It was different being with him now. Different even from a few hours ago. Fun. Cath didnt feel like her real self was buried under eight layers of fear and diagnosable anxiety. Nick walked right next to her on the stairs, and they talked like they were still passing the notebook between them.
When they got outside, they stopped at the sidewalk.
Cath felt some of her nervousness creeping back. She fumbled with the buttons of her coat.
All right, Nick said, putting his arms through his backpack. See you in class?
Yeah, Cath said. Ill try not to lose our novel.
Our first novel, he said, taking the path that led off campus. Good night.
Good night. She watched him go, all dark hair and blue smudges in the moonlight.
And then it was just Cath out on the quad. Cath and about a hundred trees that she never noticed during the daytime. The library lights switched off behind her; her shadow disappeared.
Cath sighed and got out her phoneshe had two texts from Abel; she ignored themthen dialed her room, hoping her roommate wasnt asleep.
Hello? Reagan answered on the third ring. There was music in the background.
Its Cath.
Well, hello, Cath, how was your date?
It wasntLook, Im just gonna walk home. Ill be fast. Im already walking.
Levi left as soon as the phone rang. You may as well wait for him.
He doesnt have to
Itll be a bigger hassle if he cant find you.
Okay, Cath said, giving in. Thanks, I guess.
Reagan hung up.
Cath stood next to a lamppost, so hed see her, and tried to look like the huntsman, not the little girl with the basket. Levi showed up long before she expected him to, jogging down the pathway. Even his jogging looked laid-back.
She started walking toward him, thinking shed save him at least a few steps.
Catherine, he said, stopping when they met and turning to walk with her. In one piece, even.
That, she said, isnt even my name.
Just Cather, huh?
Just Cath.
Did you get lost in the library?
No.
I always get lost in the library, he said, no matter how many times I go. In fact, I think I get lost there more, the more that I go. Like its getting to know me and revealing new passages.
You spend a lot of time in the library?
I do, actually.
How is that possible when youre always in my room?
Where do you think I sleep? he asked. And when she looked at him, he was grinning.
Simon curled on his bed like a wounded unicorn foal, holding the torn piece of green velvet to his tear-stained face.
Are you okay? Basil asked. You could tell he didnt want to ask. You could tell he found it quite distasteful to speak to his longtime enemy.
Leave me alone, Simon spat, choking on his tears and hating Basil even more than usual. She was my mother.
Basil frowned. He narrowed his smoky grey eyes and folded his arms, like he was forcing himself to keep standing there. Like what he really wanted to do was throw another sneezing spell at Simon.
I know, Basil said almost angrily. I know what youre going through. I lost my mother, too.
Simon wiped his snotty nose on the sleeve of his jacket and slowly sat up, his eyes as wide and blue as the Eighth Sea. Was Basil lying? That would be just like him, the prat.
from Friends for Lifeand After, posted August 2006 by FanFixx.net authors Magicath and Wrenegade
SIX
Dad? Call me.
___
Its Cath again. Call me.
___
Dad, stop ignoring my voice mail. Do you listen to your voice mail? Do you know how? Even if you dont, I know you can see my number in your missed calls. Call me back, okay?
___
Dad. Call me. Or call Wren. No, call me. Im worried about you. I dont like worrying about you.
___
Dont make me call the neighbors. Theyll come check on you, and you dont speak any Spanish, and itll be embarrassing.
___
Dad?
Hey, Cath.
Dad. Why havent you called me? I left you a million messages.
You left me too many messages. You shouldnt be calling me or even thinking about me. Youre in college now. Move on.
Its just school, Dad. Its not like we have irreconcilable differences.
Honey, Ive watched a lot of 90210. The parents werent even on the show once Brandon and Brenda went to college. This is your timeyoure supposed to be going to frat parties and getting back together with Dylan.
Why does everybody want me to go to frat parties?
Who wants you to go to frat parties? I was just kidding. Dont hang out with frat guys, Cath, theyre terrible. All they do is get drunk and watch 90210.
Dad, how are you?
Im fine, honey.
Are you lonely?
Yes.
Are you eating?
Yes.
What are you eating?
Nutritious food.
What did you eat today? No lying.
Something ingenious I discovered at QuikTrip: Its a sausage wrapped in a pancake, then cooked to perfection on a hot dog roller
Dad.
Come on, Cath, you told me not to lie.
Could you just go to the grocery store or something?
You know I hate the grocery store.
They sell fruit at QuikTrip.
They do?
Yes. Ask somebody.
You know I hate to ask somebodies.
Youre making me worry about you.
Dont worry about me, Cath. Ill look for the fruit.