PART 8LEAVE THE PIECES
Jessie lay smiling at the unfamiliar bed, staring at the brunette lying asleep beside her. She had been awake for an hour and couldn't fall back to sleep, or maybe, she just doesn't want to sleep. She was contented just lying there, watching Katie. She chuckled upon seeing Katie pout and murmur something.
Must be dreaming… Jessie looked adoringly at her. From under the sheets, Jessie lifted her left hand and trailed Katie's right arm, the smile not leaving her face. Last night was amazing. She couldn't even describe it. She had never felt it or experienced it before. Maybe Ira was right. It was a feeling Jessie couldn't resist no matter how much she tried. It was like a drug, irresistible, and you just couldn't help yourself. Maybe it was love.
But Jessie doesn't want to think about anything else at the moment. All she wants was to be with Katie, that's all. Whether it was love or not, she doesn't want to worry about it now.
Planning to surprise Katie with breakfast in bed, Jessie forced herself to get up and get dressed. Before leaving, she gave Katie a kiss on her forehead.
Grace and Tad were at the living room eating breakfast. They arrived just after Jessie had left. Tad has his arms wrapped around his fiancée while drinking coffee, while Grace was eating some bagel.
"Are you sure Jessie's not gonna freak if she saw the crumbs from your bagel on the floor?" Tad asked her.
"Of course she will. That's why you're gonna clean it up later." Grace grinned at him, gave his a short kiss, and continued eating her bagel.
Their eyes were both focused on the morning news when they heard the knocks on the door. Tad got up to open it, and was surprised to see…
"Chris? I didn't know you're in town." Tad said. He hadn't let him in when Chris walked past by him, uninvited. Grace frowned at the sight of Chris.
"Hi guys, is Jessie here?" Chris smiled. He has a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
"No, she wasn't in her bedroom when I checked." Grace answered sternly. Tad closed the door and sat on Grace's side again.
"I was wondering if I could use your bathroom?" Chris asked. Grace replied.
"It's the first door to the right." Grace motioned to a hallway and Chris got up and headed there. Just then, Jessie came into the front door, with the biggest goofy smile on her face.
"Hey Jess." Tad smiled at Jessie.
"Hey guys." Tad got up and helped her with the brown paper bag she was holding.
"Where have you been and what are those?" Grace stared curiously at the paper bag.
"I bought some groceries."
"Why?" Grace frowned.
"I'm going to cook." Jessie stood giddily near the couch. Tad and Grace exchanged looks. Jessie was acting really weird. "You guys want anything?"
"Uh, no thanks. We're done." Grace smile gratefully. Tad followed Jessie to the kitchen. Just then, Katie finally came out of her bedroom.
"Hi Grace." Katie said. Grace turned her head and saw Katie smiling at her. She smiled back.
"You're finally awake." Grace moved aside so Katie could sit beside her. Katie saw the cup of coffee on the coffee table.
"Yeah. Is this Tad's?" Grace nodded. Katie picked up the cup and drank from it.
"He has rabies, you know." Grace joked.
"Really? That explains the howling." Katie joked back and giggled. Grace smiled and wondered why both Jessie and Katie were acting giddy at the same time. Her eyes narrowed in mischief.
"Why are you so happy?"
"What's wrong about being happy?" Katie replied.
"You should know that it is impolite to answer a question with another question." Grace faked seriousness, which only made Katie laugh more.
"Since when did you become proper?"
"Grace, will you tie him up for a while? I couldn't start with him eating everything I bought." Katie and Grace turned to look at the direction of Jessie's voice. She was literally pushing Tad back to the living room and Grace couldn't help but laugh.
"Tad, leave Jessie alone."
"Okay, fine." Tad raised both his hands in surrender. That's when Jessie noticed Katie sitting beside Grace.
"Hi." Jessie smiled at her.
"Hi… Uhm… Where were you?" Katie smiled back. Grace saw the exchange between the two and was becoming more curious.
Something is going on… Grace thought.
"I went out to buy some groceries. I thought you guys might be hungry." Jessie replied without really looking at Tad or Grace.
