Battle Scars

Chapter 6// playing with fire

It had been two weeks since Pete had got arrested.

Katherine had temporarily moved in with Michael until she is able to find a job and support herself. Although Michael insisted that he would take care of her, she couldn't live off of him forever.

Katherine was going through her clothes, sorting the clean and dirty when a piece of paper fell out of one of her pants pockets.

Katherine picked up the small crumbled paper and noticed it was a phone number.

Norman.

She hadn't thought much about him, she was too busy tending to herself. Katherine debated on whether or not to text him, if he even remembered her that is. A man that attractive probably had girls crawling over him.

Katherine decided it couldn't hurt to try. Plus she's starting her life over, why not start fresh.

Katherine found her phone and thought of a message to send to him. After she thought of one her fingers danced across the keyboards nervously.

Katherine: Hey it's Katherine, is this Norman?

Katherine waited nervously buy the phone, she doesn't know why she's so nervous. She had only met the man once but man, he was attractive.

Finally after an anxious several minute wait, Katherine's phone vibrates, informing her she had a text message.

Norman: Hey Katherine! Was starting to think you didn't like me :-/

Katherine: No! I've been busy is all! :-).

Norman: Hmm... well we need to hang out sometime.. I like hanging out with pretty girls. ;-).

Katherine: um yeah sure.

Katherine didn't find herself pretty so she just brushed off the comment. Pete had downgraded her countless times to the point where she actually believed everything he said. She was so caught up in her thoughts she almost didn't notice her phone buzz.

Norman: Great! How about tonight? 7:00pm?

Katherine thought about the offer. Was tonight too soon for her? Was she really ready for this. She must have took to long for Normans liking because he quickly send another text.

Norman: It's ok if you're busy.. kind of late notice I know.

Katherine: no no .. tonight's fine.

Katherine's fingers had a mind of their own as she mindless typed the message. Face palming her self afterwards for not thinking more throughly.

Norman: yay! :-) .. I'll pick you up at Michaels.

Katherine checks the time, noticing she only has 4 hours till Norman will be here. She also decides to inform Michael about her date tonight. Well no.. not date.. hangout. Yeah.. hangout.

"Hey Rooker" Katherine says as she jumps onto the couch next to him.

Michael looks at her confused at her sudden happiness. "What got you all happy?" He asks chuckling.

"Norman's picking me up at 7" she smiles and laughs at Michaels reaction; shocked.

"He's a good guy you know.. nice, loyal-" he starts listing off Normans good qualities until Katherine cut him off.

"We're hanging out as friends Michael, nothing more.. I'm married" Katherine says placing her hand on Michaels shoulders.

Michael groans and rolls his eyes. "Kat when are you going to get over that?! He's in jail for hurting you! You're getting a divorce with him right?"

Katherine doesn't answer and adverts her eyes to the ground.

"Right?!" Michael asks louder, pulling her chin up so she looks at him.

"I dont know Michael.. I'm afraid" Katherine sighs.

"Look, I'm a really good shot with a pistol.. and Norman can.. well.. he's very intimidating" Michael says and pulls Katherine into a hug. "You'll be ok" he assures.

Katherine nods "will you come with me to the courthouse?" She asks into his chest.

"Of course" Michael answers, rubbing her back soothingly.

Katherine gets up and decides to take a nice hot shower. Something she always did when she needed to clear her mind.

After her hour long shower the time was 4:50, almost 5. Two hours to do her hair and makeup.

Katherine hadn't gotten herself dressed up like this in awhile. Pete never allowed her to have makeup or look pretty.

Katherine wanted to do her best for Norman, feeling insecure when he was around was an understatement. He was so.... handsome. And Katherine.. katherine thought she was the opposite.

6:50 rolled around and she was all dolled up. Hair curled and light makeup applied. She had amazing smelling perfume on.

Katherine could hear a knock at the front door and Michael greeting someone.

"Hey Reedus!" She heard Michael cheer and the name itself made her blush. No. 'nothing will happen', she tells herself. Katherine has some secrets that's keeping her from wanting to create a relationship with Norman. Those may never be revealed.

"Kat!" Michael yells up the stairs. "Your boyfriend is here!"

Katherine trots down the stairs, glaring at Michael when she reaches him. "Not my boyfriend.. you know that"

Katherine round the corner and see Norman standing by the door on his phone, he hasn't noticed her yet so she had time to check him out. She can't have him but she can definitely look at him. He was wearing a nice suit and his hair was kind of spiked.. it was getting longer though from not being able to cut it.

"Hey" Katherine's small voice says nervously.

Norman looked up from his phone and his eyes widened when he saw her. "w-wow Kat.. you .. you look amazing" he smiles and holds his hand out for her to take.

She places her hand in his large one and watches as he brings it to his mouth, placing a light kiss on the top.

"Shall we get going?" He smiled at her and dropped her hand.

"Y-yeah" she stuttered, trying to compose herself front the electrifying shock from his soft lips on her hand.

Norman held the door open for Katherine and placed his hand on the small of her back as she walked through the door.

Katherine knew she was playing with fire and that the results of them being together would end with one of them hurt. But, Normans charm was hard to stay away from and she knew this man would be the death of her.