PART X: In the Eye of the Storm

Grace was in the kitchen, silently reading the morning newspaper. Jessie was coming down the stairs. It was still early so she wasn't in a hurry.

"Hey Grace." Jessie opened the fridge looking for milk for her cereals.

"Hey…" Grace replied softly.

"So what's new? Anything good in the newspaper today?" Jessie asked as she poured milk on her bowl.

"Funny you should ask…" Grace gave the newspaper to Jessie then began to walk to the living room.

Jessie saw a picture of her and James dancing, but to her surprise there was picture inset; Katie. And the words on the headline didn't help ease her anxiety; A SINGER IS NEVER ENOUGH.

Katie was in bed. She didn't sleep much because she was crying all night. The sun crept and touched Katie's body with its rays. She didn't feel the warmth anymore. She stood up lazily then went to the kitchen. She didn't bother answering the phone till the voicemail got it for her.

Hey Katie! It's Tad. Look, I know everything is hard right now but you'll get through ok? I'll be there tonight. Take care ok?

Tad, he always was the first to worry about Katie. He knew what Katie feared about falling in love, finding out she would never be good enough. And just when Katie finally admitted to herself she did love someone, she had to find out the same day the girl she was in love with was with someone else. Katie would have asked Jessie what was going on, but she didn't. With what she saw and how the things went the last time they were together, it was enough.

Katie rubbed her forehead. She drank water and sat on a dining chair. She felt the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"I need fresh air." She said to herself.

She changed then went outside to have a walk in the park.

Jessie trekked Wicker Park. She didn't need to run or anything. She woke up too early this morning. She felt her heart sink when she remembered how Katie looked in the inset picture.

"She doesn't deserve me… I'm no good…." Jessie whispered to herself.

Then there she was, Katie. She was walking opposite her direction. Katie never seemed to be so upset before. Jessie felt torn to pieces.

Katie saw Jessie.

"God why now?" She mumbled to herself.

She walked faster. Bringing her eyes to the ground, to avoid looking at Jessie. Now it would only be natural Katie didn't know where she was going. She passed Jessie but when she looked up… well the pole was so near there was no time to change direction. Katie bumped her head on the pole again. The same pole she bumped to when she met Jessie.

"Shit!" She cursed herself.

Her head was bleeding again.

Jessie turned her back and saw Katie on the ground. She had to see if Katie was alright.

"You ok?" Jessie asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. Just a scratch." Katie rubbed her forehead.

"Here take this." Jessie was bringing out her medicine kit.

She gave Katie gauze and some antiseptic.

When she noticed Katie was having trouble applying it to herself, Jessie decided to lend a hand.

"Here let me do it for you." Jessie said as she took the gauze.

"OWW!" Katie screamed.

It seemed the cut was a bit deep this time.

"I'm sorry…" Jessie said.

"No it's ok… it just… hurts…" Katie looking at Jessie with sad eyes.

"No… I'm sorry… for everything…" Jessie locked her eyes on Katie's wound.

"It's alright really…" Katie meant it.

Katie would have guessed a bump on the head would put her mind in perspective. Maybe Jessie went out with James as friends. Maybe they could resolve this by talking to each other. Not by running away.

"No it's not."

"But it is…" before Katie could finish, Jessie cut her off.

"No. It's not. They were right Katie. Someone like me can never be with you."

"They? Who?"

"People like you. People who are better off without people like me…" Jessie turned away from Katie.

"I didn't know people like me can't be with people like you. Although I don't think there is much difference between you and me." Katie replied holding the gauze in her head.

"Katie, I can't be in your world. I'll never be good enough." Jessie stood up.

"Jess, you're more than enough. Please let's talk about this…" Katie held on to Jessie's hand.

"No Katie. You deserve better…." Tears starting to flow from Jessie's eyes.

She turned away from Katie. Then she ran and rode the nearest bus she could find.

Katie just stood there. Not knowing what to do. Should she run after Jessie? Or would Jessie rather not see her again?

On the bus, some people stared, but Jessie didn't bother to mind them anymore. She loved someone nobody thought she deserved. She couldn't even tell Katie how she felt. Jessie stared at the window and saw a billboard with Katie in it.

"My heart belongs to you Katie. But the world you live in will never let your heart belong to me…." Jessie whispered as tears run down freely in her cheeks.