My Neighbor, Natalie

Chapter 3- Ex

February 8th, 2018

   Natalie woke up feeling groggy due to not being able to sleep the night before. She glanced at her clock and sits up slowly. She goes into her bathroom to brush her teeth then picked out an outfit for the day. She slipped her black turtle neck over her head then puts her hair into two buns. Natalie locked her door and walked past Ray's apartment with a tiny smile on her face.
"I hope I see him later," Natalie thought. Natalie stopped by Magnolia for a cup of coffee then heads to work. She clocked in at her job and sat at her desk.
  "Hey girl," Tony, her desk mate, greeted.
  "Hey Antonio," she sighed.
"Uh oh, what's wrong?" he asked.
"I'm trying to befriend my neighbor but I haven't seen him in six days," she answered.
  "Him?"
  "Yeah, the one that helped me put my bed frame together. He's really sweet and cute. Knowing me I might royally fuck it up." Antonio pats his friend's shoulder assuringly before offering advice.
"Just don't be awkward. You're a great person Nat and I'm sure he knows that," Tony advised. Natalie gave him a smile before going back to work.
  "I should call—"
  "Oooh no don't do that. If you see him out in the hall then speak with him," Antonio advised. Nat nodded taking a mental note.
"Maybe I could invite Ray out for my birthday," the curly-headed girl pondered happily.
__________

It's five-thirty in the evening now, Natalie entered her apartment building feeling a bit exhausted. She decided to have Mexican take out for dinner tonight, something she's been craving for the past week. As she unlocked her door, she heard one open then shut. She turned around and saw Ray about to head out.
"Oh, Ray!" she beamed.
"Hey Nat," he said cheerfully. He made his way over to engage in a quick conversation.
"I haven't seen you in a while, I was beginning to think you hate me," Natalie pouted playfully.
"I'm sorry, I've been real busy with work and babysitting," Ray mentioned while rubbing the back of his neck. Nat shifted her weight from one leg to the other trying to muster up the courage to ask him out.
"Are you... doing anything on Saturday night?" she asked.
"No, why?"
"Well, it's my birthday and I don't really wanna celebrate it alone," she explained shyly.
"Oh hell yeah! I'd love to celebrate your birthday with you," he said enthusiastically. "How old are you gonna be?"
"Two times thirteen," Nat responded.
"Got you. Is eight o'clock fine?"
"It's perfect."
"Cool, see you Saturday at eight." Natalie watched as Ray leaves the hallway. She bite her bottom lip happily and headed inside, anticipating for Saturday to come.
__________
February 10th, 2018

Natalie checked her phone and saw she had a few text messages. One from her mom, another from dad, one from her brother, and a group message from her ex-friends.
  "Why haven't I blocked them?" She said aloud. "Except for Nikko." She opened the message her older brother had sent.

Nik: Happiest birthday little sis! I love and miss you so much! Wish we could celebrate together 😔

Nat:
Thanks, Nikko! I love and miss you too. You should come next year! Just don't tell mom and dad where I live.

Nik:
I just might. Your secrets safe with me 🤫

   Natalie giggled as she locked her phone. Only two more hours.
"Today's gonna be a great day!" She spent most of it trying to figure out what to wear and where they would go, but she's leaving the where up to Ray. As she's getting ready, her doorbell rung a few times. She jumped up quickly and opened the door without checking who's there.
  "It's not eight—Danny? What the hell—"
  "Surprise!"
  "What are you doing here?" Nat questioned. Danny, her ex-boyfriend, is standing right in front of her.
  "I came for your birthday—"
  "No, you don't get to come for my birthdays anymore. I broke up with you. How did you even find me?!"
  "Did you really think you could get away from me?" Danny asked with a chipper smile. "You look great."
  "You need to leave now. I— Ray." This wasn't gonna turn out good.

   Danny turned around with a sour look on his face as he stares Ray down.
  "Who the hell is this? Lemme guess, this is your new 'boyfriend' huh," he said venomously.
  "N-no Ray's just a friend—"
  "You're getting all dolled up for your friend?" Nat shrunk back trying not to panic. Daniel was always like this when they were dating. Jealous and accusatory whenever she went out without him.
  "Nat, I can get security if you want," Ray offered.
  "No, Nat doesn't want that," Danny said. Ray ignored him and headed inside Natalie's apartment, shutting the door on Daniel.
  "Look man if you don't leave, I will call security on you," Ray warned. Danny scoffed kicking the door before leaving. Natalie clung onto Ray's arm still a bit shook up.
  "T-thank you," she mumbled.
  "You don't have to thank me. Was that the shitty ex you mentioned?"
  "Yeah, it was. I'm so so sorry—"
"What are you apologizing for? You didn't do anything wrong," Ray assured.
  "Bad habit. I apologized a lot for him," she explained. "I..."
  "Hey don't worry about him, we're gonna have a great night!"

   Ray took Natalie to SoCo, a very lively part of Austin. Music filled the air, and the decadent aroma of different foods meshed together so well.
  "Hey, I got you something," Ray said as the two stepped out a clothing store.
  "Oh Ray you didn't have to get me anything," Natalie said completely shocked.
  "I wanted to alright? I didn't know what you liked so this was just a suggestion. Next birthday gift will be better," he said while handing her a box. She opened the lid and found a simple bracelet with a purple flower.
  "February's flower is violet," he said bashfully.
  "Aww, you actually put thought into it," Nat teased. "I love it, Ray!"
  "Here lemme help you with it." Ray took the bracelet and wrapped it around Natalie's wrist clasping it shut. He held her hand for a moment checking the piece of jewelry out.
  "There, it looks fantastic," he complimented. The gesture left Natalie blushing a little bit.
  "This has been the best birthday ever," she said while placing a kiss on his cheek causing him to turn beet red. The two spent most of the night out then retreated back to Ray's apartment for strawberry birthday cake and old scary movies.
__________

Daniel

The bracelet

*Omg I've been gone for so long! I forgot my password and just haven't felt like writing, but I'm back!