CH 4 – Realization
Katie plastered on a fake smile and returned the hug. Then she hugged Johnathan, but paused when it came to Freddy. Freddy stepped forward and scooped her into his arms giving her a big bear hug, "Hey Posh."
"Hi everyone," she said weakly. Freddy looked at her for a minute. Though she looked like it was just any other day and though she was smiling from ear to ear he knew it was just a show – an act. He looked at her eyes and noticed that they weren't sparkling with mischief like they usually were. She was heartbroken, sad, miserable, angry, and downright scared and only Freddy could see it. Eyes are the windows to the soul, Freddy thought.
"Freddy, why don't you take Katie up to her room while your dad and I discuss somethings with Ms. McField?" Sarah said scooting them towards the staircase. Freddy nodded and gently grabbed Katie's arm pulling her towards her room.
"The guest room," Katie put down her luggage and smiled at Freddy, "I knew it."
"Katie, cut the bullshit," Freddy said sitting down on the edge of the bed, Katie following him crossing her legs.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"Something is up. Quit it with the fake smile and the cheery voice," Freddy said in a firm voice but softened up when he saw her pained look, "It's okay to cry. You have good reason too."
"I…" Katie knew she couldn't fool Freddy. She could never fool him, except when it came to the card game BS, but when it came to faking it, she couldn't fool anyone from School of Rock – including Dewey. Her voice started to break and her eyes started watering, "Freddy, it's just not damn fair!"
She pulled her knees and rested her head against her knees and quietly started crying some more. Freddy stared at her and then felt his heart breaking too. Whenever Katie was sad, he was sad. When she was happy, he was happy. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt like it was that big brotherly feeling he had for her. He came to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders and her arms gently rocking her back and forth, "Shh…it's okay Katie. Let it all out."
"I mean…he was my dad. He didn't do anything wrong. He was carefree and young. He didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve to die!" Katie screamed into Freddy's shirt, "Why did he leave me? Why couldn't he just hold on and not let go? My father is gone! My mother is gone! I have NOTHING!" she screamed and sobbed some more.
"Hey, hey don't say that," Freddy lifted her chin so that they were staring at each other eye to eye, "You have me. You have my parents. You have School Of Rock."
"Yeah, I know. But it's just not the same!" She sniffed and let the tears run down her face not bothering to wipe them away.
She sniffed and leaned into him getting his shirt all wet from her tears. "Oops," she said with no emotion, "Sorry about your shirt." She got up using her arms to wipe her face.
"No problem. Got plenty more," he smiled down at her making her feel that at least there was someone there.
"Well at least everything hasn't gone wrong," Katie said rubbing her puffy eyes.
"What do you mean?" he asked her.
"At least I ended up with family, you know. You are my family. We are really close, so in a way I do still have family. And at least it's summer and not school time. If we had school right now, I'd die from all the pressure," Katie smiled showing off her sparkling white teeth. Freddy looked at her and handed her a tissue. He liked it when she smiled. He was glad not all of them were fake.
"Hey, let's head to Blockbuster and rent a movie," Freddy suggested, "Then we can watch it tonight."
"Sure."
When they returned from Blockbuster they found a note on Freddy's bedroom door.
Yo Fredster,
Your mom and I had to go out of town for one night. Some kind of business thing of hers – really I don't understand why she just has to drag me along. But anyway, I left a 20 on the kitchen table so order out tonight.
Love, Dad (the guy who rocks everyone's socks!)
Freddy laughed at his dad. His dad was such a goofball. "Hey, I'm gonna go take a bath. Then maybe we can watch 50 First Dates?" Katie asked. Freddy nodded, "I'll go set up down in the living room. Oh yeah, my parents went out of town for tonight just in case your wondering and they left us a 20. Does pizza sound okay with you?"
"No problem," Katie waved a hand over her shoulder and headed to her room to gather some clothes to wear after she would take a bath. A pair of white shorts that went up about two inches above her knees and a black sleeveless shirt that said Led Zeppelin.
She headed to the bathroom where she waited for the hot water to fill the tub. Then she gathered some bath salts and some bubbles. After that she gathered all the candles she could find and lit it, turning off the light and closing the shades. Then she took her radio and listened to the soft tunes of Chicago. Chicago was still rock – just not hardcore. It would seem surprising that Katie would know how to set up a luxirous bath, but it was just one of the things that not many people knew – except Freddy.
Normally she would've only taken a shower, but from all of the stress, she needed to wade in the water and just release all the pressure. Katie stripped off and stepped into the tub, "Ahh….this is the life."
Katie thought about her new life. She hadn't even slept over one night yet and she felt like this was where she belonged. Katie closed her eyes and sank even lower into the tub and suddenly an image of Freddy smiling at her popped up. She opened her eyes and splashed hot water unto her face. No, I am not going to like him again. NO FUCKING WAY! She thought firmly.
