Chapter Nine: The Pros And Cons Of Breathing
It had been three days since Casie, Leila and Joe all had been released from the hospital and finally returned to Pete's apartment. Considering how Casie was supposed to remain in bed until she recovered fully, the doctor did not recommend flying for a week or so. They had already been in New York for awhile and Jennifer and Cara were obligated to return to Chicago for job purposes. Patrick and Andy decided to join them on their trip back and, for Cara's comfort, left Joe and Leila there to watch over Casie and Pete.
The sun was shinning through the small square windows blinding Casie and she awoke hearing a door open and footsteps on a wooden floor. "You're awake! How are you feeling this morning?" Pete asked bringing in a small plate of toast with strawberry jelly and a glass of milk for her.
Pete had decided it would be better if she took his bed, seeing how it was larger and much newer than the guest beds. She turned over towards Pete and saw the breakfast he had brought her.
Slowly propping herself up onto the pillows, "I am feeling much better, but still tired I guess" she responded now reaching for the plate in his hands. "Thank you. You have been so sweet bringing me my meals in bed; you're gonna make me get used to this kind of treatment" she giggled.
Pete sat down on the bed be side her laughing "Well, I know you would do the same for me if the situation was reverse." "And besides I like taking care of you" he said with a little pink in his cheeks.
Casie just smiled up at him, "So, did the guys make it back to Chicago alright?" she asked referring to Cara, Jennifer, Andy and Patrick.
"They did. Cara would not stop asking about you and she said she would call later today to talk when you were awake" he said watching her bite down onto a piece of toast.
"Great, I been needing to talk to her and I know she will say something crazy to make me laugh" Casie said swallowing. She lifted her glass of milk and took a sip. "Oh, is Joe and Leila around?"
"Actually no…they are out exploring the city again today. Those two just can't stay put for more than an hour" he told her.
Casie nodded her head "Yeah, I can tell she really, REALLY likes him. I don't know what I am going to do with that girl."
"I know what you mean. Joe never acted like this with his old girlfriends"
They sat on the bed in silence while Casie finished her toast and milk. After she was done, Pete took the plate and glass from her and got up to leave for the kitchen.
"Thank you again for letting me sleep in your comfy bed. Are you sure you're alright in the other guest room?" Pausing a second "I wouldn't mind having company" she said a little embarrassed.
"It's fine. I would love to stay in here with you, but…I am afraid I would distract you from the sleep you need" he smirked. "Not like that though…" he quickly reacted, thinking of what he just said.
"Ha, it's okay. I know what you mean" she laughed. Casie watched as he closed the door behind him and she snuggled back down under Pete's grey covers. Surprised at how cheerful she felt, thoughts of Pete rolled in her mind making butterflies churn in her stomach. His words from the hospital continued to play over and over in her mind as she lay there on his pillow slowly letting sleep overcome her once more.
That afternoon, Pete was gathering all his dirty laundry from the second guest room in attempt to make it look neater. In one of the pairs of pants he snatched up, a small card fell from the jean pocket. He snatched it from the floor and read Srgt. Terri Johnston with a number below the name. Pete had forgotten the conversation he had in the hospital with this police officer. It seemed so long ago, almost two weeks; he wondered if the cops had ever caught Dylan or why they hadn't called him by now. The last thing Pete wanted was for Dylan to show up at his door step pissed off. Therefore, Pete thought it best to call Srgt. Johnston and ask about him, but where Casie could not hear him. He did not want her to worry about all this mess in fear it might make her sick again. Although, he wished Joe was there to help him, but Pete knew he was having a great time with Leila and did not want to bother them.
He shut the guest bedroom door and dialed the number on the card. He put the phone up to his ear and paced around the room.
"Hello, Srgt. Terri Johnston? This is Pete Wentz; I was calling to ask if you had found Dylan Kanders yet or what has been…? Yes, I understand. That's fine; I can meet you tomorrow morning at the French Café on 21st Street. Eight is fine. Thank you, sir." Pete tossed his phone onto the bed and breathed deeply. He worried from the lack of information the officer gave him, but decided to just focus on finishing the laundry.
