Chapter Eight: One Last Time Part 1

For the next month, everyone was on lookout and preparing for the end. The comet got closer and closer to Earth and every day was a countdown until the last day of everyone's life. Schools, businesses, and all other operations were closed own in anticipation of the end. Every time you turned on the news, you saw another story about the comet causing electrical complications or a riot breaking out in some part of the world because of the enormous amount of terror the comet was causing.

There were also many stories on how the comet got its name. In Greek mythology, the poet Orpheus wed a beautiful nymph named Eurydice only to have her die on their wedding day after being bitten by a snake. Orpheus went to the underworld to free her from Hades. Hades released her on the condition that he could not look back at her until they both reach Earth's surface. However, he looked back at the last minute and lost her forever.

Every day, Cat was reminded how her young life would soon be cut short. She went over in her head the many things she would never get to do. She would never become a world-famous singer and actress. She would never become an EGOT. She would never get married. She would never hold her first child. She would never know the feeling of growing old with the man she loved. She would never even get to tell the man she loved how she felt.

Sam, Cat, and their friends had been spending a lot of time at Elderly Acres with Nonna. "You know, when you get to be about my age, almost all you think about is when you're going to die and when your friends are going to die. But I gotta tell you, I didn't think it would come for all of us so soon," Nonna said. Turning to Cat, she continued. "Cat, I just got off the phone with your parents. Frankie's not doing so good. He's been on a rampage ever since he heard about the comet and there seems to be no point in getting him to calm down so they're going to spend the rest of their days with him. But they send their love and they miss you very much."

"I miss them too," Cat said. Looking down at her hands, Cat changed the subject. "Nonna, did you ever do something so bad to someone you love and feel like there's nothing you could do or there isn't enough time to repair things with that person?"

"Is this about your brother?" Nonna asked. "Believe me I know he's…strange, but he does love you."

"No, no," Cat answered, shaking her head.

"Oh, I get it. This is about that boy, isn't it?" Nonna asked. Cat nodded. "Well, dear, let me tell you something. I was a pretty, spunky thing like you once and there was a handsome young man and we had the hots for each other. But we also got into a lot of fights. And with each fight, our relationship grew stronger and stronger."

"What finally happened to him?" Cat asked.

"I married him," Nonna answered.

"You mean…Grandpa?" Cat asked. Nonna nodded.

"Nugget, not a day goes by that I don't think about your grandfather. But when I look back, I am perfectly content with the way things played out because we had to fight for our relationship. I have no regrets about anything. If you really feel like this Robbie is the one for you, go get him."

Cat smiled. "Thanks, Nonna. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart." The two hugged. Nonna turned around and offered her hand to Cat's friends. "Sam, Dice, Goomer, even though I don't understand you guys and wish you guys had proper names, you're still Cat's friends and any friend of Cat's is a friend of mine and I love you all dearly."

"We love you, too, Nonna," Sam said. "You're a great cook, cleaner, and mother figure to all of us. You're a better cook and cleaner than Cat."

"Hey!" Cat shouted.

"Anyway, you're a pretty cool grandma," Dice said.

"You're a great woman," Goomer added.

Sam turned to Dice. "Dice, you're very pretentious for your age and you're a jack-of-all-trades and I envy that about you even though I make fun of you for not being a typical twelve-year-old."

"Thanks, Sam…I guess." Turning to gomer, he said, "Goomer, even though you're very simple-minded, even more so than Cat-"

"Hey!" Cat shouted again.

"Anyway," Dice continued, ignoring her, "You gave me a chance when no one else would, and I'm pretty grateful to you for that. And you're a great friend to all of us." Everyone nodded.

"Awww, shucks, folks. All I can say is that I love you all so much," Goomer said. They all engaged in one final group hug.

Early one dark, grey, foggy morning as the comet was getting closer, Cat suddenly woke up, realizing what she had to do. She couldn't waste any more time. She slipped into some American Eagle jeggings, a black lace top and the jacket that Sam had just given her for Christmas. She put on little makeup and pulled her messy hair back into a half-ponytail. She tiptoed over to Sam and shook her. "Sam. Sam, wake up." Sam groaned and stirred. "What, Cat?" She looked over at her clock. "It's 6:00 in the morning. Are you insane?" "Sam, I need you to drive me to Hollywood Arts High School." "But it's closed, Cat. It's been closed for weeks."

