(A/N): Yay! The next chapter! I have been waiting to get to this chapter and the next one from the beginning and now it's here and I'm excited for you to read it! I would have had it up sooner, but I needed the perfect song for this and I FOUND IT! Thank you to Jazzygrl and Milkamoo97 for your reviews! I still don't own Big Time Rush nor do I own the episode Big Time Terror which is included in this chapter. I also don't BTR's song, Stuck nor do I own He Is We's song, Breathe. Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 29: Don't Forget To Breathe Between Screams
After getting back to the Palm Woods, Katrina said her goodbyes to Jo and Camille. She went back up to 2J to find it empty. Taking this rare opportunity, she went and got her homework to try to work on it in peace. After a few minutes, she realized that she couldn't concentrate without some type of noise.
"Wow, they really have changed me," Katrina noted. She walked over to the stereo to turn it on and find a song to put some noise in the apartment. Before she could turn it on though, the guys walked into the apartment, excited for something.
"Hey Katrina!" they called out to her and Katrina sighed, changing her mind about the stereo.
"Hey guys," Katrina greeted them, "Listen about earlier-"
"How was your girls' day out?" Kendall asked her.
Katrina sighed in aggravation, "It was fine, until the paparazzi found us and began asking questions. The media thinks I'm dating James."
"Maybe we should then," James smiled at her. Carlos, Kendall and Logan glared at James.
"I know how the media works," Katrina began, "And if you want to keep them interested, never give them what they want."
"Huh?" All four guys tilted their heads.
"I mean do what you want," Katrina went on, "If you give them what they want, you're playing their game and you're losing. And then, something bad happens. Like for instance-"
"We don't need an example," Logan interrupted her.
"We're having a sing-off at the fire pit tonight," Carlos told her. "Want to join us?"
"A sing-off?" Katrina looked confused.
"It's where the singers of the Palm Woods face-off for fun," James answered. "We usually do our own songs, but sometimes we do covers."
"Jo's going to be there," Kendall added, "But Camille's going to an audition and can't make it." Katrina seemed to look happier at this.
"What the hell," Katrina gave in. "Let's go." She followed the guys out of the apartment.
James, Carlos, Logan, Kendall and Katrina were surrounded by some other Palm Woods kids. All of them were clapping as a girl sat down after she finished her song.
"So, who's next?" Katrina asked.
"Well, normally we'd go," Logan answered, indicating himself and his friends.
"But why don't you try," Kendall suggested.
"Oh, I'm no singer," Katrina insisted. "I'm a model."
"I've heard your voice," James told her, "Your singing isn't bad. Not as good as mine, but-" He stopped when Carlos, Logan and Kendall all hit him.
"Just give it a try, Katrina," Jo encouraged her, "We won't laugh."
"Um, okay," Katrina gave in and walked over to stand in front of the group, "Guitar Dude, do you know Breathe by He Is We?"
"Yeah," Guitar Dude slurred out, giving Katrina a rock-on symbol with his hand. He grabbed his guitar pick and began strumming his guitar. Katrina was still facing forward, but she was looking up to the sky. She didn't look at the audience until she began to sing.
Harness your heart and be still now
Quiet that mind that will wander
All sorts of dark alleys
Tragedy strikes your self esteem
Constantly waiting for an ending
To all of this
The boys suddenly realized that Katrina had picked the song for a reason, but at this point, they didn't want to stop her. Mostly because they knew she needed some form of expression.
She opens her eyes
Suddenly she cries
Can we help her?
Can we help her?
And she replies
You know, I fake it oh so well
That God Himself can't tell
What I mean and why my words are less
Than parallel with my feet
You ask me what I need
And all I really need
Is to breathe
The audience was engrossed by the song, a few tears already falling from some people's eyes.
Oh
Ah
People, they seem so interested
Only a few get invested
With all the aches and pains
Doctor, oh doctor please help her
I fear she may not be breathing
Blue lips and doe eyes, that's her disguise
Jo gasped at this, making the boys look at her with curiosity. They noticed that Katrina gave her a small nod and they knew something was odd.
