"OW!"
Great. Exactly how you want to wake up, by having your sleeping companion yell "OW!"
"Robbie…" She groaned. "You kicked me in the thigh…"
Guess I have to answer for this.
"Sorry. Didn't mean it." I sighed, rolling over to see Jade with a playful frown on her face.
"Still hurts." She pouted.
"What do you want me to do? I don't want to be all inappropriate…" I teased. She knows I'm lying my ass off.
"Hug me."
I gently and teasingly hugged her. She hugged back aggressively, pushing herself into me.
"Cat better hurry the hell up or I'm going to take you." She smiled.
I know she's joking. This whole 'Friends with benefits' thing is only until she gets with Beck, and/or I get with Cat.
"Aww, thanks Jadelynn." I smiled, lightly kissing her neck and causing her to stifle a groan.
"You bastard…"
I laughed.
Apparently Cat and Alex didn't linger long after I left on the second, which was around a week ago. She hasn't made a reappearance and has finally stopped texting me with those awkward conversation starters. I know she wants to talk to me, but just the thought of Alex makes me a little sick, so it's kind of hard to talk to her.
Jade said that Cat said repeatedly she was extremely sorry for missing my party and wanted to make it up to me, and that was validated by Beck and Tori saying the same thing. Jade also told me that she wanted to talk to me, and was pestering them about letting her go talk to me when I was chatting amicably with Alex, but finally stopped after Jade revealed I gave her birthday present to the Salvation Army.
I'm sorry, I don't want it. I don't even know what it was. She probably asked for his opinion on it and probably listened to it.
My mind zoomed back to the present with Jade massaging my stomach.
"Aww, thanks." I smiled at her.
"You like that?"
"Of course, any guy likes a massage from a gorgeous girl." I replied.
She simply laughed and put her head on my collarbone.
"Can they like make a pillow out of you? You are so soft." She sighed contentedly.
"Are you calling me fat?" I joked. I've heard this before. I'm a good pillow.
"Nope, comfy."
"I still think you are."
"Whatever, I'm getting up." She sighed, crawling off me and getting to her feet.
About halfway across the room she whipped around. "HAH! Caught you staring…"
"I wasn't staring." I reply defensively.
"I don't mind…I'm quite flattered actually." She smiled at me.
Well, maybe I was staring a little bit. After all, name a guy who wouldn't at a girl just getting out of bed with you?
That's right, you can't.
Next thing I knew she had perched next to me and had me in a soft kiss.
"Love you." She whispered in my ear.
"You too girl."
Finally, she did proceed into the shower, and I spent the next few minutes trying to think of the smell on my sheets until I realize that it's Jade. Kind of like Cat a few weeks back when I got from Seattle. You can just smell her.
Nice smell.
"So wake up the members of my nation, it's your time to be. There's no chance unless you take one, and it's time to see the brighter side of every situation. Some things are meant to be so give me your best and leave the rest to me…"
That's Carly's ringtone.
Well, not hers specifically. Freddie, Sam and Carly share the same ringtone.
I scramble across my bed and grab my phone.
"Hello?" I ask sleepily, despite the fact I'm completely awake.
"Robbie?"
Freddie.
"Hey man, what's up?"
"Nothing much, did I wake you up?" He asked, sounding kind of worried.
"Nah, I don't know why I sounded so sleepy there. What's going on?"
"Well, call it a role reversal."
"Huh?"
"The girls and I want to escape to LA before school starts and see how Tori and everyone is doing, and try to relax. You have a problem with that?"
"Nah man! Sounds great! When are you thinking of stopping by?"
"Soon, be there by the end of this week. Carly and Spence are getting on each other's nerves kind of."
"Really? They seemed to always be getting along great." I said, surprised.
"Yeah, they usually get along, but they have their disagreements like anyone."
"You are so politically correct good sir."
He laughed. "I try. With Sam around you kind of have to get good at it or have your head ripped off."
"I hope it really isn't that bad."
"It isn't…most of the time. Anyway, we good for the trip?" He asked, sounding happy.
"We are, sounds good man."
"Ok, I'll email you the ticket info."
"Sounds good, talk to you later then."
"Bye man." He said. I clicked off the phone to see a very exposed Jade coming out of the bathroom.
"Jade?" I asked, trying not to annoy her. If she's comfortable ok…but…I'm right here.
"Hey Robbie, who were you talking to?"
"Freddie, uh…" I stutter, trying to think of a good way to ask her to cover up. At least her back is to me.
"What?" She asked, turning around.
"Oh…" She said, figuring it out. She then strutted to the light switch, turning it off, then closing the door.
