Hi everyone! Thank you for reading! I wanted to write a longer story, so there will probably be more chapters. I also might add a sequel to The First Time (if you haven't read it, go check it out afterwards)
(Robbie's POV)
Ugh. Cat was sucking the face off that new guy she liked. What was his name? Oh, yeah. Ethan. I've always hated that name.
"Mmmmm" Cat moaned quietly. I was trying not to watch them from across the library.
"We should go, babe" Ethan said in a slimy voice.
Go where?
Cat giggled and said "Okay!"
Ethan pushed Cat off of himself and walked to the library exit. Cat followed like an obedient dog. How ironic.
I sighed and stared at the social studies book in front of me. I'd come here to study, but I don't think I was going to get any done.
After a couple more minutes, I gave up and pushed all of my books into my book bag. I got up angrily and shoved the chair back into its place under the table.
Slowly I prowled the isles for a good book, but decided it was no good. I couldn't get my mind off Cat. Why couldn't she be interested in me? I know I'm geeky and weird, but I'm not a bad guy.
"She just hasn't noticed that yet" I told myself.
I walked out to my old car in the parking lot and opened the car door. Quickly, I plopped myself into the seat and slammed the door shut.
Just then, it started to rain. I sat back and stared at my wet windshield. The rain drops pelted it heavily. I must've stayed like that for at least an hour, just watching the heavy downfall.
I sighed heavily and started my car, thinking it was time to go back to my empty house. My 'rents were at some weird weekend event, and Rex was on a Hawaiian vacation, so I was alone until Monday night.
I carefully pulled out of the parking lot and drove slowly down the slick road. Rain and darkness are never a good combination when driving.
After a couple of minutes of driving, I turned on the radio and let "Grenade" fill my car. It was so like my situation with Cat. Well, I've never been with her. I guess she's betrayed me, though she doesn't know that.
I began singing along loudly, pouring my heart out to the song that described my life so well.
Suddenly, a human figure appeared on the road out of nowhere. I screamed and slammed on the car brakes.
The figure (which was obviously a girl), fell down to her knees. Her back was slouched and her clothes were dirty, wet and ripped. Her skinny, bare arms hung like noodles at her sides.
I realized I recognized her. Though her hair was soaked, it was a distinct shade of red.
"Cat!" I yelled, throwing open my door.
I ran to her quickly and crouched down next to her.
"Cat? What happened?" I asked her.
"Uhn" She moaned. The rain had hidden her tears, but I noticed them rolling down her cheeks.
I grabbed her under her armpits and lifted her until she was standing. She tried to stand on her own but her legs gave out and she fell against me.
I wrapped her limp arm around my neck and carried her to my car bridal style.
"Uuuuuuuhn" Cat moaned when I buckled her into the passenger seat. I quickly ran around the car and jumped into my seat. The car's engine roared as I sped off to my house. The heat was cranked up to high, but Cat was still shivering violently.
I pulled into my driveway and perked. Cat groaned softly as I lifted her from her seat (which her wet clothes had soaked), and hurried inside to escape the rain.
As soon as I entered the open warm living room (the room looked exactly like Tori's living room with different colored furniture), Cat relaxed in my arms and whimpered innocently. I walked to the laundry room, where I had thrown some towels into the dryer earlier, and grabbed two towels from it, all the while holding Cat.
I peeled off Cat's soaked vest and wrapped the warm towel around her shoulders.
I left her wrapped in towels and snuggled on the couch so I could change into new clothes and bring some clothes to her. After tugging on a white cotton t-shirt and pulling on some flannel pajama bottoms, I chose one of my smaller shirts and sweatpants for Cat.
"Cat, will you change into these clothes?" I asked her gently when I walked back into the living room.
She nodded her head slowly and stood up to take the clothes. Though she was shaking a bit, she could walk around and change. I helped her up the stairs and led her to my bathroom, and went back downstairs when I heard the bathroom door click shut.
I picked up the one towel she left and brought it back to the laundry room. Afterwards, I sluggishly walked back to the living room and fell onto the couch.
A few minutes later, Cat emerged in my clothes. The shirt hung off her small frame, and the pants completely engulfed her slender legs, but I still thought she was gorgeous.
"Thank you" Cat said quietly.
"I-it's fine. Come sit down and tell me what happened."
Cat's eyes filled with tears and she bit her lower lip, but she came over and sat down next to me.
I moved my hand to her arm protectively.
"After I left the library, I went with Ethan to his car. He drove me to his place and pulled me into his house. I didn't know why he was being so forceful all of a sudden, but it scared me. I told him I wanted to go home, but he wouldn't listen. He kept kissing me, and he tried to take off my clothes. I told him to stop, but he wouldn't! I got so scared, Robbie! I didn't know what to do. So I kept pushing him away and hitting him, but he wouldn't stop touching me in bad places." She said shakily with tears streaming down her face.
I nodded and took a deep breath.
"Did he rape you, Cat?" I asked tentatively.
"R-rape me?" Cat said with a terrified tone.
"Did he...you know, force you to have sex with him?"
