Hollywood Arts High School 2006

"Woohoo we're graduates! Time to party!"

"Cat girl calm down, we just graduated 2 hours ago!"

"Andre! Carpe Diem! Seize the day! Didn't you listen to Helen's speech?"

"Yeah lil' Red, but I also want to take in the moment."

"Yeah Kitty-Cat, we're all going to different colleges, the boys can wait. And the party isn't for another 3 hours."

"All right fine Jadey."

"Why don't we all go celebrate over some ice cream at Frankie's?"

"Oooo good idea Robbie! Can we please Jadey?!"

"Yeah sure. Let's go."

It was our last day of high school. Jade, Robbie and Andre and I were all excited to leave Los Angeles for college. Jade was going to San Francisco, Andre to Santa Cruz, Robbie to San Diego and myself to Santa Barbara. It's bittersweet but that's a part of growing up. At least we're all doing theater. Who knows, maybe one day we'll see each other's names in the lights.

"So what are you guys excited for in college?" Andre asked.

"Boys, parties, boys, and sunshine! Oh and theater, duh. Just like you guys."

"Cat don't go crazy on the boys all right? I won't be there to hurt them if they hurt you."

"Jadey don't worry I'm not looking for relationships, I'm just looking for fun!"

"Maybe you should tell Robbie the same thing." Andre chuckled.

"Andre!" Robbie blushed fiercely.

"What? Haha Robbie and I were talking one night. He's hoping to meet his future wife in college."

"God Shapiro, maybe you should listen to Cat. Grow some balls and just have fun in college. What 18-year-old boy is thinking of marriage?"

"The one who doesn't want to end up alone!" Robbie blurted.

"You got that right, Shapiro." Jade smirked.

Andre and Jade continued to talk about the courses they were planning on taking. Robbie was still red with embarrassment. I placed a hand on his arm and gave him a reassuring pat.

"Don't listen to Jade. Robbie you'll find a girl. But really though, have fun in college. You have the rest of your life to think about marriage."

I smiled at him and poked my ice cream cone to his nose. The corners of his lips slowly rose and as he wiped the ice cream off his nose, smiled.

"I'll try Kitty-Cat."


2010

I hesitantly tossed the contents of the box in the fire pit and watched as every article; every last piece was burned to a crisp. Burning away a year of my life in the remains of that box. This is exactly what I didn't want to feel. Silly me would think something great like that would have happened to me in my lifetime. I need to move on.

I was walking aimlessly down the street passing everyone trying to keep my composure. I came across what looked like a couple leaving a coffee shop nearby. The girl kissed the guy on the cheek.

"Take care of yourself ok?"

"You too, Jen. Bye."

The girl got in the cab and the guy slouched on the bench and buried his face in his hands. Poor fellow. I know how you feel. Crappy day. Something tells me that wasn't a pleasant goodbye. Wait, is that… Robbie Shapiro? Even though it's been years since I saw him, I know that's Robbie. It has to be.

"Robbie is that you?"

He looked up miserably. But his expression changed when he recognized it was me. "Oh my God, Cat. Hey!"

I ignored his previous state and went in for a hug. We both needed a happy moment right now. "What are you doing here?"

He hesitated for a minute, probably trying to hide the fact that I just saw what happened, though he didn't know. "Oh you know just getting some coffee. How about you?"

"Trying to find something to do on this Friday night." I said. I had my own secrets but now wasn't the time to talk about it.

"Want some company?" He suggested holding his arm out.

"I'd love some," I smiled and took his arm.

We walked further down the street enjoying the nightlife. After a few minutes he spoke up.

"So what are you doing in San Diego? I thought you go to school up north?"

"Oh uh, well I'm just visiting really. Only in town for tonight. Going to catch a train in the morning."

Robbie and I sat at a bench right outside seaport village, a tourist attraction hot spot, but a native San Diegan's everyday hangout.

"So how are you Cat?"

"Oh you know, just same ol' Cat. Bubbly, bouncy and full of energy."

"Yes, you are still my big ball of sunshine!"

"Hehe. How about you?"

"Same ol' nerdy Robbie."

"Nerdy but mature Robbie. Don't think I didn't notice your newfound confidence."

We shared a smile then we both turned away with poignant expressions. At least with me mine was somber. I guess his was too. Until I heard soft sobs.

"Robbie, are you crying?"

