"Try it again Cat, with a bit more emotion." Beck said flatly, looking on the stage where she, Tori and Andre were struggling to get thru one of the first scenes for the new play. Everyone got a key part, so it was basically our group presenting to the world.
Remnants of our hasty dinner surrounded Beck, Jade and I. We had ordered pizza and sandwiches, and devoured it. We weren't very neat, but we were hungry. The pizza boxes were strewn around haphazardly as we hurried to finish practicing before midnight.
"Mommy, why not? You said—" Cat began.
"I said you might have the opportunity, but you acted impishly and now don't." Tori said flatly. Cat's eyes welled up with tears.
More emotion, that's good.
"You are leading her on Angie. You shouldn't do that to your own daughter." Andre said, standing off to the side.
"You're so mean! You always make me clean up your messes and you never say you love me and…I HATE YOU!" Cat yelled, storming off the stage.
Tori turned her back huffily. "Fine. Who needs you? You'll just come crawling back after some time, begging for me to take you back." She said, airing indifference.
"Lucy, Lucy. Come back Lucy!" Andre yelled, sprinting off stage left where Cat was hiding behind the curtain. He managed to coax Cat back onto the stage, where it was just the two of them.
Cat was crying softly, and Andre wiped her tears. "Lucy sweetheart. You know your mother loves you very much. Why would you say such a thing?"
"She doesn't love me! I'm just her little maid, picking up after her and never getting to have any fun!" Cat wailed.
"That's not true. What about last week when she bought you that nice make up kit?"
"She took it back once everyone left the house, then ordered me to sit outside in the cold." Cat said, drawing her knees close to her. Beside me, I swear I heard Jade whimper.
Andre did not look pleased at "Lucy's" revelation. "Don't say that. Your mother would never do that."
"She did though! She's changed since Daddy died. I miss my real mommy." Cat said, coming to Andre for a hug.
"Scene!" Beck called out, as Jade hurried forward and Tori emerged from behind the curtain.
"Nice job." I told Tori as Jade hugged Cat tightly.
"Thanks. I'm not liking this character. She's way too heartless." Tori sighed, running her hands thru her hair.
"Remind you of a mom we know?" I said darkly. Beck and Tori looked at me, realization dawning on them.
"This isn't what she needs." Beck said quickly as Cat came over to us. I quickly hugged her and whispered "You ok?"
"Yeah." She whispered back, hugging me tightly.
"Nice job Cat, lot more emotion that time." Beck said reassuringly.
Cat's eyes immediately lit up, since Beck was the one who criticized her originally. She giggled and hugged Beck tightly.
Behind him, Jade looked worried. I waved my phone and she nodded, albeit barely noticeable.
"Sorry 'bout that little red, that had to be kind of tough to take." Andre said, sounding morose.
"It's ok!" Cat piped up happily.
"Hey, what time is it?" Tori asked, rubbing her eyes.
"10:30" Jade replied, looking at her phone.
"Sounds like it's time to head home." Andre said.
"Yeah." Cat said, failing to suppress a yawn.
"Night guys!" Tori waved as everyone went to our cars. Cat wasn't with me since she drove herself today. She followed me the entire time home.
My parents drove my car last, and tuned the radio to a news station. I heard more depressing news out of Washington, blah, blah, blah. Politics are so depressing.
I am relieved when I pull into the driveway, and the radio was drowned out by Cat pulling up next to me.
I unlocked the door and dumped my bag on the couch. Cat walked by and did the same in her room, shutting the door to change into her nightclothes.
Meanwhile, I yawned and changed also. Today was exhausting. The core classes weren't a cakewalk and Sikowitz introduced the play. There really wasn't time to relax mentally until right now.
Man, I'm exhausted.
My door creaked and Cat walked in. "I'm tired."
"Me too, this is the first time to relax all day." I said as she hugged me softly, looking distracted.
She stayed there for a while, her head buried into her chest.
Just as I was about to speak, Cat did.
"Is Andre right?"
"About what?" I wondered, racking my brain for something Andre said today. Nothing came to my mind.
"My mom."
"What are you talking about sweetie?" I asked, bewildered, but wanting to calm her fears.
"Is Andre right about my mom? He said she wouldn't do something so mean." She said, looking down.
What? I saw similarities, but she's taking this a bit further.
"You're seeing similarities in the play and how it went down with your mom huh." I replied. She simply nodded.
"Babe, come here." I told her. She obliged, and I hugged her.
"There might be some similarities, but your mother…is a lot worse, and you did the right thing. Are you questioning coming to live here?"
"No…just how it went down. Maybe I should have put up with more." She mumbled into my chest.
"You put up with enough Cat. Your mom…" I stop myself short, because I don't want to outright insult her because of how she treated my angel, but I've found that's very hard to do.
"Yes?" She looked up at me.
"Will live to regret how she treated you when you are a famous singer/actress. You did the right thing sunshine, promise."
Her face lit up and she squeezed me around my ribcage. "You always know what to say when I'm conflicted or worried."
I chuckled. "That's my job, besides being your teddy bear and the best boyfriend possible."
Suddenly, her face lit up and she sprinted out of my grasp, yelling "I'll be back!" as she went full tilt out the door, vaulting the railing before disappearing from view.
Wow, she's athletic. I forget that, but man, she can MOVE.
"Bang." Goes the door as Cat emerges holding a nicely wrapped package.
"I know it's two weeks late, but here." She shoved it at me.
My jaw was open. I had thought she forgot about my present.
"I…" I start, but am speechless. Cat meanwhile is beaming at catching me completely off guard.
It takes me a moment to get the wrapping off, due to shaking hands but I get it off. There are two boxes, both also wrapped.
No way… I just unwrapped the first one. Inside is the Special Edition of Call of Duty Black Ops.
"Cat! This is impossible to get! I've been on a wait list for weeks!" I exclaim, pulling her into a hug.
She giggled. " Open the other one."
I did as instructed to see a nice watch inside from Rolex.
This has to be payback for the ring. The watch is spectacular.
"Cat…you didn't have to do this." I said softly. She extended an envelope in response.
Inside was a card with a note.
Robbie,
Happy Merry Late Christmas! I would have given it to you on time, but it didn't come together, and I got it here as quick as I could.
You might still be shocked at it, but your worth it Robbie. A year ago, you were another wonderful boy in my life. Since then, you have been the most important person in my life undoubtedly. From not hating me after I refused you at Prome to how it went down with Michael and Colton, you have taken all the shots the world could have possibly attempted and come out the other side better than ever.
Everything about you is beautiful to me. It always has been, I just didn't see it for so long, and I cannot be thankful enough for having you as my boyfriend. I don't know what I would do if we didn't work out, but I don't think I'll ever have to. You are the best guy in the world and I love you so much Robbie, I can't put it into words.
Yours forever,
Cat
I looked at her, with my jaw still hanging open. "Cat…"
She smiled slightly then I pulled her to me. I couldn't hold back my tears of well, I don't know what but they were happy.
"I don't know what to say sunshine. I really don't other than promising to do anything I can for you forever and loving you my best." I said, hiccupping.
"Are you crying?" She said timidly.
"It's hard to explain."
"I know Robbie. I mean it you know."
"I know sweetheart. I know."
We just held each other for a while, whispering loving words to each other. Then she pushed me onto my bed and discarded her top.
Here we go…