Stay Young Forever

Chapter 37

The next day I woke up and got ready, feeling strangely energetic. Instead of my typical neat bun I tied my hair in a loose ponytail and even wore sandals instead of heels. Then I went downstairs and instead of making breakfast I just grabbed a Poptart and headed out to the car. Next I drove myself to work, singing along to the radio.

If this wasn't weird enough, it gets even weirder.

When I arrived to work I waved hello and made my way up to my office. On my way I passed by my new boss, and nodded a quick hello as well.

"Hello there Caterina. You seem to be in a good mood today."

I nodded again, and walked down the hall to my office. Once I got there I sat down in my chair and turned on my laptop.

But something felt off. I rearranged my pencils and notebooks, moved my desk to the side a little then back, and even took off my sandals. But something still felt terribly wrong. I went to the break room and got an iced green tea, I walked around and went up and down the elevator a few times, then returned to my office. It still felt wrong though. And when I looked outside my window at the beaches below me, I knew why.

I've never been one to really stand up for myself. Was I different? Yes. Was I moody? Yes? But did I follow rules and agree to everything people said? Yes.

But that day I walked straight to my new boss, stared him in the eye, and said, "I wanna quit." I felt bad since I'd just started, and I'd barely been here a month. I liked my new boss, and I liked this company. I even liked the job, but it just wasn't right anymore. And it took me 6 years to find this out, as well as a few friends.

My boss seemed to understand enough, but I could tell he was still a little confused. I reassured him over and over again that it wasn't his or the company's fault, that it just wasn't what I wanted to do anymore. So I packed up my things, even though I'd just decorated my office not too long ago. Then I looked out the window one last time, smiled, and walked away.

Beck texted me asking if I wanted to meet him at the beach around 4, but I texted back that I'd be there in 10 minutes. He asked why, but I simply told him I was taking the day off. What I did at work was something big, and I knew he'd be happy. So I wanted to wait to tell him in person.

Once I was at the beach I changed into a bikini, put on some suntan lotion, spread out my towel and waited for Beck. I waited almost half an hour before I finally saw him walk in front of me, glance at me, then realize it was me. As he walked over I noticed he looked a little sweaty, and that he must have been looking for awhile.

"What took you so long?" I asked as he sat down across from me, a little too close. Then I remembered about how he's apparently my boyfriend now, and I tried my best to hide my blush under my sunglasses.

"Your laying down, with brown hair, just like every other girl at this beach. How is it supposed to be simple to find you?"

I giggled, and he went on. "Now, if you had red hair, I might have seen you sooner." I thought about that for awhile, even after we had moved on.

After awhile of talking I finally told him that I quit, and at first he didn't believe me.

"Seriously, what's the news? Is this your way of telling me your dumping me already?" He said with a laugh while I rolled my eyes.

"Beck, listen carefully." I said, and leaned in closer. I took off my sunglasses and stared him in the eye. "I quit my job today."

He looked back at me, complete shock on his face. I was so close I could smell his breath, and it smelled like watermelon Icebreakers. "How did it feel?" He asked me. I didn't even have to think about it.

"Good." I said, and he smiled as he replied.

"Good." He said, and just when I thought he might kiss me, he stepped up and reached for my hand. I grabbed it slowly, wondering why he didn't do it. Then I wondered why I didn't try instead. But I brushed it aside for now as he led me to the water.

As we were in the water we messed around with each other as if we were teenagers again. So many times we came so close, and I thought he might kiss me, but he never did. He either stepped away while looking at the water or he'd just distract us with something else. I was getting frustrated, and I didn't even realize it.

Once we dried off we headed home. I got changed into loose pajamas, then started to cook dinner. He stayed in his room the whole time, and I was a little worried. After dinner was ready I set the table and called up to him.

"Beck. Dinner's ready." I said, then waited for his response. He eventually shouted, "Okay." And I walked away to sit down. I felt like a mother who was taking care of her son, instead of a helpful girlfriend. We just started dating last night, aren't we supposed to be all lovey dovey and stuff?

After 3 minutes he arrived and filled his plate with corn and beef stroganoff, then walked over and sat down in the living room. I ate my food in the kitchen, staring at him the entire time while he stared at the TV. We've only just begun dating, and I was already seeing the bad side of him. The side I knew was there, but didn't want to believe.

I felt like I was in High School again. But not the fun parts, the bad parts. When a really great guy comes and you feel happy around him, he makes you laugh and he's so gorgeous you can't help but love him. Yet when he finally gets you to go out with him, he disses you completely. As if you aren't even there. As if you don't matter anymore. Because that's how players work. They are called players for a reason. Because in the game of love, once you get what you want, you move on to something else. Once you've reached your goal you set a new goal, because it's no longer fun. Chasing is fun, but what about after you've caught it?

I washed my plate, feeling the tears about to break through. I really thought he was better than this. I gave up everything for this? I gave up a great job for this? I gave up New York for this? I don't even know what this is anymore. I stormed up to my room, slamming the door. I crawled into bed but didn't sleep for another hour, because I was hoping he'd come in to see if I was okay. But he never did, and I fell asleep with tears running down my face.

The next morning I woke up and headed to my closet to get dressed. But as I shifted through my clothes I realized that I didn't have a job anymore, and I felt something empty fill inside of me. Ever since High School I've either been working or studying. I wasn't really sure what to do with myself anymore, or where I should go. That is, until I realized I had a boyfriend, and I could ask him what he wants to do.

