Freeing Katie

Ch. 17 Daisies

CHASE POV

I laugh as Katie hops into the car, completely ignoring her overly happy-looking mom on the porch.  I give a quick wave to Laura and head out to the road.  “How bad was it?”

I side eye her with a smirk, knowing she’s still embarrassed.  “She said she’s making Cajun pasta tonight,” she growls.

We both let out a laugh, well, hers was more of a groan.  Cajun pasta is my favorite meal of Laura’s and it looks like I’m invited over.  After our talk last night, we began kissing again, only to be interrupted by her brother.  Me being with my shirt off and tongue down his sister’s throat, we couldn’t really play that off, and the little twerp immediately called their mom to rat us out.  Never been in a situation like that before, so I skipped over to my house while Katie chased her brother around and deal with that aftermath.

I reach over and grab Katie’s hand, and she doesn’t hesitate to lace our fingers together, then leaning against my shoulder for the short ride we have to school.    

Things couldn’t have gone better yesterday.  After J.R. chewed me out for the fifth time that week, I knew I needed to man up and apologize to Katie- to explain to her how I was feeling.  I hesitated, but then when she pushed me away when she got hurt, it was the wake-up call I needed.  And now, she’s finally my girlfriend.

I was shocked more than anything when she initiated our make out in her room, but I was not complaining.  I could kiss Katie for hours and never get bored, and I hate that Katie thinks that I would somehow regret my choice if we don’t have s*x.  I know she has some hang ups on that, but I know she’s worth the wait.  Real relationships are more than that, and I hope Katie can see that I want to be with her because she makes my days better and not because of s*x. 

We pull up to the school and I can tell she’s a little hesitant about announcing our relationship status.  Anyone who knows us should have known it was only a matter of time, but the real kicker is how serious I am with her.  I know all of our friends will be happy for us, especially the girls.  I grab back her hand as soon as we get out of the car and bring it to my lips.  “Ready for their squeals?”

She shakes her head with a smile.  “You know they’re going to want to steal me this afternoon.”

I fake a frown.  “But we just got together.  You’re supposed to hang with me,” I whine.

She knocks her shoulder into mine, both of us smiling in our own little world, then our attention is stolen when Brenna and Taylor gasp loudly.  From there, it only took 10 seconds for everyone in the hallway to hear that Katie and I were together.  Nate and Josh couldn’t care less- probably thinking ‘about time’.  Katie looked a little overwhelmed with her cheeks turning red.  I pulled her away from her crazy friends and kissed her cheek.  “Have I told you I love it when you blush?” I whisper in her ear.

She playfully pushes me back, with her whole face lighting up, and then walks to her class with Brenna and Taylor hot on her heels.  I watch them go, but not before Katie turns back with a smile on her face. 

It’s great having a girlfriend.

*

*

“So where’s this O-so-secret place you’re taking me?” Katie asks as we pull out of the driveway. 

“You’ll see,” I say with a half smile.

We’ve only been official for about a week now, but I really need to show Katie that she’s more than a temporary fling.  Even though a lot of our peers support our relationship, it also included a lot of side jokes about me never wanting to be in a relationship and how many girls I’ve been with in the past.

Honestly- it’s not as many people think there is.  I haven’t exceeded into the double digits, so that’s something.  But I know Katie has heard these remarks.  Even if people are joking, I have a feeling it nags her at the back of her mind, and I want to reassure her that she’s my choice to have as a partner in my life.

I turn into the cemetery and Katie quickly turns her head to me.  She’s a smart girl- I can already see her gears turning.  After a beat, she grabs my hand and squeezes it.  This right here shows how special Katie is.

We get out the car and I open my trunk and pull out a bouquet of daisies.  We walk hand in hand as I recall the steps to my mother’s grave.  Once we find her headstone, we stand there in silence, reading the scripture on it.  After I take a breath, I release her hand and squat down to remove the dead leaves around the marker.  “I haven’t been here in a few months.  I usually come here on Mother’s Day or my birthday.”  I take the plastic off the flowers and place them in the holder.

“Why daisies?” she asks softly. 

I smile to myself and stand up, pulling Katie to my side.  “Mom said they represent hope and new beginnings.  She also loved that they came in multiple colors, but white ones were her favorite.”   Even though it’s been almost 10 years since she’s passed, I can still remember her smile when me and my dad gave her daisies.  The hurt has lessened over the years and the memories have started to fade out, but I’ll always remember that.

Our gazes linger on her headstone for a moment longer, and I take a settling breath.  “Hey mom.  This is my girlfriend, Katie.  Can you believe it?”  I turn to Katie and her eyes have turned watery.  My heart feels like it’s going a million miles an hour, and I quickly look away, afraid mine will start up too.  “She’s beautiful, right?  Dad knew she was good for me back in the summer, but I was too stupid to realize it then.  She even makes English class tolerable.”  I hear her suppress a laugh.  “Wish you two could meet, but I know you would approve of her also.”   I lean down and take one of the daisies, then stand up holding the flower towards her.  “To new beginnings, Katie.”

She takes the flower and hugs me tightly.  “I’ll never forget this, Chase,” she muffles into my jacket.

“Good.”  I kiss the top of her head and we say our goodbyes.

Throughout the ride back, I could tell a difference in us.  It could only be my imagination, but it felt as if we grew together in that moment- taking the next step into our adulthood with each other.   

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I’ll never forget this moment with her.