Jade POV
"Keep her here!" I told Beck, Tori and Andre as I moved back to the hallway to hear Robbie and Stephanie.
Cat's response was muffled by Andre's hand, but she feverishly yanked on his hand.
"Ow…OW! Cat! You bit me!" Andre cried out.
"I need to be there for him!" Cat cried out, dashing to the hall where Robbie is.
"Cat! You can't always be there. Sometimes you have to sit it out." Beck said calmly, firmly grasping her wrist.
Cat quickly snatched her hand away and almost got by me. I had to grab her by the leg to stop her.
"Jade!"
"Cat. Let him go. He has to do this on his own." I said firmly.
"But—"
"Cat. Stop begging after him. Let him go. You're being a burden. Not only to him, but to all of us." Tori said angrily as Andre pulled her back away from the hallway.
It took a moment, but the tears started falling fast and furiously. Her sobs quickly overtook her and the tears rolled off her cheeks and over Andre's hand.
"Cat…" Andre groaned.
Cat simply fell to the ground and curled into a ball and cried. Tori's retraction and Beck's audible dismay was ignored as she blocked out everything and cried.
Jesus Vega. That's why you break things gently to her. But this is deeper. Not totally her fault. She doesn't know that Cat loves Robbie again. The last thing she wants to realize is that she might never be with him again.
The sobbing went on for about 3 minutes, and Cat shook off everyone's attempts to calm her down, even slapping Beck.
Then she wiped her eyes and got to her feet.
"Cat, is everything alright?" Beck asked tenderly, hand on his scratched cheek.
"Oh yeah! Everything is fine! I just can't help Robbie when he needs me!"
"Cat—"Tori began.
"Shut up! I don't want to hear anything else…" She said shakily.
I started back to Robbie and heard Tori say "Cat, I know you're mad. But I'm just saying that…"
I saw Stephanie leave, looking morose and sad.
"LET ME GO!" yelled Cat.
I quickly hugged him and stroked his hair like my mom did to me. I tried to show my sadness thru the hug and by saying "I'm so sorry Robbie."
.He looked at me strangely. "Why are you stroking my hair?"
"Oh…" I blushed madly, seeing that I'm caught... "I don't know…sorry."
He laughed. "It's ok."
"FINE!" Cat yelled, and marched past us and to the bathroom.
(After the group has said goodbye to Robbie and Cat has driven off)
"What's with her?" Andre asked the rest of us, walking to our cars.
"No idea. Whatever it is, it's tearing her up." Beck replied.
"I know what's up with her." I said darkly.
"What is it?" Tori asked quickly.
I checked behind me to make sure Robbie wasn't there.
"Cat wants Robbie back."
Shock quickly spread across all three of their faces.
"No…" Beck said, suddenly smiling.
"Oh this is bad…I basically told her to get over him…" Tori said quickly, looking miserable.
"Wait…how do you know for sure?" Andre asked, and Beck nodded.
"This." I pulled out my phone and showed them the pictures of Cat's diary entry.
Everyone was silent for a moment as they read Cat's written confession.
Beck ran his hands thru his hair and sighed. Tori made her way to her car and plopped herself on the hood.
"This is such Déjà vu." Andre said, joining Tori on the hood.
"That explains…everything really." Beck said, joining Tori and Andre.
"She doesn't know how to act around him." Tori surmised
"What do you mean?" Andre asked.
"The way she acted after we left Robbie's. She was so quiet. She doesn't know how to handle life without him." Tori said in a faraway voice.
"Does anybody else see junior year after Prome?" Beck asked. Andre splayed his arms out wide.
"That's what I said!" Andre cried out
"You said déjà vu. There's a difference." Tori snipped.
"Should we do anything?" Beck asked.
"I want to. Seeing her this miserable and desperate is killing me." I sighed.
"I agree. I think we should step in like we did last time." Andre said definitively.
"Ok, any particular day?" I asked.
"Sunday seems good. Not a school night." Beck threw out there.
