Chapter Thirteen: I'm Not That Girl
From a forceful knock on the door, Patrick lifted his head from his laptop that was sitting on the bed. He pushed it aside and opened the door to a distressed Joe.
"Joe? What's up?" he asked motioning for him to come in.
"Hey, Patrick. I really need your advice" Joe confessed sitting down on the bed. "Look, I know I am not good with women situations; everyone knows that. I don't know if you have noticed, but Leila has been very distant with me lately" he explained.
"I have noticed. Did you say something to make her mad at you?" Patrick asked.
"No…I mean I might have…well, the thing is the other day when we went out shopping I ran into my ex, Stacey. Leila was in the dressing room and Stacey was being a mental bitch and kissed me in the store. I just fear that Leila might have seen something and thinks that I am going behind her back or something" he blurted.
Patrick sat attentive considering the situation thoroughly before giving Joe any advice. "Do you think Leila saw you kissing?"
"Actually, yes I do. She hasn't really spoken to me since that day" he replied.
"Hum…well, I think you should confront her about Stacey and tell her what happened if she saw something. But before you go blurting out past relations, you should ask her what is bothering her. She might not have seen anything" Patrick said comforting Joe.
"I know I need to find out what is wrong…I guess I am just afraid she will hate me because of Stacey. I mean it's not like I planned for her to show up, she just found me and…you remember what she was like" Joe stated rising from Patrick's bed.
"Yeah I do. Why don't you get Leila some flowers or something and sit down with her. You know, talk about this or what's bothering her. You might want to tell her of Stacey anyways just in case that loon comes back" Patrick suggested raising to his height below his nose.
"Yeah. Whatever I do I need to talk to her before she gets the wrong idea" Joe thanked Patrick and parted from his room.
Cara sat in the girl's living room flipping through channels on the television thinking about her and Patrick's plans for this evening. They had been having so much fun together and they had grown closer to each other ever since their dance at his birthday party where they confessed their love for one another.
"Hey gurl" Cara smiled at Casie walking into the living room.
"Hey" Casie moaned in a gloomy voice.
"Well aren't we chipper today" Cara responded to her perky mood.
"Sorry just got a lot on my mind" Casie said lying down on the couch.
"You and Leila…I don't think she has left her room all day. Do you know what is going on with her, I am kind of getting worried" Cara stated.
Nodding her head agreeing, "I tried to talk to her the other night, but she wouldn't. I think we need to just let her come to us when she is ready."
"Well, whatever it is I hope she talks soon, because this is really bothering her" Cara said watching Casie shake her head.
Changing subjects, "So, How are you and Patrick doing lately? Do you have any plans for this evening?"
A grin returning to her face, "Yeah everything is great. I think Patrick is taking me out tonight…we haven't really decided where, but I am sure it will be fun."
"That's cool. Pete and I may grab a bite to eat and then watch a movie or something back at his place" Casie yawned snuggling down under the throw cover from the back of the couch.
After her show went off, Cara looked over to a sound asleep Casie. Thinking a nap would be a good idea before her outing with Patrick, Cara slowly slid lower in her chair until finding the same deep sleep.
Her eyes felt puffy from tears falling the night before. Leila glanced at the clock and pulled the sheets over her head seeing it was late afternoon. She knew she had spent all day in bed and needed to get out for a few minutes. Maybe Cara or Casie could go with her and keep her company, she thought to herself. She tossed the covers back and threw some clothes on from her closet. Finding her way to the living room searching for her purse, she noticed Casie and Cara sound asleep. She did not want to wake them and decided to go over to the guy's house. Leila figured if Joe wouldn't come to her than she would try to talk to him.
After arriving at their house, she hesitated before knocking. Holding her hand up to the door, she took a deep breath and tapped quickly. The door creaked open and instead of seeing Joe, Leila stood in front of Pete dressed in pajama pants and a white t-shirt.
"Hey Leila. What's up?" Pete smiled.
"Looks like you are being lazy today as well" Leila half smirked. Pete raised his eyebrow in confusion, "Casie and Cara are at home asleep right now" she said glancing at his clothes.
"Oh, haha. Well, I am the only one home right now, but you are welcome to come in" he opened the door and motioned her in.
"Thanks. I just needed to get out of the house" she confessed heading for the couch and sitting down.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. So, what have you been doing lately? I haven't seen you or Joe in a while" he stated sitting down in the chair across from her.
Leila rubbed her forehead tired of contemplating the situation. "Well, I haven't seen him either and that's why I am here. I need to talk to him."
Pete noticed her uncomfortable state and wondered what was bugging her. "What's the matter with you two, I thought everything was great between you" he said.
The redness crept onto Leila's cheeks as her thoughts continually ran over the kiss she had witnessed. Not being able to take it she blurted unintentionally, "I saw Joe kiss another girl!"
