Robert stepped into Dr. Camille Jacobs's office to see Gretchen pacing the room, the look of irritation clear across her face. When the woman had called, Robert was on his way back to his one bedroom apartment after a long afternoon of filling out paperwork. Under normal circumstances he would never had made the hour long drive, especially since this was one of the rare occasions that he got to leave work early. However, anything that involved Gretchen always came first in his mind. Robert always found the time to visit Gretchen at least twice a month to see how she was doing, especially after Vince had taken custody of Olivia. At her request, he began spending more time with TJ and Spinelli, keeping Gretchen updated on how the two were adjusting to being parents of a little boy. But most importantly Robert was there to be her support system. He would call Gretchen as often as he could and tell her about his day at work, doing her best to give her a sense of normalcy; to remind her that there was life out there besides the one she was having in the facility. He didn't want her to become complacent, in hopes that she would want to move in with him so that he could help her get back on her feet.
"What's going on? What happened?" Robert walked over to Gretchen attempting to put an arm around her but was quickly rebuffed. He glanced over at the Doctor. Since Robert had been so supportive lately, Camille thought it would be best to have him join Gretchen's sessions every now and then. He seemed to have a calming effect on the woman and Camille knew she would need all the help she could get during this session.
"Gretchen tell him what's on your mind. Remember what we discussed?" Camille leaned back in her chair and looked up at the woman who continued to pace angrily.
"I know, I know!" she growled. "Say what's on my mind before it eats me inside." She stopped abruptly and turned to Robert. "I need my fix and I need it now! Right fucking now," A grin slowly played across her lips. "Frankie always had the best stuff. It was never like the first time, but it was damn near close."
"Gretchen…" Robert stepped closer finally able to take hold of her hands. "What happened?"
"I want to leave this world Bob," Gretchen said softly laying her head on wide chest. "All I need is one hit and I will be free from it all. I won't have to deal with this pain anymore. I just want to feel good again."
Robert gently lifted her chin causing her light green eyes to meet his dark blue ones. "Tell me, tell me what happened and I promise I will make it better." His voice was calm as he wrapped his arms around her small body. Gretchen pushed him away sighing and sat down on the couch across from Camille. She patted the spot next to her and Robert sat down.
"He…he forgot her birthday." Gretchen picked up the neatly folded letter that was on Camille's desk. Robert quickly skimmed it getting the gist of the situation. "I'm the bad mother but that bastard forgot her birthday!" Her rage was slowly returning and Robert took both of her hands in his. "He doesn't let me see my baby but he has his head so far up his own ass that he is ignoring her completely! I may have been getting high or prostituting but I tucked my little girl into bed every night and was there when she woke up in the morning. He got a fucking nanny to watch my baby! A nanny! He has everything he could possibly want, but he's the same son of a bitch he was in high school." Gretchen's breathing became tense as her mind begged her to satisfy her urge for cocaine. In the past that was the answer to everything, but Camille had taught her to talk out her problems, just like she used to before she met Vince. Robert knew that Camille had been trying to coax the past out of Gretchen, and he knew that now might be the only chance they would have to get her to open up about it. Even though he and Gretchen had spent a considerable amount of time together, she had never told him about her relationship with Vince. Whenever he tried she just shrugged it off saying that he was her baby daddy and that he could go fuck himself for all she cared.
"Gretchen, what did he do in high school?" Robert tried to keep the enraged mother focused, so that they didn't lose their window of opportunity.
"He broke me Bob. He broke me and left me to pick up the pieces." Gretchen exhaled before closing her eyes and leaning back. "He knew what he did would destroy me and I can never forgive him for it."
Gretchen struggled to close the door to her locker, her arms barely able to hold on to the numerous books she held. From time to time her lock would jam and she would have to slam it shut a couple of times in order for it to close properly. Just as she slammed the lock close successfully, her many text books slipped out of her grip and spilled all across the hallway.
Damn it! I do not need this right now. As Gretchen began gathering her books a smooth copper colored hand covered her pale freckled one. She looked up right into a pair of playful chocolate brown eyes. Gretchen blushed, pulling away quickly.
"Thanks Vince, I got this. I wouldn't want you to be late for practice," Gretchen said.
"Oh it's no problem. Besides practice doesn't even begin until I get there," Vince said cockily. "What are you still doing here?"
