Ok, so maybe this movie night/date/meeting/reunion thing is a lot more stressful than I originally thought. I usually don't put much into the saying 'the clothes make the man' but I stood in my closet, trying to choose what to wear for 45 solid minutes before my mom came and rescued me. Usually I don't think you can buy a girl's heart either, but I remembered that I've bought Cat either Fro-Yo or some other item on a consistent basis for well over a month now. What have I learned/remembered on the drive over to Cat's today?
She has a talent for making me do things I usually wouldn't do.
I walked to the valentine's front, door, and knocked politely. What a name, Valentine. It's like living in Texas and your last name is Gunn. (A/N: Shout out to a friend in Texas! You owe me 5 bucks girl, I did work you into my next chapter)
"Robbie! Nice to see you again son." Mr. Valentine greeted me, gesturing for me to step inside.
"Thank you, how are you sir?" I asked.
"I am very good." He glanced behind him. "There's my little cupcake." He said, smiling at his daughter, who was wearing a silvery dress that I think I've seen before. Cat smiled and hugged her father, smiling the entire time.
"You kids have fun tonight." He said, walking us out.
"What time would you like her home?" I asked. Usually her curfew is 12, 1 on the weekends, but it's nice just to clarify.
"Whenever you guys are ready to come back." He smiled, then shut the door.
"Hi Cat." I said, unlocking the car.
"Hi…that was my daddy." She simply said, smiling as she hopped in the car.
I shut the door behind me and started the engine. "I know, I met him before. He's a really nice guy."
"When did you meet him?" She asked, sounding surprised.
"After Jade's play."
"You were there? I never saw you." She rambled.
"Yeah, I was there, sitting next to some reviewer named Josh."
"Oh…" She said, looking for something in her purse.
I drove for a few minutes, wondering why I was having a hard time forming any cohesive thoughts. I glanced at Cat, who was messing with her dress.
More silence. We're getting close to the theater. Still have no idea what to say. I think it's safe to say at this point I'm choking.
"Robbie?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you ok? Usually you are quiet, but you seemed confused or nervous or something." She rambled, looking worried about me.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just can't think of anything to say."
She was quiet for a second. "You don't have to talk if you don't want to."
"It's not that, I just don't know what to say." I said, parking and getting out of the car.
Cat hung in the car for a second, typing something out on her phone. Then she got out, straightened her dress and—hold on, my phone's vibrating.
Remember when you said you wanted to go to the movie's and said you wanted to go, just not like a date?-Cat (A/N: I want to clarify something, people have asked if the messages include the little signature at the end. No, the messages is everything before the dash. I just add the dash and the person's name for clarification)
Oh man…what does she want to talk about?
"Yeah." I responded, as we started walking towards the theater.
Cat scooped her phone up, looked at the message and feverishly started typing, hiding her face and phone from my view.
Well, can you be my best friend? Like you offered?
For the second time in 3 days, she has make me incapable of speech. Finally I respond. "Sure sweetie."
She glanced at her phone, glanced at me, smiled and said "yay." The she surprised me by looping our hands and resting her head on my shoulder.
"Cat?" I asked, thinking what she did isn't typical best friend behavior.
"Sorry." She said. "I just kinda wanted to do something other than just hug you." She released my hand and straightened up.
"You don't have to say sorry, I just was surprised because it's a little beyond best friend stage."
"You don't like it." She pouted, shrinking from me.
"No, I'm perfectly fine with it. Just surprised me." I said. She smirked at me.
"Well, we're a little beyond best friend stage aren't we?" She said smugly, grabbing my hand again.
Do it Robbie…she's not going to mind.
She's going to think you like her!
No, it's not that big a deal. She just held your hand and used you as a headrest!
God, I'm crazy, can't even make up my own mind over a simple gesture. I guess it's because I don't want to lose her. I don't think it would be that big a deal. My impromptu kiss with her was definitely more risky, but then again, that meeting was nuts…you know what screw it, I'm doing it.
I glanced down at Cat, she was happily walking and humming a tune to herself still holding my hand. Here goes nothing…
I discreetly wrap my hand around her waist, trying to make the move look casual. She glanced up at me, clearly questioning what I had done.
I moved to take my hand off her hip. "Sorry." I said, looking down at the sidewalk. She stopped my hand before I could take it off her.
