Seeing You - Boys of Tommen

New Years

December 31st, 2001

Hugh:

Katie looked gorgeous, she was wearing a black dress that went to about halfway above her knee and half of her hair was tied back into some kind of braid. She looked seriously pretty and I was feeling damn lucky that she was mine. 

"Happy New Years Hugh" Katie says to me once she reaches me. She had gotten a ride with Patrick, so we had to meet here. I couldn't wait until I had a license and a car so I could pick her up. 

"Happy New Years Katie." I returned leaning down to kiss her, pulling back her face had gone red and I chuckled, "I like your hair." I say wrapping one of the fiery red strands around my finger.

"Thanks, my friend Aoife did it for me, she wants to go to cosmetology school." She says, always deflecting my compliments. 

"Hugh, Katie long time no see." Gibsie says, Johnny and Feely following him. "I reckon, this is going to be the party of the year lads" and quickly added "and Katie." That's how it felt recently, when we first started going out, she fit into our little group perfectly, but she had since retracted from the other boys and gave all her attention to me. I can't lie, I love having her all to myself, but I liked how well she meshed with them and fit in when we all hung out, not just a girlfriend who was tagging along. 

"How many people did you invite Gibs? My Mam is going to freak if anything gets broken or stolen."

"Relax, we only live once Kav."

"Hi boys" Bella Wilkinson intrudes on our conversation once again. That was another thing about Katie's change in attitude, she talked to Bella. I don't think there could be more two opposite girls. Bella wasn't a good friend for Katie, especially when Katie went into fight or flight mode every time she came near. Whenever she came over to our lunch table to harass Johnny, Katie latched onto me like a lifeline.

I really didn't like Bella, she waltzed around us like she was God's gift to men and was just a mean girl. I know Katie probably struggles being the only girl in our group, and maybe she wanted a friend that was girl who went to Tommen, but I couldn't see how Bella was anywhere near the best option.

"Bella" Gibsie replied curtly. 

"Don't look too excited to see me." Bella said, not taking her eyes off of Johnny. She was a predator and she had found her prey for the night.

"Looking for sacrifices for whatever satanic ritual you do to stay looking young?" Gibsie asks sarcastically. 

Bella takes it in stride, "Yes, I just need one more virgin to complete it" She looks smug, finally peeling her eyes off of Johnny,"Katie, you don't mind do you?"

Katie shudders and her face goes beet red. She remains silent but Bella doesn't let up. "Well, You are a virgin aren't you?" Katie leans into me so hard, I think she might be trying to melt into me to avoid Bella's witchlike gaze. 

Before, I can say anything Patrick speaks up, "Fuck off Bella" I look at him gratefully, Bella finally leaves but not before whispering something in Johnny's ear and then walks away swaying her hips. 

"I hate her." Gibsie says and we all nod, except for Johnny. 

I put my arm around Katie and walk her to one of the couches in Johnny's massive house, "Sorry about that, Bella sucks."

"Yeah, I..." She stops speaking.

"You what? You can tell me anything Katie."

"Really?"

"You're my girl."

Katie blushes and smiles at me, "I just... I hate that I can never stand up for myself, I get so nervous and I can't even bring myself to speak."

"You always speak with me."

"Yeah, because I feel safe with you."

"You do?" She nods and my heart beats a little faster.

"When did you start feeling safe with me?"

She smiles sweetly, and looks like she's talking herself into telling me, "When we met, and I walked right into you, your hands reached out to steady me...." she blushes looking down, "And all I could think was how it made me feel safe, it's why I didn't run after being abducted by Johnny and Gibs in the cafeteria, when I saw you I felt safe again."

I lean over and hug her, and she melts into my touch, "You make me feel safe too."

"How?"

"You just do." With Katie, I feel like a relationship doesn't need to be constant stress and fighting, it can be gentle and it can make me feel good all of the time.

We sit like that for a while, my head resting on top of hers, I don't care if people from school see us. Katie speaks up first, "Do you think, we'll have to play any games this time?"

"We could play our own game of seven minutes?" I say half joking, but when she nods eagerly I grab her hand and we retreat into one of the million rooms in Johnny's manor.

Thanks for reading! Also this is the hairstyle and the dress I had in mind that Katie is wearing.  - H <3