During the night, Pete did not get much sleep. He stumbled out of bed two hours prior to his meeting with Srgt. Johnston, and hopped in the shower thinking that would refresh and make him feel a little better. Afterward getting dressed, he scribbled on a piece of paper that he had an errand to run and would be back in a little bit for Casie. Sneaking into her room, he placed the note on the nightstand with a red rose and watched her sleep a minute. She had a serene expression on her face with the covers nestled under her chin. This made Pete so ecstatic seeing her well again. He backed out of the room and shut the door slowly hoping not to wake her.
It was about thirty minutes later annoyed by the traffic when he arrived at the café and saw the cop sitting at a small round table in the back. Pete took a whiff of the delightful coffee aroma drifting around the room. As he approached, he noticed the cop was wearing another black suit, but this time with a crimson red button down shirt underneath and black shades.
"Take a seat, please" the cop said holding his hand out towards the chair across the table.
"Thank you. Have you found Dylan?" Pete asked situating himself in the tall brown chair.
"We received word of his aware bouts earlier this week, but were unable to catch him in time. We believe he has returned to Chicago" Srgt. Johnston told him sliding his shades off. Pete listened very carefully to every word he said. "I have spoken with a friend of mine from the Chicago Police Department and they have agreed to help with the situation. I want you to know how serious this situation is."
"What do you mean?" Pete worried.
"When you return to Chicago, and I am assuming you will soon, Dylan Kanders could possibly be waiting. He has a record for obsessive abuse in relationships and is wanted in the state of Michigan for armed robbery. We are considering this a priority one and I need you to call this number if you notice anything suspicious. I want you and your friends to be very careful" he spoke softly and with compassion.
"I understand, thank you again for all your help" Pete stood up and shook his hand.
"I will have an officer call you in Chicago to keep you informed of the situation as it unfolds" he stated placing his shades back upon his nose.
Leila stood in front of the bathroom mirror brushing her long brown hair, the events of the past few days with Joe continually crossing her thoughts. Peeking around the corner, Joe watched as she ran her fingers through the length of her hair while smiling at herself in the mirror. He loved how long it was hanging down her back. Slipping into the bathroom unnoticed, Joe slowly shut the door behind him making sure not to make a sound. He crept up behind Leila and took her around the waist.
"Shit you scared me!" she gasped turning around to face Joe.
"Aw, I'm sorry…no not really" he laughed. Leila popped him on the shoulder, startling Joe. "Ouch! Hey I was just playing."
Leila bit her lower lip watching him put a sad puppy dog face on. A smile crept back on to her face as she leaned to his shoulder kissing it tenderly making goose bumps appear on Joe's arm. She leaned back up and gazed into his eyes and Joe in hers. They stood in silence staring at one another for the longest time. Suddenly, Joe pressed his lips hard onto Leila's pushing her up against the vanity. He took hold of her waist with one arm and grabbed her hair with the other. Their hearts racing now, Leila threw her arms around his neck pressing her body against his. The tension in the air was growing as Joe picked her up and plopped her down beside the sink while continuing to ravish her with his kisses. Feeling his body heat radiating onto her, Leila slid her hands down his back searching for the seam of his green shirt. They separated long enough for her to pull it over his head and dropped it onto the tile floor.
Releasing from Leila, "Are you sure you want to…" he asked knowing if they went any further he would not be able to resist her.
Leila grinned widely and pulled her own shirt over her head and threw it behind Joe, "I'm sure."
Joe's face turned a light shade of pink seeing her without a shirt on for the first time. Leila could tell it surprised him, but decided to snatch the back of his neck kissing his lips again, this time with more passion. She wrapped her legs around Joe's hips locking her feet together in the back.
Running his hand up her throat, Joe tilted Leila's head moving his sweet kisses onto her neck. Breathing harder, she loved the feeling of Joe's lips brushing against her soft skin. She ran her fingers through his brown curly hair letting a soft moan escape her lips as he made his way further and further down her chest. Then, Joe moved his hand from her neck onto her shoulder taking hold of the pink bra strap and sliding it down to her elbow. Leila pushed her hands on his chest backing him away from her and hopped down off the vanity. Joe watched Leila's reflection in the mirror as she unhooked her bra and tossed it to the floor with the shirts. In the pit of Joe's stomach a yearning formed for her as he pulled her close to him once more forcing his lips hard onto hers. He took pleasure from the feeling of his bare chest on hers. Leila could feel Joe's heart beating rapidly coinciding with hers.
