Element, Part 1 (3 page)

Lise rushed ahead of Natalie to get inside the gym. “Are you
that eager to get started?” Natalie walked in behind her.

“No, I just wanted to feel this cold air.” Lise stood
underneath the air vent, spreading her arms out and allowing the cool air to
blow down on her face.

“I hope you're not afraid to sweat.” She passed by her.

Lise followed her to the free weights area. “Weights?
Seriously?” She threw her hands up in the air.

“You can do whatever you want. Today, I'm lifting weights.”
Natalie sat her gym bag down in front of a bench and then picked up a twenty
pound dumbbell. She did a few arm curls while Lise watched her.

“My God, look at your arms. What have you been taking?”

Natalie watched the bulge in her bicep enlarge with each rep
she took. “Just the supplements and vitamins from Kronberg Labs, that's all.”

“Are you sure there are no steroids in them?” Lise reached
over and squeezed her arm.

She let out a slight laugh. “No. They are not drugs. It's
only vitamins and protein along with some amino acids. Nothing else. Believe
me, I wouldn't be taking them.”

When she finished, Lise motioned for Natalie to give her the
dumbbell. “Here, I'll do a few.”

“Okay.” She handed Lise the weight.

“What the—,” Immediately her arm went down, nearly dropping
the weight. “This is way too heavy.” She used both her hands to hold on to the
weight before setting it down on the floor.

“Sorry, I thought you knew they were twenty pound weights.”

“No, I didn't notice. I need something lighter.” Lise walked
over to the rack of weights and tested out a few different weights before selecting
the eight pound dumbbells. She began doing arm curls, in the same manner
Natalie had done.

Natalie went over to the rack and picked up the fifteen
pound weights. She walked over to a bench and kneeled down on one knee to do
triceps kick-backs.

Lise did arm curls, right next to her. “You know Nat, you
can't keep going on like this…avoiding the pain. It’s not good for you.
Besides, it’s been over four months now.”

“What? I’m not avoiding anything.” She did reps with her
left arm. The fact was she hadn’t avoided the pain. She had cried and cried,
and had even talked to her mom about what happened. Just because she hadn’t
cried to Lise didn’t mean she avoided what happened. She didn’t wear her
emotions on her sleeve or tell everyone her problems, like Lise did. Natalie
preferred to be more private and only tell on a need to know basis.

“Then why don’t you want to go out?”  Lise set the dumbbell
down.

Natalie switched arms and began lifting the weight with her
right arm. “I don’t care to meet any guys or get involved with anyone right
now.” She had made a promise to herself not to get hurt again. Never would she
let a guy deceive her like Tony did.

Lise turned away and sat down on another bench next to her.
“Just because you’re going out doesn’t mean you have to hook up with anyone.
Let’s go and have some fun.”

“I’m sorry, but you and I both know those guys will be there
and you’re going to drag me with you so you can hang out with them. And I don’t
want to.” She put the dumbbells back on the weight rack and walked over to the
bench press.

Lise followed right behind her. “Oh come on, Nat. They’re
nice guys and you already know Ryan.”

She ignored Lise, not saying a word. Even though Ryan was a
nice guy, she couldn’t afford to get involved. She knew that something had
sparked between them and if she ran into him at the bar, chances were they
would talk. Talking could lead to something more. She wouldn’t get hurt again.

She picked up two twenty-five pound weights and placed one
on each side of the bar and lay back on the bench. “Spot me, please?”

Lise moved in position behind her. She leaned over and said
in a low voice, “You know, Ryan seems to be so much better than Tony. And
definitely hotter than him.”

Natalie's eye narrowed at Lise but she ignored her and kept doing
her workout, not giving in to her pleading. She closed her eyes, trying to
block out Lise’s hounding voice.

“Oh no, please don’t tell me they know each other.”

She opened her eyes. “No, they don’t. Ryan had already
graduated when Tony enrolled our junior year.”

“Okay, good.” Lise didn’t say anything for about half a
minute and then started in again. “So let’s go. Think about it. You, me, Ryan
and Sal.  It will be fun.” Lise sang out.

