Like The Cool Kids

Chapter 26: Moving On Or A Distraction?

"That was delicious!" My mum says whipping her mouth with a napkin. We finally decided to eat lunch and to make it up to them I took them to cheesecake factory, which was just across the street from the mall. "Yes it was" Casey said patting her stomach. "You're welcome" I smiled satisfied. By coincidence as I glanced outside the window, I noticed him. His black jeans and t-shirt that he usually wears and his black classic ray bans. I felt my heart beats harder and harder the longer I look at him. Somehow I felt the urge to approach him, "Mum, Cas, something just popped up" I thought of an excuse but nothing came up. So I just stared at mum and Casey hoping they would say its okay. "Sure, see you back home honey" Mum says with a smile. Casey just nodded with a smile. I smiled back, "Bye."

I stood at the corner trying to gather myself together to talk to him. As I was about to approach him, a tall beautiful blond girl hugs him from the back and he turns to her and smiles. I felt like my heart shatters into a million pieces. So I took a couple of steps back still watching him and the girl but then I just turn the other way and walk to my car.

5: 3 0 AM I was still not asleep. I don't know if it was because of Victoria asking me for help or because I saw Carter with that girl. Maybe she was Beth? Maybe she flew here for the weekend before going back to New York with Carter? He did say she was a spoiled rich girl once so, maybe? I sighed loudly as I covered my head with a pillow. I'm going to go crazy if I sit here and do nothing. I need to go for a run.

I wore my trainers with a baggy jumper and leggings and I wore a beanie over my head. I texted my mother just incase she wakes up before I get back that I was going for a run.

Not realizing that I jogged all the way to 'our place'. I just felt the cold winter breeze hit my face. As the music played through my headphones, my thoughts finally stopped. But then again, I stopped at the entrance of the woods where I usually parked my car to meet Carter here. I removed my headphones and I started unconsciously walking deep into the woods to the pond. I haven't been here since homecoming. I suddenly stop when I saw him. There he was, wearing a black jumper with black sweatpants. Nothing special about his style but somehow he made him who he is. I noticed his guitar on a side, maybe he decided to practice earlier but gave up. I didn't know how long I just stood there but then I realized I shouldn't be here. I should just stay away from him. As I turned to walk away I stepped on something and it made a crack. Because it was so calm and silent, Carter immediately turned and I heard his voice for the first time in a long time as he called my name, "Katharine?" I took a deep breath in, 'there was no escape now' I thought to myself. So I turn to see his face. For a moment we just stood there, studying each other. His beautiful eyes were even bluer if that's possible. "I just um... I was just running and I ended up here." Nervously I said. "But I should leave," I broke the eye contact and was about to walk away but he says, "No, please stay." "Why?" I asked almost in a whisper as I stared into his eyes. "Because it's your place." 'My place' I thought to myself. When he saw I didn't reply, he started to walk towards the exit. "No, you can stay." I said walking to the pond. I felt him watching my every move, trying to understand. I sat on the grass as the sky started to light up with the colors of the sunrise. I glanced back at Carter to see him still standing in his place and I could read the hesitation off of his body language. "Are you going to join me?" I asked then look back at the pond. He sits next to me and I could feel the tension between us. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from asking him anything. Maybe we can just enjoy the silence. "You can tell me anything." He says out of the sudden and I looked at him confusedly, "You always bit you lip when you're trying to stop yourself from saying something" I looked into his eyes and felt the heat rising in my cheeks and I looked away. "Is it true that you're back with Beth?" I asked not wanting to look into his eyes and have him admit to me that he's back with her. He didn't say anything for a moment but then he sighs loudly and says, "We're trying to be friends." I let out a laugh, "Unbelievable" I murmured under my breath. "What? I can't be friends with her?" he says angrily. "Do whatever you feel like Carter." I said crossing my arms on my chest as I tried my best not look at him. A moment passes by but then I heard him mumble, "I needed a distraction even if it was Beth." I don't know if he wanted me even to hear him but that what made me to turn to look at his face. He looks up and meets my eyes; "I'm sorry Katharine." I just look at him for a second and I could see his eyes were sincere and then surprisingly I felt I couldn't control my body as I see my hand being placed on his face, and the touch of his skin under my hand electrified me. It made me feel alive. I traced my thumb on his lips as I glanced down and then looked back into his eyes. The sunrise was reflecting in his eyes changing it color slightly, and I smile because his eyes, his touch once again captivated me. I felt his hand on my cheek and another electric shot went through me. He whispers as our lips were inches away neither of us looking away, "Please say something." And I whisper back, "I miss you." He slightly smiles. "I miss you too." He glances down at my lips and my heart skipped a beat then he looked back into my eyes. "I can't do this Carter not if your heart is still with Beth." I whisper nervously. "It's not." "How can I be sure? You did lie before." "Because she was a distraction to stop me from thinking about you." "Does she know that?" "I made it clear enough." "She's the tall gorgeous blond girl, isn't she?" "How did you know?" "I saw you yesterday with her." "She is nothing to me. I promise you." "Then show me." My heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to explode. Then I closed my eyes and his lips crashed on mine making my heart actually explodes or at least that's how it felt. His kiss felt like as if he revived me back to life. Like I could feel again. He had that much power on me and it scared me. Slowly I was laying on the ground on my back but our lips never parted. Our lips, hands and our entire bodies were in sync. Passion was translated into his kisses as he places them down my neck then his lips were met with mine again. It was gentle yet forceful at the same time. Like he was trying to prove to me that he was sorry and that he does miss me. Our lips finally parted and we both were breathing heavily then as he stared into my eyes he says, "What did you to me Katharine Parker?" I reply with, "What about what you did to me Carter Harrington?"