"No, don't. I like it." She said, resting her head on my shoulder again.
We walked the rest of the way to the theater like that. When we let go, she squeezed my hand as we reached the theater, not wanting any misunderstandings like last time.
"How about Green Lantern?" I asked.
She looked at me, disagreement evident by her expression. "Cars 2?"
"It'll be packed!" I argued.
"Then why don't we go eat and catch the late showing?" she argued, gesturing to the screen. There were two 7:30 matinees and one at 11:45.
"Isn't that a little late?" I retorted, thinking there are limits to how late her father will want her out, no matter what he said.
"No, I'll even call Daddy and tell him."
"Ok, don't come crying to me when he says no to the late showing." I said. Immediately I regretted saying that because her eyes welled up into tears.
"Robbie, why did you all of a sudden become so mean…I just want to spend time with you, is that such a bad thing?"
"Sweetie…no, it's not a bad thing. I want to hang out with you too. It's a saying sweetheart, I don't actually mean you can't come to me if he does say no." I explained, hoping to calm her.
It had a drastic effect, as she smiled, blinked back her tears and phoned her father as my own phone started ringing.
"Hello?"
"Hey man, you home alone again?" Beck asked, Tori in the background.
"No, I'm out tonight, why?"
"You are? Good for you man, who with?"
"Cat."
He spewed out whatever he had in his mouth. "What? What's wrong?" I heard Tori frantically ask in the background.
"Robbie's out with Cat tonight."
"What? Yes!" Tori yelled.
"Why didn't you say you asked her out?" beck asked me.
"Well, it's not what you think. And I never told you because you were too busy having eye sex with the girl next to you."
Apparently Beck had put it on speakerphone because it went really quiet, then Tori tried saying something, to no avail.
"And I can tell the difference between someone after getting out of bed for the first time all day and someone who has been to the beach. Jade actually went to the beach." I finished. The two on the other end were stunned silent.
After a moment they seemed to get their minds back. "Sorry." Tori said.
"It's ok; just don't play that game again. I'm not an idiot. There's a difference between ignorance and stupid."
"Anyway, back to you." Beck said rapidly, changing the subject again. "Is it just you and Cat?"
"Yeah."
"I think it would be a nice time just to throw her against a wall and—"
"BECK!" I yelled, simultaneously with Tori in the background. Cat turned to me, still on the phone herself.
"Hey, she told you personally how much you mean to her. You have to make a move at some point." Beck plowed forward.
"Firstly, you never heard the whole story.—"
"What do you mean?" Tori jumped in.
"I mean two things, and don't interrupt again or I'm hanging up. One, she told me a lot more, but I let you guys get back to whatever on earth you were doing. Two, maybe I've 'already thrown her against a wall' using your term."
Both of them made triumphant noises, then, cat walked over to me, phone with hand over the mouthpiece. I decided to hang up on them to avoid an awkward Q & A. Some things are better left private. As the two of them know I'm sure.
"Daddy wants to talk to you quickly." Cat said, handing me her phone.
"Yes sir?"
"You guys are free to see the late Cars. Cat's wanted to see that ever since it came out. One problem is that the neighbor hood watch has banned anyone from entering the neighborhood after 12 PM and since the movie starts at 11:45 you obviously can't make that." He said.
"Then why don't I just bring her home and see it tomorrow night?" I asked, not really meaning what I said but to help create the image of a responsible kid he doesn't mind his daughter dating sometime in the near future hopefully.
"Because she has been so excited to spend time with you ever since you came by on Friday. She was bouncing off the walls on after you left. And she needs to start being her own woman, not just living by our own rules, no matter how much I don't want that to happen." I can practically see him smiling thru the connection.
"Then how am I going to get her home then?"
"Simple, she stays with you tonight."
You cannot be serious.
"Can you please say that again, I don't think I heard you right." I asked, not believing what he just said.
"I said that she can stay with you at you're house tonight. I met your parents awhile back and trust you enough to leave you in charge of my daughter for one night."
"I—uh…thank you sir." Apparently I've already got him convinced…
"Do you want to stop by and get some clothes so she can change if you guys want to hang out tomorrow too?"
If I hadn't just pinched myself I would be thinking this was a dream, an unbelievably nice, but ultimately harsh and cruel dream.