"I know. I need you to take me to see Robbie so that I can tell him that I still love him."

"But I thought you told me he was dating some Gabriella girl?" Sam asked, confused.

"I don't care about that right now. I just know I need to tell him how I feel before time runs out. So are you going to take me or not?"

After a brief pause, Sam said, "Yeah. Just give me a minute to get ready. Sam got up, brushed her hair and her teeth, got dressed, and got the keys. "C'mon. Let's go." They got into Sam's car. After about twenty minutes, they arrived at the deserted Hollywood Arts High School.

"How do you even know he's here?" Sam asked.

"I've got to start somewhere and this is the place he loves more than anywhere else in the world," Cat answered.

"Cat, what you're doing, going to see the guy you love to tell him how you feel-it's really inspired me. So after I'm done here, I'm going to see if I can catch Freddie before the comet comes."

"That's great, Sam." After a long pause and stare, Cat continued with the fact they had both been avoiding. "So this is really the last time we'll ever see each other."

Sam nodded and said, "Yeah." They swiftly leaned forward and embraced each other.

"Sam, I want you to know that you are one of the strongest, bravest girls I've ever met. And that it's okay to let your feelings show sometimes. You're one of my very best friends."

Sam sighed and said, "Cat, even though I often find your childish behavior annoying, I think it's really sweet to see at least one innocent soul still out there. I guess this is goodbye. Goodbye, Cat Valentine, and good luck."

"Goodbye, Sam Puckett. Good luck to you, too." The two pulled apart and exchanged one last solemn stare before Cat got out of the car. Sam slowly pulled away. Cat pushed open the rusty door, kicking some dust off the handle. She coughed. Posters and books lined the floor. "Robbie?" she called out. "Tori? Trina? André? Jade? Beck? Sinjin? Sikowitz?" she called out. There was no reply. As she crept along the corridors of her high school, she began to sing to herself.

I was a liar. I gave into the fire. I know I should've fought it. At least I'm being honest. Feel like a failure 'cause I know that I failed you. I should've done you better 'cause you don't want a liar (come on).

If she had fought harder for her relationship with Robbie and treated him better, she wouldn't be in this place right now.

And I know, and I know, and I know she gives you everything but boy I couldn't give it to you. And I know, and I know, and I know that you got everything but I got nothing here without you.

Even though Robbie was with Gabriella, she knew she couldn't live with herself if she didn't tell him that she still loved him, even if he rejected her.

So one last time I need to be the one who takes you home. One more time I promise after that, I'll let you go. Baby, I don't care if you got her in your heart. All I really care is you wake up in my arms. One last time I need to be the one who takes you home. I don't deserve it. I know I don't deserve it. But stay with me a minute, I'll swear I'll make it worth it. Can't you forgive me, at least just temporarily? I know that this is my fault. I should have been more careful (come on). And I know, and I know, and I know she gives you everything but boy I couldn't give it to you. And I know, and I know, and I know that you got everything but I got nothing here without you baby.

Cat searched every hallways, every classroom, the amphitheater, and the auditorium, calling out Robbie's name, but found no one there. As she returned to the hallway, she found Rex, Robbie's beloved puppet, in pieces. Stuffing and cloth covered the floor. Cat gasped and covered her mouth. "Rex," she softly said. She knelt by Rex's side. If he was here in this condition, and given the violent riots she had seen on the television over the past few weeks, she realized that Robbie could have very well faced one of these riots and died. Coming to this sad conclusion, she sadly and quietly sang as she broke down into tears.

So one last time I need to be the one who takes you home.

As she wept, she heard a guitar strumming and a familiar tune.

I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

Cat turned around to see none other than Robbie standing at the end of the hallway, strumming his guitar. His curly hair was messy and his glasses were askew, but he was alive and well nonetheless. He was wearing black pants and a dark jacket similar to Cat's. Cat wiped away the tears from her eyes to get a clearer view of him. He was singing the exact same song he had written and sung to her when she was down.

You're the nugget in my ChickenMc,

The peanuts in my butter.

Adding fiber to our diet's

Beneficial for each other.

You're a piece of dental floss and I am the teeth.

You're Aretha Franklin, I'm r-e-s-p-e-c-t.

You're baby giraffe and I'm and a safety ranger.

