This Is The Way I Clear My Head ( Natalia )

[mathew caleb craft]

It had been a couple days since Matt and Talia had talked, and Matt couldnt stop thinking of her. Matt could think of only one thing that would clear his head he ran up the stairs to his room he knew where he was going. He got to his room and grabbed his nike bag that had all his new work out clothes in it, then grabbed his shoes throwing them in his bag. Matt had been at the Nike compound a couple weeks ago had got outfitted with new workout clothes.

Matt ran down the steps, and wrote a note for his dad telling him that if he got home before him that he was at the gym and he had took his truck. Matt really didnt need to right a note but since Matts dad was a cop now Matt really didnt want to call his dad at work.He got the keys from the table and stepped into the garage got in his dad truck backed out and he was on his. Before Matt knew it he was there.

Matt changed his clothes in the locker room and then walked in the weight room, there was a lot a people Matt knew he some of them where the roid boys as Matt called them. Then there was the guys Matt usually worked out with. Matt didnt even go over to them he hadnt talked to them in almost six months so he walked out the where the weight bench was at sat down he stretched a little then putt some weight on the bar and started to lift. He didnt know if it was rude to ignore his friend but he didnt know what to talk about. Matt finished up benching for the time being the walked over to the tredmill and started to run.

[natalia annalise garcia]

They needed to talk. Talia sighed, her finger idling over the green 'talk' button on her phone for the millionth time that day. Ever since Matt had come over and told her his secret, Talia had just felt torn. She had opted calling him hundreds of times in the last few days, but every time she would just back out. No words seemed like the right words to say. What could she say? That she was a chicken? A gutless coward that refused to believe anyone could like her for her? She hadn't figured out what she wanted to say.

A disgruntled sigh and Talia tossed her phone onto her bed beside her. Her father had always preached that confrontation was something she would have to learn to do. She couldn't always just let things lie. And, as much as Talia hated to admit it, she knew that he was right. She had let this go on long enough, and, whether she knew what to say or not, they had to talk.

So, Natalia picked back up her phone and stuffed it in her pocket. She slid off her bed, and paused long enough to change into a more 'suitable' outfit. After leaving a message to tell her family where she was going, Talia then took her bike and peddled down the sidewalk to the gym. Being only fifteen, she could not yet drive, so her bike had just seemed to be her best friend lately. She took it everywhere.

Natalia knew that Mathew would be at the gym. It was where he spent most of his free time. With the sports that he did, she assumed it was just to keep in shape. Talia never quite understood the obsession with sports, but it really wasn't her place to judge. Everyone had their own interests, and hers was music. She was perfectly content with that.

Walking to the gym right then, though, the teen had never really felt so out of place. It was fairly deserted, which she was thankful for, but it still just felt awkward. Her brown eyes were quick to skim the area for her friend, and she caught sight of him over by the treadmills. She quickly made her way over, tapping his shoulder gently as she prayed she had the right boy. It would be hard to mistake him, yes, but her nerves were already acting up. It would be hard to think straight. "Matty?"

[mathew caleb craft]

Matt had been running for a while,and just decided to take a break when someone walked up behind him and tapped his shoulder ' Matty ' He knew exactly who it was it was his Talia.
Matt got down off the treadmill, and walked over to a bench press set, and sat down on it Matt looked up at Talia and said" Hey my Talia i didnt expect you to be here.'' Matt smiled at Talia he really didnt expect her to be here, and she looked really out of place in the gym.

Matt layed down on the bench and motioned for Talia to spot him. Matt knew Talia wouldnt be much help if he couldnt bench the weight he had on the bar, but he knew he was ok.''[/color] Matt did a couple reps with the weight then put it back on the rack, and smiled at Talia." Talia i cant say im sorry for what i said because im not i really do love you." Matt smiled at her got up giving her a big sweetie hug.