Next thing Leila knew, Joe bent her back towards the tub and twisted the handle turning the shower head on. Letting a small chuckle flee her mouth, Leila met his blue eyes as he raised her back up.
"Oh, so you think we are going to take a shower together, do ya?" she smirked listening to the water hit the shower curtain. All Joe could do was nod with a guilty grin upon his mouth.
Flipping onto her other side, Casie noticed a red blur out the corner of her eye. She peeked open both and tried to focus in the direction of the nightstand. She reached over and picked up the rose Pete had left her. Grinning ear to ear, she placed it on her nose smelling and enjoying the smooth petals on her skin. She lifted the note that was left underneath it and read it aloud to her self. Casie concluded she needed to get out of bed and fix her own breakfast this morning. It was time to move around a bit and regain her energy, she thought to herself. She kicked the covers off her legs and sat on the edge of the bed stretching a minute. From where she was sitting, she could see her reflection in the mirrored dresser across the room. Her pajamas were baggy and her hair was a mess, but she could care less just happy to still be alive.
Leaving the bedroom, Casie weakly shuffled to the kitchen to retrieve a clean cereal bowl from the dishwasher. Next, she grabbed the box of Cheerios from the pantry and wondered if Leila and Joe were home. She had no idea considering she had been kind of narcoleptic the past week. Peering down the hallway, the guest bedrooms appeared to be empty. Shrugging her shoulders, she poured the milk on top of her cereal and threw in some cheese, which was something her mother used to do when she was a child. She sat down at the small square table in the corner of the kitchen. Casie loved the layout of the apartment, it was very spacious. The kitchen was completely open to the living room and the hallway to the bedrooms. She bent over her bowl and scooped another bite of her cereal letting the milk drip from her chin.
Suddenly, she noticed a light come on from the guest bathroom and the door flung open with Leila coming out and steam following behind her. She was wearing what appeared to be one of Joe's green t-shirts and had her hair wrapped in a towel. Leila walked towards the kitchen with her hands mashing it down around her head, when she noticed Casie starring at her from the table.
"Oh, you are awake. I did not expect you to be out of bed" Leila said her face turning blood red.
"What is going on, Lei?" Casie asked unsure of why Leila was acting funny. A few seconds later, Casie heard Joe's voice coming from the bathroom Leila had previously dispersed from. "Hey Ginny Girl, I think we should do this again tonight, but included Mr. Duckie!" Joe hollered.
Leila's face turned an even darker shade of red, if that was possible. "Shut up, Joe!" she yelled towards the door.
"What did I do?" he asked popping out from the bathroom with just a navy blue towel around his waist and dripping wet hair. "What….oh, shit!" "Huh…sorry Casie. Did not know you were up" he said his face now a shiny red as well. "I am just going to go back to our room, Lei. Let you two talk or whatever." He hurried into the room and shut the door behind him.
A little embarrassed her self; Casie moved her head from Joe's door to Leila, "Why don't you sit."
Leila, a little unsure what her best friend was thinking of her, slid the chair from across the table out and sat down making sure not to look her in the face.
"I thought you were going to tell me before you even got close to considering…you know?" Casie questioned with a firm voice.
"I know, but you were still sleeping all day. I didn't want you to fuss over us." "I was waiting until you were better!"
Casie pushed up for her chair and shifted over next to Leila placing her hand on her shoulder. "I want you to know I am happy for you, just don't rush things and for heaven's sake use protection!" she giggled at Leila. "I know Joe is a good person and would never hurt you."
Leila stood up from her chair and hugged her best friend tightly, excited of her approval.
Cara dreaded being at work everyday that week, especially knowing her two best friends were still far away in New York. Patrick spent most of his time, when she wasn't working, at her place watching movies and trying to make sure she does not hyperventilate every time a call comes from Casie or Leila. All they had was each other while everyone was away because Andy and Jennifer had gone back to her place, leaving them.
