Girlfriend

25. All Smiles

LaToya deserted Cathy Jean and I as soon as we walk in the door. Apparently she had a date with some guy and I promised not to tell Mother. I was okay with LaToya leaving though because that meant I got to focus on Cathy Jean.

"I know you wanna dance, girl," I said holding my hand out. "Come on."

"Can we just kinda...hang back for a while? You know, feel the music?" she requested, subtly backing away from me.

"Why? We can feel the music better on the floor," I said gesturing to the herd of dancing people under the lights. "Come on!"

"You go. I'll find you," she insisted crossing her arms.

"Cathy Jean, what's wrong? Do we need to talk?" I asked getting concerned. She seemed excited to dance just a couple minutes before.

"No, it's fine. Go, seriously," she pressed.

"I'm not dancing without you. That's why I'm here." I took her hand in mine in an effort to soothe her. She still seemed tense nevertheless. "Seriously, are you okay?"

"Yes, Michael."

"Then where's the Cathy Jean I know? My little dancing machine." I brought her close to my chest and wrapped my arms around her.

"The dancing machine is tired," she mumbled.

"No, you're not. Get off the wall and onto the floor, baby! Come on!"

I dragged her away from the wall to her dismay, laughing to myself every time she whined. This wasn't like her at all.

"Cathy Jean," I cooed, pouting my bottom lip. "You're not dancing."

"I really don't want to, Michael," she stated, folding her arms across her chest again.

"I don't know why you're being like this." I bumped my hip against hers and the corner of her lip turned up. This was it!

"Stop, Michael," she complained as I bumped into her again.

"Then dance with me!"

"I don't want to."

"Do you need to tell me something?"

She stared at me for a solid three seconds before averting her gaze to the floor. "No."

"Cathy Jean?"

"I mean, why does it even matter to you?" Her tone had a hint of irritability.

"It matters because I love you."

I pressed my lips to her forehead but it didn't seem to do anything.

"You what?" she whispered, her lips dangerously close to my own.

"I love you."

Cathy Jean yanked me by the lapels of my jacket and kissed me like she would never kiss me again. "I love you too," she breathed as the most beautiful smile I've ever seen crossed her face.

It lit up the entire room better than the blinding lights pointing down at us. I smiled back at her as she kissed me again.

"Cathy Jean!" I giggled, wiping tears from her eyes. "Don't cry, baby."

"No, I...I can't do this." She shook out of my grip and shoved through the crowd toward the exit.

"Hey!" I followed after her.

"Leave me alone, Michael," she sobbed, prying my hand off her wrist.

"Talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I just...I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry for what?"

"I lied to you."

She stopped fighting with me and looked into my eyes. I stared back. What was I missing?

"What did you lie about?" I wasn't really sure I wanted to find out.

"David. I smiled for him the other day."

At first, I didn't feel anything. I don't think it set in until I really began to think about it. My stomach slowly began to sink.

"Why? I thought you didn't even like him," I said, feeling myself get slightly hostile.

"I don't but I don't know what happened. I mean, he kissed me and-"

"You let him kiss you again? Cathy Jean, you could've told me instead of lying to my face everyday," I said crossing my arms.

"I don't like him! He's such a pushover that he kind of forced me to give into him."

"Why did you choose to keep this a secret from me? I've told you a lot of things I would never tell my family but you think it's okay to not tell me about David?"

"How was I supposed to tell you? I knew making me smile meant a lot to you and I didn't know how to bring it up!" she claimed. "Don't sit here and blame me for everything."

"I didn't do anything so who's fault is it then?"

She was silent for a while before rolling her eyes in defeat.

"No answer. That's what I thought."

"So everything's my fault?" she asked.

"It is in this situation."

"How could you say that to me?!" she cried. "You know things aren't easy for me right now."

"Cathy Jean, you have everything you need right in front of you! You just choose to push it away! Sure, your dad might be gone but you have a mother that loves you to death! Why you choose to treat her so bad is beyond me but you should try and see life in a different perspective instead of being so sad all the time! No one's going to help you if you don't want to help yourself.

"And I'm done with you since you're choosing to not be honest with me. I really wanted to help you but I guess not everyone wants help."

"Michael!" she cried, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"I'm gonna go find LaToya so we can go home," I tell her before making my way back inside.

She doesn't run after me or ask me to stay and work things out. Maybe this is what she wanted. I'm a little hurt but I remind myself to not let it get to me. She probably never wanted me anyway.

A/N: Michael just said what we were all thinking lol. This book is almost over and I'm a little sad but a new MJ fanfic will be up soon and I'm really excited about it. Vote and comment! Merry Christmas!!!🎄🎄🎄