And I'll Even Have the Courtesy of Admitting I Was Wrongng

(Panic! At The Disco: Folkin' Around)

Nick was already at the cafe when Cath arrived. He was wearing a mustard-colored scarf, a denim Carhartt shirt, burgundy chinos and brown, suede shoes. For a brief moment she remembered why she had liked him before. There was just something so old timey and handsome about him. As he stood up to give her a quick hug that made her feel like she was full of bubbles. Then she remembered who he really is and a pang of embarrassment and anger hit her that made her insides churn. As far as she was concerned, he was a jerk and she already had the best boyfriend in the world. She began to regret agreeing to see him.

"Hello, Cath," Nick smiled.

"Hey," Cath said.

"How have you been?" He asked as they took a seat at a table with a daisy in an empty bottle of Patron as a centerpiece.

She chewed her lip before responding, "Fine. You?"
"I've been... Mostly well."

"Mostly?" Cath raised an eyebrow, more curious about the word choice than the implication.

"Well, I've been thinking about what happened between us a lot and I just feel so terrible about it. It was a really shitty thing for me to do and I realize that now. I mean, I-I'm feeling genuinely guilty." He sighed, "I shouldn't have used you."

They broke eye contact when the barista set their drinks in front of them.

Nick reached over to touch her hand, "I heard one of your pieces got accepted into The Prairie Schooner. It's no surprise though, you're really an amazing writer, Cath."

"Why are you doing this?" Cath snapped, pulling her hand away like his own was a giant spider. She hadn't expected to be so frustrated with him.

"I told you: I wanted to apologize."

"Then why didn't you just send me an email apology? Or, like, write a letter? Or send a pigeon?" She hissed.

He chuckled. Stupid Nick. He chuckles. I hate 'chuckle.'

"Cath, it means so much more apologizing in person." Nick said, "Please look at me, Cath. I'm sorry."

Cath took a drink of her tea and raised her eyes to his navy blue eyes. Stupid Nick, correctly using the magic word...

"Thank you," She mumbled, "For apologizing."

"Thank you for letting me." He gave a weak smile.

They made small talk while they waited for their drinks to cool. She knew that the two of them would probably never be able to be close friends or anything, but she thought he was tolerable again. It gave her a sense of peace and closure, like she had a little more control in her life.

"So, Cath." Nick began.

"Yes?"
"I was thinking-" He took her hand again- "Maybe we could start getting together and writing again. It would really be a collaboration this time."
"I don't think-"

"No, don't talk. It could be great, now that we have an understanding. You make me so much better, you're like my muse," He pressed his lips to her wrist and winked, "Don't ruin this by arguing. We could be partners."

"You know what I think?"


"You what?" Wren asked.

Cath was sitting on her bed with Baz on her lap, wearing her new pajamas and smiling.

"I poured my tea straight on his crotch." She giggled.

"Yes," Wren stood up on her own bed with her hands thrown into the air, "You are such a badass when you want to be."

"Well, he shouldn't have pulled that. I mean, what was he thinking? That if he acted all charming and apologetic I'd fall right back into that trick? No way."

"I'm so proud of you. I hope you melted his dick off."
"It wasn't actually that hot anymore..."
"Still, it's the thought that counts. Metaphorical melting. Ego melting," Wren grinned. "So, what do you think of a Simon Snow marathon since your day is officially free? I think little Baz needs to meet his real father."

"Don't you have work tonight?" Cath asked.

Wren had recently gotten a job at an Italian restaurant and since she was new, she worked a lot of late night shifts.

"No, I called in and told them I couldn't work today," she shrugged.

"Why?"
"Duh, I had to have the time off in case your 'apology' date went sour and you needed me."

It was moments like that that made Cath really appreciate her sister. They would always have each other's backs and be there to give the greatest pep talk they could muster up whenever they needed one. Nothing could ever come between them anymore, because at the end of the day, they weren't just sisters; they were best friends.

Nothing besides work apparently, because two movies in Wren's boss called pleading with her to go in because they were so understaffed. Cath didn't mind though, it was the thought that counted. She watched the third movie with Baz before going downstairs to check on her dad, who had been busy trying to come up with a pitch for "Materni-cream" which was supposed to be ice cream that appealed to the cravings pregnant women had, but sounded like an advert for breast milk. He was pretty frustrated, but healthily, as anyone stuck with such an unappealing product would be, nothing for her to be concerned about.

"Hey, Cath," He said, not looking up from his laptop.

"Hey, dad. Do you know what you want for dinner tonight?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, honey. I actually have a business dinner tonight, I forgot to tell you, didn't I?"
"That's alright, I'll just make something for myself." She forced a smile, but it didn't matter because her dad's face was still engulfed in the dim light of his computer screen.

With a bowl of cereal in hand, Cath went back upstairs to her bedroom to continue her marathon in her bed. Midway through the fourth film her Skype started chirping, informing her that she was getting a call from "JawnH5awyer." It took her a moment to realize that was supposed to read "John H. Sawyer" and accepted the call.

"Look! It's Cather, I knew that had to be her." Levi smiled at John, who was sitting next to him.

"Hey," Cath grinned, "How'd you get my Skype information?"

John waved from behind Levi, "We assumed you were the only Magicath without a number sequence behind it."

"Yeah, it was between that or CathAvery93," she said.

"I'll just be on the couch, man. Later, Cath!"

"See you later, John." Cath waved goodbye even though he was already halfway out of the door, "How are you, darling?"

"Reagan had to cancel plans tonight and my parents were at the hospital with Grandma," Levi shrugged. "John helped me figure out Skype so I could call you while he works on some writing things for school."

"Oh okay. Wren is at work right now. So I'm on my own for the night too."

"Well, how was your date with your new boyfriend?" Levi teased.

"Ha," she rolled her eyes, "It was okay for a minute, but Nick's still a total jerk."

"What happened?" He asked.

"He apologized and things were going great! And then he suggested that we start getting together to write again. It wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't interrupted me every time I tried to object. That was the last straw for me... And then he had the nerve to kiss my wrist to like, calm me down? I don't know, it was all just so patronizing."

"He kissed you?" Levi frowned and dropped his eyebrows.

"My wrist."

"Why did he have your hand in the first place?"
"Levi, it really wasn't like that. I don't let anyone touch me if it can be avoided." Cath huffed, Levi still looked a little dubious. "Don't worry, it ends well for us. I poured my drink on him and walked right out."

"Like a 90s chick-flick?" His eyes lit up and he grinned from ear to ear.

"Yes I did."

"I am so proud of you, sweetheart." He placed his hand over his heart in admiration. "What a little badass."

Cath laughed, "how much time does John need?"

"Why, you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" Levi grabbed a tissue from the desk and waved it a little.

"Ew, Levi. I can't do that," she shook her head quickly. "Sorry."

He laughed, "don't be sorry. You're allowed to say no to that."

"Also imagine if John walked in on that."

The conversation quickly moved to them excitedly speculating what their lives would be like in Lincoln. Levi hoped that Baz would have enough space to roam around in his tiny bedroom. Cath wondered if she should pay rent as well. The conversation went on for another hour before Wren walked into the room without saying a word before face planting on her bed with a loud groan.

"I'd better get going. I think Wren is imploding."

"Oh, okay." He smiled, "I miss you."

"I'll see you in a few days."

"It's the distance."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow." She sighed with a hint of a smile.

"I love you!" Levi chimed.

"Goodbye, love you too."