You know, I fake it oh so well
That God Himself can't tell
What I mean and why my words are less
Than parallel with my feet
You ask me what I need
And all I really need
Is to breathe
Everyone but the guys were now engrossed with the song. The guys were listening carefully as though trying to decipher what she meant in the song.
Ooooooh
Oooooh
Oooh
Oooh
Give me some space to breathe
I need a little room to breathe
Give me some space to breathe
All I need is a little room to breathe
Katrina looked over at the guys, getting eye contact with all four of them before she continued her singing, still staring at them.
I fake it oh so well
That God can't tell
You know, I fake it oh so well
That God Himself can't tell
What I mean and why my words are less
Than parallel with my feet
You ask me what I need
And all I really need
Is to breathe
Let me breathe
Katrina finished the song and the clapping began. There were tears rolling down almost everyone's faces. Jo got up out of her seat and went over to pull Katrina into a hug.
"Everything's okay," Jo assured her, "It won't happen again." These words caused the guys to go wide-eyed as they realized that Katrina had told Jo and probably Camille the story of two years ago.
Katrina turned to the guys and they noticed a tear running down her cheek as she spoke to them, "Hey guys. You might want to pick a happy song."
"Let's sing them that new song we were working on," Kendall suggested. The boys got up to take Katrina's spot as she was pulled away to sit next to Jo.
"You mean Stuck, right?" Carlos assumed.
"Yep," Kendall confirmed. "Guitar Dude, start it off." At that, Guitar Dude began playing an upbeat song making the mood lighten as the group clapped along with the beat. James began the song.
There were so many things that I never ever got to say
Cuz I'm always tongue-tied with my words getting in the way
James smiled at Katrina as Carlos took over.
If you could read my mind
Then all your doubts would be left behind
James picked back up again.
And every little thing would be falling into place.
Jo nudged Katrina with her elbow and Katrina shook her head, but was smiling as Carlos sang the next part.
And I would scream to the world
They would see you're my girl
But I just
Logan, Kendall and James joined in the singing as the chorus rolled in.
Keep gettin' stuck, stuck
But I'm never givin' up, up
In the middle of a perfect day
I'm trippin' over words to say
Cuz I don't wanna keep you guessin'
But I always end up gettin'
Stuck, stuck
But I'm never givin' up, up
After a few 'oh's, Logan picked up the singing, staring at Katrina as he did. She smiled back.
It's the way that I feel when you say what you say to me
Keeps you runnin' through my mind 24/7 days a week
Carlos added in his part.
And if you've got the time
Just stick around and you'll realize
Logan started up again, his eyes not wandering from Katrina's.
That it's worth every minute that it takes, just wait and see
Jo elbowed Katrina again and Katrina looked at the blonde girl. Jo raised her eyebrows and Katrina shrugged before they paid attention to the song again as Carlos picked it up.
And I would scream to the world
They would see you're my girl
But I just
Kendall, James and Logan added their voices in for the chorus.
Keep gettin' stuck, stuck
But I'm never givin' up, up
In the middle of a perfect day
I'm trippin' over words to say
Cuz I don't wanna keep you guessin'
But I always end up gettin'
Stuck, stuck
But I'm never givin' up, uh-up
A scraping sound interrupted the boys' singing. The boys turned around as everyone looked to see where the scraping sound was coming from. They all saw a table moving by itself across the cement floor. They stared apprehensively as the table went into the lobby through open doors, the doors slamming shut after it.
Carlos started the screaming as the group dispersed. The only ones who didn't seem scared were James, Kendall, Logan and Katrina. The three boys were watching the group scatter around them while Katrina just stared at the doors, a confused look on her face.
Once the group was gone, Kendall, James and Logan turned around to look at Katrina.
"Why didn't you run?" James asked.
Katrina shrugged, "I've seen scarier."
"Like that movie," James shivered.