"Uh, why don't you ask her that…?" I said, handing back the phone to Cat. "Yes Daddy?" She quickly looked shocked, then intently listened. "Yeah, that sounds nice. See you after dinner. Bye."
"Robbie!" She squealed, jumping into my arms happily. Several onlookers glanced at us, smiling. Just another young couple in love…
Not really. I countered.
I bought the tickets, and then proceeded back to Cat, who went to go sit on a bench while I bought the tickets. She was rubbing her feet.
"I hate these shoes. The edges of them make my feet hurt." She mumbled as I approached.
"Give them to me and walk barefoot then." I suggested. She looked at me like I just called her an angel. "Really Robbie?"
I chuckled at her face, which I just noticed has no makeup on. Apparently she liked what I said the other day and is going with it again tonight.
"Yeah, where do you want to eat?" I asked, extending my left hand to take her heels. She handed said shoes to me and grasped my other hand.
"I was craving Palm Garden earlier, and this time we won't get interrupted…" she said, causing my mind to drift about that scene in her bedroom again.
What is wrong with me? Snap out of it Robbie! That was a one time thing.
"Robbie? You ok, you look…conflicted." Cat asked, snapping me from my mental debate.
"I was thinking, sorry. Palm Garden it is." I said, climbing into my car and putting the accursed heels in the backseat.
"What about?" She asked, closing the door.
"Cat…" I said, slightly groaning.
"Robbie, tell me. Talking makes things better. You taught me that." She said insistently.
"This time it won't trust me." I sighed. "Please put your seat belt on." I said, refusing to put the keys in the ignition until she did so.
"No, we're talking about this. I don't care what it is Robbie. I'm not letting anything stand between us and having a good night tonight. Tell meee." She pleaded, pulling on my sleeve.
"Cat, I'm telling you. It's going to be like the ticket person last time we went to the movies, but worse."
She was unmoved. "Tell me. I can take it." She said, eyes pleading for me to trust her.
Man, I love her eyes.
"I was thinking about what happened Friday."
"What about it?"
I gave her a look. You know what it is. You started my dilemma.
"When we kissed? The first or second time?" She wondered.
I can't believe she wants to have this conversation…
"Second." I barely said.
She looked at me curiously. "You liked it?"
"Of course I liked it, why wouldn't I?" I retorted, causing her to smile with her dimple showing.
Then it was quiet for a bit. Cat sat there, looking at me, smiling happily.
"You thought about how much you enjoyed it, weren't you." Cat said.
I simply nodded. I don't think I could talk if I tried.
"You know, that's the best kiss I've ever had." She said, blushing madly but keeping eye contact with me.
"Uh…thanks." I said, looking down shyly. A moment passed.
"Kiss me Robbie."
Is she out of her mind? Friends don't do that! Not even best friends, which apparently we are tonight!
"Cat, I don't think so, I still don't know how I feel and—"
"I don't care. I trust you Robbie. You aren't going to do anything crazy. I just want to make you happy. And since I know you want to kiss me again I feel comfortable letting you do that."
"But we're best friends for tonight Cat. That would screw everything up tonight."
"I told you earlier. We're a little past best friends."
I took a deep breath. "Are you sure about this Cat—"
"Robbie, you're over thinking this. Please, trust me on this one. You'll feel better." She said, looking at me with a look that said "Do it, or I will force you to."
Fine, hope this doesn't screw it up. I thought, chancing a glance at her before I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her softly. I felt her smile and vigorously kiss me back. On and on and on she went. At some point she somehow climbed over the compartment in the middle and ended up on my lap.
Finally I broke apart, realizing she had wrapped herself entirely around me. "How—"
She smiled. "I'm changing my answer to what I said earlier. That was the best kiss I've ever had." She hugged me tightly, still on my lap. Thank goodness I parked away from any other cars.
I blushed again as she scrambled back over the compartment and buckled herself in. "I remember where I saw that dress now." I said to myself.
"I wore it going to Michael's once. You said it was fine, but you're eyes said something different so I decided to wear it tonight." She said matter of factly, as I started towards Palm Garden.
The dinner went really well. The hostess didn't put us in a romantically themed section, which I appreciated after what just happened. Cat and I had a fun time, at first just talking then getting into a fierce kicking fight which ending when she whacked my shin with her reapplied heels. She quickly took them off, vowing not to wear them again.
The scary thing is, I'm pretty sure those heels are going either to the trash or the back of her closet, never to be heard from again.
