The day Jackie left Bloomington was the day she hoped she left behind Catherine Stark. Jackie knew that she shouldn't have gone to bed with her, not after how devastated she had been the night Catherine took her new lover upstairs. It was an ugly ending to the relationship. On the plane ride home, Jackie kept asking herself why she went to bed with her after seeing her at the library. Jackie was mad at herself. She rationalized her action by convincing herself that maybe she went home with Catherine that day to get some closure and help her move on, but sadly she did not. It only confused her even more, for months after, Jackie regretted being in her arms one last time.
In Los Angeles, Jackie decided that the best thing for her was to never get involved or worse fall in love. Jackie immersed herself in auditions and in her filming the remake of Neptune 26. The beginning of filming had started and Jackie found herself totally invested in her work. She was on set for 15 to 16 hours daily. Throughout the days, Catherine never crossed her mind, but as soon as her head hit her pillow tears would fall from her eyes thinking back to her time with Catherine. Jackie was tormented by the thought of Catherine. To try an forget, Jackie went out on a couple of dates and went to bed with a few girls, but she never wanted anything more with anyone of them. Jackie never allowed herself to emotionally connected with any of these girls. What she lived with Catherine had truly traumatized her. As soon as the sexual act was done, Jackie would get out of bed and leave. She didn't want a relationship and she certainly never wanted to fall in love again. She was afraid of the pain that they could inflict on her, she never wanted to be broken again. Jackie never truly understood what she did to deserve Catherine hurting her so badly. Catherine hurt her deeper then anyone had ever hurt her. Jackie waited for her call, but the call never came. She felt stupid for thinking Catherine would call her.
Back in Bloomington after Jackie left, Catherine wasn't the same. Catherine took a break from the outside world, her days were spent in bed sleeping. Day after day, she replayed their time together. She thought about what might of been if she had never told Jackie that she wasn't worth it. And she wished that she never had brought a lover home to show Jackie that she had been replaced. She couldn't believe she had sunk, so low.
Catherine was surprised in the library that last day. Catherine couldn't believe Jackie was even talking to her. If Jackie would have done to her, what she did to her; she would have never have talked to her in the library that day much less go home and sleep with her. How could Jackie sleep with her after all that she had done to hurt her? Over and over, Catherine thought about their last time together and what made Jackie get out of bed and leave, so abruptly. The Jackie she knew would have stayed the night. Hurt, Catherine knew Jackie had said her goodbyes for good. Catherine wanted to call her, but she couldn't bring herself to do it, not after Jackie left the way she did.
As the months passed, Neptune 26 came to a wrap and was getting ready for release. Jackie would have to do some additional promotional events. Jackie was paid a heavy some of money for the movie and was set to recieve an additional payday depending how the movie did in the box office. Jackie invested her first paycheck in a small 1.6 million dollar home in Los Feliz, California. Her home was located in Laughin Park, a gated community with celebrity neighbors like Emma Roberts, Kristen Stewart and Angelina Jolie.
One of her first TV interviews was set to be filmed in her new home. Jackie's mind was never to far from Catherine Stark. The morning of the interview, hair and makeup got her ready. She would give a tour of her new home to audiences and would be answering a few questions from viewers. Jackie looked beautiful. The lights from downtown Los Angeles could be seen far off into the distance as the interviewer began his questions. As the questions went into the topic of love, Jackie got noticeably uncomfortable. The interviewer asked Jackie if she had ever been in love? Jackie's answer was to the point, she said yes with no added commentary. As he sensed her hiding something, the interviewer probed further. He asked her, "Ms. Kirk, are you currently in love?" Jackie didn't know how to respond. Thinking about her answer, Catherine came to the forefront of her mind. Jackie said, "Yes, I am in love, but we are no longer together. Her sadness was undeniable to everyone in the filming crew. Things got intense and quiet as the interviewer proceeded with his next question. "What happened between you and that person?" Jackie said, "I decided to give acting another go and they felt that a long distance relationship wasn't worth it to them. At the time, I was living on the east coast. In their own words, "I wasn't worth it," so our relationship ended. Tears began to form in Jackie's eyes as she thought back to that moment in Catherine's bedroom. The interviewer continued, "Ms. Kirk, I am sorry to hear that it didn't work out, but I am sure you will find a new special someone." The last few questions related to places she would be visiting in promoting Neptune 26.
After the interview, Jackie regretted her honesty. What if Catherine saw it, Jackie wanted to hide under a rock, but there was nothing to be done. It would air in the next few days. It was a done deal.
Back in Bloomington, Catherine decided to watch Jackie's interview on television. Jackie looked stunning. Catherine had missed seeing her face. Her Porcupine was doing well, at least that is what she thought up to the point of hearing her answers to the interviewer's questions about being in love. Catherine began to cry as soon as she heard Jackie repeat those awful words she had said to her.
That night Catherine couldn't sleep, so she decided on a few glasses of scotch to put her out. As she slept, Catherine dreamed of Jackie. Catherine turned to face Jackie in bed, Jackie was wearing a dark blue tank top and some baby blue shorts with tiny prints of yellow sail boats. Catherine told Jackie she reminded her of a Porcupine when she slept. Catherine woke up from her dream looking over to her cell phone, Catherine looked for Jackie's 323 number and texted her. She texted, "Jackie, I saw your interview. I regret saying those words to you. I'm sorry I hurt you like I did. I was awful."