"Jade?"
"Lie down. I need to tell you something."
I did as instructed and she hopped on top of me under the covers.
"Listen Robbie, remember when I told you that if everything didn't work out, I would get with you?"
"Uhh…vaguely."
"Well, a lot has happened since then. Cat fell for you, you kind of fell for her, and we know how that ended up. I need to tell you something though."
"Ok."
"I love you. Like I would marry you right now and let you pull the goalie on me if Beck wasn't in the picture. I fucking love you. I just want you to know that I'll always be here for you."
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked. She's scaring the crap out of me right now.
"I had a nightmare that you got in a car accident and left Cat and I both heartbroken."
"Wait…Cat? She has Alex."
"I really don't think they're going to last much longer. Plus if that did happen, you are the most real love Cat's ever had, hence the heartbreak."
"So why are you telling me this?"
"Just so you know that at least one girl in the world would marry you if all else fails ok?"
"Ok. Anything else?" I smiled, causing her to smile in return.
"Yeah…" She grabbed my hand and put in on her chest. "Kiss me please."
And…yeah. You know how this ends. We ended up collapsing, her on top of me onto my pillows.
"Thank you." She smiled happily.
"Of course. You know I love you too right?"
She quickly and aggressively pulled me under one more time.
"I do now." She smiled, bursting into laughter.
"So what are your plans for today?" I asked.
"Well, I was going to hang here and record a song or two, but now I'm going to go ahead and wash your sheets too."
"Thanks for that."
"Yeah, don't want this hot mess cooling off. What about you?"
"Running some errands for my parents."
"Like?" She asked, giving me a weird look.
"Shopping mostly. They're kind of scaring me. Now that they're empty nesters they aren't doing much. I don't mind but…"
"You are worried about their health. What about your sister?" Jade told me.
"Hiding from me."
"Still? Shouldn't she be hiding from your dad? He's the one that told her to repay the money."
"No, she's daddy's little girl. Plus if the topic comes up she deftly changes it." I sigh, getting to my feet.
"Bitch. I'm sorry Rob."
"It's ok." I shrug off. What am I supposed to say?
"No, it's really not. You are such a awesome guy and you keep finding yourself in terrible situations. I just hope it works out."
"Me too." I sigh, hopping right in the shower.
Cat POV
"Thanks for coming with me Alex." I smile at him. For once, I'm in control. I'm driving my SUV to my apartment to do some laundry.
Tomorrow we're planning on hanging out here, playing a little putt putt or the water park or something fun. Santa Barbara is kind of lifeless in terms of entertainment that is legal.
"Of course sweetheart. Thanks for letting me tag along." He smiled.
"No problem! You've let me stay at your apartment so much; why not let you stay with me? It's only fair." I squeaked, pulling into my parking space.
He beat me to the back and we each grabbed one of the laundry baskets.
"Geez, never seen so much laundry in my life." He grumbled, but smiling.
"Thanks for helping me." I say, leading him up the stairs and unlocking the door.
Everything is as I left it, pristine and neat.
"Two down, four to go…" Alex joked, cracking a smile again.
"Shut up…" I whacked his arm, causing him to smirk again.
Down, and back up again. This is tiring. At least I have someone to keep me company while I do all this laundry.
"Four down, two to go…"
I whack his arm again.
This time Alex leads the way, and—
AAAHHH!
He was just steps from the door, and something just hooked me with its elbow.
I look up to see a man in a mask, with two others darting around, one duct taping my mouth shut.
"AA—mmmmph!" I scream, causing Alex to turn around.
"Click Click."
"Wallet." The man holding me said, in a Hispanic accent.
We're getting mugged. Oh my god. Please just let them take my money and leave us alone. Please please please.
Alex slowly took his wallet out of his back pocket and threw it at my feet.
I'm not going to let them just control me.
I quickly kick it into the middle of my balcony, right where Robbie dropped his phone and it fell all the way to the bottom.
"Perra estupida." One of them said, roughly throwing me to the railing. I try to put my arms up to brace myself, but they've taped them to my sides. I go face first into the railing.
The pain wants me to scream until my throat is raw. God, this has to be the worst I've ever been in pain.
"Cat!" Alex yelled.
The head guy said something else quickly in Spanish and aimed his gun at Alex.
"You go get wallet that woman kick."
Alex put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "Ok."
Don't give in to them you fucking idiot! They threw me against a railing! DO SOMETHING! And don't get shot!
They can't kill him. They won't. They just want our money…right?
