Jack's pov:
"Are you sure you don't want to sit this one out?" Katherine asked.
"I'll be fine, Kath" I repeated, trying to reassure myself as much as her.
Tonight was the annual Christmas party at work. I was an illustrator for the local newspaper, and Kath was a writer.
"You don't have to come. I wouldn't want to force you" she said, worriedly.
"Don't be silly" I said, laughing and pulling her into my arms.
"Okay, just let me know if it gets too much" she cupped my face.
"Of course, baby" I responded, smiling and kissing her lips.
°°°
We arrived at the venue, walking hand in hand. We walked into the main hall, eager to join the party.
A group of women sat in the corner, drinking themselves silly.
"It's only six thirty" Kath remarked, looking over in their direction.
"Some people can't control themselves" I swung an arm around her and led her in the opposite direction.
They started cat-calling at me and whistling.
"Ignore them. They're bad news" Katherine said, tugging me away.
We sat in the corner of the room, not really into the party. We each had a glass of lemonade, as neither of us could face the morning hangover.
The music droned on in the background. The same old rubbish. The type of stuff Medda always described as 'baby food for adults' or 'chewing gum for the ears' or 'cookie cutter rock'.
There were some good songs, though. 'One Better Day' by Madness came on, and I perked up.
"Wanna go dance, Katherine?" I smirked, holding my hand out for her.
"Why yes, Jackson!" She giggled, taking my outstretched hand and allowing me to lead her out to the dance floor.
I held her hand, and put the other around her waist, her free hand rested upon my shoulder.
"Kath, you know I love you, right?" I said.
"Yeah, why?" She asked, her face creasing in concern.
"No reason. Just making sure you knew" I smiled, leaning in to kiss her.
"I love you too, Jack" she smiled against my lips.
"Hi, Jack!" One of the drunk girls from before waved over in my direction.
I shot her an awkward smile, before turning my attention back to a scowling Katherine.
"Do you know them?" I asked, tightening my grip on her waist.
"Yeah, they're quite unpleasant, actually" she responded.
"In what way?"
"Always gossiping, not really doing their work, trying to hit on any guy that gives them the time of day" she listed off, squeezing my hand. I squeezed back.
"You have to deal with them every day?" I leant into her more.
"Most days. You just learn how to block them out after a while" she buried her head in my shoulder.
I just stood and hugged her for a while, out in the middle of the dance floor. Even as the song ended, Katherine and I stayed put.
I led her back to where we were previously sitting and pulled her back into my arms.
We sat like that for a while, just holding one another.
I cherished moments like that. Just sitting in complete silence and contentment, comfortable in the others presence.
My face was buried in her auburn curls, and I could smell her strawberry shampoo.
All the noise and commotion around us went right over our heads. I didn't care about the party anymore. I hardly cared about anything. All I cared was Katherine, and the fact that she was her with me, and I had her safe in my arms.
"No!" I whined as she pulled away, trying to regain my position in her arms.
"I need to go to the toilet" she laughed, kissing my lips.
"Okay, but be quick" I relented and let go of her.
She ran off and I just sat there, waiting for her. I already missed her and it had only been ten seconds.
I was so lucky to have her. So lucky to be able to call her mine. Only mine.
"Jack!" A women's voice called out.
I already knew it wasn't Katherine.
"Jack!" She persisted.
"What's up?" I faked a smile.
"Just thought I'd come over and say hi" she sat down, a little too close to me.
I started getting nervous.
I moved a little further away. She moved closer. I moved again. She moved. I moved, yet again, and managed to fall flat on the floor.
"Are you okay, Jack?" A different women's voice shouted.
Katherine!
A louder song played over the speakers. Loads of feet made their way to the dance floor.
"Jack, what's wrong?" Katherine knelt down beside me.
The words didn't make it to my mouth.
Shakily, I sat up. Katherine cupped my face in her hands, and I could hear her talking, but everything was so fuzzy.
I couldn't breathe. I tried to. I tried so hard. I tried for Katherine.
My leg bounced up and down and my clammy hands ceased up. I felt a cold hand against my sweaty forehead.
"Jack, honey, let's go outside. You're burning up" Katherine whispered in my ear.
She helped me to my feet and led me out a back door.
I tripped over onto a bench and Katherine sat down beside me. She quickly pulled me into a big bear hug, and guided my head so that it was on her shoulder.
One of her hands rubbed my back and the other played with my hair in reassurance.
I began to calm down slightly. My breathing evened out and my legs had stopped trembling.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Kath asked.
"Y-yeah I think so" I stammered out, not ready to let go of her.
"What was all that about?"
"Um- she was just so close and it was so loud and busy and it all got too much" I rambled, burying my head in her shoulder.
Katherine pulled back and cupped my face again, but not before pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. I closed my eyes and smiled as she did so.
"Why don't we get home, my love?"
"Not yet. Just hold me for now" I pulled her back into me and we both laughed as I reclaimed my position on her shoulder.