Stunned, Pete sat still contemplating how to react. He slowly stood up and moved to the spot next to her on the couch. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, "Listen, I know Joe. I have known him a long time. And you don't have anything to worry about."
Leila folded under his touch and wrapped her arms around his neck surprising Pete. He returned the gesture hoping his words had comforted her. Leila breathed him in loving the feel of a man's warm embrace; it was something she had been longing for the past few days. She had only wished it had been with Joe instead.
"Thank you, Pete" Leila whispered pulling away from him.
Joe gazed over the selection of flowers, trying to find the perfect bouquet for Leila. He thought a moment before realizing that Leila was not a big fan of flowers. "What can I get her?" he said to himself.
"Well, I like tulips if you want to buy me some flowers" Stacey giggled from behind Joe.
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he turned around to the petite blonde with an evil grin upon her face. "I thought I told you I never wanted to see you again" he huffed.
"Do you really think I am going to let the man I love slip away from me" she replied.
"Look, how many times…" Joe started before hearing his phone ringing in his jean pocket. He pulled it out and saw the name "Ginny Girl" across the screen. Before thinking the situation through, he answered the phone longing to hear her voice. Walking away from Stacey, he spoke into the phone. "Leila! I am so glad you called…I have been meaning to talk to you."
Stacey growled in a high pitch and chased after Joe. "Joe, don't you walk away from me!" she yelled.
Rolling his eyes, Joe quickly spoke into the phone, "Leila, I have to go…I will call you later" he said closing the phone. He turned back around, "If you don't stay away from me and my house, I will be getting a restraining order!" he hollered on more time at Stacey before leaving her shocked in the flower shop.
Cara fluffed her hair and began putting some mascara on while Patrick sat in her living room waiting for her to finish getting ready for their date.
"You almost ready, Car?" Patrick asked getting up from the couch and walking to her doorway. "Are you descent?" he stopped before entering her room.
She leaned out of the bathroom and laughed. "Yes, I have clothes on." Patrick blushed as she winked in his direction. He stepped up to her bed and plopped down facing the bathroom.
"So, where did we decide to go tonight?" Cara asked.
"We're going to that new jazz club or bar downtown" Patrick told her lying back on the bed putting his hands under his head. He stared up at the ceiling of Cara's room watching the fan spin around while waiting for her to finish getting ready.
She finished patting a thin layer of powder over her face and switched the bathroom light off. Cara saw Patrick lying with his eyes shut on her bed and a sweet smile formed on her face. She crawled up beside Patrick and laid her head on his arm startling him.
"Oh! You scared me…I think I almost dosed off for a minute" he said moving to his side facing Cara with her still on top of his arm.
"You are so cute when you sleep" Cara blushed making Patrick do the same. He lifted his free hand and brushed the side of her cheek. Leaning down to Cara, his lips met with hers in a gentle manner.
"You ready to get out of here?" he asked sneaking one more kiss before sitting up.
"Yeah, let's go" she smiled.
Cara stood up and threw her purse over her shoulder. "Just a sec" she said motioning for Patrick to go ahead. She walked up to Leila's room and tapped softly on the door. "Leila, are you there?" The door did not open, but a small "Yeah" could be heard from the other side. "Patrick and I are going out tonight, but I will have my cell phone on if you need me…okay" she spoke loudly. Cara heard another soft respond of okay come through the door as well. "Casie and Pete should be at his house if you need her too. Will you be alright tonight?" she asked hoping to get more of a response out of Leila, but unfortunately only heard one more yeah.
Cara reluctantly left Leila alone and departed with Patrick for their date.
Casie popped the movie into the DVD player in Pete's room while he turned all the lights out. They snuggled under the covers preparing for their horror flick Pete picked out, but Casie did not mind considering horror was her favorite genre. However, it was nice having someone to cuddle with during the heart pounding scenes, she thought to her self.
The movie started and the first hour was completely boring to the both of them. The plot line behind it was nothing what they thought it was going to be. "Do you want to turn this off?" Pete asked tired of trying to enjoy it. "Yeah, this movie really sucks" Casie complained. "Why don't you change to a music channel, I don't feel like watching anything else now." Pete turned it to the first music channel he came to which was playing Fall Out Boy's remake of "Beat It". "Haha, you can change it if you want" Casie laughed. He flipped one channel up to a Barry White song making both of them laugh hard until their sides hurt.
"I think I am just going to turn it off for now" Pete said catching his breath. He laid the remote onto the nightstand and turned back holding Casie in his arms. Not expecting it, Pete pulled her closer to him kissing her hard on the lips. She could tell he was in the mood. Kicking the covers down, he rolled over on top of her rubbing his body on hers. His mouth moved down her neck while his hands found the bottom of her t-shirt pulling it off. Removing his own shirt, his lips crashed back onto her neck sucking. Casie's breathing became uneven from Pete's forcefulness. Her hands found his bare back as she held him over her. Once again he fondled underneath her back for her bra and undid the hooks. Sliding the straps down her arms, Pete flung her black bra over his head revealing her self to him. She could feel the sexual tension increasing between them as Pete moved his lips down her chest and back up. Moving faster, Pete caressed his calloused hand down her body and on to the top of her pajama pants untying the drawstring.
