Forest of the Forbidden

by W. J. May

  “Then why don’t you want to go out?” Lise sat 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.”

  Δ

  * * *

  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.”

  “Hold on. I think that’s my Aunt Sharon with that group of people.” Natalie lifted up on her tiptoes to see over the crowd in front of her. When she heard the distinguishable laugh, she knew that had to be Sharon.

  “Yep, that’s her alright. Come on.” They pushed through the crowd making their way over toward her.

  Sharon, the complete opposite of Natalie’s mom, displayed a pretentious, outgoing, and an uncontainable zeal for life personality. She loved her aunt but felt sorry for her. After two failed marriages, she resorted to a single life and a devout commitment to her career as part owner of an advertising agency in Austin.

  “Having fun?” Natalie asked, hugging her aunt from behind. Sharon had a rule to never call her Aunt in public. She thrived on portraying herself as a younger woman. Even at forty-six years old, she rocked a body of a woman in her late twenties. If there was a procedure for it, she’d either had it done or planned on having it done. Sharon’s view: if it’s loose, tighten it; if it sags, lift it; and even if it’s not broken, you might as well have it fixed the way you want it.

  Sharon turned around. “Natalie... wow! Don’t you look gorgeous? Let me guess, did Lise do this to you?”

  Natalie nodded. “Of course...you know Lise.”

  “Great job, Lise. You need to make her up more often.”

  “I know, right? By the way, I love your outfit.” Lise touched the sleeve of her animal print dress.

  “Thank you. So what are you gals doing out here tonight?”

  “We’re celebrating. We both got internships at Kronberg Laboratories.” Natalie smiled at Lise.

  “You did? That’s wonderful. I wish you would’ve told me you applied. You know they’re clients of mine. I work closely with Lynn Pham in Marketing.”

  “Seriously? I’m going to be working in Marketing. Isn’t she the head of the department or something?” Lise asked.

  “Yes, she’s the director. I’m sure you’ll get to know her. Tell her you know me. I’ll also let her know the next time I see her.”

  “Okay. I will. You know it never hurts to network.” Lise winked at Sharon.

  “That’s right. You learn quickly. Come on. Let’s get us a drink.” Sharon urged them to follow her to the bar.

  “Okay.” Lise immediately followed Sharon and Natalie tagged behind.

  Natalie wondered if she should tell her aunt that she had been testing out some of their supplements but decided to keep it to herself for now. It probably wouldn’t make a difference to her anyway.

  Sharon turned to Natalie and Lise. “What do you gals want?”

  “Nothing, thanks.” Natalie replied.

  “What? Oh come on, have a little fun. Besides, drinks are on me tonight.”

  Lise chimed in. “Awesome, I’ll take a mojito.”

  “Three mojitos please.” Sharon leaned over the bar trying to get the bartender’s attention.

  The bartender walked over to them. “Sure. It’s an extra two bucks if you want it made with real limes or regular price for artificial mix.” He reached and took three glasses down from the overhead rack above him. “So what will it be?”

  Sharon winced. “We’ll have the real stuff. Why is it extra for real limes?”

  The bartender shrugged his shoulders while cleaning the glasses with a towel hanging from his waist. “Oh you know...shortage of crops or something like that.”

  “Wow, this global warming is becoming more of a problem.” Natalie told Sharon.

  Sharon waved it off like no big deal. She gave the bartender her credit card and kept her eyes fixed on him, watching his every move. “They always need some excuse to make more money.” Sharon slipped a few bucks into the bartender’s tip jar and winked.

  The bartender smiled back at Sharon and wiggled his left finger that had a thick silver wedding band around it. “Thanks.”

  Sharon pouted her lips. “Oh well.” She then turned to Natalie. “So, have you talked to your parents?”

  “Yes, the other day. I told them I got the internship and that I planned on taking a few classes this summer and wouldn’t be coming home.”

  “This works out great.” Sharon’s eyes lighted up. “I’m going to Europe for the summer and could use your help. Would you mind checking on my place? You can stay there when you want an
d so can Lise.”

  “Sure. It will be a nice break away from the dorm.” Sharon had a rockin’ condo in downtown Austin that overlooked Lady Bird Lake. Besides the breath taking view, the condo had a modern décor with very high-end furniture, making it a lavish pad. Sharon, being a shopaholic, only bought the very best.

  “Great. I appreciate it. You have the code, right?”

  “Let me double check.” Natalie took her cell phone out from her wristlet.

  “Please take care of it, okay?”

  “Of course.” Natalie scrolled through her contacts until she came to her aunt’s number.

  “By the way, you’re welcome to stay there tonight. I’ll be heading over to Chad’s place afterwards.” Sharon winked.

  “I got it.” Natalie slid her phone back into her wristlet. “Who’s Chad?” She tried to recall the last guy she saw her aunt with. She never kept a guy around long enough for her to remember. Before Sharon answered, a guy with short spikey blond hair approached her from behind.

  “Hey there sexy.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear.

  Sharon turned around and embraced the guy. “Hi. Don’t you look hot tonight?” She planted a big kiss on his lips and they exchanged more PDA than Natalie wanted to see. After several awkward seconds of heavy kissing and petting, she pulled away from him. “This is my niece, Natalie and her friend Lise. This is Chad.”

  “Hello.” Natalie waved.

  “Hi.” He nodded his head at both of them briefly.

  Lise stepped forward and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.” Chad smiled, showing his extra bright white teeth that made his green eyes sparkle. His smooth baby face hinted that he was at least fifteen years younger than Sharon. Knowing her taste, he had to be in his late twenties.

  “Everyone’s sitting over there. We’re waiting for our drinks. Go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute. Do you want anything?” Sharon fixed his collar on his shirt and then ran her long hot pink fingernails down his chest.

  “No, I got a beer.” He held up his bottle. “I’ll be waiting for you.” He arched his brow and winked at Sharon and then slapped her on the butt.