Just Natalie

Oh, hello there! Natalie Mills here. Freshman at SMA. Super excited to be here! Maybe I'll see you in the halls!

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

Yes, I do. Act weird all you want because all I’m going to do is return the favour. You act weird, I act weird, it’ll work.

It’ll be a silly face war. So other then your amazing faces, how’ve you been? 

[nataliemillsxo]

Haha... okay, then! I feel a bit better about my strangeness now.

You know, we really are odd. I like it, though. I've been just wonderful, Ben! I mean, there was homework and studying happening during our time a part, but other than that, I kept myself entertained. Of course, things would've been better if you were by my side, but... you're here now. What about you?

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

That is correct! Ten points for you.

It was great entertainment, thank you for that. I’m just going to make faces to you in all of our shared classes from now on. Makes the class a lot more enjoyable. But you have to shoot me one back.

[nataliemillsxo]

Okay! So we're on the same page now. We both like each other! O-oh... I don't know why I said it that way. I meant... I mean, I was just clarifying. You still like me when I'm acting all weird like this?

Yes! Please do! Don't worry. I'll practice my silly faces in the mirror for you. Prepare yourself, Ben.

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

Well you’ll be pleased to know that he likes you too.

Ah, yes. I do recall. It was quite the face too. Without reason, right? Just a random strange face. You did get mine in return, correct? I believe mine was a lot more strange.

[nataliemillsxo]

Really...? I'm glad. I mean, friends are supposed to like each other, right?

Well, we made eye contact, so I kinda had to make some sort of funny face. That class gets boring — I needed to entertain myself and I thought you'd get a laugh out of it, too. Oh, man. I wish I had a camera at the time to take a picture of your face back at me. I'd frame it. 

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

Oh, well... He's one of the nicest boys at this school. He's also probably the most adorable boy in the world. Quite the artist, as well. You should try and meet up with him sometime.

Sounds like you really like this boy? But I’ll look into it!

Geez, Natalie. Where’ve you been? 

[nataliemillsxo]

Um, w-well... he's a good friend, so of course I like him.

I've been around, Benjamin. I think the last time we interacted with each other was when I shot you that horribly strange face during English class last week. 

[sparksflyonestreet]

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[kiernanbshipka]

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[vintage-classic-world]

[kiernan-shipka]

[nataliemillsxo]

Get to Know: Natalie

Natalie would put a great amount of effort into sticking with her New Year's resolution. Because she is a reasonable thinker, Natalie wouldn't set a goal that seems too big to accomplish. If she reaches her goal, Natalie will feel extremely pleased with herself and proud of herself.

Does your character work better in groups, or alone?

If the group consists of only girls, Natalie works quite well with others. If the group has a mixture between girls and boys, she is much more likely to be unable to focus on the work that needs to be done due to her stress over being around boys of her age. She might be happier working alone, but she works equally as good with other girls.

What is your character’s favourite word? How often do they use it in conversation or writing?

Natalie's favorite word is definitely 'lovely'. She uses the word quite often. Natalie is a very positive girl and when she enjoys something or someone, she is sure to make it known by commenting on it. Most of the time, her choice word is 'lovely'. Her saying it so often reflects on who she is as a person, clearly.

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

Garden Picnic || Ben & Natalie

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

Waiting for her arrival, Ben took the opportunity to look around the garden that was very nicely taken care of. It was beautiful around this time of year, as the plants and flowers were young and striking. There were plenty of garden decorations all around him, some that were very beautifully placed and others that caused him to chuckle. Ben admired the surroundings until he noticed someone approaching from the corner of his eye. When he saw a surprised Natalie, a smile formed on his lips. “We talked about having a picnic together, remember? I just couldn’t wait any longer to see you,” he trailed off, watching Natalie as she crawled to the painting. “Yeah! I finished yesterday. I figured I would make it as perfect as I could before giving it to you.” Ben smiled, moving to the painting and looking at it closely, making sure he didn’t miss anything before tilting his head to look at Natalie with a smile. “This is your gift.”

Ben crawled back to his original spot, leaning back on his hands and looking up at the sky. “I’ve never actually been out to this part of the school until today. Figured the garden would be a good spot for a picnic. I didn’t even know what condition this was in, I just went with it.” Ben stated, watching the clouds and then letting his head fall forward again to look at his friend. For a few moments he just looked at her with a smile, enjoying every second he got to spend with this girl. Abruptly, Ben remembered the food he brought for the two of them and brought the basket to his side. “Can’t have a picnic without food, am I right?” He said in a playful tone, opening the little basket and looking inside. Ben turned back to Natalie with a smile as he pulled out two containers. “On the menu today we have the ever-so-famous jelly sandwich, cut into four perfect pieces, prepared by yours truly,” he bowed his head in her direction before handing her one of the containers. “I also got some fruit and vegetables, some unhealthy crap, juice boxes, two cans of soda and two water bottles. I didn’t really know what you enjoyed eating on a picnic so I just bought a wide variety of food.” 