After about an hour of relaxation, Katie stepped out of the tub and dressed up, towel in her hand. She went down the stairs drying her hair, "Hey the pizza arrived."
Freddy turned from the pizza and stared at Katie. His whole life he never saw any of her skin except her arms (which was only from the elbow and below), hands, face, and neck, but now that she was here in front of him wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt, he had to admit that Katie was a babe – a total hottie.
She had creamy, white skin, completely flawless and she was very slim. Not bony, but slender enough. Not only that, but her black hair was cascading down a bit past her shoulders which was a bit messy and unruly, but because it wasn't tied into a high neat ponytail like it always was it gave her this sexy, seductive look. Sure she was a hottie, but she wasn't perfect – she still had some scars here and there. Probably from football, Freddy thought staring at her up and down. Wait. No. Katie is not hot. Freddy Jones you have a girlfriend. And not to mention Katie is one of your bestest friends. Remember that.
"What?" she asked looking up at him, "You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"Huh? Oh right. Nothing. Just thinking about something," he said glancing up ahead embarrassed that he had been close to getting caught. "So," Freddy said trying to change the subject, "Let's watch shall we?"
Katie nodded and followed him onto the sofa where Freddy had prepared numerous, comfy pillows, and layers of blankets. "You know, just in case we fall asleep. We got to be prepared," he joked sitting down.
"Yeah, we do," Katie laughed mildly sitting at the complete opposite end of the couch, She wasn't feeling too good about being near Freddy right now. I knew it was a bad idea to wear what I would normally wear around my house, she mentally yelled at herself, now I feel so uncomfortable.
"What are you doing all the way over there?" Freddy cocked his head to the side in curosity, "Sit next to me."
As much as Katie didn't want too she scooted closer so that her head was leaning unto Freddy's shoulder and his arm was around her. Maybe I shouldn't have asked, Freddy thought feeling uncomfortable. Sure he had his arm around her plenty of times before but it was different now. Katie was wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt! Now it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is for Katie! She looked drop dead gorgeous! And she didn't even know it! That's something you don't see every day.
At one point of the movie, Freddy had felt the urge to kiss her. He didn't know why or even how, but he just felt it. And then he actually felt like asking her out, but he immideately dismissed the thought because it just wasn't….right. Since they were living together now, they were practically like brother and sister. And when a brother and sister even thinkdoing that kinda thing – well…it's just not right!
Not to mention the fact that Freddy has a girlfriend who he just happens to like very much and he didn't want to cheat on her.
Then there was that other problem – he and Katie were best friends! They had known each other all their lives and if they ever got together and broke up, it would just throw away their relationship that they have had for sixteen years.
Screw it, Freddy thought as he laughed at a segment in the movie hearing Katie's laughter along with him. He looked down at her for a brief moment and felt a tiny tug at his heart. He was happy that she was laughing [due to certain conditions]. Screw the idea. Forget it. It'll never work out. Ignore the feeling. You have a gorgeous, beautiful, hot, smart, funny girlfriend! Think about her.
And plus, Freddy convinced himself, you never felt this way about Katie before. It's only because you saw her just now. It's just temporary. Yeah, that's it. It'll wear away and soon she's just gonna be your weird little sister. Yeah…okay. Yeah.
So for the remainder of the movie, Freddy thought about his girlfriend, Natalie, but was distracted when he felt something fall gently on his lap. He looked down and saw Katie sound asleep looking like the perfect angel that she was.
Freddy traced her face lightly with his fingertips trying to memorize it, but snapped out of it. He groaned in frustration and pushed a pillow unto his face, Living with Katie is going to be harder then I thought.
A/N: Okay…so I didn't get 15 reviews, but I still got 14 and they were really nice so I'm happy with what I got. =] I shouldn't be so greedy! Oh and when you review, please tell me what you really think of this chapter. I think I messed up somewhere…oh and can anyone tell me where they live? Cause I'm not so sure.
Shout Outs:
Asphodel Oakburt SiennaR79
tmrwspromise
blueheaven79
S.S.I.
Pineapple Cube: yes the third chapter was based on the Matchbook Romance song. I love that song! More importantly I love that band! =]
Shalei
Angel: well thank you. God bless you too.
Wtf2M0rbidity: well as you can see, I'm working on that little idea. In fact it was already in my head.
Wiseoldman: well when I say daughter, I mean it like daughter-in-law – but you're right. That sounds icky!
Swimmerkitti: why thank you! Yeah I hate it when I lose reviewers! [sighs] but it's all part of life yanno?
Lover Del Dragon: Always my most faithful, loyal, first reviewer! Thank you for sticking with me! =] =]