Ordinary Day

Vanessa Carlton

Interlude

…..

Katie put her hair in a ponytail…waiting for Julian to come pick her up. She didn't know where he was taking her for their date. She didn't know what to expect when he told her to wear exercise clothes…but she was open to anything now.

She was finally ready to open herself up to him…and not be scared of the consequences or what her mother thought…even though her mother was trying to back off a little bit.

Smiling at herself in the mirror…she didn't know when she began to do this….but she hoped she looked good…a pink Nike shirt and black shorts…..

"Where are you going…?" Maya teased standing in the doorway.

"With Julian…"Katie smiled as she grabbed her bag. Moving freely…so glad her knee was feeling much better.

"oooo….." Her sister puckered her lips. "Someone is in love…."

"Shut up…besides where are you going?" They both headed downstairs.

"To go see mom….." Maya shrugged fidgeting.

"Something wrong…." Katie grabbed water from the refrigerator.

"no just that…I was so hard on her…I never tried to see her point of view…I just kept jumping on her…."

"….."

"…we are still trying to feel each other out…but I am glad we can talk and not end up in an argument."

"That's good." Katie kissed her on her cheek as the doorbell rang. Katie ran to the door in excitement as she opened the door…jumping into Julian's arms.

He was even more surprised when she wrapped her legs around him…spinning her around.

"Ummm you do have an audience." Maya said as they laughed.

"Need a ride." Julian asked.

"Nope…taking the bus….." She smiled leaving for the bus stop.

"So where are we going?" Katie asked as Julian stopped her train of thought…greedily kissing her…but she didn't mind. Her mind not being able to muster a single thought as his tongue played with hers. His hand raising her shirt…feeling her stomach.

"Damn girl…." He broke away as she nearly fell before he caught her.

"Ummm….what were we talking about?" She bit her numb lips.

"Come on…" He laughed.

...

"Come on Mar…" Jake said as they sat in the park. He laid his guitar down…admiring her smile…her everything.

She found herself nervous as the tall boy stared at her...it was the look in her eyes. She was not use to it. Usually boys stared at her like she was a piece of meat…but he was staring at her…like he was actually looking at her.

"Why don't you first…" She insisted. Why did she tell him that she could sing? She didn't actually think he would want to hear her…but over the past days...it seemed like they didn't want to be a part from one another…and when they were apart….they missed each other….

They hadn't kissed yet but at times they both found themselves looking at each other's lips. Jake just had to know everything about this girl…if she would tell him.

Marisol watched as his fingers played expertly the melodic tone of I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. As he sang, he looked into her eyes…hoping she was seeing what he saw…someone beautiful. She blushed admiring his beautiful voice…but she found herself….joining him.

Their voices blended perfectly together…but the fear crept inside of her again….yes Marisol Lewis was scared….she was not scared of a hook-up but she scared of actually having someone who cared for her.

"Marisol…" Jake asked seeing she was scared. He noticed she stopped singing

"Umm…I don't feel like singling anymore…um…I…um…." She stood up as he grabbed her wrist.

Standing up…Jake wasn't listening to her insecurities talk…he leaned in slowly. He just had to feel her lips against his. Closing her eyes, she found herself kissing him back.

"Marisol…please stop running….." He broke away….putting his guitar down…sitting down…bringing her down with him….he straddled her in his lap…as he kissed her again.

…

"Hold out your hands…" Julian commanded as he began to wrap them.

Julian smiled as he saw Katie look like a curious child walking inside the gym. He wanted to get her out of her element. He wanted to show her…she had no limitations. This was the best way he knew how. When he fought, he felt like he was in control.

But the ring was where he belonged. He knew she had never done this before but he wanted to see how she would react to the noises…and his seriousness when he was in the zone.

Katie watched as he expertly punched the bag in front of him. She knew he was strong by his muscles…but she also admired his mental strength…his concentration. Swinging from different directions, she knew he valued this sport.

"Just hold your fists up like this." He placed her fist up.

"I do know Tae Kwon Do…" She laughed.

"Ok…show me what you got Matlin…." He watched her hit the bag…very impressed.

….

"You holding up babe?" Alli asked handing her the Kleenex. She hated seeing her friend like this but she had a feeling she was going to pull through. Because you made the best decision for herself.

"You know what…I actually am…I mean at least with this closure…I can walk through the halls without wanting to retaliate." The blonde said as Dave came from the kitchen.

"…I got the popcorn…" He sat down as Alli leaned on his shoulder. He could tell he came into an intense conversation.

"Clare, Eli, and Adam will be here soon." Alli stated as she watched her friend. Maybe this was a bad idea…the movie night…she didn't need to see them all in love and she just lost the loves of her life.

"Good…" Jenna said. "I need to laugh some."

…

"Jake…." Marisol said breaking away from him.

"No…you are not going to stop this from happening between us." He said rubbing her back.

"but what if…." She asked catching her breath.

"Life is filled with what ifs…what if we don't try this…we will regret it…I have always followed my instincts…and they lead me here." He said.

"….we will take things slow?" She asked. She didn't want to get hurt.

"Yes…." He said watching her think…this could be what she always wanted…a good guy who was drama free…who truly cared for her.

"Ok…" She nodded as she leaned back in giving into her desire.

…

"Very impressive Ms. Matlin." He watched her hit the bag harder and hard. He loved the way her ponytail flared at her quick movements…the look in her eyes of determination.

"That means a lot coming from you." She said as he walked up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist…kissing her on her cheek.

"don't you know how to make me feel beautiful…." She flirted as he pulled her ponytail down.

"Let's finish this somewhere else." He whispered sucking her ear. Katie could only nod…

…

Jenna was happy at her friends being together….but maybe she wasn't as prepared for this as she thought she was. Seeing them cuddling…saying sweet nothings in each's ears was hard. She remembered when she wanted it with K.C….how she had it with K.C….and lost it…and she didn't want it back.

Adam knew how Jenna felt. He had appointed himself the "caretaker" of the group…fixing their problems…but in return…they were forever grateful to him.

"Come on Jenna…let's talk." He grabbed her hand as they walked outside sitting on the step.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be noticeable…" She said. "It's just that I did so much to get K.C. and it turned out…we weren't meant to be together." She shrugged.

"Jenna I know what ever I say won't make you feel better but you have to know that we are here for you…always…" He said as Jenna rested her head on his shoulder as grasped his hand.

….

Julian sat her in his lap as he gently kissed her in his car. They couldn't control themselves…he couldn't overlook the need in Katie's eyes…he had to have her too.

She had never let herself go like this…tongues intertwined….she didn't want it to stop. Her veins caught fire as he began to bite her bottom lip. Julian cheered internally as she moaned…his hand cupped her face…deepening the kiss…as if it wasn't deep enough.

"Damn…." He broke away….because if he didn't...he wouldn't be able to stop.

"…." She inhaled deeply…her mind jumbled.

"too intense for you?" He asked.

"No….Julian…I really like this…us together…"

"Me too…me too…"