[nataliemillsxo]

"How could I forget!" Natalie exclaimed when Ben reminded her of their conversation about having a picnic together. "I'm really happy to see you again, Ben. It's been much too long. It gets lonely around here sometimes. Plus, I miss home. Anyway, it's nice to have a friendly face around here — you know, someone to talk to and just... be myself around," she praised him and smiled lightly after she finished. Placing her head on his shoulder briefly, Natalie let out a sigh. She felt extremely comfortable — more than she had in a long time. After a few moments, Natalie took her head off his shoulder and grinned. "I love this," she told him genuinely as she stared at the beautiful artwork. "I'm going to hang it in my room later. I'll have to send a picture of it to my parents! It's amazing, Ben."

"Didn't you say we were having jelly sandwiches...?" she laughed and pulled the basket closer to the two of them after she finished discussing the present Ben gave to her. "And in four perfect pieces. Even better," she nudged him and then placed her hands on her lap. Natalie would have never guessed that her closest friend at school would be a boy. With her anxiety and nervousness, she could have never imagined feeling this comfortable around Ben. It just felt right to her. 

[mintedmarch]

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

Garden Picnic || Ben & Natalie

To say his freshmen year was going well would be an overstatement for Ben. A few weeks after first arriving to St. Mary’s, Ben came face to face with a situation he would never have thought he’d experience. A group of the older students began pushing him around and beating on him just because they could. There was no reason behind it, it was the typical Senior-Freshmen bullying story you’d read in a fictional book or watch on a television show. Of course, Ben was unsure why he of all people was the target. Before all of this began, Ben became friends with Natalie Mills, a girl in his grade. Since befriending the girl, he’s been able to keep his mind away from the encounters with the senior students and focus on her. Natalie was his best friend, hands down. And to say that he liked her would be an understatement. 

The afternoon was finally coming to an end, as the air cooled and the sun began to set. After agreeing with Natalie to text each other whenever they wanted to see the other the day prior, Ben realized he couldn’t wait any longer. The next hour, Ben prepared a small but sweet surprise for Natalie that he would set up near the school garden. He ran around his dorm room, grabbing the different things he would need before finally heading out the door and toward the garden. After reaching the garden, Ben asked Natalie to meet him there and she agreed. A smile was on his lips as he set up everything he had brought. Ben placed down a large quilt that his grandparents made, for them to sit on. Once it was down, he gently rested the basket of goodies he brought that included jelly sandwiches cut into four squares. The final thing he set up was the gift he brought her, the painting from the last time they hung out. Ben had spent a few extra days touching it up before it was completely finished. Ben rolled up the sleeves of his sweater, sitting down on the blanket as he awaited her arrival. 

[nataliemillsxo]

Natalie was extremely excited to be getting ready to see her best friend, Ben. She liked Ben a lot — he was charming, cute, thoughtful, and lovely. She never felt bored around him. What she did feel while spending time with him on occasion was nervousness. Ever since she started middle school, boys always made Natalie anxious. Maybe she was self-conscience or maybe she had something seriously wrong with her — Natalie just didn't know. She knew that her father had anxiety problems, but his was never as selective as hers. Or, at least she didn't think so. Either way, Natalie felt that the best way to overcome her nerves was to become as comfortable as possible around Ben.

Once she was ready to meet him in the school garden, Natalie didn't waste a moment getting outside. It was another pretty day out. There was very few clouds floating around in the sky just as she liked it. Natalie was walking as fast as she could without breaking a sweat. It was almost like she was skipping at times. When she made it to the school garden, she noticed a boy sitting on the ground with a quilt and a basket. Smiling as she approached, the girl giggled quietly and brought her hand up to her mouth, obviously showing her surprise. "A picnic?" she asked Ben as she neared the quilt and took a seat beside him. "You're so sweet! How fun!" she exclaimed and then let her eyes wander. When she saw the painting that Ben created a few days before, Natalie smiled lightly. "You brought the painting... It's really good, Ben," Natalie praised her friend and crawled near it to take a closer look. 

[deactivated-blog]

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

All the time, huh? How can I compete with that? You’re cute, Mills. But don’t worry, you’re definitely at the top of my list of people I care about.

Well, yeah you are something special. At least to me you are. Y-yeah! As a friend. 

[nataliemillsxo]

You can't compete with that, silly! I'm a very caring person. Cute? Well, I try my best. What an honor. I'm glad.

Stop... you're, uh, making me nervous. No, wait! Not as a friend — as a best friend.

[the-bengrant-deactivated2014081]

So, like, I guess I really care about you too. A majority of the time.

You better believe it. Yeah it’s exciting. The most exciting thing that you’ll ever experience. A gift from Benjamin Grant himself!

[nataliemillsxo]

Well, I care about you all the time. I guess.

Wow, it must really be something special. You must really like me — in general, as a friend, of course.

[nataliemillsxo]

Text || Natalie

Ben: Hey! Mills!

Ben: I was going to text you tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait!

Ben: You busy?

Natalie: Hey! Grant!

Natalie: I'm never too busy to spend time with you, silly!

Natalie: Wanna meet somewhere?