"There you are!" Another voice came out of nowhere, which made Katie frown. She knew that voice. And when she turned her head, the smile faded from her face.
Christopher Woodward, I completely had forgotten about him… Katie sighed silently.
"Chris." Jessie said in surprise. She then threw a worried look on Katie's direction and found her expression rather stern.
"Hi honey." Chris walked to Jessie and gave her a short kiss. Jessie didn't move. Katie looked away and grabbed the remote of the television and switched the channel.
"What are you doing here?" Jessie didn't know how to react.
"I was in town doing some business transactions. I thought it would be nice if we could have lunch together. What do you think?" Chris smiled. Jessie couldn't answer right away. Grace noticed Katie sat stiff beside her. She was pretending not to pay attention but she could clearly hear everything.
"I don't know… I'm, uh… I'm kind'a busy. I don't have time to go out." Jessie lied.
"We can eat here. Tad, Grace and Katie could eat with us." Chris tried to convince Jessie. Grace watched Jessie and waited for her decision.
"Chris…"
"Jessie, come on, we barely see each other anymore." Chris looked sincerely at Jessie. Jessie didn't know what to do or say. She could see Katie sitting unmoved on the couch. And it's not looking good for her. "Jessie?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever, if they want to eat with us, I guess that's fine." Jessie answered in defeat.
"How about that, guys? Lunch together, my treat." Chris looked pleased.
"If it's okay with Grace, it's okay with me." Tad shrugged.
"Katie?" Grace asked worriedly.
"I can't." Katie answered shortly.
"What? Why not?" Jessie asked.
"I've got to go meet someone." Katie got up from her seat.
"Who?" Jessie asked in curiosity.
"You don't know her." Katie said and walked back to her bedroom. Tad and Grace knew something went wrong. Chris looked happy but Jessie couldn't cheer herself up.
Lunch isn't worth any if Katie's not going to be there… Jessie thought. A moment later, Katie went out of her room again with her car keys and headed for the door without saying another word.
So much for breakfast in bed… Jessie mentally kicked herself.
It was the worst lunch ever. Jessie barely talked, Grace didn't want to talk, Tad couldn't find anything in common with Chris, and Chris talked about himself and the Patriots all that time.
Chris had already left, while Grace and Tad went back to The Coffee Park to help Ira. Jessie was left alone at the penthouse and Katie hadn't come back. Jessie was getting anxious, thinking whom was Katie having lunch with. This isn't how she imagined this day was going to be. Everything was going fine until Chris showed up and practically ruined all of her plans with Katie for the day. Grace was home by midnight, but still, Katie wasn't.
Jessie jumped out of the couch upon hearing the door open. It was past midnight when Katie came in.
"Katie, I didn't know Chris was coming over, I swear." Jessie spoke before Katie could say anything. To her surprise, Katie smiled.
"That's okay Jess, no need to explain." Katie headed to the phone stand and picked up the wireless.
"Look, about last night---"
"Can we discuss this later? There's someone I need to call." Katie turned to face Jessie, trying her best to act civil.
"Uh, sure." Jessie replied in confusion. She watched and listened as Katie dialed a number and waited for someone to answer on the other line.
"Hello… This is Katie Singer, I'm calling for Ms. Elaine Reynolds please, she's expecting my call… Thank you…" Katie waited as her call was being transferred. After a while, she heard Elaine's familiar voice on the other line. "Hi Elaine, this is Katie… Yeah, Paris's friend… I just talked to her, she told me you wanted me to call you… I just got home actually, I wanted to make sure it isn't one in the morning your time when I call, that wouldn't have pleased you… Yes…" Katie laughed at something Elaine had said. Jessie felt uneasy hearing Katie talking to this Elaine. "Yeah… In LA? No problem… Sure… I will… Thank you… Bye." Katie hung up, a wide grin plastered in her face. She was intent on just walking away when Jessie spoke again.
"You were with Paris?" Jessie looked seriously at her.
"Yeah." Katie replied nonchalantly.