You're the father and ghost, I'm baby Jesus in the manger.

Our love spans 40 acres, filled with apple trees.

You're Thanksgiving, I'm the turkey.

You're Akeelah, I'm the bee.

You're a guitar, I'm the strings like a Jet ski in the water.

You're New York, I'm the buildings.

You're my mother, I'm your father.

And I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

If you're Bobby I'll be Whitney.

If you're Method I'll be Redman.

If you're Carrie I'm Samantha.

If you're Oprah I'll be Stedman.

If you're Leia I'm Han Solo.

If you're Warbucks I'll be Annie.

If you're puff the magic dragon I'll be Peter, Paul, and Mary.

I love you like a Cops marathon on TV,

I love you more than the original Star Wars trilogy.

I am the walrus, you are the goo goo gajoo.

I'm a whole lot of nothing, you are the much ado.

When I say I'm in love it's more than any love has meant.

And if we ever go jogging I'll be your antiperspirant.

And I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

The two began to sing together in perfect harmony and slowly walk toward each other.

And everyday when you're walking One more time, I promise

down the street, after that, I'll let you go.

Is like every other day because you're Baby, I don't care if you got

constantly walking down the street. her in your heart. All I

And everyday I'm only thinking about you. really care is you wake up

And a bunch of other important things, in my arms. One last time I but primarily you. need to be the one who takes And that's true. you home. I know I should've

'Cause I think you're swell. fought it. At least I'm being

I think you're swell. honest. Just stay with me a

I think you're swell. minute, I swear I'll make it

I think you're swell. worth it. 'Cause I don't want I'll be the Jagger to your Richards, to be without you. So one last

The Captain Kirk to your Picard. time I need to be the one who

If you're a molten lava room I'll be the takes you home. One more

one inept guard. time, I promise after that, I'll let

You're the tofu to my hippie, you go. Baby, I don't care if

the words in my dictionary. you got her in your heart. All I

If you're Sporty and Ginger, really care is you wake up in my

I'll be Baby, Posh, and Scary. arms. One last time I need to be We go together like pastrami on rye. the one who takes you home.

Like watching Titanic and trying not to cry. One last time I need to be You're in my mind like a song. the one who takes you home.

You're in my head like a zombie.

You're more fun than Frisbee in the park.

Or popping edamame.

We go together like a parade and confetti.

And later if you're hungry I'll make you some spaghetti.

"Will there be meatballs?" Cat sweetly asked. They were now standing directly in front of each other.

"For you, there always would be," Robbie answered. He then finished up his song.

And I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

I think you're swell.

Robbie and Cat threw their arms around each other. He picked her up and then put her down. "Oh, Robbie! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry about everything. I wish I had never broken up with you. I know I should have fought for our relationship harder and I know you're with Gabriella now but I just needed to let you know how I felt before Comet Eurydice came. I just wish it hadn't taken the comet and Christmas for me to realize all of this."

"Oh, Cat! I've missed you so much. I'm sorry I was crazy and stupid, but it's only because I'm crazy stupid in love with you."

"I'm crazy stupid in love with you, too," Cat said. "And Gabriella?" Cat cautiously asked.

"That's been over for a while. There wasn't much there to begin with. She was mainly my rebound from you. I thought she'd make you jealous," Robbie answered.

"Well you succeeded," Cat said, half-mad. Then she realized something. "Where is everyone?"

"Well from what I heard, Tori and Trina are with their family, André's with his grandmother in her secret bomb shelter, Beck and Jade eloped in Vegas, and God knows where Sinjin and Sikowitz are," Robbie answered. He then asked, "Where's your family and friends?"
"My parents are with Frankie in rehab, Nonna's at Elderly Acres, Dice and Goomer are on their own, and Sam went back to Seattle to talk to Freddie. What about yours?"

"My parents and my sister were on vacation in Florida when news of the comet hit and they can't come home," Robbie sadly answered.

"I'm sorry. Well now that we're here, let's promise not to leave each other ever again. This will be 'til death do us part and I think death is coming pretty soon," Cat said, extending her pinky.

"You're right, Cat." Robbie and Cat locked pinkies and kissed each other's pinkies, sealing their promise. They then looked up and kissed each other. As soon as they broke apart, Cat giggled. They hugged, happy to be a part of each other's lives once again before the end came.