Patrick sat on the couch watching Cara slouch down in the recliner across the room in her nurse's uniform. "Why don't you go change into some regular clothes…maybe you will feel better" Patrick said.
"Yeah you are right…today was crazy. I didn't even get a break long enough to call Leila" she breathed.
"Well, go change and I will fix you a drink to help you relax" he said heading towards the kitchen. "Aw, aren't you sweet" she batted her eyelashes at him.
Cara trotted down the hallway and as soon as she reached her door, flung her shoes off her feet and left them lying in the floor; including her uniform after changing into a comfy black skirt with a white t-shirt. "Ah, that is better" she sighed. She hurried back to the living room where Patrick was waiting with two drinks in hand. Cara could hear a movie starting on the TV, Star Wars.
"Oh my god Patrick, you are the perfect man…do you know that?" Cara said reaching for her drink.
Patrick blushed as he sat down next to her. "Well, I just know it has to be difficult for you to have your friends so far away and after all that has happened. I know it is hard for me after Joe" he said sipping on his drink. "Oh, do you like it?" he held the glass up in the air.
Cara took a gulp, "Oh I like the after taste…Malibu?" she asked licking her lips.
"Yes, and a few other things" he smiled. "My special mix…Andy doesn't even know what's all in it."
"You are so cute" Cara giggled. She placed her drink onto the coffee table and leaned in close to kiss his cherry lips. Patrick held her back a second and set his drink next to hers. "Now, you want to try that again" he smirked. Cara laughed and rushed to meet his lips with hers. They slowly slid further and further down on the couch, when Cara went from kissing his lips to his neck. "Cara…you know I love what you're doing, but don't you think we are going a little fast?" he asked lifting her up from him. "I mean we haven't even been on a second date yet."
"I guess you are right" she said backing off of him and taking another sip of her drink.
Seeing Cara a little sad, he leaned forward to kiss her again. He placed his hand in her hair letting the soft strands bunch up in his fingers. They kissed a minute more until Cara released, "You are an amazing kisser!" This made Patrick find her lips again kissing harder. They stayed pressed against each other, when suddenly, the phone rang unexpectedly.
"Who could that be?" she said leaving Patrick on the couch. "I don't think it's Casie or Leila, they are not supposed to call for another two hours."
Cara answered the phone, "Hello, no Casie is not available…yes. What? But, you can't do that! She was in the hospital and almost died from… What? I can't believe this! Well, thank you for nothing!" she screamed into the phone and then slammed it down. Cara's face was now red and fuming.
"What was that about?" Patrick asked getting up from the couch to Cara's side.
"It was Casie's work…they did not know she had been in the hospital. So, they fired her today!" Cara huffed. "I can't believe they did that even after I told them where she was!"
"Can't they just rehire her?" Patrick suggested.
"No. Not this place…it's a company that advertises for a bunch of different products and other companies; or something similar to that. Once you are fired, that is it" she paused a second to think. "I don't want to tell Casie, she does not need to hear this right now."
A few days had past and Casie was out of bed often, now. She was sick of lying there day after day, unable to sleep anymore and not to mention bored.
She watched Joe as he came out of his room with Leila. Every time he saw Casie, his face grew red from her knowledge of his and Leila's actions behind closed doors. Casie could not help but sniggered under her breathe. Leila crossed in front of her and plopped down on the couch next to her while Joe sat across the room. She turned her head to Leila who just rolled her eyes at Joe.
"Are you going out today…around the city?" Casie asked.
"I think we're going to just walk around Central Park for awhile" Leila said looking at Joe who was nodding in agreement.
She and Leila had not visited New York since high school and she was dying to see the city one more time before returning to Chicago.
"Do you think you're well enough to go outside and walk around with us?" she asked seeing her friend a little jealous.
Casie's eyes lit up when Leila asked her to join them "Oh, yes and if I get tired I can just come back to the apartment and let you two enjoy the rest of the day alone."
"You are not walking back to the apartment by yourself!" Pete hollered coming out of the hallway. "Why don't we all just go this afternoon?"
