Page 15 of London, Love, & A Little Something Irish

I ride the DLR home in a cloud of regret and rage, mentally throwing myself a pity party. I should probablybuy balloons. Maybe a cake. A party hat, too—to go with the twinkling sob of tears streaming down my face.

I amsomad at myself for losing my camera. It’s a stupid mistake. How could I forget something so important? I do this too often for my liking. I just… I’m so done with my own clumsiness right now.

I close the curtains, flop onto my bed, and ugly-cry into the darkness. At one point, I even stare at myself in the mirror. Why would I want to ugly-cry at myself in the mirror? Because I need to witness my own pathetic moment, I guess. I need to see how ridiculous I look when I feel sorry for myself.

But eventually... enough’s enough. It’s been 2 hours and 14 minutes of the world’s smallest violin playing. I need to go to team night. I’m not even going to bother putting on makeup. I’m too mad at myself. I just… need to get out of this house. Nothing’s going to bring my camera back, and wallowing isn’t going to fix it.

I need someone to talk to.

I grab my phone and call Joy.

“Hey girl!” she answers cheerfully.

“I left my camera at the tube station.”

A gasp. “Nooo.”

“Yes,” I say with a crack in my voice.

“Did you get it back?”

“No. It’s gone. Vanished. Adios.”

“Nataly…”

I groan. “I know. I know. I’m an idiot! I’m having a full-on melodramatic meltdown and I just needed someone to tell me I’m not the worst person alive.”

“Okay, you’re not the worst. You’re top 15 at best.”

I laugh through the tears. “Gee, thanks.”

She laughs too. “Now come to team night. We’ll walk in together, and maybe God will drop a brand-new DSLR out of the sky just for you.”

I giggle, already feeling a little lighter. “Okay, that’s a betteridea than the lame pity party I’m throwing myself here. Complete with party hats and all,” I joke.

I hang up and head for the DLR. I make my way toward the Warehouse, the campus where we’re having team night. Team nights always feel extra special. What better place to snap me out of this funk? I also just need to be around people to refresh my mind. I’m probably what you would call an extroverted introvert. Or an introverted extrovert? I don’t know, but I draw energy from being around people. Although, I also have a social battery that can get drained. But tonight, I need people around me.

I’m glad I don’t have to walk into team night alone. After the day I’ve been having, it just makes sense. And okay, I tossed some mascara into my bag. I’m notcompletelyprepared to see anyone, but at least I don’t want to look like I just finished my starring role in a tragic drama.

When I arrive, the first person I see at the door is someone I haven’t seen in months: Nathan.

7

Nataly

I walk from the bus stop to the Warehouse with Joy, still feeling the weight of the day dragging behind me like a suitcase with a broken wheel. My camera’s gone. My self-pity is alive and kicking. But I’m here. And maybe that’s enough.

I register the people around me as I’m walking up to the door, and that’s when I see him.

Nathan. He’s outside, welcoming everyone in.

“Oh hi! It’s good to see you—it’s been a while!” My eyes widen as I spot him.

“Hey, how’s it going?” he says, all calm and confident.

It’s like someone struck a match and lit a sparkler right inside my chest. I haven’t seen him in months, and I wasn’t prepared for… that. The way he looks standing by the entrance, grinning.

“Nat, I’m going to go get us some seats, okay?” Joy says as she heads in.

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