"No, more like something that happened two years ago," Katrina replied. "About that-"
"WHY AREN'T YOU GUYS RUNNING FROM THE GHOST?" Carlos came running back to them. "It's a GHOST! And it's going to GET US!"
"There's no such thing as ghosts," Logan told him.
"Let's just go back to the apartment," Kendall suggested before the argument got worse. The other four teens agreed and began heading to the elevators, but it didn't stop Logan and Carlos from arguing the entire time about the ghost.
"Carlos," Logan tried to get the Latino to see some sense as he led the way into the apartment. "It wasn't a ghost!"
"Then what was it?" Carlos demanded.
"It was the air conditioner," Logan explained, "Which kicked on in the lobby, created a back draft and caused the doors to shut."
"So how do you explain the ghost table?" James pointed out.
"I will tell you that later," Logan replied.
Katrina rolled her eyes as Carlos gave his own explanation, "I'll tell you what it was. It was a GHOST! And it could be after US!"
"There is no ghost that is after us," Kendall assured him.
"Ghosts aren't real!" Katrina added, "If they were, then I'd know! There's been something I've been trying to say all day. I-" There was a knock on the door and both James and Carlos screamed as they moved to stand on either side of Katrina and Logan. Katrina threw her hands up in frustration, almost hitting James and Logan, "Unbelievable!"
"Guys, chill!" Kendall told them, "There is nothing terrifying behind this door." He opened the door to reveal Gustavo behind it.
Kendall stepped back to the line of teens, standing next to James, as Gustavo spoke, "Hey. My mansion is flooded and I need to stay with you dogs tonight."
The five teens grabbed hold of each other and screamed in horror.
Suddenly, Katie and Mrs. Knight ran into the room. Katie yelled out, "WHAT'S GOING ON?" They stopped in their tracks when they saw Gustavo. "What are you doing here?"
Gustavo walked into the apartment, closing the door behind him. "My mansion flooded and I need to stay here."
Mrs. Knight sighed, "Sit down and I'll make some tea." She went into the kitchen as Gustavo went over to the couch. Katie went over to sit on the stool as Kendall and Carlos walked over to try and talk Gustavo out of staying there. James and Logan were still holding onto Katrina and they didn't look like they were going to stop anytime soon. They glared at each other for a few seconds before a small slapfight started, Katrina in the middle.
"Guys!" Katrina stopped them, "I don't need another broken bone!" She broke out of their hold and walked over to join the others. James got another hit on Logan before they joined the others too.
All of them stared at each other awkwardly, not exactly knowing what to say. Mrs. Knight came back and gave Gustavo a cup of tea.
"Don't you think you'd be more comfortable in like a five star hotel that's not here?" Kendall broke the silence.
"Yeah, I can't stay at any LA hotels," Gustavo told them.
"WHY NOT?" James freaked out. Right after he did it, he seemed to calm down as he smiled at his shocked friends.
"Well James," Gustavo answered, "I am a member of the hotel unwelcome list, along with Russell Crowe, all the members of Aerosmith and the original host of Blue's Clues."
"I always thought that guy was sketchy," Katrina noted as Gustavo pulled the tea bag out of his tea. He threw it onto the coffee table, grossing out everyone.
"The ninety's were a wild time, boys," Gustavo remarked, ominously. Katrina raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Well," Mrs. Knight began, picking up the tea bag, "Of course you are welcome to stay he-"
"MOM!" Kendall interrupted her. Everyone looked at him. "Did you see that thing in the bathroom?" All four guys began to talk at once as they pulled Mrs. Knight away, pushing the tea bag out of her hands to land in Gustavo's cup. They pulled her all the way to the bathroom, shutting the door after them.
Immediately, Gustavo looked at Katrina and Katie, "They're trying to convince her to not let me stay, aren't they?"
"Yep," Katrina and Katie responded. Gustavo got up and walked over to the door, pressing his ear to it, listening in. The two girls rushed over to join him nearby.