Alex walked down the stairs slowly, making no sudden movements, grabbed his wallet and walked back up. He calmly handed it back to the head guy.
"Atarlo."
The two other guys sprung forward and quickly tied up Alex as well.
Suddenly, the leader guy pocketed Alex's wallet and started going thru my purse. After a moment or two, he found my billfold and pocketed that as well.
Then he started to me.
I started kicking, screaming against the duct tape.
His hands are so slimy. I think I could take a thousand showers and not get rid of his feeling. Up and down he goes. Places he shouldn't go he chuckles, then goes there.
I feel so dirty. So…violated.
"Puso en el interior."
One of the other guys threw me over his shoulder and started feeling me up as well and roughly threw me onto my bed.
I hear two more sets of footsteps, then the door abruptly shuts.
Alex?
He's finally doing something. Locked us in here. Hopefully he can find something to hold them off with until he can call the—
Cops.
The three men suddenly step into the room, speaking rapidly in Spanish.
They're not Alex.
I start screaming again, still muffled by the tape. One of them points to the TV by my bed, and the other takes it.
They're robbing me too.
Then they leave the room, letting my struggle on my bed with my legs and arms tied. All I achieve is exhausting myself.
ALEX! Where ARE YOU?
They're robbing me, while I'm in my bedroom. Most of the stuff isn't even mine. It's either Robbie's or his parents, both have given me a ton of electronic stuff.
The door shuts multiple times.
They've been gone for a while. I want to go out there, but I don't want them to see I've gotten out of my room and I can't even get out of the tape. So I'm kind of stuck.
Suddenly the door shuts quietly this time.
Then they're back. The head one says something in Spanish; the others nod and then shut the door.
Uh oh.
This cannot be happening.
Not to me.
I don't care who saves me at this point. Tori, My parents, Jade, Robbie's parents, my neighbors, who are Hispanic, Beck, Andre, Robbie, Laken, Stephanie…
SOMEBODY HELP ME!
He slowly makes his way to me, this time slipping his gross hand under my shirt. I can't help but shudder. This is grounds for sending me back to Methodist. I'm going to have nightmares about this for months.
The moment he gets close enough for me to kick, I try. But I miss terribly, and the momentum of the kick takes me off my bed and causes me to faceplant not only my bedside table, but the metal handles as well.
I don't even black out, just more pain as he hoists me back up and cuts the tape holding my legs together.
Kick. Kick him in the goddamn face.
I can't. All my energy has already been spent fruitlessly.
Then he takes my shirt off. And my bra.
Oh god.
Why can't I just black out?
I'm gonna go back to Methodist for this. No getting around it.
Then he hits the lights.
AAAHHH!
Robbie POV
"Hey mom." I smile, the second she opens the door and the second before she's hugging me.
"Nice to see youuu." She said, hugging me tightly.
"I only left two days ago mom, no need to strangle me."
"I know…it is just quiet around here during the day."
"Sorry about that. I know you miss me."
"Thanks sweetheart." She smiled, letting me inside.
"So…where do I start?" I asked, looking around for the list she usually keeps when I come to help out.
"Here's the list." She took a notepad out of a kitchen drawer.
Home Supply
Gran's Office Retail
Grocery store.
Doesn't seem so bad. I flip the page to see the items designated out by location.
"You're so detailed." I smiled at my mom, who was pouring herself a cup of tea.
"Well, I don't want to waste your time. You always are busy."
"It's ok mom, I have no problem doing this for you guys. Where's Dad?"
"Work."
"I thought he had today off?" I ask, glancing at her in surprise.
"He did, but his partner wanted to ask him some stuff and he decided to just go in."
"Did he dress up?" I jokingly asked. Dad doesn't go in without being in full suit and tie.
Mom however, chuckled. "No actually. He just put on a collared shirt and jeans."
"No way…"
"Yep. I don't think he was going to stay the whole day."
"Ok…" I say, starting to the door.
"Be safe sweetheart."
"I will."
Cat POV
The nurse quietly walked in and handed me a plastic cup, full to the brim with water, like I asked.
Everyone is being very very kind and quiet. Which is nice. Honestly…I can't believe this is happening. I…can't say the word that happened, but I don't really have to.
After…that, I just lied there and cried for what seemed like forever until something clicked into my head that said simply 'Get to Your Phone.'
I fell off my bed, bruising my knee pretty bad but slowly crawled to the living room, where I saw the paintings, TV, basically anything of value was gone. But my purse just sat in the farthest corner of the room.
Eventually, I sent off a text to Jade saying 'Help. In trouble.'