He couldn't hide it from me. Even though I saw that he was going to say no, he changed his mind and decided to just let it out. "Yeah.. Well, my girlfriend just broke up with me in front of that coffee shop from earlier."

Aw crud…

"You know what Robbie? We can either sit here and mope about this low point in our lives or we can have nice reunion between two friends who haven't seen each other in nearly four years. Come on let's have some fun!"

I held out my hand hoping to turn the night around. He let out a genuine smile and took my hand. We ate some gelato from a shop in little Italy. Robbie bought us a tray of Red Velvet cupcakes and we pigged out. We hung out at the seaport watching live music and street performances, even sung along to a few numbers. Then we fed some ducks at the pond, they were so cute! The best part was when we went on the carousel; we rode on the twin giraffes! I felt like a kid again, carefree, and genuinely happy, even if just for the night. Robbie and I ended the night sitting below the pier where the sand dunes started.

"So how's school, Robbie?"

"Just getting through the last semester. Can't wait to graduate."

"Yeah me too. Except then we've got to face the inevitable."

"Finding a job?"

"And growing up. But yeah, jobs. And everything else that comes with it."

"Like living on your own."

"Finding happiness."

"Finding love…"

Well that pretty much shut me up. It silenced the both of us. Whatever it was that happened with his girlfriend must have eaten him up. She must have been really special.

"You want to talk about it?"

He didn't respond immediately, I completely understood. That's why I was much closer to Robbie in high school. He was patient with me. And I never made fun of him like Jade and Andre did. Sometimes the silence was better. It was easier to understand. And when you're as close as Robbie and me, the silence said everything.

"Jen was my girlfriend of 2 years. We're actually supposed to be celebrating our anniversary tonight. But she broke up with me saying that she doesn't see this going any further than college. That she wants to do more things; go to grad school and that my silly theater dreams aren't part of her plan. I asked her if I can do anything to change it and she said no because she already knew going into the relationship that it wasn't a forever thing. If I wasn't a part of her plan to begin with, they why did she wait two years to ruin me?"

"That sounds like a lot of bull to me. Seems like she only wanted to have fun with you in college. What a gank."

Robbie let out a soft chuckle. Yay I made him smile! "Cat, those are your sisters you're talking about."

I playfully smacked him, "Jerk! Haha but the difference with me is I won't string a boy for that long, I'm a short-term lover if you know what I mean," I winked at him.

"Why is it so hard to find love? It's torture. It's like that last puzzle piece that the manufacturer purposely forgets to put in the box and you have to spend eternity to find it so your puzzle can be complete. So your life can be complete." He said and as he lied down on the sand.

"Oh Robbie you are still that hopeless romantic aren't you?" I giggled and plopped right beside him.

"Unfortunately," he laughed.

I scooted closer to him and wrapped my arms around his torso. He wrapped one arm over my shoulder and returned the embrace.

"Don't worry, Rob, you're girl is out there. Give it some time."

"Thanks Cat."

It was getting late and I was getting pretty weary. His body was so warm and his chest was a nice pillow for my heavily growing head. Before I dozed off though, Robbie said one more thing.

"I take back what I said earlier."

"Huh?" I said confused and looked up at him.

"You're nothing like my ex, you're no gank. I know there's a guy out there that will steal your heart and you'll have your happy ever after too."

I smiled at his comment. It really did make me feel better about what happened earlier tonight with my own situation. "Thanks Robbie."

We shared a gaze, longer than intended. Then I did something impulsive. Call it anything you want; getting caught up in the moment or just being in a vulnerable state. I leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips. He didn't know what to do even after I pulled away. He didn't talk but I was fine with that. Even I didn't know what that meant. I snuggled back into his chest and we both fell asleep on the sands.


Robbie POV

I woke up the next morning breathing in the salty ocean air and seeing the morning sun peering through the horizon. Was I dreaming? Did I really see Cat last night? Did we hang out? Did she kiss me?

Maybe it was a dream and I was only thinking of the one friend that always made me feel better. She's always been a great friend, even until now she's concerned about my well being. Thinking about her, I realized there was no one lying beside me. But no, why would I be at the very pier where I "dreamt" we were at? Then again, Cat would never leave me hanging like this; she's too nice to do that to me. That dream felt so real. I'm confused. But you know what? Dream Cat or real Cat is right; I'm not going to give up on love. My girl is out there.

Wait.. why are my lips still tingling from when she "kissed" me?