Natasha stepped into the house with a huge grin on her face. Two weeks had passed by since she got those maniacs arrested, and they were now locked behind bars. She chuckled as she pictured how pissed off and helpless they would probably be feeling.
She stepped into her room, casually placed her school bag on her bed, before heading for the wardrobe.
"What should I wear?"
She said as she held a red track-suit on one hand and on the other hand was a blue jeans jacket and trousers.
"Oh, you really have no taste." she said, sounding tired.
She returned the track suit and placed the jeans on her bed.
"Let's just go with this. It casual, or should I dress formally? No, not really, it ain't like we are having dinner at one of those fancy restaurants. I'm very sure having dinner at one of those crowded local restaurants tastes better than sitting at a fancy table, and speaking in hushed tone.
She places a white canvas by the bed.
"Or should I go all white? No, I think this is okay."
She took a deep sigh, a bit nervous as to how to behave in the midst of five boys as the only girl among them. She was finding it hard, whether to dress girlish or boyish.
"Stop worrying Natasha, they will understand that you don't like acting all girlish. Why don't we take a shower."
*****
Natasha had this big smile on her face as she walked down the stairs. Truth be told, it had been a very long time she had dinner with friends.
With friends?
Or rather, a friend. Natasha was the type to keep to herself, but people kinda liked her because of her daring attitude. Atimes her, her attitude made people like her, but most of the time, she gained herself more haters. Not like she cared anyway, she preferred having just one sincere friend, than having over ten, who would not think twice before pushing one to danger.
"Where to?"
The smile on her face disappeared slowly as she looked around the dark living room in search of the owner of the voice.
He was standing just a few distance from her, but he could tell that she was yet to pinpoint which direction his voice came from, since he could see her moving her head slowly as she looked around with large eyes. He took a sip from the cup he was holding.
"Uncle."
He turned his back and moved to another spot.
Natasha smiled to herself. Happy with herself that she had guessed where he stood, by listening to the sound of the sip. She was sure he took that sip on purpose, so she could guess where he was.
Her uncle was always so adamant on having her get used to the dark as soon as she steps out of the light into the dark.
And he was right to have her get used to it. Knowing her personality, she was the type to anger people without even knowing she already was making enemies, she was the type to speak her mind out, not caring what effects it had on the person, she was the type to go after justice, even though the person who had been wronged was not seeking justice.
And being attacked in the dark was something she had experienced. She had ended up seriously injured, but what had annoyed her the most was the fact that she had been unable to land a hit on any of those idiots. But she got comforted by the fact that those idiots also knew that they would have been no match for her, had they fought during the daytime or in a lighted area.
Her smile widened when she remembered all the training her uncle had put her through after she recovered. She stepped fully into the dark, and approached where she believed the seats were.
She sat on one of the chairs, crossed her legs, and let out a chuckle.
"Uncle." she called out to him, even though she could not tell or guess exactly where he was.
"I'm having dinner with my friends."
"Friends!" she heard his deep voice say in surprise, even though he tried to hide the fact that he was surprised.
Whenever she heard his voice, she always felt confused. His voice made her nervous and at the very same time, it was comforting to hear his voice. Well, that was how she felt, she could not tell if others felt that way.
"Did you lose hope on me?" she chuckled
"I have friends now. Riley and his big brother, Richard. And three male classmates of ours?"
She was all smiles as she spoke, anyone could tell from how excited her voice sounded.
"No female friend?"
Her heart sank a bit, hearing him ask that.
"Not yet."
Ever since Cassie died, she was afraid of befriending a female.
The place became silent for a minute or so.
"Hey, you know, it would be nice if you join us."
She was doing her best not to ruin the good atmosphere.
Still not hearing a word from her uncle, she figured out he was not planning to say anything to what she said.
"Riley is always speaking about wishing to meet you."
"Hmm."
She got excited for a second
"So you're coming?"
"No."
"Why give me hope, all just to crush it later?"
"If he wants to see me so badly, he can just come visit."
Natasha scoffed hearing him say that. It made him sound Iike a very proud person.
"I don't remember saying he wants to meet you so badly."
