I Will Always Love You
Chapter 11. Revelations
Author: j_rock873
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Since a lot of the Jessie/Katie stories have Jessie becoming a doctor in some way, I figured why break tradition.
Disclaimer: The only characters I own in this chapter are Amy Richards and Amanda Brown, who will be mentioned but never seen. In this chapter she will only be known as one of the many Katie admirers who became friends with Jessie. The rest belong to the show.
Reviews: Yes, I want them.
Harvard – The first day after the spring semester finals
Katie and Amy had begun packing everything up for their trips home.
"Well, it was nice rooming with you this year. Are you up for it again next year?"
"I don't think so, Amy. It's nothing personal. Actually, I'm transferring to UCLA, but I'm thinking of maybe taking a year off first."
"Really, that's too bad for Harvard, but not for UCLA. Well, we can still keep in touch since I live in California. Anyway, my sister will be going there next year."
"Really, what's her major going to be there?"
"Medicine, she wants to be a doctor specializing in heart conditions and life threatening diseases."
Katie's face turned pale.
"What's wrong, Katie?"
"Well, you know how I told you I was forced to go here instead of UCLA?"
"Yeah, what's your point?" Amy asked confused.
"Well, that's where Jessie's going after she graduates this year. She's going into medicine too. She's going to become a pediatrician."
"Small world, huh? Does anyone else know you're transferring?"
"Just you, Harvard, UCLA, and the sponsor of the scholarship I managed to get so I won't need my parents help. It's time for me to start trying to be more independent. My parents don't even know yet. I'll keep it a surprise for Jessie as long as I can."
"When are you going to tell them?"
"Probably in a month or so, but they won't know where I'm going for sure. I was able to get the schools to keep it quiet if I wanted them to do that."
"They'll probably figure it out eventually, Katie."
Katie nodded in agreement.
"So, I guess I can assume you told Jessie you'll be at her graduation?"
"I told her I might, but I wasn't promising anything."
Katie gave her a Grinch like smile.
"You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"
Once again, Katie nodded in agreement.
After they finished packing and going through all of the other requirements before leaving, they headed out to the airport. There they did the normal goodbye hug and the speech about keeping in touch, even though the last one wasn't necessary.
Evanston, IL – Three days later
Upton Sinclair High School graduation
Jessie had been elected the class valedictorian as expected. She was a nervous wreck over her speech, and the idea of speaking in front of a crowd didn't help any. She also hadn't heard from Katie in over a week, so she didn't know what to think. She eventually calmed down and made her way to the podium. She had looked for Katie on her way up there, but didn't see her. This brought a frown to her face. Right before she started, she noticed somebody waving to her. Katie had been able to make her way in unnoticed by Jessie's entire family, except Grace, who smiled back at both them. Hardly anything got past Grace.
Jessie, of course, gave a very moving speech about the many trials people can experience in their lives and how they handle it decides the type of person they will become. She was brought to tears by the standing ovation from the audience and the "I love you." gesture from Katie.
As Katie made her way to congratulate Jessie on everything, she was surrounded by her legion of admirers. By the time she finally promised to make an appearance at a party or two so she could get past them, Jessie and her family were gone.
Sammler/Manning house
The family had begun celebrating as soon as they got home. As they all were eating dinner, Jessie was subjected to many toasts, hugs from family members, and the traditional embarrassing childhood stories. The topic then switched to what her plans were for the summer.
"So, Jessie, what are your plans for the summer?" Karen asked her only daughter.
"Well, I guess I'll get a summer job and try to have some fun before I have to leave for college."
"Any ideas on what type of job you'll get?" Karen asked again.
"Mom, I just graduated. Let me think about it for a few days," she said with a slightly sarcastic smile on her face, which made everyone laugh.
"I think they're hiring at Starbucks, Jessie," Grace said casually, which was received with a glare and furrowed eyebrows from Jessie. Once again, this got past the clueless parents.
Jessie then got a call on her cell phone. It was a quick and whispered conversation. She had tried to act like it was it nothing and was actually able to pull it off this time
"If the rest of you don't mind, I was just reminded of a party I got invited to earlier this week."
She glanced around the room waiting for their answers.
"Sure, Jessie. Have fun, but be careful out there," Rick warned his daughter.
"Have fun, sweetie," Karen said with a smile and a gentle hug.
"You want to come too, Grace? You could probably use it after a year at Columbia," Jessie asked curiously as she made her way out of the room.
"That sounds like fun. You should go dear. You deserve it after doing so well in your classes," Lily said with pride in her voice.
"Ok, we'll see you around 6:00 AM," Grace said with a laugh.