[natalia annalise garcia]

Natalia felt awkward as she stood there. She was the only fifteen year old girl in sight. Really, she was the only girl in the gym period at this point. It made her feel even more awkward at this realization, but she had come here for a reason and she needed to get it done. Once it was all said and done, she could leave and not have to come back ever again. She promised herself that. "Yeah, well, here I am." Talia smiled lightly, shrugging it off it what she hoped to pass off as a rather joking, confident, care-free tone. Not the awkward, uncertain way she was feeling.

Talia followed her friend over to the bench. She didn't really know what to do, or how to help, so she just stood there and watched rather awkwardly. She considered her thoughts carefully and was about to speak when Matt spoke instead. "I know, Matt. And... it's okay." She smiled lightly, but took a step back as Matt came to wrap his arms around her.

"Ew! Matt!" Squirming away from her friend's grip, Talia scrunched up her nose. She wasn't a priss by any means, but she still found other people's sweat to be disgusting. She didn't want to hug him while he was all sweaty. "Wipe off that sweat, please?" She stated, with a slightly pleading look as she stepped away from him.

He had broken her concentration now, but Talia encouraged herself on. She kept her distance from him, waiting for him to find a towel or something to wipe off his sweat. "I came to talk about the other day." She finally stated, after a few seconds. It was simple, yes. But, she needed time to reassess her thoughts.

[mathew caleb craft]

Matt walked over to his bag throwing Talia a towel to get the sweat off of her. Matt really didnt want to talk about the other day but if it helped talia get over it then he would, but he told his self he wasn't going to back down from his points. He loved Talia and there was nothing she could do about it. Matt grabbed his water bottle, and took a big drink. Matt looked over at the other guys in the gym that where all crowded around pointing at Matt and Talia. He didn't like people being in his business but if he said something he knew Talia would be upset.

Matt turned around to look at Talia shaking his head as he turned he wanted so bad to go over to the guys and say something." So Talia what about the other day i thought you made your self clear that nothing could happen.'' Matt really didn't have anything else to say to Talia his mind was made up and he wasn't giving up, But he was just like his dad hard headed and stubborn.

[natalia annalise garcia]

"I know what I said... but, can we please just... talk about it?" Natalia pleaded softly. She could feel eyes on them and she shifted uncomfortably. She didn't like to be the center of attention. Her main goal was to fit in... which, really involved blending in. How could she do that when every guy in the weight room seemed to be watching them with curious eyes? She should have known that a rather petite fifteen year old girl would not blend in here, but she was determined. She had time to think on the way over here and she had something that she wanted to say.

Her eyes shifted toward the staring faces of Matt's gym companions. When she left, she was certain that she'd be the talk of the gym. Poor Matt would probably be teased about her. She felt kind of bad, but she promised herself that it didn't matter that much. After what he put her through the other day, he could handle a tiny bit of teasing. Plus, if things went as she had planned them to... well, Matt would have other things to think about.

Turning her gaze back to Matt, Talia forced a small smile. She had wiped the sweat off at the point, and carefully folded the towel, setting it neatly on a nearby bench. Then, her attention was fully on her friend. "Could we talk... outside? I don't like all this attention." Another soft plead and Talia motioned toward the door. Fresh air would do them both some good, and, she couldn't think with all the eyes on them.

[mathew caleb craft]

Matt picked the towel up and cleaned his face with then looked back up at Talia he didnt know what else she wanted to tell him. Matt got up from the bench if this went how he thought it would go he didnt want to the other guys in the guy to see him upset. Matt putt the towel over his shoulder and then said" Ok well we can go outside real quick.'' Matt turned to the door to go outside and started to walk.

Matt pushed the door open holding it for Talia after she came threw he let it go. He didnt like stoping right in the middle of his work out but for Talia he wouild do anything for her. Matt found a bench out in the shade, and sat down in it Matt looked up at Talia and said " Did you ride your bike all the way here?''

[natalia annalise garcia]

Natalia smiled a light thank you before following Matt outside of the gym. She hated the feeling of sticking out as much as she had inside the weight room. She wanted to fit in, not to stand out. As soon as she was outside the gym doors, a small sigh of relief escaped her lips. The fresh air was much preferred over the gym air. It helped her form the thoughts that she needed to get in order before proceeding on.

