Chapter Six: Flowers And Tomatoes Are A Girls Best Friend
Several days had past since the Ashlee situation and Casie, Leila and Cara spent most of their time at the guy's house just hanging out. Joe and Leila stayed in his room watching movies. Patrick and Cara were getting ready for their date on the town, and Pete and Casie were in his room discussing anything and everything except past relationships with their exes. They were all becoming so close with one another it was no surprise they were at each other's places all the time.
Cara knocked on Joe's door needing Leila's opinion about wardrobe selection. "Can you help me? Cara asked with puppy dog eyes. "I only brought two shirts with me to choose from, but I can't decide".
Cara stood in front of the bed Joe and Leila were sitting on with a popcorn bowl in between them, she held out one lemon yellow shirt and one baby pink shirt with a black stripe around the middle. Joe and Leila at the same time shouted "The pink one!"
Laughing "Alright, alright I will wear the pink" Cara said holding it up to get a better view. "You're right; the yellow might be a bit bright for a date. I don't want to blind Patrick." Cara thanked them and let them continue their movie, Sleepy Hollow. Which was one of Leila's favorites; she had seen it probably a hundred times and Joe was slowly catching up to her.
In Pete's room, he jumped on top of Casie tickling her until she could not breathe. "Stop! Stop! I can't take it anymore" Casie screamed in laughter.
"What are we going to do tonight?" Casie said catching her breath.
"I don't know how bout we do something…crazy while Patrick and Cara are out on their date" Pete said sitting up onto the other side of the bed.
"Like what?" Casie exclaimed with curiosity.
Pete laughed with an evil like quality "We could shoot tomatoes at each other." Hemingway jumped up on the bed and laid his head by Pete's knee making sure he was in between Pete and Casie.
"I don't know…why tomatoes?" Casie questioned.
"It's fun…trust me" Pete said excited. He was always coming up with mischievous ideas and sometimes dangerous things to do with his friends.
"As long as Joe and Leila come with us" She strongly forced.
"That's cool, I'll go ask them before they make plans" Pete jumped off the bed like a giddy little boy startling Hemingway.
Another knock on the door frustrated Leila. "Are we ever going to finish this movie! We are about to get to the part where the killer is revealed." Joe smiled at her while getting off the bed and opening the door to Pete's smiling face.
"Pete, what's up…we are almost done with our movie?" Joe winked at him.
Shaking his head, "Casie and I are going to have some fun while Patty boy and Cara go on their date tonight. Do you want to come shoot tomatoes with us…it'll be awesome, Please?" directing his question more towards Leila.
Joe turned to her and puckered his bottom lip, hoping she would be willing to go. "Okay, if Casie will, I will" Leila responded unable to disagree with Joe's pleading baby face. "Yes! This is gonna be great!" Joe plopped back down on the bed next to her resuming his movie position almost spilling the popcorn.
"I will tell you when we get ready to leave" Pete laughed at Joe as he closed the door.
Patrick came out of his room with a fresh white polo shirt, a brown suede jacket, blue jeans and sea foam green converse. Looking around the living room he did not see Cara, so he relaxed on the couch waiting for her to finish getting ready. He stared into the black screen of the TV, falling into his thoughts. Patrick was excited finally to have asked Cara out and wanted this night to be special for her. First, he planed on taking her to see a movie, but debated on where to go next. Searching his mind for something fun to do, he did not want to return to the crowded club and it would be too late to eat at a restaurant. Patrick wanted them to go someplace where they could talk peacefully.
After sitting for about thirty minutes staring at the screen, Cara finally came out of the bathroom covered in pink eye shadow to match the shirt Joe and Leila picked out. She had blue jeans on like Patrick's and pink converse coordinating with the rest of her outfit. Stylish but comfortable was something they shared in common when it came to clothes.
"You look beautiful, Cara" Patrick stood up walking towards her.
"Thank you and you look very handsome" Cara told him. She headed towards the table by the door to grab her purse. As she turned back around to face Patrick, a pink rose was in front of her, even with her green eyes.
"Aw, that was so sweet of you, Patrick" Cara leaned towards his hand smelling the rose and taking it.
"We better go before the movie begins" Patrick told Cara as he snatched his car keys up.
"What are we going to see?" Cara smiled.
"Whatever you want, this is your decision…your night" he said taking hold of her hand and leading her out the door.