Pushing his hand away from her, Pete grabbed her arms and playfully shoved them to the sides of her head. Casie felt this plaguing unease in the pit of her stomach as he held her down. While he kept his hands on her arms and forcing his lips onto her chest, Dylan continually flashed in her mind. She wanted to be with Pete so much, but as he lay on top of her, the past of what Dylan did to her continually haunted her thoughts. She freed her arms from Pete and shoved him off of her. Breathing hard, she sat up and wrapped the covers around her. "What is it now?" Pete batted.
"I'm sorry, Pete" "I just can't do this, not like this" Casie frowned knowing she was tormenting him. "I don't think I'm ready to…after what" she started.
Pete held his head in his hands, " I can't help but think it's me…you just don't want to be with me" he said lifting up to look at her.
"How can you think that?" Casie said tears beginning to fill her eyes.
"Every time we get close, something is wrong and you have an excuse not too" Pete batted frustrated. "Maybe, this is a mistake." As the words left his mouth, he saw the hurt in Casie's eyes and realized that was not how he truly felt.
Casie held the tears back as she redressed herself. Pete watched as she gathered her keys and purse up from the floor. He wanted to say something to her, "Casie, I…" he began. She held her hand up, "Just don't" she responded. "I think it's best if I just leave."
Cara looked at her watch as she sat at a small round table in the back of a coffee shop waiting for Casie. She saw her friend drive up and come into the shop. Her face was blood red and wet with tears. "What happened?" Cara asked standing up to hug her.
Casie wiped under her eyes and sat down at the table "Well, Pete and I had been watching a movie and then things started to get hot and heavy. You know; and something happened and all I could see was Dylan's face just like when he would force me to be with him." "I just couldn't…it didn't feel right" Casie said holding the tears from flowing again. "Anyways Pete thinks it's him, that he is the reason I don't want to be with him, but that's not true."
Cara grabbed Casie's hand, "You should talk to him about this and tell him it has nothing to do with him. He will understand. Maybe you two should take it slow" she suggested. "I mean you have been through a lot and if he loves you, which I know he does, he will wait for you."
"I guess you're right. I want him to know how much I love him and how much it is killing me not to be with him" Casie confessed. "I should go back over there tonight and explain things to him."
"Yeah, I think you should" Cara said sipping on the small latte she ordered while waiting.
"Oh Cara, did I ruin your date with Patrick? I completely forgot you went out tonight" Casie fretted.
"No, no. After I heard your voice on the phone, I knew you needed me. Don't worry, it's completely fine" she comforted Casie.
"Thank you. I think I am going to go back to Pete's and see if I can't work things out with him" Casie sniffed.
Leila strolled into the living room with her bottle of tequila. She set the half empty bottle onto the coffee table and fell onto the couch. Her head was spinning as thoughts of her earlier conversation with Joe overwhelmed her. She heard that women's voice in the background and then Joe hung up with her suddenly. "He was with her again today. How could he do this to me?" she thought out loud. "I guess I'm not as pretty as she is." Tears filled her eyes once more making Leila snatch the tequila and gulp down two big swigs.
Lying on the couch with her arm over her face, she heard a knock at the door. Leila slowly got up from the couch and stumbled to the front door. Leaning onto it, she opened the door and saw a distressed Pete standing on the step. "Hi, is Casie here? I really need to talk to her" he asked walking inside.
"It's just mee" she slurred and walked back to the couch leaving the front door open. Pete realized she was really drunk and couldn't leave her by herself. He followed her into the living room. She was standing by the coffee table taking another swallow of her drink. Pete looked at her concerned, "Are you alright?"
Leila closed her eyes as her knees gave out, but before she fell Pete caught her and guided her over to the couch sitting the both of them down. "I think you have had enough to drink tonight" Pete said pushing the bottle to the other side of the coffee table out of her reach. Leila glanced up at Pete and smiled, "I am glad you are here. I really don't want to be alone right now" she managed to say. Pete continued to hold her up, with his arm around her shoulders. Not knowing what had happened, Leila placed her lips onto his while her hands found the length of his chest. And before Pete could react, Cara came strolling into the living room back from talking with Casie. Her eyes widened as she saw the two connected with one another. Pete broke the kiss off and jumped up from the couch.
"Cara! This isn't what you think. Leila is really drunk and I was just here making sure she didn't…" Pete said trying to reverse the damage.
"It's my fault…Cara…I kissed him. If Joe can kiss Stacey…then I can kiss who I want" Leila stammered.