"Are you trying to get me jealous? Because you can stop now, it's totally working." Jessie snorted.
"I'm not trying to get you jealous… You don't have the right to." Katie smiled sarcastically at her. Jessie was taken aback by Katie's harshness.
"Why are you being like this?" Jessie asked in exasperation.
"I'm not being anything, Jessie."
"You're acting like nothing happened."
"Why Jessie, what happened?" Katie's sarcasm was seeping through her voice.
"You know what I'm talking about. Is this about Chris? 'Coz I don't see the issue here." Katie was starting to annoy Jessie.
"No… This isn't about Chris, Jess. This is about you." Katie stared at her and headed to her room. Jessie followed her.
"What about me? Katie, talk to me, what about me?!" Jessie raised her voice when Katie tried to ignore her.
In the other room, Grace heard Jessie and paused, trying to hear the conversation that was currently going on.
"You're seriously asking me?" Katie asked incredulously.
"Of course I am! What is your problem?!" Jessie yelled at her. Katie smiled in sarcasm. She turned her back on Jessie.
"Do you even plan on telling Chris about us, or anyone in your family for that matter? IF there is ANY 'us'." Katie stared at Jessie. Jessie stood agape, not knowing what to say. "Of course, why didn't I even ask?" Katie shook her head in defeat.
"Katie---"
"Look, maybe I am way over my head here. Maybe I shouldn't have expected anything from you 'coz you're already with someone---"
"Katie, I belong to you… I want to be with you." Jessie said in a hopeful tone, hoping she'd understand.
"But you're with HIM." Katie emphasized. She knew she's hurting herself by saying those things but it's the truth. Truth always hurts.
"Do we really have to discuss this? Katie, we're good, everything is going great, why complicate things now?" Jessie said almost pleadingly.
"This isn't a game, Jess." Katie finally calmed down.
"A game?" Jessie repeated in confusion. Katie stood in silence for a while before speaking again.
"I don't need a sex partner Jessie, I had a lot of that already."
"What do you want me to do?" Jessie asked in desperation.
"Jess, if you're asking me, then maybe you're not ready for this… Maybe you'll NEVER be ready for this, for 'us'."
"Why do you have to complicate things?" Jessie could feel the tears forming in her eyes.
"I don't have to… It's already complicated."
"But it doesn't have to be…"
"Jess, I'm in love with you…" Katie didn't realize it until she said it out loud. Jessie's heart went ecstatic, her heart was rejoicing, that's something she didn't expect to hear from the heartbreaker herself, Katie Singer. She wanted to hug her, kiss her until morning, love her… But Jessie didn't talk any more.
"And it hurts to know that you don't feel the same way." Katie couldn't control the tears from falling anymore. She headed to her bathroom, to get herself away from Jessie, to seek refuge, away from the extreme pain that she never thought even existed.
Jessie stood unmoved inside Katie's bedroom. Katie had been gone for a while and she remained staring in space, to where Katie was standing before she went to the bathroom. She wanted to argue with Katie, to tell her that she was wrong and that in fact, she feels the same way about her but her voice box didn't work. Her fear was stopping her from letting Katie know about her own feelings. She knew it was love. She just knew it.
But she also knew that Katie was right. Jessie's not ready to tell anyone about THEM. Jessie walked out of Katie's room, and met Grace standing by the door. Grace saw the tears that were falling from Jessie's eyes. Grace only got to look at her stepsister for a while, before Jessie made a run to her bedroom upstairs.
Grace entered Katie's bedroom. She didn't find her, but heard the sobbing coming from the bathroom. Grace slowly opened the bathroom door, and found Katie sitting on the tiled floor, crying like a child. Grace's heart broke upon seeing Katie. She had never seen her as devastated, ever. Grace went down on her knees, and hugged Katie. Katie cried in her arms.
Katie barely stayed home in the next few days after that. As to where she stays most of the time, Grace and Jessie had no idea. Jessie was barely able to sleep whenever Katie's out. She usually stays up late and waits for Katie's footsteps that most often didn't come. Grace couldn't interfere with what was going on between the two. She heard it all, but decided not to pry. Neither of them wanted to talk about it anyway.
