Unexpected (Avi Kaplan)

Sweet Dreams

Avi's POV

"Ivy! Ivy just listen to me!" Just like that, she was gone in the crowd. I clench my fists in frustration. "Stubborn woman."

"Well this isn't how I expected the famous Avriel Benjamin Kaplan to be doing with women. I figured he'd be doing better."

I froze at the sound of the voice, my eyes narrowing and anger taking over my body. "Catherine. I suggest you leave."

"Is that any way to talk to a lady? Besides this isn't your party. You're just as much of a guest as I am. No different."

"No different except for the fact that you'll get kicked out much faster than I would."

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend? I didn't get a good look at her, but she seemed nice," Catherine said, changing the subject quickly. It was something she did when she knew she couldn't win an argument.

I kept silent, turning and doing my best to ignore the woman. If it weren't for her, Ivy would probably be with me right now. My eyes widen at the thought. I don't even like her like that. Do I? I only realized she was still talking when she moved to stand in front of me. I do. And the only chance I have is if...

"Shut the hell up and come with me." Before she could say a word, I grabbed her wrist tightly and pulled her along with me. As we walked into the living room, I scanned the area quickly, immediately spotting Ivy talking to some guy. Well more like arguing. I pushed my way through the crowd, Catherine in tow. I stopped in front of the two, giving the stranger a look. He backed off and walked away, shaking his head.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone," Ivy said, immediately seeming irritated.

"You wanted me to explain, so here," I said simply, yanking Catherine closer to me. "This is Catherine."

I watched as Ivy's eyes widened ever so slightly, though she tried to conceal it. "What's your point?"

"You've got to be kidding, Avi. You couldn't have chosen anyone but her?" Catherine asked, her perfectly arched brows furrowing in confusion and amusement.

"What are you talking about?" I stared at the two, confused as to what my ex meant.

"Do you want to tell him or should I?" Catherine asked Ivy, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. Ivy's eyes widened even more and she looked like a grounded fish before her entire expression went blank.

"What's there to tell? I mean besides the fact that my deadbeat sister made me seem insane when I was four and ended up getting our parents to put me up for adoption," she said, no emotion in her voice. I stood there dumbfounded as I made the connection. It was only then that I saw the similarities. The shape and color of their eyes, the height, the color of their hair.

"Deadbeat? That's not very nice sis," Catherine said, letting a wide grin take over her features.

"I'm not your sister. You're nothing to me."

"Just like you're nothing to mom and dad?"

"Back the hell off!" I yelled before I could stop myself. I turned and faced Catherine, aware of everyone's eyes on us. "Anyone that's low enough to get their own sister put up for adoption doesn't deserve anything they get."

"You're actually sicking up for her? Why? Because from what I heard earlier, she wan't nothing to do with you," she told me and walked away, laughing as she disappeared out the door.

Turning around, I braced myself for another one of Ivy's outbursts, but it never came. She wasn't there. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Scott standing there. "Come on."

I reluctantly followed the tall blonde upstairs. "She has to be in one of these rooms. I walked in just in time to see her come up here."

I nodded without a word. I didn't care where she was. I just had to find her.

I heard the faint sounds of sobs coming from the end of the hallway and looked to Scott. He simply nodded and went back downstairs, leaving me alone. I followed the sounds, ending up at the bathroom door.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door softly, listening for any indication of movement. None. "Ivy...it's me. Open up."

"Go away." The words were soft but still loud enough for me to hear.

"I just wanna talk about this."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I'm not leaving until I see that pretty face of yours." Still nothing.

Sitting down, I turned so my back was resting against the door. I stay quiet, listening to the crying coming from the other side of the door.

"Close your eyes, lay your head down
Now it's time to sleep
May you find great adventure
As you lie and dream
If you're scared of the darkness
I will calm your fear
There's a light in the hallway
So you know I'm here

So count your blessings every day
It makes the monsters go away
And everything will be okay
You are not alone
You are right at home
Goodnight, goodnight

You won't need me forever
But I'll still be here
For we all have our nightmares
Even me, my dear
From now on, if you need me
You can sing this song
There's a light in the hallway
Burning all night long

So count your blessings every day
It makes the monsters go away
And everything will be okay

You are not alone
You are right at home
Goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight"

I sang softly, listening for any signs of her calming down. I smiled a bit at the sound of the lock on the door when I finished. Standing up quickly, I turned just as the door opened, and the sight broke my heart. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her makeup was messed up. There were tear stains on her cheeks and she still had a small frown on her face.

"Ivy, about earli-" I was cut off as her arms wrapped around my neck tightly and she buried her face into my chest. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close to me. We stayed like that long enough for Kevin to come up and see if we were okay. I gave him a simple nod and he left without questioning.

"I'll tell you what. If you tell me your story, I'll tell you mine," I said and looked down at her, pulling away just enough to see her face. Using a thumb, I carefully wiped the tears away and helped clean up her makeup a bit. She nodded as she looked down and pulled her arms away from me.

"Outside," she said and started to walk away before I stopped her.

"My house." She hesitated and nodded with a small smile. I could tell it was forced, but I was glad she was trying.

A/N: DUN DUN DUN!!!! For some reason, I get the feeling this isn't the last we've seen of Catherine *wink wink*

~*~*~Ash~*~*~