Who They Really Are

twenty-nine

After 3 days at her parents house Kat was already bored almost to death. She'd enjoyed catching up with her family of course, but her brothers had to go to school and her parents both worked during the day so she was alone a lot.

After the fourth day of being bored Kat decided to spend more time at the gym, and she was there for hours during the day.

Noel had insisted on driving Kat to the airport the morning she'd left, and they'd barely talked since then. They'd only texted once after she'd been back- Noel asking if she'd made it home safely.

Kat didn't really know what was happening between them. She just knew she needed some space and some time to think. And Noel was definitely giving that to her, which is why she was surprised when a week after being back she got a text- but not from Noel.

Addi: okay spill. why'd you leave so suddenly?

Kat stared at her phone for a good ten minutes, not knowing how to respond.

Kat: I just needed to leave for a while. Give myself some time to think.

Addi: about what? Noel's been super bummed because he doesn't know what's wrong

Kat: I'm not even sure

Addi: c'mon Kat. There had to have been something

Kat thought for a few more minutes before answering this time, then she finally just spilled everything on her mind, knowing she could trust Addi.

Kat: okay, you know Noel and I slept together. and it was great and everything but it really scares me too. we aren't even officially dating and Noel acted like us being boyfriend and girlfriend was the last thing he wanted. And idk I guess that bothered me. I'm probably just making a big deal out of nothing. Idk

Addi replied a few minutes later.

Addi: you know you need to talk to Noel about this right? You're not crazy for wanting a commitment.

Kat: thanks Addi. And I know. I'll talk to him when I'm ready I guess

Kat turned her phone off after that, and headed back to the gym to get her mind off of things.

•••••••

The following Friday Kat went out to eat with her family at their old favorite restaurant. Her mom was worried about how much she was exercising and was insisting she eat a real meal.

Kat didn't put up any fight, she actually was excited to have some good food since she definitely deserved it. Kat ate a salad and a tiny bowl of pasta, not wanting to push anything so close to the show. It was only a week before the fittings and rehearsals after all.

The family was all eating their entrees when Kat's phone lightly buzzed, and she pulled her phone out of her pocket to check it.

Elissa: long time no talk!! I miss you :(((

Kat smiles and feels a pang in her chest, realizing she really missed Elissa, too.

Kat: I miss you too!! I haven't been home in forever im sorry

Elissa: I heard! I figured you were with Noel ;)

Kat: why'd you figure that?

Elissa: I saw his picture on Instagram yesterday. Isn't that you?

Kat quickly pulls open Instagram, looking up Noel's page. She clicks on his latest picture, and it takes forever to load but once it does Kat instantly has a huge grin on her face.

Noel had posted a picture of the picture of them on the roller coaster from the day at Coney Island. Kat's face was completely covered by her hair and Noel hadn't tagged her so the fans were going crazy trying to figure out who it was with him. But his caption was really what made Kat smile:
"gf material? I think so".

"What're you smiling at?" Kat's dad asks from across the table.

"Nothing," Kat replies, but Jake grabs her phone out of her hand.

"Woah, is that you?" Jake asks, his eyes wide as he shows the phone to Alex.

"You're dating the guy from Blank Cassette? Since when?" Alex asks, passing the phone to his dad.

"Who is this Kat? You have a boyfriend?" Her dad asks, passing the phone down the line to Kat's mom.

"I can't believe you didn't tell us!" She cries, finally giving Kat her phone back.

"We've just been hanging out. It's not serious or anything," Kat says, sitting her phone back in her lap.

"Mhm. Because 'gf' means hanging out now," Jake says, giving her a smirk.

Her family gives her the third degree about Noel the rest of the day, and Kat's happy when she finally gets back in her room at the end of the day.

She lays in her old bed at the end of the night, trying to figure out what to do. She finally ends up just liking Noel's picture, hoping he sees it, and wondering what she was really feeling.

A/N: happy new year! thanks to everyone who's still reading hope you all love it