Katie was dragging her luggage to the living room when Grace came out from the kitchen one morning, holding a cup of coffee.
"What's that?" Grace frowned.
"It's a suitcase." Katie plastered a toothy grin which made Grace laugh. At least Katie's recovering her sense of humor now.
"I know what that is. I mean, where in the world are you going?" Grace sat on the couch and watched Katie.
"Los Angeles."
"Really? Why?"
"Elaine decided to make a quick trip back to America to discuss some matters with clients. I'm one of those clients." Katie gave up on the suitcase and slumped on the couch beside Grace. She'll just call the service crew from the hotel.
"Wow, so you're serious about this one-woman show thing?"
"Of course. This is a big opportunity for me to show my work all over America instead of just New York. And if I'm lucky, maybe all over Europe too." Katie smiled. Grace's face turned serious.
"Does that mean you're planning to leave New York?"
"Relax Grace, I'm just planning the show. I don't know yet."
"So there's a possibility?" Grace asked her. Katie paused.
"Maybe."
"You know that's whacked, right?" Grace scowled at Katie. "Zoe's already left, and now you're leaving too?"
"I'm only staying for a few days in LA." Katie chuckled.
"And when your show kicks off, what happens?"
"Grace, let's just think about LA for now, okay? I don't know what's going to happen and I don't want to think about it now." Katie smiled reassuringly at Grace.
It had been days since Katie had gone to LA. Jessie knew where she was, Grace had mentioned in one of their dinners at The Coffee Park. She barely talked lately. Since that incident at Katie's room, Jessie basically isolated herself from everyone. Grace knew her stepsister was avoiding Katie. Katie doesn't talk about it, but Grace also knew that she's trying to deal with it. She has no idea on what exactly happened between the two. The only thing that was clear was that Katie and Jessie had an understanding, but something ruined that understanding.
"Eli!" Jessie was ecstatic to see her brother again after a month. Eli was staying in Queens, but he had come to Manhattan to see both Grace and Jessie for the weekend.
"Hi baby sis." Eli gave her sister a hug.
"Hello Eli." Grace greeted from behind him.
"Hey Grace." He then hugged Grace. Then they sat on the table. Jessie was alone on one side and Eli and Grace sat opposite her.
"Nice to see you guys again. Grace, you're looking great. Where's Tad?" Eli looked around to find a glimpse of Tad.
"He's busy doing his monthly reports at the office. He said hi, though." Grace replied with a smile.
"It's been a while."
"A while? It's an awfully long time." Grace said incredulously. "How's work?"
"Still struggling, but I'll be okay." Eli shifted his gaze to Jessie. Jessie merely smiled at him but didn't say anything. This intrigued Eli. "How about you, Jessie?"
"I'm okay." Jessie replied. Eli studied her face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah... Don't worry about me. There's just some stuff in my head..."
"What stuff?" Eli asked. Jessie paused.
"I don't really want to talk about it." Jessie sighed. Eli looked questioningly at Grace. Typical Jessie, keeps her feelings to herself.
"Jess, if you're this miserable, then maybe you should---" Grace interjected but Jessie cut her.
"Grace, don't even start." Jessie scowled at her.
"I can't watch you like this. You can barely smile, you growl at everybody who tries to be friendly, you scare people away. It's just like highschool, and you're acting like your asshole self again." Grace rebuked her.
"What's going on?" Eli shifted his gaze between his sisters.
"Why don't you talk to her? She won't talk to me or anyone." Grace grudgingly left the table. Eli watched her marched to her office, then shifted his eyes back to Jessie who was staring at the table.
"Jessie?" Eli turned his questioning look at Jessie. Jessie looked up to meet her brother's gaze.
Los Angeles... Katie and Elaine Reynolds are sitting in a restaurant opposite each other, eating lunch.
"Are you serious? You want to show my paintings all over the United Kingdom?" Katie looked thrilled upon hearing Elaine's decision.
