I Don't Date Stupid ✓

26: "You Never Let Me Enjoy Dances."

I'm starting to think the universe doesn't want me at formal events.

I missed homecoming, I lost my best friend at the Christmas ball and I split up with my boyfriend a week before spring formal. I pray God doesn't fuck up prom as well.

I seem to wreak havoc at these functions. Blake thinks I'm a 'chaotic evil' according to this alignment thing that I don't understand, and I can kind of see where he's coming from.

I've contemplated not going, as I've heard you should only have things that bring you joy and do things that bring you excitement.

However, I will not let my love be slaughtered in vain. Therefore I will go to the dance, I will wear my white dress and I will look good doing it.

And so, it all boils down to this, the moment of the truth. As I await Jack's arrival with bated breath and Roxy at my side.

"You ready to see him again after your fight?" That's what I'd told everyone. Jack and I had fought and that's why we weren't talking.

I never said what it was about. I kept it deliberately vague as I didn't know what Jack was saying. When Roxy showed up at my place and I was crying in my underwear I didn't know what to say so just blurted the most believable excuse I could think of.

"Not really," I told Roxy truthfully. She reaches over and wraps an arm around my waist and throws her leg over mine in a show of support as we sit side by side on my couch.

"Hey, Katrina." My brother addresses me as he emerges from the corridor. "Jack texted to say he'll be here in a few." He has a sad look in his eyes as he looks torn between his sister and his best friend.

"Damon, I'm so sorry," I say suddenly.

"What for?" He asks, confused.

I sigh heavily and sink further into the sofa. "I feel like I've really fucked everything up for you since moving back here. I've made you feel conflicted about the two most important relationships you have; your best friend and your girlfriend. And even if they turn out fine I'm always going to feel guilty for causing a rift between you and them."

I close my eyes and breathe slowly to try and prevent myself from crying. "Katrina, please don't feel like that. That's not true. I missed you, sissy." Damon cracks a smile as I open my eyes. "We all wanted you to come back and none of what has happened has been your fault, I promise." He punches me in the arm and drags me up for a hug.

Suddenly, the door opens and I see Jack appear at the door. He looks awkward and scratches the back of his neck. I pull away from Damon and walk towards him slowly with my arms crossed over my chest, gazing at him incredulously.

"I-uh... I still have my key so..." He gestures to the doorway then puts the key back in his pocket.

I try to focus my mind on something rational as the image of Jack in a tux permeates my mind. Why couldn't he have become ugly in the week we weren't talking? It would make him walking back into my apartment a lot easier to deal with.

"We'll give you guys a moment," Roxy breaks the uncomfortable silence and pulls Damon into a different room.

Neither Jack nor I speak for a few moments, both our minds coming up empty on something to say.

"You look great, Kat." Jack clears his throat and peers up at me expectantly.

"I know," I respond quickly before looking back down at my painted toenails.

I hear him sigh and run a hand down his face. "God, I was such an idiot, Kat." I look up at him expressionless, waiting to hear what he wants to say. "I need to get therapy or something because I hated myself after our breakup and for my fear of commitment to destroy our relationship over a dress was just... I'm sorry."