"I'm doing a couple of experiments and needed the chemistry lab." Gretchen stood making sure that she had all her books. She tried to look at her friend but his smile forced her to avert her eyes. Vince had grown much taller and now towered over the student body at a solid 6'5". He was rather muscular and always wore shirts that were easy for him to flex in, making many of the girls swoon. Gretchen particularly liked his black diamond stud earrings that donned both his ears. Even though she prided herself on not being a slave to her hormones like many of her peers, it took all her power not to suck hungrily on Vince's earlobes. "I should probably get going, Spinelli is driving me home."
"Let me walk with you. It will let me pull TJ away from her long enough so that he can focus on his jump shot." Vince took the books away from Gretchen and they headed over to the student parking lot.
Vince had ulterior motives for holding her books; it let him get an eyeful of Gretchen's full breasts. At the beginning of high school puberty hit Gretchen like a ton of bricks, something Vince was thankful for, because she was not an attractive girl. During freshman year Gretchen lost the braces that had made her even more awkward in middle school, and in the tenth grade she traded in her big round glasses for a pair of nice hipster ones that accented big vibrant green eyes. At the end of junior year Spinelli dragged her to the mall and forced her to update her wardrobe from a frumpy nerd to a respectable geek chic. The first day of senior year Gretchen showed up in her new attire causing everyone's heads to turn. Gretchen was flaunting her full D-cup breasts in cute crop top and her long sun kissed legs in her denim shorts. She let her bra-strap length auburn hair flow freely for the first time causing every guy she walked past to drool, as it was obvious that a goddess had just revealed herself. Once the initial shock wore off it was clear that Gretchen was still an intellectual at heart, and as a result she shot down any guy who did not share her thirst for her knowledge. Unfortunately Gretchen was still a young woman and she could not deny the lust she felt for the school's basketball MVP. Even though Gretchen had grown into her body, she still knew that Vince would always be out of her reach. They were just on two different paths in life, and she knew they would never cross.
TJ had Spinelli pushed up against her car, her slim legs wrapped around his waist. Shortly after eight grade, Spinelli had all but dropped her tough girl attitude and truly embraced the fact that she was talented artistically. She was still a little fire cracker, but was now known for her off beat outfits and an ever changing head of hair. This week she had it in a messy bun, but it was a vibrant red. Her change, and willingness to stand out, finally gave TJ the push to ask her out. They had begun dating back in freshman year, shocking no one. Everyone just asked them what took them so long to see what was so obvious. TJ had matured as well over the years and since joining the basketball team with Vince he had dropped his baby fat and become pretty well toned. He had become known as the school's go to funny man, as well as an all-around well liked guy.
"Can you two please stop sucking face for like five minutes?" Vince said with a laugh. The both of them flipped him off as they continued their make out session. Gretchen shook her head as she took her books from Vince.
"So Vince where's…which Ashley are you dating this week?" Gretchen asked genuinely, albeit hiding her jealousy.
"Ashley Q. She caught Lawson cheating on her with Ashley T. I can't believe those girls are still friends. It's nothing serious though. I'm only dating her so she can make him jealous. And who could not be jealous of me?" he grinned flexing his biceps. "I've got it going on baby!" Gretchen giggled and Vince smiled at her. "Hey do you mind helping me study for my physics test tomorrow? If I don't pass I won't be eligible for the next game."
"Yeah, I can help you study. Come over tonight after you get done with practice. I'll try to teach you enough to keep you from failing."
"Thanks Gretchen," Vince said hugging her, causing her face to turn a bright red. "I'll come by after practice okay. Come on TJ we're going to be late!" Vince yelled over his shoulder as he walked off towards the gym.
TJ slowly put Spinelli down before giving her a final kiss. "I will see you tonight my love." Spinelli nodded her head and turned her attention to Gretchen who was just giggling.
"Ah shut up and get your ass in the car."
"Gretchen be sure you teach Vince everything you know. We need him in that game tomorrow night! See you both there!" TJ patted her shoulder before running to catch up with Vince. Gretchen got into Spinelli's car and tried her best to listen to her best friend, but her mind began to wander. Vince is going to be alone in my house tonight. Just me and him! Oh fuck he's my friend; I have to keep it together. I can't ruin our relationship. Besides he's dating an Ashley! I shouldn't even be stressing over him! Damn these hormones.
Gretchen opened the door to see Vince's trademark cocky grin and she felt herself blushing. Vince had a notebook in one hand and a single red rose in the other. "I thought this would brighten up your day Gretchen. Just so you know there is life outside your textbooks." Gretchen took it smiling and led him inside. "So are your parents' home?" Vince asked as he shed his varsity jacket. He had on a tight fitting black t-shirt and some loose fitting jeans.