"It got so c-close. I screamed and kicked him, but he smothered me with his body. I could feel him pressing his...thing up against me. I felt disgusting. I told him I would call the cops, but he said I shouldn't if I knew what was good for me. He got up and shoved me to my knees. He pulled his thing out and told me to suck it. I told him no, so he rammed it into my face. I backed away and screamed again. He tried to get me back to my knees, but I kicked him in his privates and shoved him away. He fell on the ground and I ran outside and into the rain. When I saw your headlights, I recognized your car and ran in front of it." She explained.
"...I'm so sorry, Cat. This never should have happened to a sweet girl like you." I offered lamely.
"Thank you, R-robbie. I n-need a minute, please." She said, hysteria edging into her voice.
Before she could cry again, I pulled her into a warm hug. Her almost dry hair smelled like strawberry shampoo and fresh rain. I felt her small hands push themselves across my back and rest on my shoulder blades.
She sighed and relaxed her body against mine. After about 30 more seconds, I pulled away from her.
"Do you want to watch a movie?" I asked her, trying to make her feel better.
"Pretty woman is on ABC Family. Can we watch that?" She asked.
"Are you sure?" I asked, wondering why she'd want to watch that after what happened to her.
"Yes. It's my favorite." She replied confidently.
I flicked on the TV and changed the channel to ABC.
Cat snuggled into my side and fell asleep about an hour and a half of the movie. I turned the volume down and reached out to grab a blanket, trying not to wake Cat with my movement. I snagged the blanket and carefully spread it over us. I let my mind relax and dream until I fell asleep.
I woke up and was surprised to find Cat snuggled into my side, still in deep sleep. I glanced at the microwave clock. It was almost 7:00 am. I unwound cat's arms from my waist gently, and walked over to the kitchen. It was early, but I decided to have breakfast ready for Cat. I mixed and poured some pancake batter into a frying pan, and waited until I could flip it over. After I made 2 dozen pancakes, I looked at the clock. Almost 7:30.
I looked over and saw Cat whimpering and her hands clenching and unclenching into fists.
"Cat? Wake up. You're having a bad dream." I whispered into her ear when I walked over.
Cat's eyelids snapped open and she stared at the ceiling with cold fear in her eyes. It took her a second to realize where she was, but she relaxed and let out a deep breath.
"Are you okay?" I asked when she looked up at me.
"I had a bad dream. About...him. This time it actually happened." She said softly.
"Oh. I'm sorry. There are some pancakes for breakfast. We can talk about it while we eat... "I told her.
"Yeah...okay." Cat replied hesitantly.
"What is it, Cat?" I asked, noticing how she drew away when I tried to touch her or got near her.
Cat looked down at her crossed legs and tears began welling in her eyes.
"...I'm scared...you...you're not...how do I know you won't...hurt me, Robbie?" she asked shyly with a hint of fear in her voice.
I sat there, gaping at her.
"How, Robbie?" she asked, with more force in her voice.
"...I can't believe you don't trust me. I've known you since kindergarten. I would never do anything to hurt you purposely, because I love you, Cat. I love you and respect you too much to lay a finger on you unless you wanted me to. "I said disbelievingly.
"...You're right. I'm sorry Robbie. I shouldn't have doubted you." Cat said.
I nodded my head and walked to the kitchen. I felt sorry for Cat, but I also felt hurt that she wouldn't trust me.
I was so busy deciding how I should act towards Cat that I didn't notice the sound of her feet on the wood flooring behind me until her arms circled my torso while she hugged me from behind.
"I'm sorry, Robbie. I love you, too. You're a really good friend." Cat said. She pressed her forehead into my back and squeezed me tighter.
Friend. Friend?
"It's okay, Cat. Just know that you can always trust me" I said.
I felt her nod.
"Let's eat."
Cat let go of me and walked towards the pancakes.
The weekend was long and boring after Cat left on Saturday. I was actually looking forward to seeing her on Monday.
I turned off my car and walked into Hollywood Arts.
I rounded the corner to my locker and immediately froze in my tracks. Ethan had Cat pinned against the lockers. I was about to yank him off and show him how hard I could punch when I noticed Cat smiling up at him.
"Cat! Can I speak to you privately?" I asked her.
"Um, yeah. Bye Ethan."
"Don't keep me waiting too long, Kitty." Ethan said. Cat giggled.
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the janitor's closet.
"What are you doing with that slimebag?" I hissed once I closed and locked the door.
"Oh...I know what you're thinking, but he called me on Sunday! He said he was joking and it was all a big misunderstanding!" She said happily.
"How can you be so stupid? Seriously? He tried to rape you, and you let him get off scot free? Why on Earth would you do this? Can't you open your eyes and see what a 2 year old could plainly see?" I shouted at her.
Cat stared at me in utter shock.
"I...I thought you'd be happy for me! You're so mean! Don't talk to me!" Cat cried. She tried to leave but I grabbed her arm and made her stay.
"Listen to me, Cat. He is using you for sex. You need a real guy to treat you right Cat. Don't be stupid." I told her.
Cat looked up at me, her face eerily serious, and her eyes murderous with rage.
"I may be stupid, Robbie, but I know what love is" she said quietly.
"No Cat, you don't. Otherwise, you would be with me."
Cat's eyes widened but then returned to anger.
"You really think I would ever be with you?" she said, a cruel humor in her tone.
I gasped and let go of her arm. She quickly left the room and slammed the door. I clutched my side, trying to rip out the pain within me.
I spent the rest of the day crouched on my knees, hunched over myself, silently crying.