Natalie pushed the weight up faster and faster until she
couldn't handle it any longer. She shoved the bar back on the rack. “Just stop,
Lise!” She jumped off the bench and walked off, not caring if she caused a
scene. She held her head with her hands, pacing around in a circle.

Lise had no idea what she had gone through because she
hadn’t told her much. Only that they broke up and she never wanted to see him
again. Little did she know that her high school sweetheart had turned into an
arrogant, selfish, money flaunting, chic magnet playboy. The images of him
lying in bed with two girls haunted her mind. How had he gone from this quiet,
innocent, and charming boy with a swooning Italian accent to this player?

Natalie sat back down on the bench, keeping her face buried
in her hands. She could feel the tears coming on and she squeezed her eyes
tighter, trying to keep them from seeping out.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Lise put her hand on Natalie’s
shoulder.

Natalie jerked her body forward, away from her hand. “Don’t.
Don’t say anything. I need a minute.”

She couldn’t stop thinking about all she had done for Tony.
Helping him fit in at school and learn the American way when he moved from
Italy to the US. How they fell in love with one another and how she thought he
was
the one.
Why did she agree to move to Austin and go to college with
him? She should have listened to her parents. Just because his father decided
to open his winery in Austin didn’t mean she had to follow him. How could she
have been such a fool? She was smarter than that. 

She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at Lise. She
sat hunched over, staring at the ground. Her puppy dog eyes and pouty lips said
it all. “I’m sorry Lise—”

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep nagging. I didn’t
realize how bad he hurt you. We don’t have to go out if you don’t want to.”

Natalie shook her head. “No, you’re right. I can’t stay a
recluse forever. I have to get out and enjoy life.” She wouldn’t let Tony get
the best of her. She had a life to live and she couldn’t be scared all her life.
There was only one thing she could do and that was to protect her heart.

Lise’s pouty lips turned up in to a full smile. “Seriously?”

Natalie nodded. “Yeah, let’s finish our workout and then get
ready to go out.”

Lise clapped her hands like a small child that had been
promised a toy. “We’re going to have so much fun tonight.”

Natalie rolled her eyes and let out a small giggle. “You are
the bubbliest person I know.”

Lise shrugged her shoulders. “What can I say?”

“Thanks for making me feel better.”

Lise wrapped her arm around Natalie’s shoulders. “Anytime.
That’s what friends are for. In fact we’re going to celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?” She retracted her head back.

“New beginnings for you and me.”

Chapter 2:  Undeniable Feelings

“Crap.” Natalie struggled to get her jeans up her thighs.

“What’s wrong?” Lise turned around with the curling iron
dangling from her hand.

“My skinny jeans…they don’t fit me.” Natalie wiggled her way
out of them. “I don’t understand. I’ve been working out like crazy. How could I
have gained weight?”

“Nat, you’re not fat. Turn to the side.” She motioned with
the curling iron. “You’re just really defined. You look great.”

Natalie’s shoulders slumped and she frowned. “I have nothing
to wear. I guess I’m staying in tonight.”

“No you’re not.” Lise ran to her closet and scurried through
the tightly packed clothes. “Here, try this on.” Leave it to Lise to find her
something to wear. Natalie didn’t know how she managed to pack all the clothes
in her hatchback car and drive across four states.

“What? I don’t want to wear a dress unless you are.” She
took the sleeveless short red dress from Lise.

“Okay. I’ll wear a dress too. Besides, it’s hotter than hell
outside.” Lise pulled out a short, bright blue dress with a big fabric belt
hanging from it.

Natalie held the dress up to her. She didn’t have a body to
fill it out but decided to try in on anyways.

“Let me see.” Lise stopped applying her makeup and turned
around.

“Oh wow, you look hot. You should wear it.”

“Really?” Natalie walked over to the full-length mirror
mounted on the door. She turned her body in every direction, not trusting Lise’s
opinion.

Lise walked up behind her. “Trust me, you look great. Now,
let’s remove these.” She reached over her head and took off her glasses.

“Wait. I ummm…” She tried to stop her from removing them then
changed her mind. “I guess I’ll wear my contacts.”

“What if…” Lise grabbed a handful of Natalie’s long dark
hair and pulled it to the side. Before Natalie could say no, she sat her down
in a chair.

“What are you doing?” She didn’t want Lise to glam her up.
She preferred a simple, natural look.

