No Shame (Book 2 - No Regrets)

Chapter Sixty One - Curtains Closing

KATIE'S POV

  The rest of the week passes with little to note. There have been no more calls from Dominick to ignore or more of his texts to leave unanswered. There also hasn't been any lectures or probes into my behavior from my parents, which leads me to assume Dominick didn't tell them anything. I can appreciate that he's respecting what I asked him to do; but I also feel incredibly p*ssed off at the fact that he has.

Anger seems to always been close these days, the smallest thing sets my insides on a boil. The way my phone battery dies quicker if I'm out in the heat too long. Thinking about how ridiculous it is that my school-supply list has items that I may never touch listed. Seeing Sharlotte's shoelaces constantly be on the brink of coming untied. The way my stomach and heart always seem to clench when Mom talks on the phone around me. Reading Cason's brief anecdotes about my younger half-brothers. Waiting for someone to stop worrying about me and actually do something, besides try to understand. All of it ignites something ugly inside me, and only time can extinguish it.

When I got home on Thursday, I felt myself slowly becoming unraveled. Therefore, I had every intention of using Mollie, even though she'll be with Aria this weekend, or my parents as an excuse for not attending the movie tonight. Unfortunately luck was not on my side, one of the girls called the house phone while I was in the shower and Mom answered. She was so excited by the idea of me going out with the girls, I couldn't find it in myself to let her down.

  She wanted me to go so badly that she agreed to consider letting me take the motorcycle, something I jokingly suggested. The used motorcycle was bought from one of Dad's co-workers and is, for the most part, under lock and key until my seventeenth birthday. That's when I'll be officially gifted the motorcycle. I've ridden it a couple times, but nothing outside the five mile radius of our home.

Dad, though also excited for me to go out, vetoed the idea of me taking the motorcycle. Instead, insisting he drive me.

When Dad dropped me off, he gave me two crisp twenty dollar bills along with a shoulder squeeze. "It's been really wonderful for your mom and I to see you back out in the world." He said. "Have fun, let me know what time you think the movie will be done."  Seeing how happy he looked, I couldn't do anything other than give him a smile as I stepped out of the car.

Inside, I immediately spot the members of team, waiting near the concession stand. Sharlotte is among them and excitedly bounces over when she sees me. "I am so happy you made it." She says, her voice a little raised to be heard over the crowded lobby. She wraps her arm around my shoulder and leads me over toward the rest of the group. Not everyone is here yet and not everyone here are part of the team. Mixed among the team are friends and siblings with a few significant others sprinkled in. Some have already purchased and are munching away at their concessions.

"I'm going to get my popcorn and drink." I say after greeting the group.

"Okay, want some company?" Sharlotte asks.

"Only if you want." I answer with a shrug.

"I might as well get mine, after all if I'm going to get my free refill of popcorn before the actual movie better get a head start."

"Do you really eat your popcorn during all the trailers?" I ask as we move over.

"I think you mean, do I have a strong pre-game? Yes, yes I do." Sharlotte replies proudly.

I chuckle as we take our place at the end of the line. Sharlotte and I make small-talk for a few minutes, mostly about shows to binge, when I spot Amber walking in. I point her out to Sharlotte, who of course excitedly waves and calls Amber over.