Crystal's POV -

God sure had no plans to let me and my bed have a catching up session because my sweet sleep is disturbed by none other than my very dear best friend  'Nathalia Collins'. She barged into my room and shouting at the top of her lungs.

"Wake up sleepy head! Come on, wake up, Chris."

Nope, it's not so easy to instigate me against my love. I will not break up with my bed, NEVER. So, I continue to act as if I am asleep. But, she is stubborn as hell. I hear the sound of footsteps coming near to me. Suddenly, she snatches my comforter from me and my body loses all its heat instantly.

Why didn't I turn off the AC? More over why the hell did I leave my door unlocked? Mental note to myself - never leave your door open. You never know which creature lurks in the outside world. Yes, it was a pun!

Nathalia out of nowhere starts to throw pillows at me. But, it has no effect on me. Then suddenly, there's silence. I think she went away.

I was literally on cloud nine, thinking that I have won and fooled her. We have been friends since childhood and not a single time have I managed to prank her. But, my beautiful dream of victory was soon crashed by a bucket full of water.

I get up quickly, screaming at the top of my lungs. For your information, this water was really chilled and right now with the air conditioner on, I am literally experiencing Antarctica, minus the seals and polar bears.

Once my mind has day dreamed about Antarctica, I become aware of my current state. All my clothes are drenched and are sticking like anything. I quickly look around, scanning the doer of all this.

Any guesses? Who else would it be besides Nats. Well, this explains all the sudden silence. It was silence before the storm.

"Oh God! You should have... looked...at your face. Man, it was priceless," Nats manages to say in between her laughter session.

My icy glare finally reaches her and she sobers up.

"Okay, sorry Chris? Though it was your fault. I mean I tried to wake you up, but, you didn't even budge," Nats says calmly, however, her eyes seemed to tell a different story.

I frowned while getting up from my now wet bed and then taking out a towel from my wardrobe and wiping my face.

"This is definitely not the way to wake up someone, Nats. Especially, that 'someone' who just landed into New York after hours of traveling," I complain to her. What does she do? She just rolls her eyes.

"Well, this is my way of welcoming my bestie to New York!"

I roll my eyes and after few moments of silence and trying to ignore her puppy face, I give in.

"Fine, don't do this again."

"I will try, but, no promises. You know promise me no promises.
Oh na na, just be careful, na na.
Love ain't simple na na. Promise me no promises-"

"Nats!!" I shout at her, interrupting her Demi Lovato like voice concert.

"I love you too Chris!! That's why I dedicated this song to you," Nats replies while giving me a wide grin and starts to play 'No Promises by Demi Lovato' on her phone, just to annoy me more.

I run into the bathroom to save my ears from bursting and quickly take a shower, changing into a yellow black printed top and a pair of white skinned jeans. After blow drying my hair, I tie my long black straight hair into a high pony tail. When I exit my bathroom, I see Nats shuffling through my wardrobe.

I take this time to have a proper look at Nats. Well, we are meeting after four to five years. So, we both have changed a lot. Nathalia is a blond with contrasting blue eyes. But, unlike the typical blond personality, she isn't like them. No offence to blondes, but my experience with them isn't one to write a book on.

After a few more minutes, Nats finally finds what she was searching for, which happens to be a pair of golden earrings and black boots.

(A/N - Crystal's outfit)

"What are doing there? Quickly, wear all of this. We are leaving in five minutes."

"Where?"

"Where? Obviously outside. You don't plan to stay in your house whole day that too on your first day in America, in New York?"

"Actually I do-"

"No need to answer that. You are coming with me and that's final. So, get your lazy ass here before I literally have to kick you," Nats screams at me while giving me the predator look.

Well, ladies and gentlemen this is Nathalia Collins for you. Sighing, I quickly wear all the accessories. Having a final look at myself, we both decide to go to Nats house.

*Few hours later*

As you know, Nats and I had gone to her house. We had talked till late evening, refreshed some old memories and after long hours of chitchat. It was time to go home for me. Nats is driving me back to my house.

After a moment of silence, Nats speaks up, though hesitantly, "You do know, you are joining the college late. But, as far as I know you, you would have prepared for everything.... We both know there will be many times when you will be facing them. Then again, that has to happen at some point or the other."

As far as I know Nats, she just gets what she wants to. I tried, so many times to change the topic before. It had worked earlier, but now, I better answer her.

"*Sigh* Yes, I know that's so true. But, I am not someone who runs away from their problems. I believe in facing them and fighting them and you are right, you already told me the pros and cons of being a part of Adela Riverview University. But, we both know that I am too cool to back off now," I reply, smirking at her while she just rolls her eyes.

"You have changed yourself so much in a few years. I means besides physical changes, that smirk of yours has become a part of you too."

"Well, I can't help but agree with the above thing. However, you do know that by heart, I am still the same little girl," I answer her while dramatically placing a hand over my heart.

Nats quickly stops the car and demands me to get out of her car.

"Okay, Nats, I get it you don't like my dramatic skills. But, at least don't abandon me on an unknown street."

"Are you an idiot? I am not abandoning you. Look out of the window, we have already reached your house."

True to her words we had indeed reached my house. I get out from the car.

"So I will see you tomorrow?"

"Definitely. Wait, are you not coming inside? And secondly I am picking you up not the other way round."

"*Sigh* No I can't. I have some work to do and as far as picking me up. Trust me Chris, you do not even have an option. I am too lazy to pick you up everyday. Come on Crystal, use your brainy head," She answers while laughing.

"Yeah, how could I forget and someone called me lazy. By the way, by important work do you means hanging out with your boyfriend?" I ask Nats, making an innocent face.

She just rolls her eyes. I swear, judging by the amount of eye rolls this girl does, one day her eyes are going to fall from her eye sockets. Suddenly Nats drives away, screaming bye. I sigh and shake my head in disbelief at her childish behaviour. I guess some things never change. Do they?
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Hey guys!! Yes, I am back!

So, what do you guys think about Nathalia and her friendship with Crystal?

I thought I should share a fun fact with you. When I was typing this chapter, my autocorrect was initially correcting "Nathalia" to "Nathan" (Nathan is the male protagonist of my other book, El Destino). It took time for the autocorrect to get used to another similar name.

I had written a few chapters of this book way before I had started El Destino. So, it's quite a coincidence for the main characters having kind of similar names. Okay, I have bored you enough.

Till the next update, keep shining :)

- Love Addy :)