It's late morning when I take Natalie a cup of steaming coffee. I know it's not a hangover she's suffering from. She didn't have that much last night, she was only tipsy. I'm pretty sure it's got something to do with that guy of hers. I push open her bedroom door and set the coffee down beside her.

"How are you feeling?"

“Like a need a drink…”

"That's what the coffee's for...Natalie...What happened last night?"

"I partied to hard, I guess” burying my emotions again.

"You can't fool me, I've known you too long. What went on?"

"Remember Jason, my boy... well he's no more"

"I thought it might be that"

"How would you know? You were out on the dance floor dancing with some guy"

"I can still tell you're upset, you never said goodbye to him when we left"

"He wouldn't have cared... he had his own agenda anyways...freakin'.. a.."

"He cheated on you?"

"Cheating.. would be more like it... He was there to be with his little hootchie... not some guy's night.. of course, he didn't expect me to be there.... "

On hearing her version of last night's events, I take her hand in mine and squeeze it gently.

"Natalie, I'm so sorry. How could he, the cheating scumbag. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you"

"Do you think I'm needy?" biting my tongue

"No, I don't think it's that, maybe you trust too easily. It's not a bad thing but it might stop you from getting hurt again"

“Well there's something definitely wrong with me... I know it... That's why all this crap happens to me.. I don’t need a guy... I am just fine on my own.."

"Jason was a jerk, he didn't deserve you, You're the greatest person I know and I know one day you'll find true happiness"

"Thanks..." giving her a hug

"That's what I'm here for"

“Hey, I can’t sit here and wallow in self-pity now can I? You and I have some things to do.."

"That's the spirit, lets get going”

The rest of the day went off with a bang. Putting cheating boyfriends and everything else aside and had the best time at where else, but the beach.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sky was clear and the sun was hot and shining down upon the water, making it glisten. People in their swimwear, skiing and riding the waves.. It was heaven. I laid on my towel, closed my eyes for a few moments, taking everything in.

“Hey, you want to catch a wave?” turning to Charlie

"Sure why not, sounds like fun"

After several hours in paradise, we decided to do some window shopping down the strip.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't believe how quickly these past few days have gone, it's been kinda of a blur, Charlie and I have been living life to the max since she's arrived and it's been a total blast. After a morning of rollerblading in the park, we decide to head to the mall and grab a smoothie. After a few moments, we find a couple of seats and get back to talking about our plans for the weekend. As Charlie's talking my ear off, I look through the window at the many shoppers and a blonde guy enters the bar. “ Hmmm, he looks familiar” thinking to myself I feel the color drain from my face as I reluctantly remember the events from our wild night out. He's the guy who tried hitting on me in the club. I turn away, hoping he won't recognize me. I'm just about to confess to Charlie when she grabs my hand.

"Oh my god"

"Oh my god what?" I ask her confused. she smiles at me

"The guy with the blond hair, who's just walked in. He's the guy you fell asleep against in the back of the car the other night"

I choke on my drink.

"You're...you're kidding right?", shaking her head

"We should ask him to join us"

“WHAT?” I think to myself but before I can say anything, she's standing up and waving him over.

"Hey, hey over here"

To my horror he's actually coming over to join us. Oh great, just what I need right.

he gives us both a smile followed by a confused look,

"Sorry to be rude, but do I know you?"

Charlie laughs. I'm glad she finds this amusing.

"We've met before. Your friend Brian gave us a lift home the other night. You were quite drunk. We didn't get your name"

He looks slightly embarrassed by being told he was drunk but he shakes it off .

"I'm Nick. Sorry I didn't make a good impression"

"That's fine, you proved quite entertaining. I'm charlie and this is Natalie"

"Hi" I mumble, ignoring Charlie's shocked look, & recognition flickers through his eyes.

"Natalie? Now I remember. Earlier that night, I told you that I thought you were hot" and smiles

"Well I'd love to stay and get rejected by you again, but I'm actually meeting my date here. Have a nice day ladies"