"Try that again," Lily said sternly.
"Alright then, 1:00 AM," Grace said with a loud sigh.
"2:00 AM, no later," Lily said with a nod of agreement from Rick and Karen.
Grace and Jessie talked about both Columbia and UCLA on the way to the party. The talk helped prepare Jessie for what was to come in the near future.
"So whose party are we going to tonight, Jessie?"
"Amanda Brown's"
Jessie smiled while looking out the passenger window.
"Who's that? I don't recall an Amanda Brown in your class," Grace said with a look of surprise.
"Just one of the many devoted members of the Katie Singer fan club. We actually became friends."
"That's cool, I guess."
Amanda's party – 11:00 PM
Jessie and Grace had been at the party for around an hour. It was a nice party, but it didn't compare to Tad's party last year.
"Hey, Jess, not that I mind, but why did you really want me here tonight? This party isn't exactly booming right now."
Jessie was getting ready to explain when they were interrupted by a round of cheers. She looked over her shoulder, and they both spotted Katie making her way over to the two of them.
"That's why, Grace," Jessie said as she beamed at Katie.
"Hey, Billie!" Katie said quite enthusiastically as she picked Jessie up with ease and spun her around while hugging her.
"Wow, nice to see you too, Katie. I'm glad you could make it tonight."
"Well, Amanda promised you'd be here, so how could I miss it?"
She smiled as Jessie blushed a dark shade of red. Then she looked at Grace with a confused look.
"Grace, what are you doing here? I mean I know why Jessie and I are here, but what about you?"
"Jessie said I should come just in case."
"In case of what?" Katie asked with another confused look.
"In case you drink too much again," Jessie said with a smile as she laid her head on Katie's shoulder. Katie then glared at Grace, who merely shrugged it off with an eye roll.
"You promised not to say anything, Grace."
"She didn't," Jessie interrupted her. "I used to party with you, remember?"
This time it was Katie's turn to blush.
"Come on, Billie, let's dance."
Katie grabbed Jessie's hand and led her to where a crowd had already started dancing.
Two hours later
The party had picked up a lot now that everyone knew where Katie Singer could be found. Katie held Jessie closely in her arms as their foreheads touched each other.
"That was a beautiful speech, Billie. You deserved that standing ovation."
"Thanks, but I couldn't have done it without you there."
Jessie let out a peaceful sigh as she rested her head on Katie's shoulder while looking into her glistening, green eyes.
After dancing a little bit, the girls joined Grace for some drinks. Then the three made their way back to the dance floor. Katie was so happy that she ignored Jessie's warning on not to drink too much. By the time the last drink kicked in, Katie was already dancing provocatively with Jessie, who didn't seem to mind. Katie then began kissing Jessie passionately, which caught the attention of everyone. Jessie hadn't drunk as much as her, but let Katie continue anyway.
Grace, who was about three feet away, was shocked at what she was seeing. She had never seen the two girls get like that before. She wondered how far they'd go before one of them stopped, or they left the dance floor in search of a more private location. A few minutes later, she got the answer when Katie started losing what little control she had left. She grabbed Jessie's butt and gave it a good squeeze. This shocked Jessie back to reality, not to mention everyone who had watched without saying a word. She quickly pulled Katie off the floor and into an empty room. Grace followed behind just far enough to not be seen by Jessie and Katie. Katie began to panic and quickly started pacing the room, not even looking at Jessie.
"I'm sorry, Billie. I'm really, REALLY sorry."
She began to feel sick to her stomach and made a dash to the bathroom. Jessie quickly followed her. Katie had made it there just in time. As soon as she raised the toilet seat, she threw up. Jessie walked up beside Katie and held her hair back from her face as she threw up two more times. Katie then sat down with her back against the shower door.
"Th-Thanks," Katie said nervously while looking at Jessie once before looking down at her shoes.
"Katie, look at me," Jessie said as she kneeled down in front of her.
Katie shook her head no.
"Katie, look at me please," she said softly as she gently tilted Katie's chin up with her right hand.
Katie's eyes remained closed.
"Please?"
Katie slowly opened her eyes expecting an upset Jessie, but saw only a look of pure and true love.
"It's ok, Katie. I'm not mad at you."
Jessie smiled as she helped Katie to her feet. As they slowly opened the door, they saw that all eyes were on them. Jessie gave Grace a look that clearly said "Help.".
"OK, show's over people!" Grace shouted as she helped Jessie walk Katie out to their car.
"Aren't you glad I invited Grace now, Katie?"
Katie nodded yes before she passed out in the backseat of Grace's car. Grace and Jessie smiled at each other as they got in and headed home.