Chapter 2

When I heard the alarm go off, I buried my face into a pillow. I knew I had to get up, but I just didn’t want to. Finally, I forced myself to take a shower and get dressed. After I put my makeup on, I headed out the door. Can’t be late for your interview, I said to myself.

When I arrived at the place, I went inside. Everyone stared as I walked by. I never felt so uncomfortable in my life.

“Everyone waiting for an interview, would you please take a seat? We will be riht with you…”

“I hate it when they say that. Right with you my ass.” I said, trying to get comfortable.

After an hour, I heard my name being called. I went into the office, and the manager told me to have a seat.

--_--

“Hello, you must be Catherine Ice.”

“Yes, how are you?”

“Good, I am really good. My name is Mr. Moore. Have you had any experience in this field?”

Wow he got right to the point, I thought to myself.

 “Um yes, I used to work at Johnson’s. But I moved, so I had to quit.”

“You used to work at Johnson’s? Wow, very impressive.”

“That’s what they tell me.”

--_--

I spent about thirty minutes in his office discussing what policies he enforces, and how he likes to have his work done. After awhile he told me he’d give me a call to let me know if I got the job. He seemed to like me a lot.

I shook his hand and walked out the door. As I was leaving, I saw this well dressed women walking into the building. Everything she wore looked like it costs more than five hundred dollars.  She didn’t look like someone I would have seen there.

I wonder who that was.

When I got home, I headed straight for the bedroom. I was tired, and no one was going to wake me up.

A couple hours later, I heard the doorbell, and I slowly got out of bed.

Who could that be? I looked in the hallway mirror to see if I was presentable, and then I answered the door.

“Michael, what are you doing here?” I asked, grabbing my robe off the chair.

 “Well, I was on my way home, and I thought I’d stop by.

“Oh, well come on in.” I went into the living room with him following close behind.

“Just getting up?” He said, noticing my lingerie.

“Ha yeah, I was tired…did you want anything to drink?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

 The thoughts of us waking up next to each other were coming back into my head. I can’t keep thinking about that.

“No, that’s ok. You look so pretty, did you do something with your hair?” He asked, leering at me.

 “I just let it down, nothing new.”

I felt really uncomfortable with him watching me. Why is he looking at me like that? I wonder what he is thinking about.

“Hey Cat, I got to go ok? I will call you later tonight. I just wanted to see you.” He said, giving me a hug.

“Oh ok, see you later.”

He didn't stay long, I thought to myself. I went to the window, and watched him get into his car.

He looked nice today; I haven’t seen him in along time. What the hell, what am I talking about? Me and him are over, non existent. I think I need some help.

(Michael’s POV)

 “Only a couple more weeks left.” He said, smiling at the computer. Michael grabbed the phone and dialed a number.

“Hey babe, you want to have dinner tonight?”

“Sure, I’d love to see you again.”

“Alright, pick you up at eight.”

“I look forward to it.”

(Catherine’s POV)

Six Hours Later… (6:00 pm)

“Liz, you’re home!” I walked over to her and gave her a hug.

“Well yeah, I live here don’t I?” she said, confused.

“Well, you’re always out.” I said, frowning.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you wanted to see me.” I grabbed Liz and pulled her to the couch.

 “I have to talk to you.” I said, as I sat down.

“About what, you’re not pregnant are you?” she asked, concerned.

“What, no! Who would have got me pregnant?”

“Well, it could have been the butler or professor plum.” she said, smiling.

“What the, this isn’t Clue! You’re so lame sometimes!” I said, trying not to laugh.

“Awe, that’s not nice. Well what did you want to talk to me about?” she asked.

“Well, it’s Michael. I think he’s trying to get me back.”

“Michael? There’s no way in hell I am going to let you date him again.” she said, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

“I think he’s changed. He calls me all the time and stuff…” I said defensively.

 “A guy that cheated on you, the way he did, does not change.” Liz said, somewhat upset.

“What do you mean, the way he did?” I asked.

“He slept with your friend, and he tried to hit on me and Marissa, don’t you dare think about giving him another chance!”

“Well it’s different for you, you don’t have to feel lonely all the time” I said, as I headed towards the bedroom. Liz just sat there, trying to think of something to say. Then she heard the phone ring.

--_--

“Hello?”

“Hey Liz, are you ok?”

“Yeah Marissa, I’m fine.”

“Oh ok, well guess what?”

“What?”

“Well I was at the studio right, and I asked the boss for a favor…”

“Eh, gross, I don’t want to know that.”

“Not that kind of a favor!”

“Oh…”

“Anyway, I arranged for Catherine to meet Hanson for her birthday tonight!”

“You’re kidding! That is like, way better than my gift. You always do that!”

“Awe, ok how about it’s from both of us?”

“That’s better.”

 “She is going to freak!”

“Ha, I know right! Just don’t say anything, and I will talk to you later.”

“Ok, love you.”

“Love you too, bye.”

--_--

Liz hung up the phone and headed towards my room.

“Honey, can I come in?”

“Sure, why not.”

 “Are you mad at me?” Liz asked, as she sat next to me on the floor.

“No, I just don’t want you to be right about him.”

Liz stood up, and walked to my closet.

“What are you doing?” I asked her, curiously.

“Picking out something for you to wear” she said, smiling.

“For what” I asked.

 “We’re going out tonight” she said, as she picked out a dress from the closet.

“Oh, do we have to? I don’t really…”

Liz interrupted me and said,

“Hey, you’re going! After all, it is your birthday. Now get dressed and I will see you in a couple of hours. It’s at La Via, don’t be late.”