"Do you want to go to the store with me for a tomato run?" Pete asked Casie watching her scratch behind Hemingway's ears who was nestled beside her now. Pete's dog had taken a liking to her immediately; he was always by her side just as he was for Pete.
"Sure! Let me just throw some decent clothes on" Casie stated leaving the bed and heading for the bathroom.
"You look fine. It's just the grocery store…come on" Pete grabbed her arm before she could reach the bedroom door.
"I am in my dirty pajama pants with an old high school band shirt on, I am frumpy" Casie frowned.
"No you're not, you look cute…please. It will only take a second" Pete begged.
Her eyes fell to the carpet "I am sorry. I am just used to being told to dress up every time I go somewhere…for him" Pete knew instantly she was referring to Dylan. Every time she mentioned things he said or made her do, Pete hated him more and more.
"Let's not talk about that…you get your shoes on and I will tell Joe we are leaving" he said as he went down the hall to Joe's room.
Swinging the door wide open "Guys, we are going to the stor…" Pete stopped, seeing Joe and Leila lips locked in front of a blue TV screen. "Oh! Sorry…I will go" Pete sputtered.
Joe released from Leila "Wait, it's alright just knock next time. What's up?"
"We are headed to the grocery store; we'll be back in a few. Be ready when we return" Pete said embarrassed form interrupting them.
"Sure, we'll be ready" Leila laughed at his scarlet face.
Looking at the list of movies playing, Cara had trouble deciding on which one to choose. Most of them she had already seen with Casie and Leila, so it was hard to decide. Then 27 Dresses popped up and caught Cara's eye. She had wanted to see that movie since it came to theaters, but was not sure Patrick would be willing to watch a chick flick.
Patrick noticed her studying his face "Which one do you want to see?" he asked.
She hesitated, but decided to take a chance "27 Dresses? I will understand if you would rather see something else."
"If it is what you want to watch, I will sit through it a thousand times for you" Patrick blushed from his confident words. He was becoming so calm around Cara now; she was the soothing harmony to his voice.
"Let's get the tickets and find some seats…shall we?" he held his arm out for Cara.
Mesmerized by Patrick's words, she took his arm and followed him into the theater "Thank you" she managed to say.
Almost every seat had been filled, except for two in the corner at the top. They decided to snatch them up before anyone else came in. The lights dimmed and the movie began. Cara took the seat next to a younger girl, while he took the one against the wall. She did not know Patrick's thoughts about children, but she was used to them from her nursing jobs. The girl was well disciplined, not making noises or disturbing her during the movie, Cara forgot she was even there at some point.
It was towards the end, when Patrick took hold of Cara's hand interlacing his fingers with hers. She used her other hand to feel his grooves and curves of each finger, while still intertwined. One time, Cara accidentally tickled him; she knew this because he could not help but laugh at a sad moment in the movie, which made her laugh with him. The rest of the time, everyone stared giving rude or annoyed looks at them, even the little girl beside Cara.
It had been an hour before Joe, Leila, Casie and Pete finally found the perfect spot to fling tomatoes at each other. They found an abandoned brick building close to downtown. Not wanting to disturb anybody, they went to the back of the building and found a small parking lot perfect for miss behaving. Also, they would be hidden by it except for the subway bridge in the distance.
The night had brought a pitch black sky with just one lamp post of orange light glowing for them to see. "Who wants to go first?" Pete asked looking from Casie to Leila.
"Why do we have to go first?" Leila bellowed.
"I will do it!" Joe screeched running to the red brick wall with his back turned towards them.
Pete instructed the girls on how to hold the sides of the sling and to stand far apart. "Are you sure about this?" Leila asked him. "Don't worry we've done this before" Pete said. He loaded the first tomato and pulled the sling as far back as he could get it. "You ready, Joe!"
Joe gave him a thumbs up and pressed his sweaty palm back onto the brick. Then, Pete released the tomato. It flew into the air headed directly for Joe's head, but splattered a few inches to the right of the wall.
"Dude, aim lower…I want to keep my head" Joe said with a sarcastic tone.
"Sorry man" Pete said as he reloaded the sling shot. Once more he pulled it back when suddenly; Leila moved in front of him "Let me do it. I want to try and hit him."
