The Only Thing That Matters

Two Weeks Later

"We have a nine-four-zero Alpha. Officer in need of assistance on nine-fifty-nine and Seward. Four-one-five Golf. Gang related disturbance. Over." A dispatcher relayed through the radio.

"This is Whiskey Tango one-five-four, copy that, received. On my way. Over." Nathalie said.

When she arrived to the location, she found an officer trying to calm down a group of people, as a scantly clad woman stood on the sidelines. One of the men screamed and pointed to a familiar man holding an ice bag over his head. He smiled cheerily at her when she approached.

"Wanna tell me what happened here?" Nathalie asked.

"There was a woman," Matthew sighed. "Isn't it always about one? She started a conversation and ... how the hell was I supposed to know she was some gang leader's girlfriend??"

She glanced over. "You can kinda tell she's not your average woman."

"Well, she certainly isn't! I mean, just look at that body! Nothing average about it." Matthew raised his eyebrows and growled.

"You wanna get killed?"

"Uh, maybe you're right. I should stop staring. Ever been punched in the head?" He waved the bag in front of her.

"Can't say I have."

"Is that a thing now? Pretty weird move."

"Yo Greg," Nathalie spoke to the annoyed officer. "I know this one, he's not part of a rival gang. As you can see, he's just a spoiled rich guy."

"Hey," Matthew analyzed his clothing. "I take offense to that."

"You can go. Just don't go running in looking for more trouble."

He smirked at her. "How are you? You know, you have my brother's panties in a tussle?"

"We're not gonna do this."

"Speaking like two normal people, you mean?"

"Yeah. Listen, no offense, but I want nothing to do with Grant's family."

Matthew gasped. "Did you just include me into the prudy bunch? That's two offenses, Nathalie."

She remained silent.

"All right, I'll go. But here, have my card. If you ever want to talk or need a punching bag again. I can roll with the punches." He winked at her.

She rolled her eyes, placing the card in her front pocket. "Now, will you move along?"

"See you around." He waved and strut away.

Done with work for the day, she moped outside the station. She suddenly felt lost and didn't know what to do. Work was a good way to keep her mind busy, but once it was time to clock out, there was nothing to stop the thoughts that would take over. Emotions returned, renewed and with the same force.

Grant was waiting in his car outside the station. The thumping sounds from the raindrops beating against the roof of the car matched his quickening heartbeat once he saw her. Steeling his nerves, he opened the door and jogged to where she stood. His feet splashed into the stream of water surging by the side of the sidewalk, causing her to jump back in surprise.

"Nathalie!" He called out and carefully approached her.

Longing flickered for a moment in that unguarded state. It was reined in quickly. Into her eyes crept a shadow that removed the stars that briefly danced within her dark-brown irises. Her face strained and shifted into a false mask of apathy. Shielding herself from the surge of emotion brewing inside her chest, she crossed her arms in front of it, as if that would stop it from continuing.

"What're you doing here?"

"Nat—," he began to speak, but a lump formed in his throat. His eyes scanned her every feature.

Unable to stop himself from acknowledging how beautiful she looked as the glittering drops of rain glided down her arms. Her velvety, moistened skin dazzled him into a silent stupor. With the light behind and it's glow outlining her, she seemed like an otherworldly image. A figment of his imagination that had been created by days of insufferable hunger.

He wanted to reach out and embrace her, but when he moved forward, she retreated from him. The short distance between them felt vast. Blinking away the stinging sensation, he slowly nodded. His hands trembled, he yearned to tell her how much he loved her. But he couldn't.

It wasn't the type of situation he wanted to tell her he was in love with her. Even if he did, she might've reduced the words to a clever ruse or ploy to get her back and that reaction would have been more painful than the rejection he was currently feeling.

"I think you need to leave, Grant." She averted her gaze.

"Why won't you just speak to me? I don't understand what's going on? I thought maybe all you needed was some space, but then you still wouldn't answer my calls. Talk to me, please."

Nathalie closed her eyes and slowly opened them, releasing a heavy sigh. She sadly gazed up at him. "We can't see each other anymore."

He took a step back. "Why?"

"We're from two different worlds and there's definitely no place for me in yours. Didn't you see that at your parent's? It was proof that I don't fit in."

"What are you talking about? Fit in? You certainly damn well fit in mine! No," he scoffed. "You can't seriously believe that? We were fine ... weren't we?"

"It's always been there, Grant. You just didn't wanna see it."

"No. I refuse to believe that." He shook his head. "There's more you're not telling me and I don't understand why you're not telling me."

Her face twisted into a scowl. "Then why don't you go ask your family!"

"What did they do?? If you'll just tell me—,"

"I gotta go, I can't do this." She lifted her hands, turned and strode away.

He stepped forwards, but stopped himself, not wanting to be overbearing. The words repeated several times in his mind. My family. I knew it! Which one was it? She receded further from him.

"I'm not giving up on us so easily. I can't! I really wish you wouldn't either, Nat! Nathalie!" He yelled out to her.

She only hastened her steps. Brushing back his wet hair, he watched her disappear from his view. Turning on his heel, he stormed to the car and drove away.

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