Then I had the stroke of genius to get to the kitchen and grab the scissors. I missed twice, painfully cutting my wrists both times, but got the tape off my arms then ripped it off my mouth.
The second I grabbed my phone again to call 911 Jade burst in, crowbar in hand. She suddenly dropped it upon seeing the carnage.
And now I'm here in the hospital. They've run…kits on me and blood tests and bandaged up my wrists and now I'm trying to stop my hands from shaking like an old person when I'm sipping my water.
I don't really know how to feel. I mean…I just got violated and humiliated in my own apartment. I just know I don't want to go back. Never again. They can get my clothes out and torch the place. But not without the pictures and my diary and…
Ugh. My head hurts. The doctor said I had a mild concussion and the onset of PTSD. That really scares me. I know what PTSD is because of the wars going on. Those poor soldiers have really been messed up. I don't want to be messed up. I just got out of Methodist because of a meltdown. I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK! This is NOT my FAULT!
I just want a hug. From Jade, Tori, Robbie's parents…somebody.
But not Alex.
He can go to hell. He ran. I needed him…and he ran. He wasn't there. HE RAN!
I'm done with him.
I need to stop thinking about him. The doctor asked me to keep my thoughts happy, and my mind clear. He said I'd feel better that way. I plan on doing that and follow doctor's orders like a good girl. Unlike Robbie, who seems to take doctors' orders as a personal challenge.
Oh he frustrates me. But all I want is to hug him and cry. Anyone for that matter. I—
"Knock Knock."
"Come in." I call out softly. My throat is incredibly sore.
Alex poked his head in and immediately closed his eyes. "Thank god you're alright Cat. Thank god."
"What are you doing here? I don't want you here. You can leave." I snap.
"Cat…what are you talking about? I'm happy your alive sweetheart." He moved to touch my cheek, but I viciously slapped it away.
"No. You ran. I needed you unlike I've ever needed anyone ever before and you weren't there to help me, to protect me. YOU RAN!" I screamed, the pain in my throat unbearable.
"Cat, I didn't run! I went as fast as I could to the cops, but by the time I found them and got back to you, there were already cops there and you were gone." He said defensively, looking scared.
"LIAR!" I cried, tears falling down my cheeks. "They raped me and you ran! How could you? I loved you ALEX! I needed you!"
"Sweetheart…" He said quietly, looking mortified.
"How can you do that and then lie to me? I HATE you! Get OUT!"
"But—"
"We're done Alex. Get OUT!"
Quickly a policeman in full uniform came into the room.
"Everything alright ma'am?"
"No sir, get him out of here please." I said.
He quickly had him in cuffs and was leading him out of the room. An army of nurses followed.
"Ms. Valentine?"
"We need to run one more test on you. Then we're going to start allowing visitors if that's ok with you, they're already getting anxious."
Robbie POV
I Hate Shopping. This trip was for wood for a patio Dad wants to build, plus additional supplies, printer paper and ink, and now groceries and it has been brutal. So excruciating.
Got milk…OJ…sausage…parsley…tomatoes…pickles next.
Yuck. Pickles. Poor cucumber.
Aisle 5.
Thank you helpful list thingy on the cart where little kids sit. Saved me 5 minutes of meandering.
"Oooh, sometimes, I got a good feeling…"
That would be Jade. Wonder what's been going on with her.
"Hello?"
…
…
No…
…
"CRASH!"
I look down to see the jar of pickles I was holding shattered on the ground. I look back up to the whole aisle staring at me.
…
…
I abandon cart and head out the door basically in a full sprint. I don't know how fast I drove but I got to Integris in 5 minutes. Thankfully there were no cops.
Again, I sprint to the help desk, where they direct me to the third floor.
Hurry up elevator….
Ding!
The second I hop out of the elevator the waiting room hops up. Jade, mascara half wiped off tackled me into a hug.
"Thank goodness you're here…"
Next my parents were hugging me tightly. Then Tori, Then Beck.
Finally, I got to sit down.
"Is it as bad as you said. Is it really that bad?" I asked Jade mainly, but was open to anyone who had the answer.
"Yeah…I just got her text and it said "Help. In trouble." I hurried there and found her, beat to hell and her place wrecked. I called the cops and brought her here."
"Was it really a gang? Or did her mind create that illusion in place of Alex?" I asked.
"No, according to the cops it was a cartel that infiltrated that part of LA and recommended we move her away from there as soon as possible." Dad replied, looked dead.
"You can put her at my place temporarily, or at least her stuff. I still have too much room."
"We'll see Robbie. What we're really waiting on now is the pregnancy test results."
