Robbie POV
I strode away fighting the urge to look back at Cat; her heartbroken gaze would only upset me further.
I needed to keep moving forward. That was the whole reason that I had ended things with Cat, to begin my new life in New York. I needed a distraction, pulling out my phone I rang Cassie and asked her if she wanted to practice today. She agreed and I headed over to her house.
I thought back to last night when as I walked to her complex. Sean didn't want me to end things with Cat, he admitted that after he found out that I was dating a celebrity he typed in our names into a search engine and read a few of the stories surrounding us. He told me that I had been through too much with Cat and I shouldn't throw it away over something stupid.
A part of me sided with him, Cat had changed my life. I would still be the Robbie I was before; nerdy and socially awkward. I couldn't fathom life without her; I imagine that it would be colourless and bland.
Jess was offended that Sean had referred to Cat calling her a slut, "something stupid." She didn't want me to get back together with Cat, citing that she wasn't open to sharing me, she was only happy when she had me to herself. She made a valid argument; it seemed that Cat didn't want to accept that I had changed and there was no denying that I had. I felt more mature in this city and for the first time that I belonged. I loved New York and she wasn't willing to share.
I couldn't handle it if every girl that I talked to or even looked at, she would assume that I was in love with them. Cat should have been thankful to Jess. She was the first person that I met when I came to this city a little over a month ago. She welcomed me into her circle and made me feel at home.
Sean and Jess argued over me as I sat in the middle of them. I just remained still, not engaging in their argument. Staring into the void I mulled over my choices. In the end I ignored the both of them, I had decided.
I knew what I needed to do.
When I had turned away from her there was a single moment of doubt. I pushed it away. I made the right decision. Cat and I had tried and failed at our relationship, we had never experienced normality. Between her lies, dealing with her celebrity lifestyle, my suspension, Anna, Brad and Tori... It was just too much, and I couldn't cope any more.
I knew that Cat would cry and I had mentally prepared myself for it. But that was nothing compared to seeing it person. I willed myself to be strong, to hold back my own tears and to not choke.
I met Cassie for a dance lesson, I was worse than usual. More distracted than ever and unable to relax. After five attempts I couldn't get the steps and I was beginning to get frustrated, Removing Cassie's hands from my waist and shoulder I pushed her away.
Taking a gulp of water I whipped my face with the hand towel and sat on the floor. Cassie approached me slowly, unsure of my temper. She sat beside me, pulling her hair out of her face, she tied it up and sighed, letting her hands flop to her sides exasperatedly.
"Robbie what's wrong?" she asked.
"I broke up with my girlfriend" I said my voice placid, "Today. I'm not really sure how I feel about it."
Slapping her legs, she stood up. "Come on, let's raid the cellar. You could use a drink." She held out her hand and I took it, she pulled me back up to my feet.
"Cassie it's only one in the afternoon."
She smiled, "Maybe, but somewhere in the world it's nine o'clock in the evening."
Laughing at her logic I let her lead me into the cellar. She listened while we both drank half a bottle each of her expensive wine in the confindments of the dimly lit cellar. She absent-mindedly traced the outline of the glass with her forefinger as I spoke. Gulping down my drink she filled my glass once again.
She responded as she poured the wine, "Robbie it's perfectly natural for you to feel upset, it's going to take some time to get over her."
I nodded and took a large swing again, not really enjoying the taste of the red liquor but relishing in the sense of calm that was slowly flowing around my body.
Setting down my glass on the ground I stood up, "I'm going to go here; I promised Sean and Jess I would tell them what happened, thanks for the support and the wine. It really helped."
She hopped off the ledge to see me out, when we reach the elevator she pressed the button.
She said as we waited for the lift to arrive, "Look, my friend is having a party tonight in the bar at corner of this street. It's a big unveiling, he had it refurbished. I'll put your name on the guest list, Cassie's and Sean's too. Maybe it would be good to surround yourself with friends. You know, people who do appreciate you for who you are."
I smiled, "I'll think about it."
I gave her a hug goodbye and entered the lift. An hour like I was back at the loft where Jess and Sean on the sofa waiting for me, their heads shot to the door once they heard it open. I gave them both a small smile and they grimaced.
"So" Sean urged as I fell into the armchair, "What did you decide?"
Taking off my coat I flung it beside me, "I ended it."
Picking the letter out of my pocket I chucked it to Jess, "It's for you."
It landed beside her; she stared at it as if it was a stick of dynamite. Sean rolled his eyes and snatched the letter up.
"For Christ's sake Jess, it's not going to kill you." Lifting out the letter he began to read it.
"Dear Jess, firstly I would like to apologise for my appalling behaviour. I shouldn't have been so cruel when I didn't know you and I fear that I will never get the chance to tell you this in person. I honestly don't know what Robbie is going to tell me today and if he does end it with me can you please tell him that I'm sorry and that I will always love him. I hope that I will see you tonight so I can apologise in person that is if you are still a fan of mine.
Regards, Caterina Valentine."
Sean finished reading, his eyes darting between Jess and I, he handed the letter over to her and she read it. Grabbing the envelope she tipped it over and the two passes fell into her hand. She stared at them guiltily. Shaking her head, she rushed out of the room and shut her bedroom door behind her. Sean made a move to follow her, then resisted. Jess returned with her bag and coat in hand.
"I completely forgot that I..." she trailed off, "I'm going for a walk."
"Want company?" Sean offered.
