Where Two Collide

Chapter Forty-Eight - Cat

Chapter Forty-Eight

Cat

Travis lived in the new build part of town; the kind that looked like the white beach houses, but without the beach. It had huge pillars at the front of the house supporting the balcony above the front door and was upside down, the bedrooms being on the ground floor and a wide open-spaced lounge and kitchen across the first floor, with a balcony mirrored on either side of the house. The balcony at the front of the house was where Travis's mum grew herbs in lots of porcelain pots, but the one that sat over the garden had huge sofas and armchairs.

Travis left the front door unlocked for me and called me in when I rang the doorbell. I found him sprawled out on one of the sofas on the balcony, soaking in the sun.

"Nice dress," he said as I walked out to join him.

I crossed my arms over my chest, touching my bare shoulders with my hands self-consciously. "Thanks," I said weakly.

I was nervous. Why was I so nervous? This was just Travis. The guy who used to get bullied by the girls at school. The guy who spent most of his time with a game controller in his hands, sat in a ridiculous gaming chair which must have cost his parents a small fortune to buy.

I plonked myself down in one of the armchairs and threw my head back, letting the sun caress my face with its rays.

"How's your portrait coming along?" He asked, running a hand over his scruff of a beard.

"Almost done, it's actually looking better than I thought it would, if I may say so myself."

"Well duh, you're a good artist."

I smirked a little. "Thank you kindly, good sir."

He tipped lip of the cap he was wearing at me. "Of course, my good lady," he replied jovially.

"What about you?"

"All done." He brushed his hands together as though he was brushing away some dust. "Dad posted it for me this morning. You better get a move on or you'll miss the submission date."

I sighed. "Yeah, I know, I know."

There was a long silence, a weird one. Something felt a bit off between us and I wondered if he felt it too, or if it was just me.

"So," we chorused. We looked at each other and both laughed.

"Movie?" I said, still laughing.

"Movie," he agreed, standing up straight and going inside.

I followed behind him, launching myself at the u-shaped sofa that sat opposite Travis's families ridiculously sized television.

He went into the kitchen, opening the fridge door and disappearing inside, he called out, "Drink?"

I nodded my head and though he couldn't see it, he reappeared a moment later with two bottles of cola. I grinned at him as he opened one and passed me it. "The glass bottles taste the best."

"Totally."

Travis sat down next to me and turned on the television with the remote, lining up the movie and pressing play. The opening credits began to roll across the screen, and I slid down in the seat, getting comfortable.

He'd been right about the death and explosions, there was a lot of it, but there was also a romance arc between the good guy and one of the girls who was a part of a rival gang. That kind of thing didn't usually bother me, but when it started to get hot and heavy with a shower scene, after the girl saved the good guy from being shot, I found myself stealing sidelong glances at Travis.