Things stayed positive while I drove back to her house to pick up tomorrow's clothes. She ran up the steps giggling trying to get away from me. I'm not sure why.
She had already disappeared by the time I entered the house.
"You like her, don't you?" A deep voice asked behind me.
I jumped at least a foot off the ground and yelled "AAH!"
It was Cat's father.
"Sorry sir." I said, trying to relax again.
"No problem son, I tend to sneak up on people. You didn't answer my question."
Gosh, what do I tell him? Yes, I'm falling for your daughter once again?
"Umm…yes sir." I said, looking at the ground.
"Robbie, look at me." He commanded.
"I'm glad. Her last real boyfriend…well, you know what happened. She absolutely adores you."
"Sir…you probably already know that we had an argument a while back and I'm not quite sure I like her that way. I'm not sure about a lot when it comes to her." I admitted.
"That isn't a problem. I'm glad you're thinking about it. Proves you truly care about her well being, peace of mind and safety. But I wouldn't worry about whether she will find another guy."
"Why not?" I asked, completely confused. "She is constantly changing her opinion about everything."
"I think she's already fallen for you. Even if you come to the conclusion that you don't like her back right now, I believe she will wait until you come around."
There's no way he could have said anything better.
"I—"
"I'm packed. Whenever you're ready Robbie." Cat said happily, walking towards us.
"See you crazy kids later." He smiled, as Cat pulled me back towards the car. I glanced back to see her father smiling. His face said it all.
Told you.
Cat turned on the radio when we started back towards the theater. I'm glad, because I'm starting to come to a conclusion about how I feel about Cat.
I was still adding everything up when we got to the theater. After we bought our snacks and drinks we found that they were still cleaning the theater.
She pulled me to a bench right outside, next to a cluster of trees. I shivered, despite it still being hot.
"You're thinking again." Cat said, sitting across from me and munching on some popcorn.
I didn't know what to say to that, so I kept quiet.
"You still thinking about us?" She asked.
I didn't even know there was an 'us'.
I sighed and ran my fingers thru my hair. "Yeah…and I don't like it."
"What do you mean? Talk to me." She said, putting the popcorn to one side.
"I…." I start, but shake my head.
"Why don't you like it? Staying friends isn't a bad thing." She said, putting her amazingly soft hands into both of mine.
"I do want you Cat…but not in a good way."
"I don't get it." She said, looking like I just spoke to her in Portuguese.
"Can I just say it and not sugar coat it? The best way I can think of it is kinda…rough."
"Sure." was her response.
"I love kissing you…I want that…but I just think it's too soon for us to start going out or something like that. We need to give it more time." I confessed, letting go of her hands and let my own fall to my sides.
She was quiet for a moment. "I understand." She said, not sounding let down or anything. She sounded perfectly normal, to my amazement.
"You do? I basically said…" I trailed off.
"You want me." She said, pointing at herself. "But you don't want to hurt me." She finished, pointing to her heart.
"Yeah."
God, I'm such a sick person…
She grabbed my hands again. "I'm fine with that." I looked back up at her to find her smiling at me softly. "It might be too soon for us to start dating. But I'd rather wait and not go out than make the mistake of rushing into it and damaging our relationship to the point of no return."
I wiped a tear from my eye. I feel so horrible. How can I do this to her? I'M TURNING CAT VALENTINE DOWN! She WANTS to date me, and yet for some reason, I think it's too soon to everything that's happened between us.
"God, I'm a psychopath." I mumbled, putting my head in my hands.
"No." she grabbed my hands yet again. "You're the best guy I know. You'd never do anything that would hurt me. I don't deserve you, and that's the truth."
"Where do we go from here?" I asked.
"How about this. We go back to our normal lives, looking for that someone. After 6 months, we report back and if one of us is in a relationship, then maybe it isn't meant to be. Maybe I find a boyfriend or you find an awesome girl that you adore. Maybe I don't feel quite the same way I do right now? And if neither of us is dating anyone, and we feel the same way, then we could possibly try us." She said, pulling herself into my lap and smiling at me.
"I…I'm so sorry Cat. You want to do this and…I can't pull the trigger…" I said, looking away.
"Robbie. I'm not mad or sad. I'm glad you love me to the point that you don't want to break my heart." She said, cuddling herself into my chest.