Suddenly, Gustavo banged on the door, "PLUS, he pays your rent!" The door opened revealing all five of them with sheepish smiles on their faces. "Now, when's dinner?" He held up the tea bag and both Katie and Katrina leaned into view, disgusted looks on their faces.
Katrina was sitting between Kendall and James at the dining table with one of their extra seats. They all watched as Mrs. Knight placed the serving dish on the table before they cheered and grabbed for the food.
"Fishsticks," Gustavo looked upset, "Really?"
"It's Fishstick Friday!" Katie and Katrina responded.
"With Tots!" the guys added.
"I actually prefer my fish poached," Gustavo told them, "With lemon. And my potatoes, au gratin." The others at the table just stared, but Mrs. Knight seemed to consider it. Then she tossed a lemon onto Gustavo's plate, followed by a piece of cheese. When he looked at her, she smiled sweetly. Gustavo decided at this point to just go along with it and try the fishsticks. The group at the table leaned in as Gustavo took a bite, wondering how he was going to react. "Not bad."
The tension in the room seemed to go away as the others ate. Gustavo continued, "So, what else do you dogs and the cat do on Fishstick Fridays?"
"Guess sometimes we play dome hockey," Kendall told him.
"And then," Carlos went on, "A little swirly slide action."
"Then we play Biohazard Blast 4: Rise of Krochy," James finished.
"Oh, well, uh," Gustavo responded, "You can count me out of those festivities."
"I'm not playing either," Katrina replied. When the boys looked at her confused, she pointed at her left arm, "Broken arm. I can watch though." A silence descended on the group as dinner went on.
Later, the boys were playing dome hockey with Gustavo while Katrina watched from the couch. Gustavo and James were on one team while Kendall, Carlos and Logan were on the other. Katrina was watching Gustavo with a little fear because he was getting really into the game.
Suddenly, Gustavo and James scored, winning the game. They cheered and then Gustavo did a chest bump with James. Actually, it was more like Gustavo knocked James to the ground with his belly. All of them looked down at James before Gustavo cheered and began playing dome hockey again.
Katrina got up and went over to check on James, "Does it hurt?"
James gave her a slight smile, "A kiss would make it better." The others winced as the only sound heard was the slap of Katrina's hand across James's face. "Now, it hurts."
Katrina watched as the boys slid down the slide. Carlos went first, followed by Logan, Kendall and James. When it came to Gustavo's turn, all of them watched him cheer way too happily before he went into the slide, getting stuck. Katrina fell back on the couch laughing as the guys ran over to pull Gustavo out.
Sitting on the other part of the L-shaped couch, Katrina watched as Gustavo practically destroyed James's, Carlos's and Kendall's characters on the game.
Gustavo bumped into James, pushing him, Carlos and Kendall over, "BAM! I battle blast all three of you! Taste the shame!" Katrina watched with her eyebrows raised as all of them set their controllers down. Carlos, Kendall and James all looked annoyed with Gustavo.
"Yep," Kendall began, "You sure showed us."
Carlos was looking around and noticed something, "Hey, where's Logan?" They looked at Katrina as though she would know.
"I don't know where Logan is," Katrina told them, "I'm just as curious as you are."
All of them looked around now, hoping the smart boy would show up. James added, "I haven't seen him for a half hour."
Suddenly, there was a mumbling sound coming from under Gustavo. Katrina tilted her head as Gustavo looked uncomfortable for a second and then stood up. There was Logan. He had been pressed into the couch by Gustavo's butt.
"OOH!" Kendall, Carlos, James and Katrina gasped as they watched Logan take in a huge breath. Logan looked horrified as he pushed himself up out of the couch. After the initial shock, all the teens just looked disgusted. Katrina covered her mouth as she watched Logan shiver and walk away.
"My bad," Gustavo told Logan.
Katrina got up and walked over to Logan, "Are you going to be okay?"
"I think I saw my life flash before my eyes," Logan replied. He shivered again.
She put her hand on his shoulder, "I have been through some terrifying stuff, but the thought of what you just went through," Katrina paused for a second. "That scares me." She moved her arm down to give him a one-armed hug. Logan smiled and pulled her in, feeling better already. They heard James clear his throat, but still didn't move.
