Element, Part 1 by CM Doporto Read Free Book Online Page A

and texting you all night. What happened to you?”
    “Lise, calm down. I’m fine.”
    “I’m sorry about last night. I don’t know what got into me.
I didn’t mean to be so rude.”
    “Forget about it.” Natalie shook her head. She had no idea
why Lise had acted that way with her in front of Ryan and Sal. It seemed unlike
her because she always showed concern for Natalie, eager to help with any
problems.
    “Where are you?”
    “I stayed at Sharon’s last night.” Natalie ran her fingers
through her matted hair, wondering how it got so messed up.
    “Why did you leave? What happened? Ryan said you got upset
and ran off the dance floor. I looked for you for over an hour.” Lise breathed
heavily, like she was walking or running.
    “I’m sorry, I had to go.” Natalie sighed. She heard Lise
still breathing heavily. “What are you doing? Why are you breathing so hard?”
    “I’m on the treadmill. Can you believe it?”
    “Seriously?”
    “Yeah, come to find out Sal likes to exercise too. Enough
about me, tell me what happened? Did Tony upset you that bad or did Ryan do
something?”
    Natalie didn’t feel like talking about what happened between
her and Ryan. She needed to think through everything first before saying
anything to Lise. “No, I’ll tell you about it later. I’m going to shower and
then I’ll be back at the dorm.”
    “Do you want me to come and pick you up?” She heard a couple
of beeps in the background followed by Lise taking several deep breaths.
    Natalie thought about it for a second. Even though she had
on a t-shirt and shorts she found in one of Sharon’s dresser drawers, she would
rather have her own clothes. “Sure. Can you bring me some clothes too? I really
don’t want to go back to the dorm wearing the dress I had on last night. You
know how that looks.”
    “Yeah, unfortunately I do. I just finished exercising, so I’ll
be there shortly. What unit does she live in again?”
    “Unit 2405. Hey Lise, thanks.”
    “Don’t worry about it. That’s what friends are for,
remember?”
    Natalie smiled. “I know, see you in a bit.”
    She hung up her cell phone and set it down next to her. What
happened last night? She had never reacted that way to a guy before, not even
with Tony. Especially one she didn’t even know that well. She always thought through
her actions before reacting, considering all the consequences. There was
something about being with him that made her lose complete control.
    She slumped down into the bed and closed her eyes, recalling
the feelings that overcame her when they were talking and dancing. She pulled
up the covers over her mouth, hiding the smile and giggles she couldn’t keep
in. Ryan made her nervous but at the same time she found comfort in his arms.
How could that be?
    Carefully, she traced back through her mind and tried to remember
what had happened. When she licked her dry and cracked lips, she tasted salt; the
salt that once outlined Ryan’s full lips. She touched them and recalled the
passionate and intense kiss they shared.  Shivers ran through her body from
head to toe. Despite the incredible kiss they shared, a strike of pain to her
heart told her she did the right thing by pulling away and running out the
door.
    Natalie tried to ignore that voice telling her not to get
involved with him. For some reason she couldn’t stop thinking about him.  She knew
she had to stop this from going any further. Getting hurt again was not an
option.  Besides, school took priority over everything and falling for Ryan
would only mean one thing, disaster. However, she couldn’t deny her feelings
and wondered if Ryan felt the same thing too.
     
    ***
     
    Natalie packed her clothes into her duffle bag. “Are you
sure you don’t want to come home with me?”
    Lise shook her head. “No, that’s okay. I’m going to stay
here and hang out.”
    “I’m sorry you can’t go home.” Natalie continued to gather
her things, anxious to get on the road