An evil chuckle came from Leila's voice as she began to move the sling back, making sure to aim lower than Pete did. "I heard that laugh, Ginny girl…don't kill me!" Joe yelled at her.
She released the tomato which hit directly onto Joe's left butt cheek. "God woman, that hurt!" Joe hollered at Leila rubbing his bum and walking back towards them.
"Okay, I think its Leila's turn" Joe demanded.
She stuck her tongue out at him and slowly crept up to the wall, spreading her arms and legs as Joe did. Pete and Casie were laughing so hard at the two of them; they could hardly hold the sling shot.
Joe loaded up a tomato and reared back aiming for her butt in revenge. With an excellent release it missed her butt and popped just below hitting her upper leg. Not being very good with pain Leila bent over clutching it tightly. "Son of a…Joe!"
"Sorry" snickered Joe. "Why don't we let Casie or Pete have a turn?"
"Well, if she can take it, I know I can. I have always had a high tolerance for pain compared to Leila" Casie said sarcastically walking up to the brick wall.
Pete found the biggest tomato in the bag and loaded the sling. Casie could hear his unique machine gun laughter. Intending to hit her butt, he let it go. The tomato flung right into her back on the left leaving a huge wet spot. Holding her side, it knocked the breath right out of her. She bent over and squatted to the ground trying to keep her balance and rub the pain away.
"Are you okay?" Pete laughed. After catching her breath, she coughed "Jesus Pete!" "You missed my ass and now I can't breath."
"I'm sorry. Well, you can hit me now, if you want payback" tossing a tomato in Casie's hands.
"Yes, you are going down!" she hollered making her way to the sling Leila and Joe were holding. She pulled it back taking her time aiming at his butt and before Casie could retrieve the tomato, Pete turned to ask "Are you ever going to shoo…" It hit him right in the lower stomach making him fall forward to the ground. Casie rushed up to him "Oh god, I am so sorry…did I hurt you?"
"Fuck!" standing back up "Girl, I will get you back someday." Pete laughed with one hand on his stomach.
"My turn!" Leila ran up to the wall. Joe picked up a tomato "No, I don't trust you…I want Casie to do it" Leila yelled. "Why, what did I do?" pouting a little, Joe gave her the tomato.
"I don't know about this, I am dangerous." Casie worried for her friend. "Please?" Leila smiled.
"Fine, but stay turned around, Lei" Casie demanded. She pulled the tomato back once more. Startling Casie and making Leila turn her head Joe hollered "Leila, watch out!" at the last minute. Casie once again unable to stop the flight of the tomato hit her right in the face. Running up to her "okay, I can't do this anymore…I keep hitting you in places that could really do damage" Casie said referring to all of them.
Leila just stood there with one hand on her cheek and the other wiping the tears away from her watering eyes. Casie put her hand on her shoulder "Are you alright?"
Pushing it off, Leila did not say anything, but turned away from her.
"Come on Leila, she didn't mean to" Joe said walking up to hug her. She shoved him back "I know, it's your fault for distracting me."
"I think that's enough shooting tomatoes for one night" Pete said looking at Leila "Maybe forever for you."
Making their way out of the theater "That was such a cute movie" Cara said holding Patrick's arm "Except for everyone being annoyed with us." "Thank you for bringing me."
"You're welcome…now I want to take you somewhere very special to me" he whispered as they trotted back to the car.
Cara had no idea what Patrick was talking about, but wanted to find out. They drove for what seemed like an eternity to Cara, she had never seen any of these roads before, reading each sign as they passed every few seconds. Casie, Leila and she had not been living in Chicago for very long and had not had the chance to explore the whole city.
"Where are we going?" Cara asked no longer able to contain her curiosity. "You will see. We are just about there." he looked over eager to show her.
Patrick turned left down one of the roads new to Cara and parked in one of the side parking spaces. Thinking this could not be the place, she wondered where Patrick had taken her. The buildings on the street were old and appeared to be abandoned.
"What is going on, Patrick?" Cara questioned. "Don't worry…this isn't the place it is one more street over, but when I tell you to, close your eyes" picking her hand up to escort her down the street. "You're making me nervous" she confessed. Bringing her hand onto his chest pressing it close, he said "Trust me; you are going to love this."
