AN-Chapter 14 people, whoo-hoo!
P. S. So not going into detail about the dresses cause frankly, I'm not into dressing up so I don't know how to describe them that well, lol.
The sound of two people arguing brought Katie out of a sound sleep. Groaning, she opened one eye and looked at the clock. It was only eight in the morning. A Saturday morning. She scowled and turned over, trying to go back to sleep, but the never-ending arguing was vibrating through her walls.
Finally, she got up, throwing the covers off of her. She marched out of her room and into the living room. Her father and Casey sat on the couch, wedding booklets thrown everywhere.
"Can you possibly keep it down.'' she snapped.
They both looked over at her. ''Katie, it's rude to snap.''
''It's rude to wake people at eight in the freaking morning. What the hell are you two arguing about anyway?''
''Language, Katherine.'' Phillip warned. ''We're arguing about the sleeping arrangements, when Casey and Charlie move in.''
''What, you guys won't be sharing a room?'' she smirked.
''No, we're trying to make sure you and Charlie don't.'' Casey smiled.
Katie's eyes widened. ''You mean...he never told you.''
She herself had never told her father, since they barely spoke at all, but she was surprised that Charlie never told his mother.
''Told me what?''
''Charlie and I...we broke up.''
Both Casey and Phillip froze, staring at her.
''When?''
''A few days ago. I thought...I thought he would have told you.'' Katie said. ''I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come out here.''
She disappeared back into her room. Phillip turned to Casey. ''If it makes you feel any better, I didn't know either.''
''I should have known. He was acting so differently. I noticed last year...how could I miss it this year.''
''What about last year?'' Phillip asked.
Casey leaned over and kissed his cheek softly. ''I've got to go, sweetheart. I'll be back soon.''
Charlie's eyes snapped open as he heard his mother call his name. He glanced at the clock resting on his nightstand and scowled. His mother knocked on his door.
''Come in.''
She opened it and walked into his room, sitting down on the bed.
''Where were you?''
''At Phillip's. We were trying to figure out a rooming thing. Didn't want to put you across from Katie, just in case you tried to make it to her room in the middle of the night.''
Charlie laughed and a guilty look came over his eyes. ''You won't have to worry about that.''
''Because you broke up?'' Casey said. ''Katie had to say it today. I thought we could talk, Charlie.''
''We can, it's just...I don't know.'' Charlie sighed.
''What happened, sweetie? Why did it end?''
''Really don't wanna talk about it, please.''
Casey nodded, reluctantly. ''Ok sweetie. Try to go back to sleep.''
She got up to leave his room. ''When are we moving in with them?''
''After the wedding. Gives us time to pack and sell this old place.''
She closed the door behind her and Charlie fell back onto his bed, his eyes wide open.
Katie and Maddie stood in the hall, staring up at a colorful poster.
''Junior Prom! I can't wait!'' Maddie squealed.
''You're not even a junior, Mads.''
''Dean's taking me. I have to go dress shopping.''
''Well, have fun.'' Katie said.
She started walking down the hall, and Maddie caught up with her. ''I thought you could come with me, it would be fun!''
''Mads, I don't need a dress, so why would I go? Connie, Julie, and Tammy are going this weekend. Why not tag-a-long?''
''This is something I wanna do with you!''
''We can do it next year, when I'll actually be able to go.''
Maddie pouted. ''You're no fun.''
''Yep.'' Katie agreed. ''So, guess what happened over the weekend.''
''Do tell.''
''I got to tell dad and Casey that Charlie and I broke up. Apparently, he never told and they were worried about putting our rooms too close.''
''Why didn't he tell her?''
''That's what I was wondering.'' Katie said.
Just then, two strong arm wrapped around Maddie's waist and someone kissed her neck.
''Dean!'' she exclaimed, giggling.
She turned around and kissed him. ''Are you excited about Prom?''
''Yea, it should be cool. I'm just glad I'm bringing you.'' he whispered.