"I wasn't about to ask mom or my brother to bring me... so, yeah." She replied softly. The teen sat down on the bench next to Matt and considered her thoughts once more. She had a lot of time to think on the ride to the gym and had thought that she had figured out just what she wanted to say. But here, now, sitting with Matt just a foot away, it was so hard to get her thoughts all lined up.

"But, that's another story," Talia proceeded onward from their bike conversation. Her eyes averted from Matt and studied the ground. She hesitated a few seconds, before forcing herself onward. If she didn't speak now, this entire trip would be wasted. "I have something that I need to tell you. But, promise me that you won't freak out or change anything between us?"

[mathew caleb craft]

Matt looked over a Talie he wasnt ready for what she was going to say but he had to listen. He smiled at her then said " I promise i wont let it come between use Talia like i said even if we didnt work out i wouldnt let it come between us.'' He took a drink of his water, and then looked down at his shoe's he didnt want Talia to see how nervius he was about what she had to say. Matt's stumach felt the same way it had when he was in her bedroom talking about it for the first time.

Matt looked over st the parking lot, and started to think about how easy it would be to go get his bad from the gym get in his truck, and go home without having to listen to Talia because he knew it wasnt going to be good what she had to say. Matt put his towel, and bottle down then looked at her and said " Talia i just want you to know that what ever this comes to if we date or if we dont nothing is going to come between us.''

Matt put his head down he really ment it but he knew it would be hard to get over the fact that he liked Talia so much. Matt looked at her she was so pretty sitting there looking at him. Matt started to blush then looked away from Talia waiting for her to tell him what she had to say.

[natalia annalise garcia]

Natalia closed her eyes, giving a simple nod at Matt's words. As much as she had wanted them to be reassuring, they really weren't. She could feel her stomach twisting into a knot. She knew what she wanted to do and what she wanted to say, but, with each passing second things just got harder and harder. She was now starting to regret coming to the gym to find him at all.

But, Natalia took a deep breath, hoping to proceed on anyhow. Matt was her best friend. If she couldn't talk to him about feelings... well, then who could she talk to? Normally she had no problems talking to him about her opinions and thoughts. But, when those thoughts concerned him, things got difficult. Talia gulped slightly, considering her next actions or words carefully. This could... no, this would make or break them.

"Matt... I-" Talia froze for just a second, closing her eyes to recompose herself once more. Her heart rate was drastically increasing with each passing second. If she didn't do this now, then she was certain that she never would. Leaning forward, the teenager kissed his cheek softly and then stood up, making her way toward her bike in a rather embarrassed fashion.

"I-I love you, too." She murmured softly, feeling her cheeks turn red at this admittance. Natalia felt that she needed to get out of here before the knot in her stomach exploded. She made her way quickly to her bike, refusing to look back as she knelt down to do the combination on the lock. She screwed up twice, before finally fumbling the numbers into place and pulling it apart. She needed to get out of her. She didn't want to hear his reaction. Even if she already knew that he liked her, Talia still felt out of place. She didn't cope well with this at all.

[mathew caleb craft]

Matt almost went into shock when he felt Talia lips on his cheek. Then she got up and told him that she also loved him, Matt didn't know what to do he sat there for a second then got up following Talia to her bike he didn't know what he was going to do or say, but now we knew that Talia felt the same and he wanted Talia to now he felt the same way. Matt put his hand over Talia's as she got on her bike he didnt want her to leave he wanted know that he understood every thing.

Matt looked at Talia and said'' You know something My Talie i love you, and i understand that it is weird that he are best friends, but i want you to know that if you need to think about anything or talk about anything im here for you.'' Matt looked down at the road the at Talia again, and said '' And i would like to know where this thing between us was going before you left me here.'' Matt was still in shock and didnt know what else to do but he didnt want Talia leaving this way.

Matt looked Talia up and down and said" Talia why dont you let me give you a ride or something i will be glade to.'' Matt smiled at her then kissed her on the cheek then he looked down at the ground he didnt want Talia to see him blush.

