"I mean, she could of at least told us or something! It's not like we would've been mad at her that she had a boyfriend. She could've at least told us! I mean really – she didn't even have the decency to mention him or anything!" I yelled frantically pacing around Zack's room.
"You do realize you've been repeating the same thing over and over right?" Zack said and handed me some soda, "Take some. It might calm you down."
I sighed and took a sip, "All I'm saying is that she didn't have to sneak around."
"Don't you think your jumping to conclusions? How do you know that he's her boyfriend?" Larry said.
"Because I saw them hug! And then I saw them kiss!"
"On the lips?" Larry asked me.
"Well…no."
"Don't worry about it Freddy. I don't think she's seeing him. Besides, that's not what really bugs you. It just bugs you that she could have a boyfriend besides you." Zack said sitting on his bed leaning against the wall.
And true, I realized he was right. I wasn't mad because she had some secret boyfriend, I was mad because she even had the possibility of having one! But since I am stubborn, I refuse to succumb to that idea.
FREDDY'S POV
Here I am again. Walking. Alone. In the dark. Towards the theatres.
Thing is I don't want to go because then Katie and her boyfriend will be there. I can't just go up and pretend everything's going to be all right. Maybe I'll just ignore her. I can walk in alone, find my own seat in the back – second thought not in the back – but in the front. Then I'll just watch the movie in peace.
Yeah, that's what I should do. That's what I will do.
As I turned a corner, I saw her across the street. I saw Katie, arms linked with that guy, walking and laughing and smiling together. How disgusting.
I can't bear the thought. It's like I'm going nuts. Maybe I should just move far far far away. And why does she have to look good? If she was going to have a boyfriend who wasn't me, she could at least not be beautiful anymore, but that is by far impossible because she's naturally beautiful.
I kept staring at them, but then she looked back at me and waved. I quickly turned my head so that it looked like I was walking while staring at the ground at the same time. I kept walking not looking back. Maybe they won't notice.
KATIE'S POV
"I'm so glad you're here. It's been forever since I've actually seen you. I mean, who would've thought my older cousin would've grown so much? I use to be taller then you!" I laughed as we walked together to the theatres.
"Well, we all get our revenge," Jake replied and patted my head just to show me how much taller he grew.
"So tell me what's new," I asked resting my head on his upper arm. I couldn't exactly rest it on his shoulder, cause, well, he was too tall.
"Well, if you're talking about my novel, it's going along great. First prize in the adult competition for writers is to get your book published along with $500 in prize money. Not bad, eh?"
"Yeah, so tell me what's the book about again?"
"It's a romance. I know not many people think that guys are capable of writing romance novels unless they're gay, but don't worry I'm not gay. I actually had a hard time writing it. Actually, you're in the story," he said glancing ahead.
"Really?"
"Yeah, but not directly of course. Your name's not in it or anything, but one of my characters – Leslie – is based after you. And she's a main character. I based it on you using your obsession with Freddy."
"What?!"
"No, I mean. Leslie is the narrator of the story and it's about how much she loves Alex, which is Freddy in this case. It's based on both of you and your little romance. I just kind of course, made up half of it, but you know, you two are my inspiration. I'm dedicating the book to you," he said sweetly.
"Thanks. Whatever you do, when you meet Freddy…"
"I know, I know. Don't mention anything about you always yakking away talking about his 'spiky blonde hair' or his 'cute dimples'. I won't mention a bit."
"Hey speaking of Freddy, I think that's him over there!" I looked across the street. It sure looked like Freddy. Blue eyes, blonde hair, pale skin, and I definitely recognize that Spongebob Squarepants/Metallica shirt I bought for him.
He was staring at me so I waved and smiled, but he immediately turned away walking looking at the ground.
"That's weird," I said still looking at him. He started to walk at a faster pace now like he was trying to run away.
"Maybe he didn't notice it was you," Jake said, "But you wouldn't make a bad author for yourself. He's just how you described him."
"I don't know," I said still looking at him, "I'm pretty sure he noticed me, but it's nothing to worry about. You can meet him when we get there which is another block away."
Jake and I continued to walk until we reached the theatres. Everyone was outside on a bench sitting together. Everyone, but Freddy.
"Hey you guys," I approached them, "This is my cousin Jake. He's visiting and will be staying a while."
Jake waved to all of them. Everyone shook his hand and was really friendly, but I noticed that when Marta came up he looked at her with interest and held longer onto her hand. Hmm…looks like we have a match.