"No, they are out of town this week. They are speaking at some conference on molecular biology, and won't be back until Monday." Perfect, Vince thought as he made himself comfortable on the living room couch. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?"
"No, I'm good why don't we get started on this okay? I really want to make sure I pass that test."
They spent the next hour studying, going over the notes and Gretchen quizzing Vince on everything he should know, but Gretchen quickly realized that Vince was more than prepared for his exam. "Well Vince I think that's everything, do you have any questions for me?"
"Yeah, why are you still single?" Vince said closing his notes.
Gretchen was shocked at how straightforward he was. "Umm…I just don't have the time." She managed to stammer. "I have colleges to apply for and several projects I'm working on. Besides, who would want to date a nerd like me?"
"Maybe I would," Vince's voice got a little deeper, huskier. "Maybe I finally noticed how beautiful you are," He reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Gretchen thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest. "Maybe now I'm ready to finally do this," Vince pulled Gretchen close and gave her the deepest most passionate kiss of her life. Vince's tongue flicked against her bottom lip, and she happily opened them allowing him access. Vince quickly took advantage pulling Gretchen closer trying to make the kiss as deep as possible. His hands soon became restless and slowly made their way up to Gretchen's supple breast. She didn't put up any initial resistance so he began to massage them gently. Gretchen let out a soft moan as Vince kissed down her jaw before lightly kissing her neck. She was overcome with lust and didn't want him to stop.
"Vince…maybe we shouldn't…" Vince ignored her as he pulled up Gretchen's top and pulled her breasts out of her bra.
"You have nice tits Gretchen," Without warning he began to suck on her nipples hungrily, causing them to harden instantly. Gretchen moaned and arched her back. Vince bit down on her gently and Gretchen felt her pussy becoming wet. Vince tried to push her back down on the couch but this time Gretchen resisted.
"Vince stop this," Vince went back up to her lips and began making out with her again before he pinched her hard nipples. "I'm serious Vince stop." Gretchen said breaking the kiss and pushing him away from her. Vince's eyes narrowed for a second before he feigned regret.
"I'm sorry Gretchen. I don't know what came over me. You're just so beautiful, and I've wanted to kiss you for so long. Can you forgive me?"
Gretchen fixed herself before meeting his eyes. "No, no, it's just that…I mean I really like you and I thought if I told you it would ruin our relationship."
"What? Gretchen no, I've always liked you and I really want to be with you. I want you to be my girl. That's why I was all over you. I'm sorry if I was doing something you didn't like."
Gretchen's face turned bright red. "No I liked it. I liked it a lot. You're just the first guy to touch me like that. It was a little…overwhelming." She exhaled slowly. "So what does this mean now?"
"I want you to be my girlfriend. I know I've dated other girls at school but whenever I'm with you…I just feel so different. You know me so well, and you are always pushing me. All those other girls they just want me for a piece of arm candy. You like me for who I really am." He took both her hands in his kissed them gently. Gretchen couldn't help but blush. "Please say you want to be with me." He smiled gently at her, his charm as evident as ever.
"Yes, I want to be with you." She kissed him softly on the lips and Vince looked into her eyes lovingly.
"Good, how about you come to my game tomorrow. You can see your man making all those baskets." He grinned.
"Oh, umm no Vince I can't. I have this huge project I'm working on this weekend. I'm sorry." Vince pouted but nodded his head. "That's okay. It is a bit sudden. You just tell me when you are free and I promise I will take you out on the most romantic date of your life." He gathered his notebook and Gretchen walked him to the door. "Thanks again for the help Gretchen. I know I will be able to pass the test now." He gave her one final kiss before walking to his brand new Camaro, an early graduation gift from his parents. She waved bye back and slowly closed the door. Her heart felt like it was beating a mile a minute and she could barely think straight.
Vince smirked to himself as he drove over to Ashley Q's house. This was proving to be easier than he had expected. He had known for years that Gretchen had a huge crush on him but never made a move on him. Over the years Vince had only viewed her as a sister, but after seeing her transformation for senior year he saw Gretchen in a new light. He now wanted her so badly that he would ache below the belt and no amount of self-stimulation relieved him. That's why he had started having sex with Ashley Q. She really was trying to make Lawson jealous and Vince was on board as long Ashley would be available to him whenever he pleased. Tonight he had desperately wanted to take Gretchen but he knew that it would require finesse. Gretchen was not one of those girls who would spread her legs for anyone and he knew that she would never have sex unless she believed that she would be with that person forever. Vince didn't know how he would refrain from pushing himself on this girl while wooing her, but he was up for the challenge.