"Perfect. Sunday it is." Tori said.
Time flies when you're worrying about something.
"She's here!" Andre called out from upstairs near Tori's room.
Beck quickly reentered the room from the bathroom, hurdling the couch and doing a little dance.
I laughed and he smiled. "You like that?" Then he repeated the move, completing it by collapsing next to me.
"Yeah, that was pretty smooth."
(A/N: This is going from Jade to Cat. So there's no confusion.)
Cat POV
Why am I here again? I know Jade and Tori said they wanted to talk to me. But it's the Sunday before the play, shouldn't they be do ing last minute preparations or something?
Knock, Knock.
The door quickly opened to Tori's relieved face, and she waved me in.
"Hi!" I said happily. I'm glad to be away from my mom.
"Hey Cat. Hungry? We just ordered some food." Tori offered, looking towards the kitchen.
"Ok, thank you…" I said, looking at Beck and Jade. They're acting…weird. Jade's hand is on Beck's thigh.
"Hey Cat." Jade smiled at me.
"Hi. What's up?" I smiled, lifting up a pizza box to see an entire pepperoni pizza waiting for me.
YAYAYAYAY! I wonder if Tori has any cheese.
Why can't I be at Robbie's? He knows I love cheese on my pizza.
"We want to talk to you little Red." Andre said, surprising me. I didn't see him.
"Hi Andre, I didn't see you." I said softly, putting my plate down and hugging him. I like his hugs, but they aren't like Robbie's.
I need to stop comparing everything to Robbie. It's unhealthy.
"We really do need to talk Cat." Jade said seriously, standing by the door. The lock softly clicked into place.
"Why are you locking the door?" I asked.
"So you can't avoid the issue." Beck replied.
"Why would I avoid the issue?" I asked, taking a huge bite of my cheese-less pizza.
"Sit down Cat." Tori asked sweetly.
"Why? What is so important that—?"
"Cat. Please just sit." Jade asked kindly, in a motherly voice she occasionally used on me.
I sat Indian style and took another bite.
"Ok. I'm sitting. What is going on?" I asked, trying to keep calm.
"We want to talk to you about Robbie." Beck said evenly.
I immediately looked down. Think about the nice things. Stay away from your feelings…
"Ok." I spluttered out.
"Well, first I have a confession to make." Jade said, not sounding sorry. I look up to her handing me her phone, with a picture up.
My diary…
About Robbie.
They know.
I can't stop tears from welling up before disappearing under a wave of rage.
"You looked at my diary? JADE!" I yelled.
"Yeah, yeah, get off your high horse. It's not like you were doing a great job of acting." She said with a wave of her hand.
I felt light headed for a moment and looked back down.
Good going Cat. You tipped them off. Here it comes.
"You have to give him up forever Cat. He doesn't love you anymore."
I notice that I'm crying softly, tears are falling on my plate of crumbs. I push it aside and wipe my eyes.
"We know you love him Cat." Tori said kindly, with a hand on my shoulder.
This time I break out in loud sobs. Here we go. I might as well pack my bags now. See if the shelter has a few extra cats.
"It's ok Cat." Andre said reassuringly, pulling me into a hug.
"I know I shouldn't feel this way…but I doooooo." I cried into his shoulder.
"Cat…we're not mad." Beck said calmly.
For whatever reason, the words don't reach me for another 10 seconds. Then I freeze.
They're not mad?
"But I shouldn't—"
"Says who?" Tori jumps in.
"You! You said that I couldn't mess up again!" I cried out, pushing Andre away and putting my head in my hands.
They don't know what it's like…to have loved someone, to break their heart multiple times…to be the sole reason you aren't together now…and then to love him again.
It's torture.
But it's better than not loving at all and having a heart of stone.
"We never said that. Last time we talked to you about Robbie we said to give him time to figure things out. That was a looong time ago." Jade smiled at me.
I wiped my nose and sniffled. They're right. How did I twist that conversation so badly?