"I've already talked to four different gallery owners in England alone. And I'm not talking about small gallery owners, Katie. I'm talking about REAL gallery owners. They make painters famous. Two of the galleries had started way way back and its one of the first few to show the works of Van Gough." Elaine grinned.
"Really? Wow..." Katie couldn't believe it.
"So, what do you say?"
"How about America?" Katie inquired.
"You're already popular in New York, Katie. I'm not sure if its because of your reputation when it comes to women or if its because NY people actually appreciates your work. But I sure do. The rest of America would be too easy to please. You deserve international recognition." Elaine grinned again. Katie felt flattered. It was an offer she knew she couldn't turn down. But she also had her doubts and hesitation.
"What if people don't like my work?"
"Are you kidding?"
"No." Katie replied.
"I'm the agent here. Let me do my thing, okay?" Elaine assured Katie and continued with her lunch. "I'll give you the papers to sign tomorrow before you fly back to New York. Call me when you're already settled in London."
Katie stared in space for a while, then woke up from her trance. Everything happened so fast, but it seems to be working in her favor. She smiled.
After lunch, Elaine dropped her off her hotel and Katie headed to her room. After reaching her room, she picked up the phone, and dialed a number.
"Hello, dork..." Zoe's sleepy voice sounded from the other line. Katie grinned.
"Hey, Zo."
"What the hell's wrong with you calling me at this time in the morning?" Zoe joked and heard Katie chuckle on the other line.
"I need your help." Katie sat on the edge of her bed.
"Sure, but first, do I benefit from it?" Zoe grinned.
"Yeah... So, will you help?" Katie laughed.
"Of course, dork." Zoe smiled.
Jessie was still at the hospital when Katie got home the next day. Katie had already called Grace and told her what happened in LA. Grace hated the idea but couldn't do anything. Tad was still on his way, and Grace was helping Katie pack her things.
"I can't believe this is happening. I can't believe you're really leaving." Grace complained.
"Oh come on Grace, don't tell me you're gonna cry." Katie joked.
"You know what's so annoying about this? You seem to enjoy this 'leaving-thing'." Grace narrowed her eyes on Katie. Katie merely looked at her. "You really want to leave, don't you?"
"Some people has to move on." Katie said quietly.
"Oh, so this is about Jessie?" Grace frowned.
"I'd be lying if I said she isn't one of the reasons. But Grace, this is a really big step for me. It's about my paintings too."
"This really sucks." Grace sighed.
"I'm sorry, Grace."
"How am I going to pay the rent without your share?" Grace joked. Katie slightly pushed her.
"That's rude." Katie mockingly scowled at her. Grace chuckled. They fell into short silence before Grace spoke again.
"I kind'a feel this is partly my fault." Grace said seriously.
"It's not your fault." Katie smiled at her reassuringly.
"I'm still sorry." Grace said sincerely. Katie smiled and hugged her. A few minutes later, Tad arrived and helped them pack.
Jessie didn't feel like going home that night. She knew Katie's coming home today, and it just hurts to see her without being able to be near her. She knew she hurt her, but couldn't do anything to ease her pain. She knew she can, but was just too selfish and coward. She stopped by The Coffee Park and found Ira. As usual, the place was packed. Tad and Grace were nowhere.
"Hey Ira." Jessie smiled.
"Wow, I almost thought you lost your ability to smile. I haven't seen you smile for weeks." Ira smiled back. He offered a reserved table for Jessie, which was actually reserved for him, Tad and Grace, but the two hadn't come back to wherever they were.
"A strawberry frappe and caramel frappe, please." Ira instructed one of his waiters. The waiter left to get his request. Jessie's attention was focused on the stage, where two female performers stood talking to the audience. One of them blonde, the other one, had a silky jet black hair.
"Do I know them?"
"Our performers for tonight? Of course. It's The Wreckers."
"They kind'a looked familiar." Jessie studied the Asian looking one.
"Yeah. The blonde is Jessica Harp, the other one is Michelle Branch." Ira smiled.
"Right, I remember." She smiled.