[natalia annalise garcia]

Natalia felt like she couldn't escape this situation fast enough. She had said what she had needed to say and that was that. The ball was now in Matt's hands. She just wanted to get out of her and go home. Be free of whatever potentially-awkward situation she had created this time. She quickly tossed her bike lock into her basket and threw a leg over her bike. She was just about to start on down the sidewalk when she felt Matt's hand on top of hers.

Great. Fast, but not fast enough. Talia willed herself to turn toward her friend now. She was bright red, both from embarrassment of her secret and embarrassment at her fleeing nature. Both just seemed equally pathetic to her. She bit her lip, hesitating to answer Matt's questions. He was such a great guy. Talia still firmly believed that he could do so much better than her. She really wasn't a prize. But, yet, he still seemed captivated by her, and Talia was surprised by this. "I-I don't know, Matt. I... haven't thought that far."

Talia's eyes shifted toward the ground now, wishing that she hadn't just sounded like such an idiot. Why couldn't she sound composed, sophisticated? Probably because she was immature and fifteen. A freshman. "I can bike. I've already interrupted your work out enough." She replied, softly. Her face turned even more red as she felt him kiss her cheek. Why did this have to be so complicated? Why couldn't she just get a grip on her feelings?

[mathew caleb craft]

Matt smiled at Talia he really didn't know where they could go after this. Matt wanted to date Talia, but he didn't want to make her mad or anymore uncomfortable then she already was. He looked at Talia and said " I don't know where to go from here, But I think maybe we should talk to your mom. What do you think Talia?'' Matt looked around the parking lot and put back at Talia she bright end up his day so much, and he loved seeing her here in front of him.

Matt was standing there looking at Talia him and her had grown up together, and all the years they had known each other Matt never thought he would have fallen head over hills for Talia. Matt knew it would be a sock if he asked her mom if it was ok that they started to date, but he figured it would be better for him to ask her then for her to find out latter on. Matt looked down at the ground and said " Talia i would be happy to take you home if you want me to, but if you want to ride your bike i just want you to be carefull.''

[natalia annalise garcia]

At the mention of her mother, Natalia slowly looked away. A sudden realization hit her. Her mother, and father, years before had always preached that she couldn't date until the age of sixteen. Her brother had been forced to follow the rule, and she was certain that she would be forced to, too. And, at fifteen, Talia didn't think that sixteen was all that far off. Until now. Eight months. Just over eight months was exactly how far away it was.

Frowning slightly, Talia shook her head. "Let's not talk to mom, yet, Matty. Let's just... see where we go?" She took a breath, hoping her face was returning to normal somewhat now. She turned to Matt, smiling lightly. She wasn't a rebellious girl. Natalia followed the rules better than most teens. But, she didn't want to tell Matt about her stupid family rule. It'd make things difficult for them.

"I don't want to interrupt your work out," Talia replied softly. She looked down at her bike, feeling rather dumb as she stood there with it. Throwing her leg back over, she now stood next to it, rather than on it. "I can wait until you're finished, if you're really that concerned?" Talia wasn't going back inside the gym, by any means, but she would wait outside if that's what he really wanted. She needed time to think, anyhow.

[mathew caleb craft]

Matt Smiled at Talia he had talked to her brother enough to know about the rule he wasn't that big of a meat head, But he wasn't going to let Talia in on his little secret. " Ok Talia we wont tell her just yet, but if this comes to us dating or what ever it comes to she has to know.'' Matt didn't really think he could be any happier then he was at this point in time. Matt looked around the parking lot he really didn't want to go back into the gym but he needed to finish his workout.


Matt turned around to the gym then back to Talia and said" Its your choice Talia you can wait on my or you can go home, and i can text you after my work out or something.'' Matt would have liked Talia to stay but he didn't want her to have to sit outside all alone with no one to talk to, and it would probably be another hour or longer before he got done with his work out. Matt turned back around to Talia and then leaned in to kiss her again, but stopped short not knowing if he should kiss her again or not if she wanted to she would come the rest of the way.