Oh god.
Cat, mom to a baby with a father she doesn't want to remember.
Please…
That simply cannot happen.
"Hey Rob." Andre sighed behind me, snapping me from my stupor.
"Hi."
"What did you think?" Tori asked.
"She's in and out. She mainly hugged me."
"Us too." Dad sighed.
"You guys have seen her?" I asked, surprised.
"Yep. Everyone but you."
"You can go if you want. She's asked about you." Jade gestured to the desk.
"Ok…I think I'll do that."
I get to my feet and walk to the reception desk.
"Hi…can I see Cat Valentine please?"
"Name?"
"Robbie Shapiro."
"ID please."
I fish the ID out of my wallet and hand it to her. After a moment she handed it back to me.
"Keep it out, she's got a guard that will want to see that as well." She replied, standing up.
She walked for what seemed like forever until she reached a door with a policeman reading a book.
My book.
The epitome of irony.
"ID please."
I handed it to him, swallowing my comment about the book. I shouldn't be happy, but I'm thrilled.
"Ok, you can go in. Knock first though."
I walked for a foot or two, and tried to take a calming breath.
"Knock Knock."
"Come in!" A rough voice called out.
Cat's voice.
God, how bad is she beaten up?
The second I saw her I got my answer:
Way worse that when Michael and Colton came after us.
Half of her face is like…purple, obscured by ice packs. The other half looks scared to death. Both wrists have bandages to her elbow and she is slumped over.
Beat to fucking hell. And back again.
Just like her.
I reach for something to say, but "Cat…" is all that comes out.
She's a wreck.
"Hi…" She squeaks out, voice still rough.
"I…"
I can't speak. This is absolutely overwhelming. It looks like they…
Well…they did do…that. So I guess on some level I'm not surprised. But…this is Cat. Bouncy, bubbly, beautiful Cat.
The girl I can't seem to get out of my heart.
"You ok?" She asked, looking nervous.
"I—…I'm so sorry sweetheart. I…I wish I would have heard before now."
"It's ok…can you come here?"
I lightly walked towards her and sat on the unbruised side, which is also the side she's lying on, which helps matters.
I instinctively move to take her hand, but stop midway and retreat.
"You look like you don't know what to do." She said softly, eyes wide.
"I…I really don't. I have no clue Cat. I just don't want to mess up."
"It's ok. I know you love me, so act natural. If you accidently hurt me, it'll be ok."
I quickly take her hand and run my thumb over it. She's clammy. But she immediately grabs my hand in a vice grip.
"How was your day?" She asked, glancing up at me.
"I…" I racked my brain, looking for something positive.
"I talked to Freddie. They want to come down soon."
"Really?" She perked up. "When?"
"End of the week, but I'll tell them that needs to move back."
She quickly looked downcast.
"Cat." I said quickly. "Don't feel bad sunshine. This isn't your fault at all. There isn't anything you could have done to change this."
"I could have not trusted Alex so much." She croaked out.
Jade texted about Alex. Said Cat told her he ran away at some point, and she already yelled at him and broke up with him.
If things couldn't get any worse.
"It's not your fault cat. Hindsight is 20/20."
"Robbie? Can you hold me?" She sobbed, moving to get out of bed. I quickly stepped forward and scooped her into my arms.
She quickly was clinging to me and sobbing, albeit controllably. "Don't leave me please Robbie…please."
"Of course not baby. I'm right here."
Jeez she's small. She's like curled into my chest and I can easily carry her around. I always forget how small she is.
Suddenly, she moved to remove the ice pack.
"Cat, that's not a good idea."
"But it hurts." She whined.
"Fine."
The moment she got it off I winced. Purple like the Vikings color and Blue like the Giants.
Beat to fucking hell indeed.
"Robbie...if I'm pregnant I don't want the baby. I don't know which of the three is the father. Plus…"
I really don't want to have this conversation with her, and not now especially. But I won't stop her. She's on the edge, understandably.
"Cat, what do you mean?"
"I mean adoption. I really hope I'm not pregnant. But if I am…" She clung to me tighter.
"I'll be with you every step of the way."
"Thank you Robbie. I don't know what I'd do with out you."
"You're never have to find out ok? Promise." I kissed her forehead.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"Can I move in with you? At least temporarily. I…don't want to be without you."
"Sure. I can start getting your stuff at my place later tonight after the cops finish."
"Can you keep holding me?"
I nodded, and she snuggled close to me. I didn't speak, just rubbing her hair and kissing her forehead. After a few minutes she began to cry again, until she finally fell asleep.
In my lap the whole time.