"So, here's our latest single, it's called 'Leave The Pieces'. Hope you like it." Michelle Branch spoke on the mic, and then started strumming her guitar. Jessica Harp's voice could now be heard.
You're not sure that you love me
But you're not sure enough to let me go
Baby it ain't fair you know
To just keep me hanging 'round
You say you don't want to hurt me
Don't want to see my tears
So why are you still standing here
Just watching me drown
Ira noticed the bitter smile that crossed through Jessie's somber face.
And it's alright, yeah I'll be fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine
Just take your love and hit the road
There's nothing you can do or say
You're gonna break my heart anyway
So just leave the pieces when you go
Ira watched Jessie, her mind seemed to focus on the performers on stage. Jessie, on the other hand, could feel her heart breaking just listening to the song. She wanted to cry, but prevented herself. She has to be strong for herself, for the people that she loves. This time, Michelle Branch started singing...
Now you can drag out the heartache
Baby you can make it quick
We'll get it over with and just let me move on
Don't concern yourself
With this mess you left for me
I can clean it up you see
Just as long as you're gone
You're not making up your mind
It's killing me
You're wasting time
I need so much more than that
After the song, there was an applause. But Jessie couldn't even manage to clap her hands. She sat unmoved, lost deep in her thoughts.
"You know, if there's a song that Katie would dedicate for me, that's probably going to be the one." Jessie said seriously, tears almost streaming in her eyes. She grabbed a table napkin and wiped it before it could even fall.
"Hmm... It's definitely more subtle than 'Love Stinks'." Ira joked but Jessie wasn't amused. "Sorry, bad joke." Ira backtracked.
"Do you know what you want?" Jessie asked Ira out of nowhere. Ira chuckled in amusement.
"What?"
"Do you know what you want?" Jessie repeated her question, and was seriously waiting for Ira's answer. Ira noticed and finally took her seriously.
"Sometimes." Ira answered quietly. He paused before continuing.
"We often dream of so many things, hope to accomplish so much... We plan our future based on what we want and what other people want for us: the perfect house, the perfect car, the perfect job, the perfect relationship, and the perfect person, that more often, we're not so lucky to find. We work hard for it, try to find it... And when we finally get it, we're still unhappy, uncontented, 'coz in the end, you realize that nothing is perfect, and what you really need is just to be happy. That's all that matters."
"What if your happiness means pain for some?" Jessie stared at Ira.
"Then that's their problem, not yours." Ira smiled, answering confidently.
"Even if it's the people you care about?"
"Do they care about you the way you care about them?"
"Of course." Jessie was certain about that.
"Then why would your happiness hurt them?" Ira paused, studying Jessie's face. "'Coz if they'd prefer to see you like this, then they're just a bunch of selfish assholes pretending to care when the truth is all they care about are themselves." Ira paused again, waiting for Jessie to say something. But Jessie felt defeated. She knew Ira was right.
"Jessie, why are you so afraid to disappoint the people who expect things from you, but not the person who makes you happy and expects nothing from you?" Ira looked at her in sympathy. Ira's words touched her heart, in ways that it almost broke her.
"I got to go." Jessie smiled between tears and got up. She wasn't able to control it anymore. Ira's words struck her heart. Why didn't she think about it before?
"Stop trying to be someone else, Jessie." Ira smiled.
"I'm stopping now." Jessie gave Ira a hug, and made a run to the penthouse apartment.
Katie wasn't in the mood to talk on their way to LAX. Tad was shocked when he found out that Katie's leaving the States and wasn't sure if she's ever coming back. There was a lot of persuading but Katie wouldn't budge. This was one great opportunity to pass up. An opportunity to grow as a painter and be known, and an opportunity to get away from Jessie.
"I'm staying in London, Tad, and I don't know for how long. And I don't know if I'm ever coming back." Katie said, shocking Tad. He was driving Katie's SUV to the airport, all the while thinking that Katie's just off to some destination in Europe and would be coming back in a week. It was only now that Katie told him the truth.
