When You Least Expect It

40

It's late afternoon when Ashley shakes me awake. She looks apologetic when I open my eyes. "Hey, sorry to wake you. We've been trying to hold her off since 10:00 this morning."

My body aches when I stretch, "It's ok. I probably need to get up anyway. Does she want me to go up to her room or what am I doing?"

"I think she wants to come to you." She shakes her head, "I think you guys should just take a day to let it all cool off before she gets herself all worked up again, but she isn't hearing me. How are you feeling?"

"Physically? I feel like shit. My head is killing me, my cheek is throbbing. I feel like my knuckles have been run down a cheese grater. Mentally... I don't know. Fine I guess." The headboard is cool against my back when I lean against it.

Ash nods, "Are you ready then? I'm really sorry. I tried to let you sleep as long as I could."

There's blood on my sheets when I toss my blanket off my legs. "Yeah, but maybe we should do this in her room."

"You're probably right. I'll walk you up. She looks as bout as good as you do. Her lip is super swollen but we've been making her ice it." Ashley holds her hand out to me.

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Ashley knocks on the door, "Katie, it's me. I have someone you might want to see."

The door opens and Lacie walks out, "I'm going over to Matt's for a bit. I told her to call me or whatever if she needs me." She hugs me. "Thanks again Derek."

"I'll be downstairs with Corey if you need anything." With that, Ashley leaves too.

I step inside closing the door behind me. Katie is sitting criss-cross in the middle of her bed with her hands in her lap. Ashley was right, she looks terrible. "Hey you. Mind if I come in?"

She shakes her head looking down at her hands. It's awkward silence as I stand at the foot of her bed. I don't know what to say or do. So, I just stand there.

After a minute or so I can't take the silence anymore. "Kate, can you look at me at least? Are you ok?"

Tears slip down her cheeks. She shakes her head again. My heart aches. "Would it be ok if I give you a hug?"

She sniffles and nods. I move to the side of her bed and lean down to hug her, her body shudders as she speaks. "Derek, I am so so sorry for what happened last night."

Sitting on the edge of the bed I tilt her chin up so I can see her eyes. "Don't worry about it. What's done is done." I stroke her cheek, "I just want to make sure you're ok."

Katie raises her hand and places it on top of mine. "I am. Mostly anyway. I just feel like an idiot."

I can't help but to kiss her. "You're not an idiot Katie. And you absolutely don't deserve to be treated that way. By anyone, for any reason. You're a beautiful girl. You're way too good for that sorry excuse of a man. Or any man that can't see your worth. I wish you could see that."

Her eyes shimmer with new tears, "I just want to be wanted Derek. After we talked, I thought I was strong enough to tell him to fuck off but he started saying all these nice things and apologizing for what he said. It made me feel like it was just one bad day you know? That and I felt like if not him, then who? I know it sounds stupid now but I just want to be wanted."

"I get it. Being in a relationship you always have someone. Trust me when I tell you though, if it's not the right one it's miserable. You feel like you're putting in your all and you just get nothing in return. Sometimes it really is better to just have a couple really close friends. Especially if they're willing to let you in their bed occasionally too."