Freeing Katie

Ch. 14 'Big Bad Wolf'

“How’s counseling going?” Becca asks, stuffing another pillow behind her back to get more comfortable on my bed.  She and her dad came down this weekend to celebrate mom’s birthday. 

“Going good.  I’ve actually been in a really good headspace lately, and even talked about reducing my sessions.  She thinks I’ve made good progress when I told Brenna and Taylor about my past- especially since I didn’t have a breakdown or relapse about it.”

She smiles softly at me and I return it.  It was extremely hard for my mom to open up to her half brother about what happened with all of us.  They were never that close, and thanks to that bastards’ abusive ways, it was even more estranged.  But once that night happened, mom realized we needed as much support as we could get.

When Uncle Charlie found out about the physical abuse and my r**e, he basically ‘vacationed’ his whole family in our house for almost a month.  He took care of the finances for a while and helped my mom get back on her feet emotionally- especially dealing with the guilt.  Him and his wife, Tyler and Becca were there for when the nightmares came, and helped shelter Jason from the truth- no one wanted him to feel the burden just because he shared the same blood with that man. 

Becca was the only one around my age I could really talk to, and that’s how we became close.  Eventually, they had to go back to their own lives, but I will never forget their kindness.

“What’s this?”

I turn and look over to see Becca holding up my red cape that I had hanging on the closet door.  I let out a laugh and take it from her, throwing it on my shoulders.  “I’m going to a Halloween party next weekend.  Chase’s friend apparently holds the biggest parties ever, and this time, I can’t say no.”  Even though it’s two weeks before the actual holiday, the host still wants everyone in full costume.  “He wants me to dress up with his ‘big bad wolf’, so I’m going to be kick ass red riding hood!  Got the leather pants and boots already.  Just need the-“

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa……Chase… as in your neighbor Chase?” She asks with disbelief.  “You do realize that you just got a whole lot of excited there, right?”

I hold back a blush, realizing she doesn’t have the fondest memories of him.  “He’s not like you think, Becca,” I sigh out.  For over a month we’ve been sharing simple kisses, and holding each other while watching movies.  He doesn’t even shy away in front of my brother or our friends.  He hasn’t even looked at another girl either.   I don’t know what the hell we are, but it’s nice.  “He’s actually one of my closest friends,” I say, avoiding her gaze while I hang up the cape again.

“You like him,” she says as a nonjudgmental statement.

I shrug my shoulders.  “I honestly don’t know what I feel for him.  He’s honest and makes me smile.  And I don’t feel tainted when he touches me,” I say softly.  “Even his kisse-“

“You’ve kissed?!!?  Katie!”  Her screams cause my eyes to gauge out.

“It’s not like I planned this s**t!  Keep your voice down!” I whisper yell.  I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks.  Even though mom knows about all of this, I still don’t want to announce it to the world.

“Sorry,” she whispers back.  “But Chase, really?”

I roll my eyes and plop onto the bed.  “He’s still a flirt, yes, but he makes me comfortable.  Am I being stupid?”

Her gaze softens as she joins me on the bed.  “You’re not being stupid, Katie.  You’re being a teenager.  As long as he treats you right, then you should enjoy it.”

I give out a tight smile.  “He does treat me right…. but as what?  A friend?  Girlfriend?”

She grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze.  “Sounds like you need to have a little talk with Chase, hmm?” 

I turn to stare at the ceiling.  We probably do need to talk.  But how do I bring this sort of thing up?  Plus, IF things become serious, I have to tell him about my past…. And my insecurities as well.  I’m not sure I’m ready for that.  If Chase ever looked at me differently, it would really hurt.  I don’t know if I’m willing to risk that.

*

*

The week whirls by and I’m sitting in front of my mirror, polishing off the dramatic wing of my eye makeup.  I smile out when I hear Chase ‘growling’ at Jason downstairs and mom laughing.  He’s like a big kid and really knows how to let loose.  I go ahead and stand up as I hear his footsteps on the stairs- taking two at a time like he can’t wait to see me. 

Those damn butterflies begin to start up.

Without knocking, Chase barges in with a ‘GGggrrrr!” and I immediately begin laughing.  His idea of a big bad wolf is face paint matched with a hat with ears and connecting paw gloves.  Absolutely adorable. 

He smiles at my reaction and rushes towards me, growling and picking me up, spinning me around once before setting me down.  He leans in for a kiss but I immediately back up.  “Nuh-uh!  I’m not getting your face paint all over me.”

“Really?” he pouts.

I pout with him and pet his fake ears.  “There, there.  Maybe later, okay?”  He rolls his eyes with a smile and then takes my hand as we head out. 

I know I give him flack, but I’m really excited about this party.  I’ve talked with J.R. when Chase is on the phone with him, and he seems like a great guy.  He teases Chase more than I do, so I know there will be laughs tonight.  

Chase is driving and we’re picking up the girls, plus Josh.  Nate got stuck babysitting his kid sister and won’t be by until later.  None of us has any real curfews and Chase said that J.R. will have plenty of room for everyone to crash in case we all want to drink.

We first pick up Taylor and Brenna.  Taylor decided to keep it simple with a Harry Potter costume (go Hufflepuff!), while Brenna went ‘Bride of Chucky’ style.  When we picked up Josh, I almost peed my pants from laughing so much!  He bought one of those inflatable alien costumes and didn’t factor in that he may not fit in the car when it was turned on.  Chase couldn’t decide whether to laugh or curse at him while helping shove the thing into the back seat- Brenna had to sit on my lap up front, leaving poor Taylor to be suffocated by the plastic.

When Chase pulled up to the house, my jaw almost dropped.  He never told me his friend, J.R., lived in a frickin’ mansion!  I might be exaggerating, but it is one of biggest houses I’ve ever been to.

Everyone piles out of the car and Chase quickly rounds the front to grab my hand.  He smiles my way, enjoying my reaction.  “Ready for a great time?”