"This is a joke, right? Just one of your stupid pranks." Tad tried to convince himself and Katie. Grace rolled her eyes at her boyfriend who was currently driving. Katie smiled in the backseat.
"I wish I could say that."
"Do you even realize that this is the first time we're never gonna see each other in an indefinitely long time?"
"Tad, you'll get used to it." Katie tapped Tad's right shoulder.
"I don't want to get used to it."
"You can call me everyday, but don't blame me for the outrageous phone bill." Katie tried to cheer him up.
"Katie, you're the sister I never had." Tad sighed. Grace smiled at her fiance. Tad finally found a parking space outside the airport and parked Katie's car.
The three fell in silence. It's just weird. Tomorrow, Katie's never gonna be around The Coffee Park annoying Ira, or fooling around with Tad. Just the thought of it makes Grace cry. Tad kept glancing at the rearview mirror, and caught glances of his bestfriend.
"She broke your heart, didn't she?" Tad finally broke his silence. He knew something had been going on. Something happened, and eventhough Katie wasn't open about it, he could feel it. Grace turned her head to have a good look of Katie. Katie paused before answering.
"Yeah Tad, you got your wish. She broke my heart." Katie tried to joke, but she could feel the sting of pain in her heart.
"Katie, you know I didn't mean it like that." Tad looked seriously at her.
"I know Tad... Just trying to lighten up the mood. You guys are so serious." Katie forced a laugh. Grace and Tad exchanged glances. Katie continued.
"Remember what you told me at The Tavern that night? About taking risks and living life." Katie smiled when Tad nodded in affirmation. "You were right, you know. That's what living is all about. I put my heart out there and lived... And then died, unfortunately." Katie said figuratively. "Jessie's worth all that pain."
Grace almost cried at what Katie had said. Tad didn't know what to say. He finally parked the car at the parking area upon reaching LAX.
"Tad, let's go, let's walk her in." Grace nudged her boyfriend who didn't move to get out of the SUV.
"I'm not going."
"What?" Grace frowned at him and threw a look at Katie. Katie merely shrugged.
"It's gonna be hard watching Katie go... I'll just stay in the car." Tad said seriously. Katie understood how her bestfriend was feeling. She leaned over and hugged him from the back.
"I'm gonna miss you, Tad."
"I'll miss you too, Katie." Tad smiled. Katie kissed him on the cheek. Then she got out of the SUV without looking back. Its hard for her to go too, but she kept going.
Grace jumped out of the SUV and followed Katie. She managed to catch up despite of Katie's longer strides. They didn't spoke a word to each other until they reached Katie's destination. Katie stopped walking, and Grace sat beside her, waiting for her to say something.
"I can't stop thinking about her." Katie said without turning to look at Grace.
"You really love her, don't you?" Grace asked and Katie smiled.
"She hurt me really bad... But I just can't help myself, you know. It's like I'm not complete without her... Oh God, I'm being foolish." Katie sighed.
"It's not foolish Katie, it's sweet." Grace smiled.
"I just... When I'm with her, I become this whole new different person." Katie shifted her eyes down the floor, with her hands fidgeting in her pockets.
"Someone more likable." Grace said knowingly.
"Yeah."
"Someone better."
"Yeah."
"Someone like the real you." Grace smiled at Katie. Katie didn't say anything, she just listened. "You didn't think I notice? All the cockiness, the emotional detachment, those are just faces that you wear. A facade to protect yourself from---"
"From people like Jessie." Katie smiled, the bitterness apparent in her face. "I didn't let myself feel before, because I was afraid. I wasn't sure what I was afraid of... But I guess I know now."
Then they heard the last call for the passengers to board the plane.
"Thanks, Grace."
"I'll miss you Katie." Grace hugged Katie really tight, before letting her go. She watched her until she was out of her sight.
Meanwhile, at the penthouse apartment... No one was around when Jessie arrived. All the lights were off again, and somehow, the penthouse was eerily quiet. Jessie shooed the feeling of dread away, but the cause of it, she couldn't quite determine.