"Ok. Then why are you guys doing this? To say that I need to move on for good?"
"No. We're here to find out a way to get you guys back together." Andre said with a smile.
Wait…
WHAT!
"Really?" I said stuffily.
"Yeah. You guys work together. Whatever it was that broke you up doesn't mean there can't be second chances.
"I wish WE weren't together!"
"You don't know that…" I sigh, suppressing my desire to run from the room.
"Hey, I am the only one that knows any part of what happened, and that's what Robbie told me the day you two came to Tori's together." Jade reassured me, hand on my shoulder.
"What did he tell you?" I croaked out.
For such an important event, I have never talked to anyone about it. Everyone just found out and left it alone.
"That it was all about trust. Hiding stuff."
"Yeah…" I said, trying to move things along.
"What really happened Cat?" Andre asked kindly, rubbing my knee.
Nope. They want answers and won't leave me alone until they are satisfied.
"Well…it all started when I asked if he was ok, he blew me off and I called him out on it. It led back to the trust thing. I flipped out and threw out some of the stuff he hid from me, and it just snowballed into a screaming match…I yelled that I didn't want to go out with him…and that was it."
Everyone was silent. Open jawed, gaping at me.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Tori whispered.
"I…didn't know what to do. I realized right afterward that it was my fault and that I wanted him back…but it was pointless. Is pointless."
"We could have helped Cat… you guys could have talked it out." Beck said softly, looking shaken.
"I'm sorry." I said, wiping my eyes.
"Cat…don't say sorry to us. We're sorry for you…you must be feeling so guilty." Jade said, pulling me into a hug.
"It was all my fault. And I can't get him back." I sobbed.
"Cat. This isn't the end ok? Let's focus on here and now. There's hope. You want to know why?" Beck smiled at me.
I nodded.
"Two things. One, you guys went out for a full year."
"No. 54 weeks." I butted in. Beck smirked and rolled his eyes.
"And secondly, he's single. And will do anything for you. You didn't see him on Friday. He thought that we caused you to cry, which I'm pretty sure we did. The look on his face…he was so mad at us…just for upsetting you." Beck finished, a ghost of a smile on his face.
He was that angry…because of me going quiet?
"Really?" I asked, seeing a glimmer of hope.
"Yeah."
"Ok, please keep talking." I said quickly, sitting down.
Everyone smiled.
"Sure. Now, you still love him right? You just HAVE to have him." Beck asked.
"Yeah…sorry." I said, looking down.
"No. Cat. Look at me." Tori said harshly. I looked at her, bracing for a lecture.
"Don't apologize. You can't control what your heart wants. Now let's get this done okay?
I smiled and looked to the others.
"So, let me ask this. You are going to be spending a lot of time with him right?" Andre asked.
I nodded.
"Well, we helped you guys get together the first time, so we know how to get to him." Andre smirked, causing the others to smirk as well.
"You did?" I asked. I didn't know that.
"We did. He was going crazy. But look how it ended up." Tori smiled.
"Yeah…" I sighed.
"It ended well Cat. Argument aside. This is going to work. You and Robbie are going to work."
"How do you know?" I asked.
"I have faith." She smiled. I couldn't help but smile back.
"So what's your plan?"
"What do you know that Robbie likes?"
Coffee…movies…eating out…hanging out with me…
That's not helping.
"I don't really know." I admitted.
"What do you mean?" Jade asked, looking confused.
"I never really asked. We just…hung out…and stuff. Over and over."
"Well I know he was happy when you were happy and when you guys were hanging out." Beck smiled.
"Yeah, I know that. But that's not material."
"It doesn't have to be. Just something to get him going in the right direction. No matter how much you try, it's a two way street." Jade jumped in.
"So…hang out?" I asked.
"Yeah. For now. We'll see how it goes. This is going to take some time Cat." Tori told me.
"Shouldn't there be more?" I asked, standing up.
"Right now, no. Keep it simple. That's what we told Robbie." Andre smiled.