Maddie smiled and leaned in to kiss him again.
''Bye Mads, Dean.'' Katie said.
She left the couple and walked to her locker. Leaning against the cool metal, she sighed sadly. That was once her and Charlie, unable to let ten minutes pass without seeing each other.
''Hey, Kat.''
Speaking of Charlie, he stood right in front her.
''Hey Charlie. So, the rents are excited about moving in together.''
''They are thrilled. Aren't you?'' he smirked.
''Why didn't you tell her? I mean, my father and I don't talk. You and Casey are so close.''
''I just didn't.''
''Did you think I wasn't serious? That we were going to get back together or something?'' she demanded.
''Kat, I know you were serious. I just didn't want to broadcast it to the world that I got dumped.''
''Did I wound your poor male ego?'' she asked.
''Nope, just my poor male heart.''
She winced and looked away. He sighed. ''I didn't mean it like that.''
''I didn't mean to hurt you, Charlie.''
''Kat, stop. I know, ok? I didn't mean to throw it back into your face. It's fine.''
''Are you sure?''
He smiled softly at her. ''Yes.''
"So, let's change the subject now. You going to prom?''
''No, unless of course, you'd like to be my date?''
Katie froze, looking at him in disbelief.
''What?'' he asked.
''Charlie, we're over. Won't this be oh, I don't know, slightly awkward?''
''Probably. Come on, I need a date. Maddie's gonna be there. It'll be fun.''
''Charlie.'' she sighed.
''It will be just as friends.'' he said, hurriedly. ''We're going to be family, might as well get used to it.''
She bit her lip. ''Just friends?''
''Yes.''
''Ok then, let's go.''
He smiled brightly. ''Awesome, so I'll talk to you later about details.''
The bell rang and they both headed to class.
''You're what!?'' Maddie screamed.
''Chill, Mads.''
''I can't chill, how can you be going to Prom with your ex-boyfriend?''
''We're just going as friends. I thought you'd be happy, since I'll be there.''
''I am happy.'' Maddie said. ''I just don't want to see you hurt.''
''We're already over, how can I possibly be hurt?''
''Ok, well then Oh my God we're going to Junior Prom!''
Katie laughed.
After school, the girls decided to go dress hunting. They walked into the mall and found a dress store quickly.
Katie had her eye on a long blue dress. It was strapless and was a dark blue color.
''Try it on.'' Maddie said, walking over to her.
''I'm tempted to. Have you found your dress yet?''
''Yep, it's that power blue one over there. I think Dean would like the whole plunging neck line.''
Katie laughed as Connie and Julie walked over.
''Oh Katie, is that one yours?''
''I'm thinking about it.''
''Try it on.'' Julie suggested.
Katie finally agreed. A few minutes later she stepped out of the dressing room.
''Katie, you look beautiful.'' Connie said.
''That dress is so you!'' Tammy exclaimed, joining in on the fun.
Katie glanced in the mirror. She loved the dress, how soft it was, how amazing it felt. It didn't hurt that she looked incredible in it.
''Ok fine. I'll buy it.''
They returned to the dorms. Julie walked over to Adam and pulled out a sample color from her dress. She handed it to him.
''So we can match.'' she explained.
All the girls pulled out the same thing for their dresses and handed them to their dates. Adam's eyes bulged as Katie handed hers to Charlie.
''I'm so glad I get to go with you.'' Tammy exclaimed, kissing Fulton's cheek.
''So, is this the rent a hotel room Prom?'' Guy asked Connie.
She situated herself on his lap before answering. ''No, this is the we all go and have a fun time and don't have to worry about college and leaving each other Prom.''
''Crap, I have something I need to do in my room. Charlie, can you help me?'' Adam asked.
Charlie grinned and nodded. A worried look passed over Katie, but he winked reassuringly at her before following Adam upstairs.
''They're going to talk about you.'' Maddie said, from her spot next to Dean.
