Throughout our teenage years difficult things happen to us. We go through changes. We have our first loves, our first heartbreaks. Sometimes these years can be the toughest on us. Sometimes the peer pressure gets to us. Sometimes we just can't fit in no matter how hard we try. Sometimes during those years is when we feel the loneliest, sometimes that's when we feel the most vulnerable. And to Cat, the person this story is entwined with, she had these sometimes, always. Cat's story was told to me by the friends who loved her the most.
Before Cat hit puberty, before she hit the age of 12, she was happy. At least from what I could see she was happy. She was vibrant, lively like any proper child should be. Cat was popular. She had friends over every single day. Every night Cat went outside to play with the neighbourhood kids. She either played man hunt or tag. She was loved by all and she loved all. Cat was perfect.
Throughout all of her elementary school years she got good grades. Cat was smart as a whip, but never looked down on people who weren't as smart as her. Teachers adored her. Cat was always picked for accolades and prizes. The teachers all said she was a joy to have in class. They said it, and they meant it. Cat was perfect.
And she was, no matter what anyone told her later on. Cat was perfect.
When Cat was in 1st grade one night, she went out to play man-hunt with the neighbor kids like she did every weekend. One time it was different. Because that time she met someone so important. Cat met Liam. Liam was a boy Cat's age who had just started to play games with the kids because of his incredible shyness. Cat, perfect Cat, with a lack of shyness walked right up to the boy threw her hand out to shake his and spoke, her eyes gleaming with innocence, "Hi! My names Cat. I think you're Liam, that's what all the other boys said. They also said you're really shy but no worries I'll cure you of that disease right away." Liam looked at Cat dead in the eye something he hadn't done to anyone, ever and responded quietly. "Shyness isn't a disease it's a habit. And it will be a hard habit to break but if up to the challenge then go ahead and try. No one's stopping you. But I'm warning you, you won't succeed." "You use really big words, kinda' sound like my mommy. But yes I am up to your challenge. And I will sus-seed." Cat spoke to him. Liam nodded, and didn't say another word that night. "Let's go play," and Cat took Liam by the arm and pulled him off in search of other teammates.
That was just the beginning of Cat's and Liam's relationship. Over the next two years, the pair did everything together. They called themselves friends but everyone else including me, called them lovers. The kids at school always called them boyfriend and girlfriend, of course Liam and Cat never let the teasing get to them.
When Cat was in 2nd grade her grandmother died. Now Cat was very close to her grandmother. And the minute she heard the dreadful news Cat wept and wept for days. She stayed home from school. And Liam being Cat's very best friend stayed home with her the day after they got the news. The whole day he never left her side. "It's okay," he'd recite to Cat repeatedly. "It's okay." Liam had to go back to school the next day but immediately after he got off the bus he ran over to Cat's house and comforted her more. This routine lasted for a total of three weeks and Liam never got bored or tired of Cat's relentless crying. He stayed by her side.
Then in 3rd grade Liam had to get his tonsils out. The doctors said he had to stay home from school for two weeks after the surgery, which was a problem for Liam because school was his favourite place to be. He especially enjoyed the reading part. So during the two long weeks after surgery filled with ice cream and cold mash potatoes, Cat went over to Liam's house every day. She brought him his schoolwork and tried to teach to him the lessons as best she could so he wouldn't have to ask any questions to further hurt his throat. Liam was always his happiest when Cat brought over a book to read to him. She had an excellent reading voice complete with accents for each character. This was always the thing that let Liam sleep soundly. Liam later said that she was the element that kept his throat from hurting so much.