"Then why make it sound so?"
"Huh!"
"Riley is always speaking about wishing to meet you."
Her uncle said, mimicking her voice.
Natasha took a deep sigh when she realized she could not win this battle against him.
"Never mind. I just kinda think you two would be good friends, since you both love flowers."
She got up and approached the door, doing her very best to walk as quietly as possible. Hoping her uncle would not be able to tell where she was, until she opens the door.
Upon placing her palm on the door knob
"Natasha."
She heard his deep voice say.
She wished so badly that he really didn't know exactly where she was. If he did, then she would have to lose a game she started without his knowledge and which rules she made.
"Be happy. Have a nice time with your friends."
After he said this, she heard his footsteps. She facepalmed herself, as she didn't need anyone telling her that she had lost her own game. He really did figure out where she was. She opened the door, and the look of defeat she had in her face just a second ago, turned to a smile.
"Be happy." she said.
*****
As soon as she got out of the taxi, Natasha saw two hands in the air, waving. Looking closely, she saw Riley with his right hand above his head, while the other hand belonged to Julian. She waved back at them with a big smile on her face.
Starting off with her normal tomboyish walk, Natasha took a stop, noticing the glances she received from passersby. She took a deep sigh when she saw a middle aged Chinese woman walk past her and said something in her language.
'Does she really think I do not understand what she said. And just what century does she think we are in.' Natasha mumbled to herself.
She took some steps forward, stopped, then turned to look in the direction the woman went.
"Does she think she is a boy?" Natasha said mockingly.
Ignoring the stares she received, she approached her new found friends.
"Hi guys."
She said as she sat on the seat in between Riley and Julian. They all exchange pleasantries, ordered some foods and picked up their glasses.
"Wait."
Natasha said, then she stood up.
"Let me make this toast." she smiled as she looked at each and everyone of them give their approval.
"When I first joined the school, I found nothing interesting, since I was in a period of grieving." she took a pause and a deep sigh followed.
"I lost a very dear friend of mine to a similar occurrence, so, when I was given another chance, I wanted to change myself, do better at protecting my friends, but I failed again." a sad smile showed on her face.
"I failed so badly and gave up hope, considered myself nothing but a failure. I was going to run from it, just as I had done before. But I didn't, thanks to my uncle and one of his subordinates, all thanks to them, I could get determined and could find a solution instead of just wallowing in despair. And just when I thought I was alone, you three" she said as she smiled at Julian, Max and Tharn
"You three proved to me that I was not the only one who wanted to get rid of bullies, especially those seven. You gave it your all, which I appreciate. You risked your safety, went against the sons of great men in the business world.
To Richard." she said as she turned her gaze to him
" I want to say thank you, for being a good caring big brother to us all and for supporting us till the very end. To Riley."
A drop of tear came out of her eyes.
" I want to say thank you, for being my friend, for trusting me, for giving me a chance, and for not leaving me. Thank you Riley. "
Tears came rushing out of her eyes, and Riley was doing his best to hold back his tears.
"Come on now." Richard said as he stood up
"This is such a happy moment. As much as I will like to see what we all would look like while crying, this is a moment we should be happy, smiling and laughing."
Riley chuckled as he stood up.
"Meeting us might be a great occasion for you, but trust me, meeting you is definitely the best thing that has ever happened in my life. And I am sure each and everyone of us here wouldn't be here today if not because of you. You brought us all together. We all have a reason to thank you. "
The trio also stand up, with big smiles on their faces.
"So I believe this toast belong to you, Natasha." said Julian as he raised his glass higher.
"No, I would not have been the Natasha I am today if I didn't have you guys by my side. So I guess this toast is to us all."
"TO OUR FRIENDSHIP "
Tharn suddenly shouted as he raised his glass.
TO OUR FRIENDSHIP
They all shouted as they all raised their glasses, clanged them together, and gulped it down all at once.
"Well, we gotta make do with the orange juice, since we are still underage." Max said as he laughed out loud.
"You can order beer if you want to big bro."
"No thanks. I will like to keep a ear head, since I have to ride back."
"Enough talking, let's eat while the food is hot."