"Sounds great to me!" Casie smiled ready to get out of the apartment.
The four friends spent the entire afternoon in Central Park listening to the birds chirp in the trees and watching the children play in the grass. There was even a young man sitting on a bench playing his guitar for a small crowd. The day had turned out to be a beautiful one, the sun shining and a cool breeze blowing.
Pete and Casie walked a few steps behind Joe and Leila who were stuck together each with one arm around the other. Leila had hers around his waist, while Joe wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"They have gotten really close" Casie said holding Pete's hand.
"Uh…I know it has been a little awkward around the apartment lately" he blushed. Apparently, Pete had encountered a situation similar to that of Casie's.
"Today has been so nice Pete; all the fresh air, but I don't know if I can stay much longer" she confessed feeling the weakness returning to her legs.
"Do you want to leave right now?" he stopped her.
"I'm sorry to make you, but yeah. I think I need to get back and rest" she sighed.
"Don't worry, I think people are starting to notice who we are anyways. Let's tell them and leave" Pete said referring to Joe and Leila who were now giving each other playful pecks on the cheeks.
"Guys, I think we are going to head back, and I don't think you should stay much longer either because there are some girls ahead starring at us" Pete said glancing at the teenagers giggling and pointing in their direction.
"Yeah, I think we are going to grab a bite to eat somewhere then head back later" Joe said turning around to go back the direction they just came from to avoid the girls.
Well, ya'll have fun, but not too much fun" Casie laughed making Joe turn candy apple red again.
Joe and Leila watched as they disappeared into the distance. Turning to Leila "I think we are making it a little awkward for them" Joe said.
"Yeah well, maybe we should slow it down a little for now" she said quickening her steps to get away from girls now following them.
"Okay these girls are really starting to bother me. Let's catch a cab to the restaurant" Joe complained practically dragging Leila fast to the nearest street.
Finally reaching the restaurant, Leila glimpsed around excited. "This place is really neat. What is it called again?" she asked.
"Oh this is Union Square Café. I thought it was awesome last time I came with the guys, and not a lot of Fall Out Boy fans eat here. So, we can eat peacefully…I hope" he laughed.
They followed the host to one of the square tables with a white linen cloth draped over it. The floors were wooden and there were a few colorful oil paintings hanging randomly on the white walls. There wasn't much decoration to it, but it seemed a little chic for a café, Leila thought.
They were about halfway finished with their meal when Leila felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. "Oh I wonder who's calling me…it's Cara." "I don't want to be rude and answer it here" she said hitting the side button and returning it to her pocket.
Joe smirked and returned to eating his pasta twisting giant bites onto his fork. Leila loved watching him eat or doing anything for that matter. Joe had his own unique way for everything, which made Leila beam inside.
"Do you think we should talk about us? I mean where we stand" he looked up from his plate with a serious face.
"What do you mean?" she asked setting her fork down a little worried.
"I have been meaning to tell you something…" "I have had so much fun with you the past couple of weeks and after all that has happened…I'm in love with you" he said slow and softly.
Unable to resist his romantic words, "I guess I should tell you, I have fallen for you too" she said blushing.
Joe slid his hand across the table clutching hers intertwining their fingers. Leila could feel something in between their pressed palms. Glancing up at Joe confused, she cupped her hand left with what Joe had given her. She noticed a shinning small light purple stone connected to a silver chain. "It was my grandmother's, she gave it to me before she past." "I want you to have it."
"Oh no, I could take this" Leila said stretching her hand back towards Joe.
"No. It is so beautiful, it deserves to be around someone beautiful" he smiled.
"Oh Joe…thank you, I love it!" she beamed as she hooked it around her neck.
Giggling under her breathe, "How come every time we go out, you give me amazing gifts?" she questioned.
"Cause I am just amazing" he smirked batting his baby blue eyes.
Leila laughed at his cuteness and continued to eat her pasta. Suddenly, she felt another buzz from her pocket, but this time it was just a text message.