I made my way downstairs and cooked me an omelet. I almost made Beck one too, but considering the way he hate his dinner by himself and didn't even thank me last night, I decided not to. So I ate my omelet once again alone in the kitchen, then cleaned off my plate and put it in the dishwasher. Beck still wasn't downstairs and it was almost 11, so I decided I might as well see if he's awake. I went up to his room and noticed the door was partly open, so I just walked right in. Beck was sitting on his bed while staring at his hands, then looked up quickly when he heard me come in. He looked almost embarrassed to see me.

"Hi." I said, and went over to sit beside him. It was strange seeing him this glum. I didn't like it.

He didn't reply to my hi, so I went on. "What's up, Beck?"

"Cat, I am so sorry." He said, and I was taken aback. Sorry? Sorry for what?

"What do you mean?" I asked. I started to get worried and felt my palms sweat. Was he breaking up with me or something? Already?

"I'm sorry.. about the way I've always treated you. I know how it's my fault you left New York to come down here. I know that I forced you to let me live here, I know that I forced you to go to Hollywood, I know I made you quit your job, I know I was the reason you were away when Penelope got sick, I know I forced you to like me, and I know I'm the reason you cried last night. I feel terrible, and Cat, or Caterina, I don't want you to go out with me because you feel you need to. That's the last thing I want."

I stared into his dark brown eyes, so warm yet so sad, and I felt my heart crack a little. I hadn't realized how much I loved this man until now, and I wasn't sure how to respond.

"Beck.." I started, trying to pick the right words. "You didn't.. force me to do any of those things. I chose to do all of that. I chose to leave, I chose to quit, I chose to go out with you, and I chose to let you stay."

"But if I never showed up, you would still be in New York, with a great job and a dentist for a boyfriend."

I gulped, because I knew what I would say next would reveal everything. That I really do care for this childish guy. "But I wouldn't be happy." I croaked out, and his eyes widened. I went on. "Beck, listen. I have loved you since I first met you. At first I loved you like a brother. Then in High School, when you dated Jade, I realized I loved you a lot more than that. And when I met you again in New York, I was scared. I was scared I'd fall for you again and get hurt again. And I didn't want that. I pushed you away so much because I knew I'd get hurt if I let myself fall for you. But now I realize I was wrong."

He stared at me and we were silent for a few minutes. Then he reached for my hand and squeezed it hard, as if he was clinging onto me for his life. "Really?" He asked, and I nodded. Then I leaned forward and kissed him, and he kissed me back. We couldn't stop laughing and giggling the whole time.

We spent the rest of the morning and afternoon laying around the house, being lazy. We played monopoly and ate chips, watched TV and cuddled on the couch. It was just the lovey dovey thing I was talking about. Then around 6 we went to the vet and picked up Penelope. She mewed happily and I almost cried tears of joy to see her again. I hugged her tight, but not too tight, the entire ride home. I almost didn't want to sleep because I didn't want to take my eyes off of her. But that night I slept soundly on the couch against Beck, and Penelope in my arms. It was absolutely perfect.

A few months later Beck went to Hollywood for a week to take care of some business stuff with his manager. He told me he was offered a big movie role, but he was going to decline it since it was being shot in Hollywood, and he'd be away for a few months. Yet I rejected him, and a month later we all moved to Hollywood again. We were only a few streets from my old house, and the new residents there actually became pretty close with us. We sometimes went over for dinner and what I loved most was there 3 year old daughter Portia, who was the cutest thing ever. After living in Hollywood for a few months I decided to change my hair back to red velvet, and Beck was really happy about that. I have to admit that I was happy too.

When Beck received his script for the movie we both found out it was actually Robbie who was directing it, and Tori was planning on having a song in there as well, with Andre producing it. Jade wasn't living in Hollywood anymore but we kept in touch by calling each other at least 4 times a week and chatting on Skype practically everyday. As for work I started working at the kid's drama club Trina teaches at. At first I was a volunteer, but later decided this was what I wanted to do. Before I even realized it, I was completely tangled in the life I once lived. And I loved it.

A year later Beck proposed to me. Everyone came to our wedding and nobody was the least bit surprised. I felt beautiful and fearless in my wedding gown, and after it was over I never wanted to wear anything else. We honeymooned in New York as sort of a memory thing, and it couldn't have gone better. We quickly fell into a natural routine of being married since we've already been living together. About a year and a half later I gave birth to our first child, a boy named Gregory. Then 2 years after that I gave birth to our second and last child, a girl named Penelope. And speaking of Penelope, Penelope the cat lasted another 7 years until she passed away from old age.

I was living a life I never even expected to live. I was incredibly happy though, and I can't imagine it going any other way.

Note: So if you haven't guessed it yet, this is the last chapter. I hope the ending was good, since I'm incredibly terrible at endings. I made this chapter extra long to sort of make up for all the short and slow ones, and also the huge wait for it to show up. I hope this series was everything you wanted, and I hope you loved it. Thank you so much for reading this and thank you for reviewing if you did, as well as subscribing and such. If your interested I'm already planning another story, though it's going to take a lot of planning, so it might not be up for awhile. But I'm excited for it, and I can't wait for you guys to see it. Thanks so much once again, and hopefully I'll see you soon. Bye!