Shaking her head she waved at us as she left the loft. I had all of this excessive energy that I needed to get rid of, I turned to Sean.
"I need to do distract myself. Do you want to go to the gym or something?" I asked him.
He shook his head and picked up one of his books, flicking through it he settled on a page, "Jess and I already went jogging this morning."
I arched my brow, "You and her, I thought she was strictly a yoga woman."
He shrugged nonchalantly, "She said she wanted to jog today." Then he gruffed in annoyance, "She was better than me."
I grinned at Sean, the thought of him losing to Jess amusing me. They were both so competitive...
And blind.
Rising I excused myself and went into my bedroom. I stepped around the small room, spotting her blond wig on the floor. Sighing I lifted it up and lay on the bed, thinking of all the memories that this single artefact held. Her screaming when the car hurtled towards her, when we spent the day together at the beach, Tori's party, our first night together...
I threw it across the room and screamed into my pillow. I thought I knew what I wanted and now I was full of regret.
But there was no going back now.
Rising I looked around the room and her face stared back at me, I needed to cleanse my room of Cat.
Leaving my room I went down to the basement to the storage. Grabbing a box I returned back up to the loft and I got to work. I removed anything that remotely reminded me of Cat: the poster of her, the pictures and the wig. Looking around the room I realised how... bare it seemed without her. Storming into Jess's room I took her photo album that she had made of her month of college. Taking each photo I pinned it up on my wall. Determined to fill my room with new memories and faces.
Moving into the living area I grabbed the photo of us off of the bookcase, I hesitated and set it back down. I couldn't throw out that photo that was from our holiday together, it was the greatest time of my life.
But I still considered her a friend and one photo couldn't hurt. Closing the box over I brought it back down to the basement and locked it up. I bumped into Jess on my way back up to the loft.
She looked flush, "Oh Robbie. I was just going to get changed." She told me as she rushed up the staircase.
I chased after her, "You're going to the concert?"
She nodded, "Yeah I was going to give Sean my other pass, I said something to Cat and I regret it. I want to go and apologize." She bit her lip and avoided my glare.
My voice was low, intimidating, "What did you say?"
She reached the loft door and pulled it open, ignoring my question.
"Jess what did you say?" My tone rising.
She turned to face me, "I told her she didn't deserve you and I was wrong. I was wrong to tell you to break up with her."
I followed her into the loft, "Jess calm down. It's not your fault that we broke up."
"I know that but I still want to apologise and you should go. I know that she gave you that band that gives you all time access. You wear it all the time." She pointed at my left arm.
I looked down at the pink band with a "C" and a paw print on it, I had forgotten to take it off and put it in the box.
"I don't know if I can." I muttered, "That would be back-tracking, I would just be sending her mixed signals."
Jess looked to Sean for support, "Maybe it would be good, this is your last chance to see if you made a mistake. After that she is leaving New York and you won't know when she is coming back."
I looked down at the band on my arm, then at Jess who was staring at me hopefully. Then there was the party that Cassie had invited me too, she would be disappointed if I didn't show up.
"Fine." I answered breaking the tense silence, "I'll go to the concert."
Changing, we all headed for Cat's concert at Madison Square Gardens: her biggest concert yet. I can't believe I let Jess talk me into this, I tried several times to get off the subway and just get the return back to the loft. But the girl had a viper lock, she had pinned me down to the seat with her arm and eventually I gave up struggling. We reached the venue half an hour early, plenty of time for us to go backstage.
Jess was excited about the prospect of going behind stage while Sean seemed as usual uninterested by his surroundings, he really didn't care about taking part in a-lister activities, he would rather be in the crowd, blending in and having fun with everyone else. Jess flashed her pass and grinned as the securities guards let her through, I recongised one of them as Alex, the guard that opened the gate for Cat and I when we were hurtling towards it in that golf cart.
He beamed at me,"Hey Robbie, visiting your girlfriend?"
I flinched," Yeah, something like that." He winked at me and let me past. Walking down the narrow corridor we sought out Cat's dressing room. We located it at the end of the hall and Jess proceeded to knock on it, then I heard it. Her musical giggle, panicking I dodged behind a wall and urged Sean and Jess to follow.
Peering around the corner I saw her... with a boy. She was laughing with him, she peered out the door confused. Then she turned back to him and smiled, I knew that look, all too well. She was flirting with him. Leaning up she said something into his ear and kissed his cheek. Blushing he left, walking in the opposite direction. Pressing her fingers to her lips she laughed and shut the door.
Jess and Sean looked at me uncertainly, unsure how to react. I laughed bitterly, it didn't take her long to move on. It was really rich of her to be accusing me of cheating on her when she was cozying up to someone this entire time.
"I wasn't here." I said to Jess and Sean, "You didn't see me."
They nodded as I darted back down the narrow hall, hurrying so I wouldn't be seen. Using the fire escape I left the arena and flagged down a taxi. At least I could find solace in the fact that one good thing came from this: I got my closure.
Paying the driver I jumped out of the taxi and headed for the entrance. Letting me through I was greeted by the delighted screams of Cassie.
"Robbie you came!" she hugged me close.
"Yeah" I replied, "There is no where else I would rather be."
I was certain of it.
Oh this couple! :') they are so complicated.
AND there is so much more drama to come. I have a fairly good idea of what is going to happen next!
But tell me, what do you think is going to happen!
I still haven't decided if I want Sean and Jess to happen, I kind of like their friend situation.
But anyway review!
I love you, platonically of course :)
Xoxox
