Chapter One: Life on Display
It was the fourth afternoon that it was raining and Catty Turner was once again stuck store-sitting her mother's bookstore. Getting out of the chair behind the check out desk she walked towards the large window display that had the some books creatively styled and piled next to a painting that Catty had done. Rain gently beat against the window as she saw people hurrying down the street or couples casually walked under large umbrellas.
She turned and walked to the back of the store, pouring herself some hot chocolate then settled back at the desk sketching. She wore a large hooded sweat shirt from UCLA and some low rise jeans and some socks, her shoes in the back.
A soft bell rang on the door and Catty looked up, it was Kyle. She smiled; they had been going out for two months now. "Hey you," She said watching him walked around the counter.
"Hey yourself, I thought you had the afternoon off?" He pulled her off the stool her she was perching on. Catty loved the way it felt in his arms.
"Well I did but Kendra had to do some sort of business so once again I will spend the best years of my life in this old bookstore." She wrinkled her nose then buried her face in his chest. He laughed.
"Best years of your life? We can't have that now can we..." He murmured then bent down to kiss her. She wrapped her around his neck, bringing him closer. The bell on the door jingled again, causing Kyle and Catty to spring apart.
"What?" It was Vanessa. "You two look like you just got caught with your hands in the cookie jar." She laughed at the flustered look on their faces. Vanessa was wearing a clear slicker over her lacy skirt and pastel top. She dropped her umbrella at the door and held up a box pizza.
"Thought you might be hungry." She smiled, and dropped it on the counter. "Also brought a surprise..." She trailed of noticing that neither Catty nor Kyle where listening to her they were looking at each other.
"I will go get some paper plates while you guys gaze uselessly into each other's eyes hopelessly wondering why you must be apart—the cruelty of having friends." Vanessa told them and walked into the back rummaging through cabinets.
Catty watched her best friend walk away then kissed him again.
"You know the rules," Catty said, wishing that he could stay.
"Catty, you've let me stick around when you are watching the shop..." He grinned and bent to kiss her again.
She stopped him. "Really, I don't want to get in trouble." Catty glanced at the beaded curtain, "And I promised Vanessa we would hang out."
He nodded, not bothering to hide his disappointment. "Okay...well can we meet up tonight? At Planet Bang?"
Catty nodded, "Sure. I'll see you there."
"K," He replied, wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her hard before giving her a quick grin then disappearing into the rain. Catty frowned watching him leave, they had been spending so much time together and she liked that. But by doing so she had been having less time with Vanessa.
Turning she laughed, Vanessa was leaning in the doorframe holding two paper plates and some soda. "Planet Bang hmm?" She smiled mischievously.
Catty shook her head, trying to fight the smile that came to her face. Vanessa made a kissing face then handed Catty a plate and a pop.
"Anyways like I said I brought a few surprises!" She held up the movie Dirty Dancing, two bags of popcorn and chips and a folded blanket.
"Dirty Dancing!" Catty squealed with Vanessa.
Two hours later, both girls were sleeping in the back under a blanket that had stars with popcorn scattered all of the floor and the movie rolling its credits. Kendra smiled at the two.
"Girls," She said, gently tapping them. Catty stirred feeling groggy.
"M—om?" Catty yawned.
"Yes, thanks for watching the store for my Cat," She bent and kissed Catty's forehead. "If you want you can go ahead and leave. I will watch the store till nine."
Catty nodded and began gathering up some of the popcorn with Vanessa.
"You feel like going out?" Catty asked. Vanessa shrugged.
"I have to go rehearse with the band we are playing at Planet Bang tonight so..." Vanessa said quietly. Catty nodded, understanding but wishing that they could spend more time together.
"When's practice then?" Catty asked turning her back to Vanessa. Vanessa looked at her watch it was almost eight.
"Eight-thirty, we go on stage at nine." Vanessa replied folding up the blanket. "We could still hang out some, find some outfits—"
"Actually I told Tianna I would go over to her house." Catty lied.
"Oh," Vanessa looked hurt, "Of course—of course you did. Well I guess I will see you there...?"
"Yea," Catty nodded and tugged on her shoes angrily. Vanessa pulled on her slicker and left the shop, umbrella in her hand. Catty bit her lip, and left the store.
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