"Okay guys," Mrs. Knight came up to the group and Logan and Katrina broke apart. Mrs. Knight was holding a pillow and blanket. "Time for bed." The three boys still on the couch got up to stand beside Gustavo. "And Gustavo, here is a pillow and blanket for you."
"PILLOW FIGHT!" Gustavo yelled out, hitting James in the face with the pillow, knocking him down to the couch.
"NO!" Mrs. Knight tried to get control of the situation, "NO PILLOW FIGHT!"
Gustavo stopped and stared at Mrs. Knight, "Boo."
"Off to bed," Mrs. Knight told them. Kendall, Carlos and James walked over to stand next to Logan and Katrina.
"You know," Gustavo began, "If my mansion hadn't flooded, I would have been sitting alone all night, writing songs. So, thanks. This was, uh, fun." He paused for a second and then suddenly fell asleep.
Mrs. Knight turned to the teens, "You see. One night with Gustavo didn't kill you. Now, bed." She watched as the teens went down the hallway to the bedrooms. The guys went into theirs, thinking that Katrina would go to Katie's room. In a surprising move, she followed them into their room.
"Uh, what are you doing, Katrina?" Kendall asked her.
Before she could answer, James spoke up, "Isn't it obvious? She wants to spend the night with me!" Katrina glared at him as the other three guys rolled their eyes.
"Why are you really here?" Logan ignored James's comment.
"I have been trying to tell you something all day," Katrina told them, "But you guys are either avoiding me or interrupting me."
"Can't you tell us tomorrow? We're tired," Carlos complained.
"No," Katrina insisted, "It has to be today." She sighed, "You guys might want to sit down for this." Logan and James sat down on one bed while Carlos and Kendall sat on another. Katrina sat down between Logan and James. "I want to tell you about what happened two years ago."
Carlos cheered and the others stared at him. He smiled innocently, "Sorry."
"Anyways," Katrina went on, "Two years ago, what the press call the Wolff Family Tragedy, destroyed my life. Each second of those twenty four hours felt like part of a horror movie. It changed who I am and how I think. I had to go through therapy after this, both physical and mental. You have to understand that it's hard for me to talk about this."
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Logan told her.
"I know," Katrina responded, "But I need to. I want you guys to hear this from me, not from the press or Brandon or anyone that knows the true story and not the rumors." Katrina took a deep breath. "I guess I should just start with a short summary of what happened before I go into detail." Katrina paused, not having any eye contact with the guys. She bit her lip as she contemplated what she was going to say next. The guys waited patiently, but they noticed that her eyes were already starting to water. "My parents, my brothers, my sisters, my pets from two years ago, they're all dead and it all happened in those twenty four hours."
"In the fire?" Kendall assumed.
Katrina hesitated, but then said, "No. If it was just the fire, we would all still be alive, even my pets." She cut herself off and stared at the floor.
Suddenly, she felt something on her shoulder. She looked over to see that Logan had put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She looked him in the eyes and finally had the courage to tell her story. "Let me take you guys back to that day, two years ago." The guys leaned in as Katrina began the story.
(A/N): CLIFFHANGER! I know I'm evil, but I felt that the Wolff Family Tragedy deserves its own chapter. What happened that day? How did her family die? And how does the fire come into play? Does any of this have anything to do with the song she picked for the sing-off? Find out next time!
And now for some other business. In exactly one week, school starts back up for me. This means less time for writing, which means more time between posts. Although school starts next week, I still have other stuff to do before hand, such as packing, a BBQ with the executive board for an organization that I'm a part of, my cousin's wedding (I found it weird that she's getting married exactly one week after Big Time Wedding premiered), back-to-school shopping, moving into my dorm, representing my organization at an event for my school and then school actually starts. It's like one big thing each day. I'll try to get the post tomorrow while I'm packing, but I make no promises. Until then, review with your thoughts and happy reading!