While Jake and Zack were talking about something I went up to Summer and asked her, "Hey, where's Freddy?"
"He decided to go in early. Something about finding the 'perfect' seat or whatever. He was practically running here."
"Yeah, I saw him earlier. I waved but he just ignored me and kept walking," I said looking around for Freddy, "Do you think something is wrong?"
"I wouldn't bet on it. Eh, don't worry. Speaking of which, we better get in too," Summer said and ran towards Zack. We all went into the theatres in pairs. Summer and Zack, Jake and Marta, Larry and Alicia, and Tomika and me.
As we headed inside, I saw Freddy chewing on some popcorn. I went up to him and sat down, "Hey."
"Hi," he said not looking at me.
"How come you ran off when I waved earlier?"
He shrugged and we still weren't making eye contact.
"Freddy, is something wrong?"
"I don't know, you tell me."
"What –" I began, but stopped since the lights in the theatre dimmed down and the previews began.
I eyed Freddy still eating some popcorn. Normally he would've offered me some, but he was sure keeping to himself. And what was with the, 'I don't know. You tell me'? I decided to ask him after the movie was over.
FREDDY'S POV
As I reached near the theatres, I saw the whole gang except for Katie and that guy – yes, I am now referring to him as that guy – sitting together outside chatting.
"Hey Freddy," Alicia saw me first and waved. Seconds later, everyone started greeting me.
"Hey, uh, I'm gonna go on in ahead. Have to find the 'perfect' seat, you know," I said heading towards the front door of the theatre.
I felt a tap on my shoulder as Zack said quietly, "You sure you don't wanna wait for Katie?"
"I'm sure," I said and walked away briskly.
After I had paid for my ticket and popcorn, I stepped into the theatre and found the perfect spot – directly in the center of the theatre – not too close not too far away. But it was also kind of creepy cause no one else was there, which was strange.
I started munching on my popcorn hoping and praying that Katie wouldn't come sit next to me, but then again, why would she? I'm sure she'll be too occupied to even watch the movie, IF you know what I mean. I know that I seem like a complete jerk, but I need a lot of time to cool off. That's how it has always been with me – just needed to be alone and straighten things out. But when the person that I was mad at came to me, I'd give them the really cold shower that you think I was ice or something.
Hearing some voice, I immediately knew that my friends had stepped into the theatre. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Katie coming towards me and took the seat next to me, "Hey."
"Hi," I said not looking at her, but just staring blankly at the screen still munching on my popcorn. It was a good thing I got the super-large one.
"How come you ran off when I waved earlier?"
I shrugged and just kept staring ahead careful not to even turn my head an inch or sneak a glance at her from the corner of my eye.
"Freddy, is something wrong?" she asked concerned patting my arm lightly.
"I don't know, you tell me."
"What –" she began, but I didn't hear what she had to say because the lights dimmed and the previews were starting.
She eyed me a second longer, shrugged, then just leaned back into her chair watching the screen.
FREDDY's POV
Throughout the movie, I never glanced once at Katie, but I could feel her looking at me from time to time wondering and pondering why I was acting this way.
I wanted to get away so bad, but I came here to watch a movie and I didn't waste a total of $7.50 to watch half a movie. But during the credits, there were some outtakes and since everyone was staying put, I decided to take this rare opportunity to leave. And so I did. But unfortunately, she followed.
When we got outside the theatre, she grabbed me by the arm, "Freddy, what the hell is wrong?"
This time, I couldn't just run away or ignore her. I had to tell her.
"I can't believe the others aren't mad at you. Having some secret boyfriend and not telling any of us. Sneaking off. Is that why you were sometimes late to practice or why sometimes you were even absent? Or how you wouldn't pick up your phone cause you were too busy making out with him or something?" I said.
"Freddy – you got it all wrong –"
"No, I don't think I do. And it sucks Katie. Because you could've at least told me. It may not bug the others, but it annoys the hell out of me. You know, maybe if you told me you had some secret affair, I wouldn't have been mad. But I am cause –" I stopped my rambling. I realized that if I had gone any further, I would've told her that I loved her.
"Because why?" She looked at me intently. For some seconds, silence was all around me and the only thing I was aware of was our two bodies in this gigantic space.
"Forget it," I said turning away, but she wouldn't let me.
