Trust Issues

Chapter 29: Saved

"What do I wear to a BBQ?" I asked.

"Are you serious CJ? Since when do you care about what to wear?" Cat retorted.

I shrugged.

"I guess since I got a girlfriend." I chuckled, Cat joining in as well.

"Damn girl, you got it bad."

"Yeah, I guess I do." I smiled down while rummaging through my clothes.

It's warm and sunny today, perfect spring weather. So I settled on my favorite pair of ripped mom jeans, a white cropped tank, my baggy green zip up sweater with my white sneakers and a couple of gold necklaces for detail. I threw half my hair up into a bun and wore my favorite round black sunglasses.

"Ooh cute!" Cat said walking back into the apartment from the washroom. That was a good sign, I trust her judgement.

Now that I was done worrying about how to impress my girlfriend with my clothes, I opened my laptop to do some apartment hunting before it was time to go.

"Oh Cat! What about this one?"

She looked at my laptop screen and scrunched up her face.

"Hmm, I don't like how trapped it feels, there's barely any daylight going in" she replied.

"You mean like it is now?" I chuckled.

"Yeah, the point is to find something new."

We had been looking through apartment listings for just about two months now and have had no luck. I then look at the paper on my bedside table from Cat's hospital visit and remembered the payment plan I'm on to pay that off. It's not cheap and I don't have health insurance, which isn't so great. Lily said she was working with Randy and Human Resources to get health insurance. That'll be good for Jas too.

My internal dialogue then reminded me of something.

"Cat did you take your-"

I was cut off by the look she was giving me.

"Yes CJ, don't worry I took my meds this morning."

"Sorry... I trust you, I just can't help but worry. When's your next therapy appointment?" I asked her.

"Tomorrow at 4, so I can finish my school work before."

I smiled at the genuine effort she's putting in to improve her mental health. She has suffered for so long that it really is admirable how hopeful she still is. Cat is so much stronger than I could ever be.

I closed my laptop and tied my shoes.

"Ready to go?" I asked Cat.

"Let's do it." She replied sounding pretty excited.

We commuted over to Jasmine's house and as soon as we got close, we could hear the music. I wasn't sure what to bring but I did not want to come empty handed, so Cat and I settled on a fruit tray.

"We're here." I texted Jasmine.

I received a reply instantly.

"Come in through the gate on the side, it should be open."

I look and see the gate around the left side of the house. I push it open and Jasmine's dad is the first to see us.

"Hey CJ you came!" He said excitedly, slowly getting up from his chair to give me a big hug.

"Hi Jonathan! This is my sister Catherine!"

"Oh my god there's more of you! Hi beautiful it's nice to meet you." He replied hugging Cat as if he had known her his entire life.