Just Kiss Me Already

Chapter 3 - Are you okay?

Finally it was Saturday! The morning sped by as I raced through my homework. Soon enough I was getting ready. I had a light pink, lacy dress on, about mid-thigh length, and my hair lay in light curls on my shoulders and down my back.

I waited.. and waited.. and waited for Toby to text me. Maybe he was just running late, I convinced myself. I watched Netflix for an hour or so. He probably forgot and will call me any second now.. Then I made myself a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. I waited some more and then it was nine.

I sighed sadly and put on some pajamas. It shouldn't have upset me so much, but I thought I had finally found a friend. I put my hair up in a ponytail and went to bed. Sleep was hard to find tonight. My heart ached just the slightest. I could feel the touches of loneliness seeping through my skin. Eventually sleep coaxed its way into my tired eyes and I nodded off.

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Next morning mom called and said she would now be gone until Thursday. Great. Not. Monday came ever slowly.

When it finally came I wished so badly it hadn't. First, Callie came up to me during my first class of the day and said if she sees me at the end of the day "We can have a little chat." Oh so dramatic, and quite original, I thought to myself. Second ..

I was at my locker.
"Hey, Caitlyn." said Toby from right beside me. He leaned with his back against the lockers and stared up at the ceiling.

"Hey." I said, barely audible.

"I'm sorry." Looking at me. "I know I blew you off but.." he trailed off.

"It's fine, don't worry about it." I swallowed hard and my stomach hurt a little. Disappointment had rang heavy in my voice as I failed to hide it. I shut my locker and walked away.

I happened to walk by Callie and her friends and heard her say Toby had called her and they went and saw a movie. Thanks, Toby, I thought to myself. How much could I honestly expect?

I realized what time it was as I stupidly walked by her. "No.." I thought to myself. Five minutes to the last class.

"Hey, Caitlyn." Called Callie in a cat like voice. I peeked over my shoulder and saw her walking towards me. I ran for it which was stupid because she was a foot away from me and runs much faster. She caught up to me in a matter of seconds. I was pushed to the ground and smacked my face on the cement floors. She started kicking me in my side. I knew it hurt but I couldn't feel it. My head was spinning from hitting my head on the cement. She screamed at me to "Get up!" When I didn't she kicked me harder.

"Callie!" Screamed Toby. "What are you doing?" He was near hysterical.

"Come on guys." I heard her grab her bag and walk off with her friends.

"You can't just walk away, Callie!" Toby knelt down beside me and set my head on his lap. "Caitlyn.." he whispered. I could tell he didn't know what to say. I pulled myself together and sat up. I winced at the stabbing pains in my left rib cage.

I stood up and Toby followed. "I'm fine." I whispered. He opened his mouth to object but I started walking away and then out a side door of the school. It took every ounce of me not to cry. Inside, my world was shattered.
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I got home and didn't even bother to turn on any lights. I took 3 nighttime Advil and then sat in the dark on my couch and cried. I was crying so hard I could barely breathe. My heart ached and it felt like hands wrapping themselves around my heart and crushing it until nothing remained. I sobbed with my knees to my chest for at least two hours. It's hard to stop the tears when your heart aches to the point where you cannot imagine going on. You cannot imagine living another day, hour, minute, second..

I heard a light knock on the door. I stood and walked to the door and peeked out the hole. 'oh great!' It was Toby. I quick wiped my eyes, took a few deep breaths, and opened the door. Whatever Toby was about to say he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw my eyes. I felt to awful and a bit embarrassed by my skimpy shorts and tank top. I'm sure he could tell I felt like total shit.

"What are you doing here, Toby?" I questioned politely, sniffing lightly and wiping my eyes again.

"I-I came to apologize again and my mom said she wanted to send over some dinner-"

"How do you know where I live?" I said a bit harsh.

"I saw you walking home when I was. I live just two houses over.. Are you okay, Caitlyn?" I could tell he was genuinely concerned.

I stood there silent a moment and then my hands began to shake. "No." I whispered as fresh tears rolled down my face. He rushed in seeing where my kitchen was he set down the food. He came back and shut the door.

"What's wrong?" he asked setting a hand on my shoulder. In response I just shook my head.

He pulled me over on the couch and sat next to me. He held my hand watching me steadily until the tears ceased. I peeked up at him through my hair and let out a shaky laugh.

"What?" he gave a little smile.

"I'm sure the last thing you want to be doing tonight is sitting with a crying girl." I laughed and more tears fell down my cheeks.

He shrugged. "Not as bad as you think." he said still holding my hand. I liked it though.

"Thank you, Toby."

"Anytime, Caitlyn." He met my eyes and he made circles on my hand with his thumb. I'm not sure how long we stayed that way but it seemed like forever. He traced the bruises on my arm but lightly enough so it didn't hurt me. He dropped his gaze and so did I.

Then we talked about movies, games, pets, clothes, and anything not school related. He got me laughing. Never letting go of my hand even through the few silences. It was wonderful talking so freely to someone. It was wonderful having a friend.

We hadn't noticed how the time flew by and Toby had to leave.

"See you tomorrow?" he said, hands in his pockets outside my door.

"Yeah. Tomorrow." I smiled.

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