Hey kids!

I'm so sorry for how short this one is! Today was an incredibly long day and I just wanted to post a little something before I go to bed. So... it's short and sweet!

xo

Listen

Robbie Shapiro sat alone in his bedroom, watching the rain fall outside his window. His eyes followed the drops which splashed against the window, and he mentally created a race between them - just like he did when he was a child. A few moments later, he tore his eyes away from the window and brought them back down to the fruit-shaped phone he held in his hand. He clicked the unlock button and the screen lit up.

No new messages.

He sighed and placed his phone back down, turning his gaze back to the window. It had been fifteen minutes since his girlfriend had called him in tears, sobbing about something that had happened at home. Naturally, Robbie had worried right away and told her to come over as soon as possible. So when he caught sight of the redhead walking in the rain outside his window, he rushed out of his room and downstairs, pulling open the front door as Cat made her way up the path.

The normally happy and bubbly redhead had her head down and her arms crossed as she walked through the rain. Robbie could clearly see the tear stains on her cheeks as she came closer. He smiled sadly at her when she looked up at him, tears pooling in her eyes. He opened his arms and she went straight into him, letting him wrap his arms around her tightly as they stood in the doorway.

"C'mon," he urged her, gently pulling her inside and out of the rain. Once the door closed behind her, he removed her soaked sweater and draped it over the staircase before taking her hand and leading her upstairs. His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand as they climbed the stairs. Cat sniffed every so often and wiped away a few stray tears. Robbie guided her into his bedroom and closed the door behind him.

"What happened?" he asked softly as Cat sat down on his bed.

Her face crumpled and she shook her head. He frowned sadly and went over to her, wrapping his arms around her and letting her cry softly onto his shoulder. He carefully moved to lie down, pulling her to curl up against him. His hands ran over her back soothingly as she cried, he was doing his best to just let her know he was there for her.

"Tell me, sweetheart. I'll listen," he breathed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Cat sniffed and looked up at him from her position beside him, "Really?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

He looked down into her red-rimmed eyes and smiled softly, "Of course."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

And he did. They lay in that same position for hours as Cat explained everything to him. He didn't say a word, he just let her talk and get everything out until she felt better. He listened to every single word she said. He heard every breath, every sigh, every whimper, and every sob that emerged from between her lips.

When she finally silenced, he lovingly tilted her chin upwards and pressed his lips to her in a sweet kiss - feeling the beginnings of a smile appear on her lips as he pulled back and finally spoke.

"I love you."