Where in the world is Grace? Jessie thought, and convinced herself that maybe she's with Tad, probably picking up Katie from the airport. Jessie smiled in excitement at the thought of seeing Katie again.
So she waited, waited 'til she had surfed all of the television channels to stop her boredom, until she got tired of reading a book, 'til she went back to watching tv and re-surfed all of the channels again, 'til she fell asleep on the couch. Hours passed, and Jessie was awakened by the loud morning call coming from the television.
It was already morning, the sun was already up, and Jessie realized she fell asleep on the couch. Realizing why she was in the living room, Jessie jumped off her seat and headed to Katie's bedroom to check if she's already home. As she stopped on the door, she was reluctant at first, then decided there was no harm in knocking.
One, two, three, four more knocks, no one answered.
But she's supposed to come home today. Still reluctant, and scared, Jessie reached for the doorknob of Katie's door. Reluctant, because she doesn't know what Katie would do if she sees her, and scared of the possibility that Katie might be inside cuddled up with some gorgeous moviestar she had probably brought home from LA, which isn't far from reality. She tried to ignore the jealousy that was building inside her. When she flung Katie's door open, her jaw dropped.
The bedroom was practically empty. Jessie's heart raced, her mind swirled. She has no idea what happened and made a run to the workroom upstairs. Without hesitation, she opened the door in a rush.
This time, it was her heart that dropped.
The workroom was even worse than the bedroom. There was nothing inside anymore, except for what seemed to be a frame wrapped with manila paper, rested at the end of the room. Jessie could barely feel her knees, but forced herself to walk into the room. Reaching her destination, she picked up the wrapped frame. Her name was written on top of the wrapper. Jessie slowly tore the cover off the frame, and slowly, she saw what was inside.
Her own portrait painted by Katie.
It was perfect. But Jessie couldn't even smile, 'coz she knew Katie had left, and she has no idea where she had gone. Tears came rolling from her eyes, as she stared down her face painted on the canvass. She then felt a hand on her left shoulder, and she didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
"I love her, Grace..." Jessie said between tears. She hadn't discuss this with Grace, but she knew from the start that Grace could see through her. Her stepsister could basically read her: her thoughts, her actions, and her feelings. And she was very sure that Grace knows exactly how she's feeling right now.
"Then what's stopping you from loving her?" Grace asked, sympathetic towards her stepsister. She still doesn't understand why Jessie didn't do anything after that argument with Katie at the bedroom. She knew Jessie had fallen in love with her, but she basically just let Katie go. It was stupid and selfish, if you'd ask Grace.
"I don't want to disappoint you or mom or dad or anyone." Jessie sobbed.
"Jess, this isn't about us. This is about you. This is you being happy. I want you to be happy. I want you to be with Katie." Grace walked around Jessie to face her.
"You do?" Jessie looked up at her.
"I've never seen you as happy with anyone else." Grace smiled at her. "And why would your happiness disappoint us? We love you, Jessie. The family would naturally be surprised when you finally tell them how you feel about Katie, but they'll definitely support you. I support you. Your happiness is all that matters to us. Your mom, dad, me, and the rest would never stand in the way of that. Why would we force you into something that's making you miserable? It's not what families are for."
Jessie began crying again, and Grace wrapped her arms around her.
LONDON, ENGLAND... Zoe was helping Katie unload her things to the new loft after picking her up from the airport. Zoe still hadn't unpacked her own things because this 'moving-thing' was pretty much short notice. It would have been hard to find a loft that fits Katie's specifications if it wasn't for Zoe's luck. The former lessee recently pulled her lease out to move to Siberia or something.
Katie hadn't said much since arriving, which is freaking Zoe out. This isn't normal for Katie. Grace had called her and told her about everything, since Katie wasn't very keen to discuss it with her. She was surprised by the sudden moving-to-England thing, but was happy to be with her friend at the same time. But still, she wasn't sure if Katie's heart was even here.
Katie was touring the lavish loft with Zoe walking behind her when Zoe decided she couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm sorry about Jessie..." Zoe stopped walking.
"I don't want to talk about it, Zo." Katie said, without turning to look at her.