I watched Liz as she headed out the door. When I heard the front door shut, I held up the dress she picked out for me.

Should I even go? I guess I have to…

I went to the bathroom to give my makeup a little retouch. After an hour or so, I was ready. I was about to head outside when I heard someone on my doorstep. I waited for a couple minutes to see if anyone was going to knock. No one knocked, but I still heard someone on the porch. I grabbed a bat from behind the counter and slammed open the front door yelling…

“GET YOUR ASS OUTTA HERE…” I stopped when I realized it was Michael.

Michael stood there completely taken by surprise. His arms were in the air, and he looked like he was about to faint.

“What the hell is your problem!” he yelled, walking closer to me.

“Sorry, I thought you were trying to rape me.” I said, putting the bat down.

“What the hell are you doing just chillin’ on my porch? There is such a thing as knocking on the door.” I said in defense.

“I just wanted to say Happy Birthday.” He said, giving me a hug.

“Oh, well thank you. Hey …you want to come to this club I am going to tonight?” I asked, hesitantly.

“Well, I’m sure Marissa and Liz are going to be there, so I think I’ll pass.” he said, walking down the porch steps. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”

I walked with him back to his car, and waited for him to leave.

“Say Cat, I wanted to talk to you about something.” He said, leaning against the car.

I knew where this was going, so I tried to change the subject.

“I have to go, I am already running late. They’re waiting for me you know.” I said quickly.

“Oh, well it will only take a minute.” I decided I had better listen to him because there was no way of getting out of it.

“I still really like you, and you don’t have to answer now, but do you think you could give me another chance?”

“Michael, cheating on someone is something that few people ever get over.” I said, lowering my head.

“Cat, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you…just think about it ok?”

“Ok, well I really got to go.” I said, walking to my car.

“Ok, see you later.”

I can’t believe he just asked me out. I mean, I thought that was what I wanted. But now, it’s like I feel used. Oh well, I shouldn’t dwell on this. It’s my birthday and I should be happy. Yep, I am really happy.

When I arrived at the party, everyone greeted me as I walked by. They all smiled at me, so I had to force one back. You know, it’s the nice thing to do. I spotted Liz and Marissa sitting at the bar. Looks like there having a nice chat with the bartender.

I headed over to them,

“Hey guys” I said, sitting down on one of the stools. 

“Hey girl, happy birthday” Liz said, hugging me.

“Thanks”

“Say Marissa, I need to talk to you for a second.”

Liz said, standing up.

“Oh, ok.” Marissa got up, and followed Liz.

“Hey doll, can I get you something to drink?” the bartender asked with a wink.

“Yeah, just give me some coke.”

He looked at me and laughed,

“Coke? Wow, you live life on the wild side.”

“Hey shut up!” I said laughing.

“Here’s your coke.” He said, as he handed me the glass.

“So, what’s your name?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. My names Catherine” I said shaking his hand.

“Oh, you’re the birthday girl?” he asked, grinning.

I smiled and replied

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“Your friends were telling me about you.”

“Oh, well I hope they didn’t say anything bad.” I said, taking a drink.

“Nah, nothing too bad…”

“Oh, good. Wait a minute, what? What do you mean not too bad?”

“just kidding.” He said smirking.

I smiled at him, and rested my head against my hand.

“You know, you’re kind of cute for a coke drinking girl.” He said, as he walked off to serve someone else.

(Marissa and Liz POV)

“Hey, is Hanson still coming?” Liz asked, curiously.

“Yeah, they should be here any minute.” Marissa said, checking her watch.

“Oh my god, I can’t wait. Catherine’s going to freak!” Liz said, excitedly.

“Yeah I know. We should go out to the front and wait for them there.” Marissa said, heading towards the door.

Marissa spotted their limo, and quickly rushed over to them. The driver got out, and went to open the side door. Isaac came out first, with Taylor and Zac behind him.

“Hey guys! I am Marissa, and this is Liz. Catherine is inside; do you think we could sneak you guys in without her noticing?”

“Well, we can try.” Isaac said smiling.

“Great, follow me.”

Marissa and Liz went in through the back, and snuck Hanson in one of the private rooms.

“So, do you guys know what you’re doing and everything?” Marissa asked.

“Well to be honest, not really.” Taylor said, chuckling.

Marissa smiled and said

“Well after the band out there now is done, they will tell you to come on stage. Then you guys will sing to Catherine.”

 “Well, how do we know which ones Catherine?” Zac asked.

“The light will be on her when they announce that she has a surprise coming.”

“Ok, got it.” Taylor said, reassuring himself. Marissa walked over to Zac.

“Hey, you think you could dance with Catherine or have a conversation with her?”

“Oh so I’m her favorite out of the group?” he said grinning.

“Now don’t you be planning anything Mr., because Catherine will probably do it!” she said, laughing.

“Hey, I am an innocent little angel.” Zac said, trying to be convincing.

“Yeah angel my ass” Marissa said walking off.

“We’re going to go sit with Catherine now.”

“Thank you so much for coming you guys. It really means a lot.” Liz said, as she headed towards the door.

“No problem at all.” Isaac said.

(Marissa and Liz)

“Issacs pretty cute” Liz said in a whisper.

“What? I remember when Catherine first started liking them and you said he had a big head.” Marissa said, crossing her arms. “Thinking about cheating on Adam already huh?”
"Oh we aren't serious or anything, besides I can look."

“Oh there’s Catherine lets go”