"No. I'm not going to let you walk or run away. You always do that. You can never deal with your problems. You're just going to run away? And so what if I had a secret boyfriend, what do you care? And it's not like you can control my life."
This is where I blew it. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand being a coward. She was right – I always did run away from my problems. I never dealt with them, but now I was going to deal with it.
"You want to know why I care? Why I care! Because I freaking LOVE YOU Katie. And just when I had the courage to go making my move, you just reveal that you had some guy already. Do you know how much that can break a guy's heart? And it would've been a hell of a LOT easier for me if I knew that you had someone, then maybe I wouldn't have wasted so much time thinking and dreaming about you. You know how much time I've wasted? How much time I let pass me by thinking, dreaming, looking at you?
"Well, let me tell you. Five years Katie. Five goddamn years. So you could've at least saved me a couple of months so I would know just when to move on and get on with my life. So tell me Katie, tell me how long have you been going with him, hmm?" I yelled.
I stood there patiently waiting for her answer. Her eyes were watery. Maybe I shouldn't have yelled so loud and maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh. For a minute or two, all I could think about the reason her cheeks were so red and her eyes were so wet was because maybe I had yelled too loud, but when I replayed what I had said in my mind, I realized I had confessed my undying love and devotion for her.
My eyes grew wide and I felt like my heart stopped beating. Oh no. I had confessed. Slowly, I took a step back from her and she stayed still staring at me. Then, I started run away, feeling footsteps following behind me.
"Freddy! Come back!" I could hear her call, but I just kept running not looking back.
KATIE'S POV
Throughout the whole movie, I stayed still just staring the screen. Occasionally, out of the corner of my eye, I would glance at Freddy, but he would always be staring at the screen munching on popcorn.
I wonder why he was giving me a cold shoulder and why he was just so…so not like Freddy.
After the movie, I saw him get up and leave. That's when I decided to approach him.
When we got outside the theatre, I grabbed him by the arm and said firmly, "Freddy, what the hell is wrong?"
He stayed still for a second and slowly turned around. Soon enough, I could see his cheeks get red. Then he exploded.
"I can't believe the others aren't mad at you. Having some secret boyfriend and not telling any of us. Sneaking off. Is that why you were sometimes late to practice or why sometimes you were even absent? Or how you wouldn't pick up your phone cause you were too busy making out with him or something?"
"Freddy – you got it all wrong –"
"No, I don't think I do. And it sucks Katie. Because you could've at least told me. It may not bug the others, but it annoys the hell out of me. You know, maybe if you told me you had some secret affair, I wouldn't have been mad. But I am cause –" Then suddenly he stopped.
"Because why?" I wondered.
"Forget it," Freddy said turning away but I held him back.
"No. I'm not going to let you walk or run away. You always do that. You can never deal with your problems. You're just going to run away? And so what if I had a secret boyfriend, what do you care? And it's not like you can control my life."
I couldn't believe I was even having this conversation with him.
Then he continued to explode some more and started yelling at me.
"You wanna know why I care? Why I care! Because I freaking LOVE YOU Katie. And just when I had the courage to go making my move, you just reveal that you had some guy already. Do you know how much that can break a guy's heart? And it would've been a hell of a LOT easier for me if I knew that you had someone, then maybe I wouldn't have wasted so much time thinking and dreaming about you. You know how much time I've wasted? How much time I let pass me by thinking, dreaming, looking at you?
"Well, let me tell you. Five years Katie. Five goddamn years. So you could've at least saved me a couple of months so I would know just when to move on and get on with my life. So tell me Katie, tell me how long have you been going with him, hmm?"
By now, tears were forming in my eyes. Not because I was mad or scared or sad, but because I was overwhelmed with happiness. Freddy loved me. Freddy loved me. Frederick June Jones loved me. And that was all I could think about. Freddy loved me. Freddy loved me! Freddy loved Katie! Frederick June Jones loved Katherine Alexis Brown!
I was so happy that I couldn't think. I couldn't…process any information. I couldn't say that I loved him too. I just stood still thinking 'FREDDY LOVES ME!'
But I suddenly awoke from my trance when I saw Freddy running for the exit.
I ran after him and yelled, "Freddy! Come back!" I was too tired and I just stood there in the street watching him disappear into the dark of the night.
A/N: Please review. [[since this could be the second to last chapter of the story, let me know whether you want it to end or go on…but if you want it to go on, provide me with some ideas please]]