"I like your 6 month plan." I admit. It sounds bulletproof.
"I'll even make one exception." She started.
"Ok…"
"If you want, I'll give you 2 kisses like what we did earlier tonight a week. Not in public. Privately. Only if both of us are single. You in?"
She keeps on saying she doesn't deserve me, I think she's got it flipped around…
"Sure, now—"
"Our theater is open." She said, hopping off of me. We made our way to the theater happily, myself carrying most of the snacks. It's amazing how much junk food she can consume and stay so tiny.
We found ourselves in our customary spot, in the back, middle. After about 10 minutes only 1 or two more people showed up. Cat prudently decided to remove the armrest between us and sit cross-legged next to me. I messed around on my pearphone, still trying to beat the app that always guesses the celebrity right. I think the name is Akinator. (A/N: It is an actual app. I haven't beaten it yet. Needless to say I'm getting pissed by now.)
Suddenly she poked my forehead.
"Why'd you do that?" I smirked. Even her most random moments are the most adorable.
"Just to see you smile." She admitted.
Aww…
"You have to be the cutest thing alive." I said, voicing the belief I've held for what seems like forever now. She blushed and looked at my phone.
"You're not wearing makeup." I smiled, kissing her forehead. "Does that count towards my kiss limit?"
"No, this does though." She leaned into me in a similar fashion that she did in the car. This time though, I enjoyed it a lot more and realized she has tendency to take control, which you wouldn't expect from a girl her size.
Finally we broke apart. "The trailers are about to start." I murmured. She shifted off of me, but leaned against me when it started up.
Time for Robbie's Movie review! Cars 2….is pretty good. The fuel battle is a cleaver way to sent everyone to different parts of the world, and Pixar crushed the animation. I really liked it, and Cat actually got caught up in the final race, celebrating when everyone lived. I knew it would all end ok, but I'm happy she's happy.
When we got out of there it was a solid 1 in the morning. She seemed pretty exhausted and I'm glad I have the extra bed in my room for tonight. Some part of me still can't believe this is happening. For grief's sake, she's sleeping at my house!
When I pulled up the porch light was out. My parents usually let this be a message to me that they are already asleep, whenever the summer started they said I didn't have a curfew so that isn't a problem. Cat is especially quiet right now though, I told her about the light thing but she still is anxious.
"Here it is." I joked, opening my door. Cat smiled. "This seems like you Robbie." She said, walking in and putting her bag down. She walked around kinda slowly as I set up the futon-like bed.
"Thanks Robbie." She said when I stopped to admire my work. Man, my back hurts though.
"No no no. I'm here tonight. I cleaned the sheets yesterday so they won't have too much of me on them." I joked.
"But if you're on this bed…" She drifted off. "Robbie." She crossed her arms.
"You don't have a say in the matter. Now go get changed." I told her. She frowned, but marched off to change.
I'm glad I cleaned yesterday, before that, it was messy. I wouldn't want Cat to see all my stuff spread around like it is usually.
Wow! Ok, next time remember to pop a Tylenol or something before you set up that bed. It feels like someone is poking with a needle right in the lower part of my back.
Someone very gently per her head on my shoulder and is massaging my back.
"Bed mess you up?" she asked. I nodded.
"I think—"
"—give up trying to make me feel better. I'll be fine, trust me sunshine." She smiled at the mention of her nickname.
"Fine, thanks for being so nice and for all the fun tonight." She said, getting on her tiptoes to kiss me goodnight.
"No problem."
Soon I laid down and quickly fell asleep.
…
…
…
…
…
Someone's touching me, more like gently nudging me.
I reluctantly open my eyes to see Cat shaking me softly. "Robbie…" She said, barely above a whisper.
"Yeah?" I mumbled sleepily.
"I had that nightmare again."
"Nightmare?" I asked, still foggy.
"About the accident."
I quickly remember and scoop her into a hug. I look at my clock. 3:29 in the morning.
"Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?" She asked.
I smiled, and followed her into my bed.
"This is more like it." I joked. She suddenly wrapped her arms around me.
"You know you aren't going anywhere right?"
I sighed. "I guess not huh?"
"Nope." She smiled, then kissed my neck and said "You're the best."
For some reason, I didn't fall asleep until long after her breathing slowed. But when I did, boy, did I sleep well.
I can get used to this.