Beautiful With You (Norman Reedus)

Chapter 10

Poe, the kitten, adjusted nicely to the apartment and now he just runs around at night down the hallway. His tiny little legs making pitter patter noises and I just groan, pulling the blankets above my head as I turned on my side, my phone deciding then to go off. I groaned again and picked it up, seeing a name I haven't seen in a while and I wiped my eyes of the sleep that was blurring them. I opened the text message and bit my lip.

"I miss you Rae. Where has my best friend gone?"

I sighed and hovered over the message box, debating on whether I want to answer him or not. If I did I would have to put up with him and Katrina. I knew the two were dating as it was all over the forums with pictures of them holding hands and going on dates. I had built my walls back up and I vowed to never let anyone in again because I didn't want to go through the pain. I jumped a bit when I felt a thump on my chest and a small, furry body plopped down. I chuckled as Poe began to purr and settle in for a cat nap. He was the oddest cat but I found my fingers running through his short, soft fur.

"I've been busy. Had to Christmas shop for my family and have them sent to them."

I sent it to him, although it wasn't the truth but it exactly wasn't a lie either. I had gone shopping but that isn't the reason why I haven't seen him. I just didn't feel the need to see him, I had to have distance while I pushed the hurt feelings deep down inside. I needed to get myself better and to focus on myself.

"I just felt like you didn't want to see me after the way things were at the diner...."

I sighed and then my phone went off again.

"I don't know what I had done to upset you. I was excited for Katrina to meet my best friend"

There was that word again, best friend. I had begun to despise it when it came to him and I. I wanted it to be more and I had got my hopes up and they all came crashing down. But now I made sure that I wasn't going to fall again, that I wasn't going to get close.

"I'm sorry. Maybe soon. I'm still on break from school."

I sent it back and put my arm on top of my head and looked up at the ceiling, my fingers still running through Poe's fur. I found myself not wanting to cry, not feeling the pain and the hurt and I couldn't help but feel the relief that flew through me.

My eyes wandered to the clock and I sighed, knowing I was going to be dead on my feet tomorrow. I yawned and tried to close my eyes, but I wasn't in a comfortable position and I couldn't fall back to sleep. I got up, holding Poe's little body to my chest as I went to the kitchen area grabbing the milk from the fridge and pouring about a cups worth in a sauce pan. I was hoping that if I warmed up some milk I would be able to fall asleep after drinking it I picked up the pan and poured it gently into a glass when a knocking came on my door. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I set the pan down and turned the stove off, making sure that I don't drop Poe. I opened the drawer and pulled out my pepper spray as the knocking continued on my door. I looked through the peephole and just saw a bouquet of flowers and that was it. I unlocked the chain lock and deadbolt and opened the door. I saw the familiar leather jacket and I knew who it was instantly. I pocketed the pepper spray and put it in my pocket and I bite my lip.

"These are for you," his rough voice said and I reached out to take them, looking to him with confusion written on my face. His sunglasses were blocking his eyes and I wished that they weren't there so that I could look into his eyes. I wanted to know what is going on through his head.

"Thank you," I whisper, feeling Poe move in my arms, a soft meow coming from him as he moved to sniff the flowers, letting out a small sneeze.

I could tell Norman was looking at him. He took him in as he pushed his sunglasses off his face and put them into his pocket, both of us standing awkwardly in the hallway before I snapped out of my thoughts and moved out of the way letting him in. My head was telling me no but my heart was telling me to listen to him and try to make a friendship work.