(song: "Never Go Away" - C-Bool)

Natalie desperately tried her best to get Ashlynn to respond, but she was dead-silent with no explanation for her warning.

How could she contact Natalie and give no reason as to why she should avoid Kaden?

They had made it inside the club. Blue lights flashed and shone in every direction. Bodies twisted to the melodies the band produced with hot dance beats. The lead singer was a girl with bright purple hair who bent her scantily clad figure down for every low note.

Virginia danced up against Steve and completely blocked out all reality that existed outside of themselves.

Natalie was forced to apprehensively dance with Kaden from a platonic distance. Kaden danced like someone who couldn't care what anyone thought. His head tossed back along with his hair as he perfected the nerdiest dance moves known in history. 

He made it impossible for Natalie not to laugh.

When he finally broke out pulp-fiction moves with two fingers across his eyes, that was the final blow. Natalie decided that until Ashlynn gave her a plausible reason for avoiding Kaden she'd enjoy her night with him.

Maybe it was the lights, or the music, but Kaden moved gradually closer and closer to Natalie and closed the platonic gap she worked so hard to keep between them. Eventually he managed to edge his way up so close their bodies occasionally bumped against one another.

Their eyes connected and the contact didn't break.

She kind of liked it.

How did that happen? He wasn't even her type! He was the complete opposite of everything that was Gardner.

Slowly her arms began to drape around his neck and his hands held her waist. She tried to reason it away as just friendly dancing. Natalie blamed it on the fantastic music and the hypnotic blue lights.

Kaden never looked away from her. The entire time that the band performed, his attention was solely on her. Eventually his gaze felt like a strong alcohol buzz and they mutually were maintaining eye-contact.

The time flew by quickly, before they knew it the band finished the final song and everyone began to clear out.

Natalie quickly withdrew her touch from Kaden like he was fire.

What was wrong with her? Had she really spent the entire night up against him?

Virginia looked more pleased with herself than ever. She looked between Kaden and Natalie like she was the best match-maker on the face of the earth. "Naty, I'm going to go over to Steve's, I'm sure Kaden can get you back to the dorm safely, right?"

Natalie mouthed for Virginia not to leave her, but it was totally ignored.

"Sure, I'll make sure she gets home safely," Kaden said, as chivalrous as ever.

Virginia wiggled her fingers in a farewell and whispered to Natalie, "You'll thank me later."

Virginia disappeared after that, pink parka and all.

"I really hate when she does that, she's been trying really hard to get me to date other guys," Natalie groaned with frustration.

Kaden walked beside Natalie until they were outside of the club and heading together down the street-lit sidewalk. "I don't blame her for thinking that if she saw what I did. That guy was either a dick or a coward and I'm guessing its more than likely the second one."

Natalie wasn't as insulted by Kaden's opinions about Gardner anymore. "He's not a coward, he's more like a deer. Any sudden sound or movements and he runs away. He's actually one of the kindest guys I know. He was never mean to anyone back in high-school."

He stopped moving. "Whoa, wait, you've known this guy since high-school and he hasn't made any attempt to officially date you?"

Natalie bit down on her lower-lip and shook her head slowly. "Not really. I mean, we've made progress. He holds my hand, or he'll hold me close to his side. There's been a few times we've almost kissed."

Kaden stared at Natalie in disbelief. "Okay, I thought the problem was this guy at first. I mean, from where I am standing, I see a smart and beautiful girl who can be fun when she wants to, but forces herself to be reserved most of the time. I thought he was taking advantage of you. Now I see that you are holding on to a totally one-sided love. You are the problem, Natalie."

Natalie had never seen Gardner want to spend time with any girl besides herself. She always thought that with enough time and devotion he'd want to break down the friend-zone wall and let her be something more to him. She just wasn't brave enough to force that wall down herself.

"You think I don't know that? He is not just some guy, he's my closest friend since high-school. He knows me better than anyone, so yes, I have a crush on him. A crush I really can't seem to let go of."

"Where do you normally do your study dates?" Kaden asked suddenly.

Natalie felt uncertain about giving him an answer, but she did out of curiosity. "The coffee shop or a park. Why are you asking?"

Kaden watched his feet and shuffled from side-to-side a bit. His usual, jovial personality had turned so serious. "This time ask for a more intimate setting, like his bedroom or something. Slowly ease into you initiating the first move instead of him. If he doesn't pull away when you get close, then he is attracted to you. If he makes an excuse or tries to withdraw his touch, he isn't interested. I think you should just bluntly ask him if he likes you or not, but I can see that's not your style."

Natalie puffed her cheeks and blew out a visible breath. "What if I do if he isn't interested?"

"Come netflix and chill with me. . .literally." Kaden smiled a bit. "We'll watch something gut-wrenching so you can pretend that you're crying over the movie and not crying over him."

Natalie watched Kaden and tried her best to figure out why Ashlynn would warn her about him. He was funny and a good listener. He might have been a jokester and the type to steal a girls tattoo, but he had redeeming qualities.

"Kaden. . ." she began, but she had no idea how to finish it.

"Come on, I promised I'd get you back home." He said as he started to walk again.

On their walk back to the dorms, Kaden had returned back to his usual self, but it didn't feel authentic. It felt more like he was forcing himself to seem happy. Natalie knew he was a performer and a good one.

When they said their good-byes, Natalie returned to her room and attempted to called Ashlynn.

"Hello? Natalie?"  Ashlynn's voice asked.

"Yeah, it's me. I got your text. Why am I supposed to avoid Kaden?"

"Kaden Bennet has a reputation for being the craziest student on our campus. All the people who are close to him are equally as crazy. He gets people involved in things that can potentially get them expelled in the name of artistic expression. They've done things like impromptu, naked body-paint flash mobbing. But the main reason why you should avoid him is because. . ."

"Yes?"

". . .I gotta go, I'll tell you later. Just stay away from him!"

"Ashlynn! Ashlynn? Ugh!" Natalie tossed her phone onto her bed with annoyance.

Natalie chewed at her nails. It was a disgusting habit, but it soothed her nerves. She had to consider the situation. If Kaden had a disastrous reputation and Gardner knew she was associated with him, plus shared the same tattoo as him he'd never want to be with her. At the same time though, improv class and the concert with Kaden had been more fun than she'd had in a long time.

No, Natalie wouldn't give up Kaden being her friend. She just needed to ease Gardner into accepting him too.

Gardner was a reasonable guy, he'd understand the situation.

She'd make it work. Nothing would go wrong. . .