She flipped open the phone and read, -I know you are probably busy, but I need to tell you something urgent about Casie- (Cara). Leila wondered what she could be talking about because when they had left Casie, she was fine. Knowing her, she was serious and Leila had to find out what was going on. "I have to call Cara, she said it's urgent" she told Joe who had a noodle hanging from his mouth. "I will be right back."
"Okay…hurry back" he said flipping the noodle back into his mouth.
Leila stepped outside the restaurant and dialed Cara's number. She paced a little in front of the doors waiting for her to answer. "Hello? Hey, what is going on? She lost her job? How could they do that when she was in the hospital? Urgh…yeah I won't tell her, don't worry. Okay, bye" she hung the phone up stunned her friend was unemployed. She knew Casie had worked so hard for that job and did not know how she would react.
Leila returned to the table with Joe, whom had almost finished his meal. "Hey, what did Cara have to say?" he asked watching Leila sit down unnerved.
"Oh, Casie was fired the other day from her job" she told him concerned.
"Crap…that's not good. But, don't they know what happened to her?" he asked.
"Cara said she told them, but they fired her anyways."
Joe watched as Leila contemplated what her friend was going to do for money. "Don't tell her anything yet, okay" she snapped.
"Sure thing…my lips are sealed unless I am kissing you" he joked trying to make her feel better. Leila smiled up at him "I am serious; Cara said bad news like this could make her get sick again."
"I won't, don't worry" Joe replied. "You ready to get out of here?"
"Yeah let's go back to the apartment." Leila watched Joe pay the bill as she clutched the purple stone around her neck admiring his gift.
It was the day before they were intended to return to Chicago. And Casie, was packing her clothes while singing along to Norah Jones, "Come Away With Me". She always felt at peace when she heard Norah's soft deep voice. She knew she would never have the voice to be famous like Patrick, but that did not stop her from singing her favorite songs.
Pete walked in the room and stood listening to Casie a minute before coming up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist surprising her. "Oh Pete, don't scare me like that!" Casie said turning around putting her arms on his shoulders.
"Don't stop singing" Pete whispered placing his forehead onto hers as he began to guide her into a slow dance. Casie was a little shy when it came to singing in front of people, but Pete made her feel at ease. She sang a few lines before stopping to kiss him lightly on the lips. She pulled out of his arms, "I have to finish packing."
Pete was not expecting her to let go of him and pouted a minute. "Well, let me help you. I'll get your shampoo and toothbrush from the bathroom" he offered.
Casie gathered some more shirts from a dresser drawer and tossed them into her pink suitcase. "Have you noticed Leila and Joe acting funny around me lately…like ignoring me?" she asked watching him return with her stuff.
Pete stared at her with his mouth half open. "No…I haven't." He dropped his head down to the wood floors, hoping Casie did not notice his guilt.
"Is there something ya'll aren't telling me? Don't lie to me…" Casie demanded sternly.
Unable to hold it in, Pete broke the bad news to her. "Cara found out a few days ago you…lost your job. Joe let it slip to me yesterday and we were going to tell you, but after we got back home" he said watching Casie sink down on the side of the bed.
Pete moved around it and slid down next to her reaching for her hand "I am sorry."
Casie looked into Pete's caramel brown eyes and said "Thank god!" Making him raise his eyebrows up in confusion, "What? Are you not upset about this?"
"I don't know what I am going to do now, but honestly, no I am not upset. That job was way too stressful for me. I am so laid back and too eccentric for it" she told him.
"Wow, everyone has been so worried you would flip out or something" Pete said surprised.
"Well, I guess I need to start talking to my friends more often about what is going on in my life. Maybe next time, the situation won't turn out so horribly."
"Don't blame yourself for what happened. Everything is going to be alright now" he said wrapping his arm around her neck.
"Except I need a job." "Except you need a job" he repeated. "Well…I will help you search for one when we get back."
"What would I do without you, Pete?" she blushed. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the mouth. Casie knew he was exactly what she needed at that moment, after all this mess.
"I just thought of something" she lifted her eyes to his. "I don't think we have ever been on a real date before."
"No, we really haven't. Not by our selves at least." he shrugged. "Would you like to go out one night after we get back to Chicago?"
Casie smiled and nodded her head, "I would love to."