What A Catch.

Chapter 68

Pov Casey

I look up and meet Patricks eyes. He grins at me, like a puppy. I chuckle.

"Hi." I say quietly.

"Hi." He replies, lost looking at me.

My breathing uneven, my eyes dart around.

"Are you feeling better?" He asks.

"Yeah I guess. For now anyway. Im sorry for freaking out."

"Its okay, totally fine." He pauses, "do you not like me or something?"

"No I do! I mean... Well, do you like me?" He nods, "no. I mean... Like like me?"

He pauses a moment and I take in a deep breath. "I mean... Well if you do then I will say yes?"

I laugh and he does too. We have no idea how to sort this out. I nod sheepishly and turn away, biting my lip with anxiety. He takes his finger and places it under my chin, tilting it in his direction.

At his touch my heart pounds. What is he going to do?

"So you like like me?" He whispers, hand still in contact with my face.

I nod and, without wanting to, I blush.

"Im glad you feel the same as I do."

I chuckle blushing again, does he really like me?

His face leans into mine and I freeze. No, this is going too far. What if this is all a lie, a prank. My eyes search his desperately trying to find an answer as he approaches me.

We are barely an inch away now. I turn my head at the last moment. His soft lips make contact with my cheek and I shiver.

He moves back, not showing me a reaction.

"Im sorry. Im not ready, you know?" I say quietly.

"Its okay, just say if your uncomfortable. Is it about me?"

"No. No. It could be anyone and I would be like this. I cant risk it."

"Yeah. Okay."

Patrick looks at me weirdly, something I havent read on someone for a while.

"Sorry." I whisper.

He shrugs, "I dont mind, as long as you and everyone else are okay..."

I smile appreciatively at him.

Pov Beth

I lie facing Pete, my hands on his chest. Our breathing is in time and his chest moves in time with mine.

I draw a heart with my fingers on his chest and he pulls me into him.

My phone vibrates and I pull it from under the pillow.

\tell casey I would like to see her again -k\

\ill pop in tomorrow x -k\

I forward the text, confused and tired. Does he know where we are?

I sigh, closing my eyes and putting my phone away.

I lean up and peck Petes lips lightly. He leans down and kisses me back.

"Ugh Beth, what would I do without you?" he whispers, his arms tightening around my waist.

"I could say the same thing."

"Goddamn, you are amazing Beth."

I lean up and kiss his tired lips. He lets out a light chuckle as we both feel the tingle that comes with making contact with each other.

Pov Casey

I face the wall, comfortably away from Patricks soft warmth. I hear him breathing and I count the specks on the wall, 2.

My phone vibrates and I open the texts that Beth has sent on to me. In shock I inhale fast and deep, choking on air. My hand and body go numb and I drop my phone. It makes a clang on the ground.

I roll out of the bed, falling onto the floor. With my phone I drag myself to the toilet, quietly slamming the door behind me.

My breath staggers as I clutch onto my phone, rereading the text.

He would find me. He would find me. He would- the door opens and a tired and concerned looking Patrick drags himself in.

He sits next to me, leaing against the warm radiator.

"Before you ask, he is going to find me." I say, not realising the silent tears.

"Im not quite sure who this is or what he wants but... My only advice is- stick up to him, say no. If he likes you so much he will do anything to make you happy. If not its fake... Or an obsession."

I nod, clutching at me phone.

"You dont have to see him? Right? We can go out for the day tomorrow... Or today."

I nod shakily.

"You good?"

I nod again, grabbing him into a hug. He lets out a breathy laugh as I squeeze him as a way of giving thanks.

"Now, lets get back to bed. That sounds weird, sorry."

I shrug, wiping a tear away and taking his hand. He leads me back to bed like a child across a road. I climb in after him, sleeping slightly less far away.

--------------------------------------

I open my eyes, my legs grazes Patricks and I shiver, his arm is on my waist. Its okay, as long as Im not in love.

I shuffle out of bed and put on some high waisted shorts and a vest top. I tie my hair into a pony tail and put on some pink lip gloss.

Patrick and I are going out today.

I meet him by the door, and we leave to his local park. Nobody will find us, and by nobody I mean Kurt. I shudded at the thought off his name.

I sit down next to Patrick on the bench.

"I used to come here often when I was younger. I played on some swings over there, we can go there later."

"Patrick! On swings! What a sporty child!" I laugh.

"Yeah, sports arent my thing... You can probably see that..."

I laugh and look around the park. Some kids are swinging on the swings. Some people are playing it on the grass. Some teenagers are in a tree. Parents are with their prams. There are some random people standing on their own dotted around the park.

My phone vibrates.

\told ya I would see you today! -k\

My eyes dart around the park. I remember what Patrick said and stop myself before I panic.

\Come meet me by the trees with the teenagers? I wanna talk to you?\

"Patrick, would you excuse me for a moment." I mumble.

"If youre not back in 5 Ill come and find you."

I nod, standing up. I wave goodbye and zig zag towards the tree with the teenagers in it.

I take a deep breath, standing underneath it. Patricks words give me courage as I stand tall and as menacing as I can muster.

Someones hand touches my shoulder and I jump. Way to go Casey.

"Ha ha, hey! Dont jump, Im not going to eat you!" Kurt laughs from behind me. For a second I ask myself, is he really that bad? Why did I run away in the first place?

But then I turn around.