“I’m going to do your hair and makeup.” Lise fumbled through
her cosmetic bag.

“What? I already did.”

“Come on. Let me do a few things. Please?” Lise begged.

“Alright, but if I don’t like it, I’m washing it off and
brushing out the curls.” Natalie folded her arms across her chest.

“That’s what you say now. Wait until I’m done.” She rubbed a
make-up brush in a compact and then stroked it across her cheek.

Thirty minutes later Lise took a step back and smiled. “I’m
done.”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “I’m scared to look.”

“Oh come on.” She stepped away from the mirror.

Natalie couldn’t believe her eyes. What had Lise done to
her? “Wow. I look so much older and…”

“Say it. It’s okay.” Lise mouthed the words.

“Pr- pretty.”

“Yes, pretty and smokin’ hot.” Lise fanned herself.

“I don’t know Lise. I might send the wrong message to guys.”

Lise furrowed her brow. “You don’t look like a slut, if
that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Are you sure?” She leaned in closer to the mirror, studying
her long thick eye lashes. She had no idea mascara could work wonders like this.

“Believe me, you don’t. When we get to the bar, I’ll make
sure and point some out to you. Okay?”

Natalie giggled. “Okay. I’ll go out this one time, looking
like your Barbie doll.”

***

“Here, memorize the birth year. Everything else is the
same.” Lise handed Natalie an identification card.

“What? Lise where did you get this? This is illegal.” She
turned on the overhead light in Lise’s car to examine it.

“Relax. Can’t you have fun for one night?” Lise stared into
the mirror on her visor, applying more lip gloss.

“Yes, but why do I need this? I can have fun without it.”

“Never mind.” She flipped up her visor. “If you don’t want
to use it, don’t.  I’m using mine.” She slid her fake ID into her wristlet and
zipped it up. She opened the car door and got out, not waiting for Natalie.

“Lise, wait up.” Natalie tried to catch-up but struggled in
the stacked heels she wore. She didn’t mean to upset Lise, but she also didn’t
want to get in trouble. Carrying a fake ID was illegal and since she didn’t
care much for drinking she didn’t see a need for one. Besides, most bars
allowed eighteen year olds in.

Lise finally stopped to wait for her. “Sorry. I want us to
have fun, that’s all.”

Natalie put her arm around Lise. “We will. I promise.”

“Alright.” Lise’s frown turned to a smile.

They made their way over to the old warehouse. When they
approached the building they saw that the line to get in wrapped all the way
around it.

Lise sighed. “Darn it. Now we have to wait out here in the
heat and humidity. I’m gonna be all sweaty before I even start dancing.” 

Natalie nodded. “Yeah… I know. I have an idea. Let’s go up
to the front and see if these VIP passes have any pull.”

“That’s a great idea.” Lise led the way.

At the front of the building two large guys in black suits
guarded the entrance door. They were checking IDs and letting people in from
the long line that wrapped around the building.  Natalie saw a few girls walk
up and hand one of the security guards a card, like the one they had, and get
in.

“Come on.”  She pulled Lise by the arm, almost causing her
to trip.

“Owww, you don’t have to put the death grip on me.” Lise
pried Natalie’s hand off.

Natalie let go. “Sorry.”

“Good evening ladies.” The stoutly security guard greeted
them.

“Hi.” Lise gave him a flirtatious smile and flipped her hair
back.

Natalie flashed the VIP passes to him. “We have these.”

“Come on in.” He stepped aside.

“Thanks.” Lise winked at him. “Wow, we didn’t even have to
use our ID’s.” Lise whispered into Natalie’s ear.

“I know.” She followed Lise into the newly renovated
building.  The bar had a vintage décor with exposed brick, aged paint, and
rustic palm trees. Large canvas paintings hung throughout the bar showing a
cultural flair of Little Havana. The rich muted colors gave it a tropical
atmosphere that came alive with the beat of the fast Latin dance music.

“This place is different but very cool. Feels like I’m in
Miami or somewhere like that.” Lise looked around.

“I know, it does.”

“Come on, let’s get a drink.”  Lise pulled Natalie by the
arm but she didn’t budge. “Wow, you really need to lighten up on the weights.”