Cara did not ask anymore questions after that; even though she had only known Patrick Stump for a couple weeks, she felt so safe with him. They walked down the pavement dodging dumpsters and stray cats. Coming to the corner of the building on the end, she looked back to see his car far away. Before Cara new what happened, Patrick whipped his other hand around meeting her shoulder. "Now, I need you to close your eyes…don't be afraid." "I won't let you fall" he said still with her hand in his. Guiding her, she could tell they had not left the sidewalk. Taking a few more steps and stopping, she now heard a few cars driving by.
Feeling hot breath on her ear, "You are not peeking are you?" Patrick whispered. "No, of course not" Cara said keeping her eyes shut. "Good, because I don't want you to ruin the first impression."
After saying those few tormenting words to her, Patrick remained silent until reaching his destination. They continued walking until he paused to open a door for Cara and guided her through. She could feel the lights on her skin coming from the ceiling and the smell of fresh flowers all around. Hearing water trickling in the distance, she was dying to open her eyes. "Can I open them now?" "One minute" Patrick said scooting her up a few more steps. He dropped his hands to his sides and told Cara "Okay, now!"
Slowly opening them, a room filled to the ceiling with colors from all different kinds of flowers amazed Cara. She could not believe how beautiful it was. It was a green house covered in red roses, yellow sunflowers, purple dahlias and of course white lilies. She hurried to the back after seeing the huge marble fountain with water flowing over smooth coble stones. It was full of pennies most likely from children coming with their parents.
"This place is so beautiful. What is it called?" Cara beamed smelling each flower even if they were the same kind.
"It's called the Chicago Botanic Garden. My mother used to bring me here when I was a boy. She would let me skip school and come throw pennies in the fountain" Patrick told her glowing from her reaction.
"Oh Patrick, it's like a fairy tale. It makes me want to sing" she giggled.
"Well, let's sing…no one is around but us."
"I can't sing like you though" Cara frowned.
"I'm sure your singing is as beautiful as you are." Patrick said chuckling at himself for saying that line.
Cara's smile grew into laughter as she heard the words leave his mouth. "Ha ha, that was kind of cheesy."
"I know" Patrick agreed.
"Well, what shall we sing then?"
Patrick felt awkward singing the songs from his band so he suggested some from other people. "How about Fly Me To The Moon. Do you know that song?"
"Oh, sure. Frank Sinatra right?" Cara said.
"Yeah, his music is classic."
Patrick started to hum the beginning notes and sang with Cara "Fly me to the moon, let me sing among the stars. Let me see what spring is like on jupiter and mars." Cara let Patrick continue singing on his own, knowing she was not as good. "In other words, hold my hand. In other words, baby kiss me" he stopped after thinking about what he had just sung and looked at Cara. Seeing his stunned face, she turned towards him and smiled. He stood there a moment listening to the water running, and then he leaned towards Cara barely touching her lips with his.
"I am sorry…I just…" Patrick stammered lifting his head away from hers. Cara said nothing, captivated by his thick cherry lips having been on hers. He seemed a little nervous not knowing whether to apologize again or continue kissing her. But Cara did not wait for him to decide; she slid her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him towards her, kissing him hard. Although bewildered by this, Patrick gave into her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Cara pulled away for a second and moved her head to the other side holding one hand on to his brown suede jacket and bringing the other up to his cheek. She felt Patrick's smoothly shaven skin and could not stop kissing him. They stood there beside the fountain for a few minutes overwhelmed in each others presence, when they quickly broke apart from the sound of someone clearing their throat.
"Excuse me, but we are closing for the night, if you could…" a little old man said. He appeared to be one of the gardeners for the Botanic Garden.
"Oh, yes of course…lost track of time" Patrick stuttered a little embarrassed.
The two of them made their way back to his car, the next street over. Cara realized they were pretty far from it and had no idea which way they came, but Patrick knew the way. After a few minutes of walking, they finally reached the car and he followed her to the passenger side where he opened her door. "Why thank you" Cara smirked and climbed in. She watched as Patrick went to his side and slide in next to her. As soon as he sat down closing the door, he turned to her and kissed her once more as they did in the green house. Obviously, he felt the same way as Cara; she did not want to quit kissing him, but be trapped in the moment for all eternity.
Seeing it was getting late, they parted with Cara gazing into his eyes and Patrick in hers, she could not hold it in "Patrick, you rock my kiss!"