"Ok. Thank you for understanding." I smiled. Jade quickly hugged me.
"Don't give up Cat. Just believe."
Tori was next. "Be patient. This will work."
Then Beck.
"Don't be afraid ok to go for it ok?" He whispered, kissing my hair.
Lastly Andre. "You got this girl. I know you do." He smiled at me.
"Thank you…" I said, overcome by all the love.
"Anytime. See you Cat."
I walked out the door, feeling very…weird. I'm happy, don't get me wrong, but…I'm hungry.
It's hard to describe. I just know that the only thing that will help is being with Robbie.
I got it.
The perfect way to spend time with him tonight. I have to see him. I haven't seen him since Friday, and that really doesn't count. I…was scared about losing him.
But now I have a plan. Well, it's Tori, Jade, Beck and Andre's plan, but…I can't just blindly trust them after all. Look at them! Beck and Jade broke up, Tori and Beck broke up, and Andre hasn't had a girlfriend in a long time as far as I know. They are good with advice, but bad at execution.
I drive quickly to Robbie's, hoping that my plan works. He just has to be himself. And no, I don't expect to be with Robbie at the end of tonight.
Once I get to his house, I quickly ring the doorbell and wait patiently.
"Boom…"
There's the storm that's supposed to come tonight. Perfect. Great timing. I can't help but jump a little. I don't like thunder. Lightning either.
The door opened to Robbie, looking confused.
"Cat? You ok?" He asked, worriedly.
"Yeah…can I come in?" I asked quickly as more thunder erupted. This time I jump up in the air, partly because I'm hoping this will work.
"Sure, c'mon. I know you hate thunder." He said, pulling me inside by the forearm.
"What's up?" He asked once he had closed the door behind him.
"I need a favor." I quickly said.
This is going perfectly.
"Ok…" He said cautiously.
"The power went out at my place. And it's really stormy over there. Can I hang here for awhile?"
His face quickly softened and he said "Of course…no problem."
"Yay! Thank you Robbie!" I said, dashing over to hug him.
"No problem…" He shrugged. "You want to watch a movie?"
"Sure! Can I pick?" I asked.
"You took the words out of my mouth…"
I didn't stay to hear the rest of his sentence and dashed to his TV room and ordered E.T off the On Demand.
I can hear him popping popcorn in the kitchen and comes a few minutes later, arms full of my favorite movies snacks. I didn't even know he had gummy bears and skittles!
I pressed play and we were off…this movie is great…except for the last part where E.T is dying. That part still scares me…
…
…
Wait…where's the couch? Shouldn't I feel the couch under me?
I crack open my eyelids to see Robbie gently picking me up and start carrying me upstairs.
I get to sleep with him! EEEEPPPP!
He is heading straight there until he turns into the guest bedroom and desposits me under the covers, moving a strand of hair from my eyes. The bed is so comfy that I quickly fall asleep again.
…
…
…
Black. Nothing but Black and soft covers. How does he find all this awesome bed stuff? I have to find out.
I sleepily gaze at the clock next to me. 3:18 AM.
I get up to get a glass of water, but find a note next to my phone.
Dear Sunshine,
You fell asleep. Hope you don't mind staying here. I set my alarm early so you can head home to get new clothes in the morning. Hope you slept well, we're going to need it later on today!
Robbie
Thoughts of getting water quickly left my mind. I clumsily walk around the upstairs, trying to find his bedroom. I've checked every room it seems like. Maybe he sleeps on the ground floor. Or basement.
Suddenly I find one more room and crack the door to see Robbie, splayed out and snoring softly.
I can't help but giggle at how content and cute he looks. He's totally knocked out.
I briefly consider crawling in with him, but decide not to. That would just end up awkward.
I settle for hugging his shoulder and kiss his cheek tenderly.
I forgot how soft his skin is.
"Thanks Robbie. I love you." I whisper, before heading back to bed.
I'm tired. Happy, but tired.
It is 3 AM after all.
