Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 41

***TRIGGER WARNING- violence mentions***

The rest of the week had flown by. They worked on a new musical. Gwen had finished her dress and was editing her video to post the next Saturday.

AJ approached Gwen in the den. "Hey, you got a minute?"

"For you? Of course." AJ leaned down and kissed her.

"We got a response from Morgan. She and her dad can meet up with us tomorrow. She wanted us to choose between these three restaurants. What do you think?"

Gwen looked at the list. "Umm, why don't we go to Fratelli's? I've heard good things about it, but never have been. I think Nate went there on a date with—" she stopped. Sara's name was still sour in Gwen's mouth. "Well, he's been there before. We can see if he wants to go there."

"Okay, sounds good. I'll see what he thinks."

AJ went up to Nate's room. Knocking, he waited for Nate to answer.

"Come in," Nate called.

"Hey, Morgan got back with us. How does Fratelli's sound to meet up with her and her dad tomorrow? Gwen and I haven't been there, and she said you have been there before."

"Yeah, that's where I took Sara a while back. I wonder if Mira Lynne and Cat are still working there."

"Who?"

"Mira Lynne and Cat. They were the servers that took care of us. I'll call and get reservations, and see if we can be sat in one of their sections."

"Alright, man, sounds good. Thanks."

AJ left, and emailed Morgan back with their choice.

The next day, they were waiting outside the restaurant for Morgan and her dad.

"I really think you guys will like this place. The food was good. I just didn't get a chance to really enjoy the atmosphere," Nate said, remembering his last encounter.

"This time will be much more pleasant, I'm sure." Gwen smiled at him.

Morgan and her dad walked up to the group. "Hi everyone! This is my dad, Dan. Dad, this is AJ, Gwen, and Nate. They are the Random Encounters group I'm obsessed with," Morgan introduced, blushing a bit.

Handshakes were exchanged, and they all headed inside.

After being sat, Cat walked up to their table. "Hey there! I'm Cat, and I'll be taking care of y'all. Let's get started with some drinks. What can I get for all you lovely people this fine afternoon?" Cat smiled, examining the table. She made eye-contact with Nate, and gave him a warm smile, but said nothing more.

They all order drinks, and Cat goes to fulfill their orders.

"So, have you guys been here before?" Dan asks.

"Umm, we haven't, but Nate has. Let's just say he got take-out from here." Gwen slyly smirked at Nate. Nate just rolled his eyes.

"Let's just say it was a date gone wrong," Nate explained more into detail.

Returning with the drinks, Cat then took their orders.

"Morgan, we did want to apologize again for anything and everything Sara did to you. I will assure you she is fully out of our lives now, so you don't have to worry about seeing her again. We also have a little something for you." AJ pulled out a t-shirt. "This is actually not even released yet. Our new merch will be available in two weeks on the site, but we wanted you to have an advanced copy."

"Oh my gosh! Thank you guys so much!" Morgan beamed at them and took the shirt. "You guys rock! I was not expecting anything like this!"

"We feel it is the least we can do. We hope that any other cons you go to have a much better experience." Gwen smiled at the teen.

"You guys are too sweet. Thank you so much. And I do want to say you guys don't need to apologize anymore about her. I know it was a one-off fluke, and it was just her personality shining through- and not in a good way." She eyed Nate. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't say that. You dated her, after all."

"No, you're okay. I've learned from my mistakes and have moved on to better myself." Nate looked around. "Excuse me for a moment. I'll be back."

He got up and headed towards the restrooms. Coming back, he noticed Cat standing at the terminal.

"Hey, Cat! How have you been?"

"Nate, hello! I've been doing okay, how are you doing?" Her smile faltered a bit. "Your girlfriend hasn't been causing anymore trouble, has she?" Her tone grew concerned.

"I've been good. Listen, I want to thank you for looking out for me the last time. I wanted to let you know the girl I was in here with the last time— I broke up with her. I realized, a little too late, to be honest, that she was bad news. She— well, she was dangerous, and I've learned. But I did want to at least thank you for trying to help me."

"Nate, honey, you don't have to thank me. You aren't the first, and you weren't the last either. Just last week I had to break up a fight..." She rubbed her arm, half covering up a bruise. "I'm glad you're doing much better."

Nate saw the bruise she tried covering up. "Oh, goodness! Are you okay?" He looked at her arm concerned.

Cat's face twisted into one of panic. "U-Uh, yeah, I'm okay! Look, don't worry about little old me. If you're wondering, Mira Lynne was shaken up, but she's better now." She changed the topic quickly.

"Is Mira Lynne here today? I'd like to speak to her too, if I could."

"She's on a break, honey. But, if you'd like, I can let you know when she's back." She hides her arms behind her back.

Nate gave Cat's arms another glance, but decided to let it go. "Yeah, if you wouldn't mind having her stop by." He smiled at her again. "Thanks Cat."

"No problem, Nate. Can... can I give you a hug? It's alright if not, I just... I like it when I know people are safe, y'know?"

"Of course." They embraced. "You don't need to worry about me. I am safe and I am... not dating her yet, but talking with a friend who... well, we are definitely a better match." He smiled again, thinking of Becca.

"Aw! Come by with her sometime. I'll see if I can hook you up with something good." She smiled. "I'd best check on some other tables. I'll come by with your food soon!"

"Sounds good. Thanks again for everything, Cat! See you in a few!"

Nate walked back to the table. Morgan and Gwen were laughing.

"Then, when he jumped back, he created this huge hole in our wall! We all were so shocked!" Gwen finished recounting her story.

"Oh my goodness!" Morgan gasped.

"That had to have been a pain to fix," Dan commented.

"It wasn't too bad. But luckily we had a friend help us out. It's patched, and you'd never know it happened... except for the video-graphic evidence." AJ grimaced.

"Hey, you okay?" Gwen asked Nate.

"Yeah, ran into Cat on the way back from the restroom, and we talked for a few minutes. Which reminds me, she said our food would be out soon."

"It's actually here right now!" Cat smiled. She had a jacket on now, and quickly handed the food to everyone. "You all have a good meal. I'll check in soon to make sure there aren't any issues, 'kay?"

"Everything looks fantastic. Thank you!" AJ said to Cat.

Cat walked off to tend to her other tables and the gang dug in.