought it was funny,” He shrugged, taking another swig of his sparkling water.  A
week had passed from the whole burglar situation and it was Tuesday night.  They were
sitting by Nat’s pool, amidst the gardens in the backyard.
“ You should laugh more.  Your face lights up,” He commented, studying her face in the
pool’s dimmed lights.
“ A lot of people say that,”
“ A lot of people are right,”  She gave him a studious look before glancing back at the
water.
“ What are you doing this summer?” He asked her, following her gaze.  She shrugged.
“ I don’t know yet...I’ve gotten a coupla scripts that I might follow up on but I’m not
sure right now,”  There was a moment of silence before someone in behind them
cleared his throat.  They both looked up and saw a tall guy with sandy blonde hair who
offered a sheepish wave.
“ Sorry...I didn’t-,” 
“ Jeff?  Hey,” She gave him a happy smile as she stood up and wrapped him in a hug. 
AJ watched on, unsure if he was supposed to just leave right now or what.  
“ AJ, meet Jeff.  Jeff, this is my neighbor, AJ,”  They exchanged greetings and AJ
pretended to check his watch during an awkard pause.
“ Well I should get going, Natalie.  I promised Nick I’d help him with something,”
“ Ok, thanks for the company,” He returned her smile before making his way next door. 
After a last glance in her direction, AJ entered the house.
“ This is my neighbor, AJ,” He mimicked as he went to the kitchen and poured himself
a drink.
“ Jesus, why do you always talk to yourself?” He heard Nick call from the dark living
room.
“ Why do you smell funny?  Did you actually take a shower?”  AJ shot as he stood in the
entrance to the living room, looking at Nick.
“ I take it someone’s date didn’t go well,” Nick hit mute on the tv and watched AJ with a
smirk.
“ For your information, Nick, it wasn’t a date.  And it went fine...” Nick chuckled and AJ
glared.
“ I see you’ve been home ALL night long like always...”
“ You’re hilarious, really...I don’t consider the neighbor’s house much of a place to be,
anyways,” 
“ Sure you don’t.”  AJ said slyly, settling onto the easy chair closest to him.
“ So why were you pissed off?” Nick asked, turning his gaze back to the tv but keeping
it on mute.
“ Because everytime we even get near talking, something interrupts...And then she
introduces me as ‘just AJ, my neighbor,’”
“ That’s Natalie for you.  She thinks being in her presence is an honor for you,”
“ SHe’s not really stuck up, you know,” Nick shrugged, turning the volume up again.
“ Maybe you should try talking-”
“ I gave it a shot, I’m not gonna beg her to be my friend.” Nick cut him off, knowing
what he was going to say.
“ You never know.  Third time’s a charm (*hehe*),”
“ Not for Natalie Trevante,”
“ What makes you think she’s a bad person?” 
“ She’s rude, she’s stuck up, she’s fake, she’s demanding, she’s-”
“ Nick, dude, you’re talking about a friend of mine.  And besides, you don’t know that,” 
“ It’s plain to see...” AJ shrugged and stood up.
“ Okay, man, have it your way.  But if you’re gonna make a move, you’d better hurry up. 
She’s not hanging around here for the summer.”  He said as he made an approach to the
stairs.  Nick watched as AJ climbed up the stairs and sighed.  He was right.  But how in
the hell was he supposed to be nice or make friends with her if she was so
unapproachable?  He leaned back and watched the rest of the show, his mind not on it...





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