''Thank you Maddie, because I so did not know that.''
''Anytime.''
Adam and Charlie entered their dorm room and Adam turned to face Charlie. Before he could get a word in egde wise, Charlie spoke.
''Yes Banksie, Kat and I are going to prom together.''
''Is this some desperate way to win her back?''
''No, it's a way for me to have a date, for her to go, and for us to become friends. Chill Banksie, it's no big deal.''
''Don't hurt her.'' Adam warned.
''I didn't hurt her before.''
Adam sighed. ''Charlie.''
''Don't worry, it'll be fine.'' Charlie promised.
The next day, Katie was just lying on her bed when Maddie burst into their dorm room.
''Katie!'' she yelled.
''Maddie. What's up?''
''Ok, so my parents planned a trip out to California for the summer. I am so bummed I have to leave Dean and they know, so guess what they are letting me do.''
''Bring Dean?''
''Hell no. Bring you!''
''What?'' Katie started to smile.
''Uh huh. My mom asked Casey who asked your dad and he said fine. You just need to be back for the wedding in August. Kat, we're going to California together!''
Katie laughed and hugged her. ''Mads, this is incredible!''
''I know, right! I so love my parents right now. They are awesome, the best ever!''
''How does Dean feel about you leaving?''
''He's bummed. I'm going to miss him, but this is awesome!''
Katie laughed again. ''Ok, so when are we leaving?''
''Next week, when school lets out.''
''Awesome. I need to pack.''
''Oh what am I going to bring?''
Maddie ran to the closet and began throwing clothes about the room.
Finally, it was the night of Prom.
Katie was waiting nervously in the living room of her home. Phillip and Casey had been surprised when they found out Charlie would be taking her. Both kids assured their parents it was just as friends.
Adam walked in and sat down next to her. Charlie and Julie would come to their house together to pick them up.
''Kinda wish you'd shelled out for a limo?'' Katie asked.
''Nah, that's for Senior Prom. It's only junior, so Charlie's car is good enough.''
Katie laughed.
''You look nice. And nervous.''
''Thanks, I feel nice. And nervous.''
Adam chuckled. ''Are you sure about going with him?''
''In all honesty, I'm a little worried. I mean, I have no idea what might happen tonight. But, truthfully, I can't see myself going with anyone else.''
They heard a car horn and stood up. Adam grinned, and offered his arm.
''Shall we?''
Katie smiled, lacing her arm through his.
''We shall.''
Junior Prom was being held in a hotel ballroom. Charlie parked the car and helped Katie out.
''This should be fun.''
''Loads.'' she said.
Adam and Julie followed them as they made their way inside. Once in, Katie came across Maddie and Dean.
''Kat, aren't the decorations awesome? I love the whole under the sea theme.''
''It is pretty.'' Katie said. ''Isn't it, Dean?''
''Yea, whatever.'' he muttered.
Katie nodded her head and shot Maddie a look. The latter just shook her head, a small smile on her face.
Music began to play and Maddie dragged Dean off to dance. Charlie turned to Katie.
''Shall we dance?'' he asked, holding out his hand.
Katie smiled and took it, letting him lead her onto the dance floor. They fell into such an easy rhythm, her hands resting upon his shoulders, his hands upon her waist.
Memories began to pop into both their minds and suddenly, Charlie was pulling her closer. She closed her eyes, reveling in the feeling. He pulled away, looking at her.
''Katie.'' he whispered.
Then, he was kissing her.
Her eyes widened in surprised before fluttering close, remembering how amazing it once was between them. Then she remembered the break-up.
Eyes snapped open as she pushed him away, glaring at him.
''Kat, I.'' he struggled for words, ''I don't know where that came from.''
She shook her head and turned to leave. He reached for her.
''Kat, don't go.''
She just held up her hand, and shook her head once more. He stopped and it was then she walked away from him.
AN-The rest of Junior Prom and the final chapter on the next update of A Year To Remember.