Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Rome
B urnout. I’ve heard the term once before, but I don’t fully understand what it means. Chrissy’s expression stabs me in the chest. She’s trying her best to keep a solid front, but I can see past her walls. Her lips offer me a kind, warm smile. She’s worried about me, but there’s no need. I know what I can handle. I’ve been through much worse than this.
“I’ll think about it,” I say, just to make her happy.
Chrissy nods, and her lips quirk up just a bit. “What do you do for fun? To unwind?”
I glance down at her notebook as she continues to ask me questions. Her handwriting is neat and curvy, just like her.
“I typically hang out at home when I’m not bothering you guys.”
“You don’t bother us.” She looks at me like I have two heads.
“Then why were you dodging me all last week?” I know the answer, but I want to hear her say it. I want her to tell me to take it all back. We’ll find a way to explore this strange connection and tell Zack.
“We both know why, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you around. We’re still friends.”
That’s far from the answer I was hoping for, but for now, it’ll do.
“This cat is going to be the death of me!” A familiar redhead stalks from the back room, holding a white cat with blue eyes in his arms.
Ryan’s face is scratched. Most are new, and some are healing.
“Is she being mean to you again?” Gwen walks over to Ryan and takes the cat from his arms.
“She hates people. If she doesn’t stop attacking every customer who walks in here, we’ll have to find her a different placement.” Ryan sighs as Gwen cradles the cat in her arms.
“She sounds worse than Pickles,” Chrissy whispers.
The cat locks her sights on me, and she leaps from Gwen’s arms before Gwen can react.
“Korra, stop!” But Gwen’s threat doesn’t stop the ball of white fur from climbing up my leg.
I don’t have much experience with pets. I didn’t have any growing up. Pickles has been the only cat I’ve gotten to know, and he’s a character. So, I don’t know what to do when the cat curls up in my lap and starts kneading my thigh.
“Fuck, are you okay?” Gwen asks as she approaches us.
When she sees what the cat is doing, her facial expression shifts. “That’s odd. She hates everyone. I’m only on her good side because I feed her.”
“What is with our friend group and crazy cats?” Chrissy asks.
Reaching down, I offer the cat my finger so she can smell it. Korra rubs her nose across it and starts to purr.
“She’s not crazy,” I say while smiling down at her.
“Tell that to Ryan,” Gwen jokes.
As I scratch the cat’s chin, she melts into my palm and lies down.
“This doesn’t surprise me one bit.” Chrissy snickers as she starts to take more notes. “Crazy attracts crazy, and sweet attracts sweet. And you, my friend, just happen to be both.”
“Rome, I will pay you to take that cat home,” Ryan shouts from the other side of the room as he cleans his wounds.
“I don’t know.” I look up at Gwen, and she nods.
“Think about it. I don’t think she’ll be adopted anytime soon. Besides, I won’t let it happen, not until you give me an answer.” Gwen walks away to help Ryan, leaving me with Chrissy and a new cat friend on my lap.
“So, back to the previous question. What are you doing this weekend?”
I think it over, and nothing comes to mind. I planned on working out, just like I do every day. There is a new movie I wanted to see, but no one has wanted to go with me.
“I’m taking your silence as an answer. You and I are going to do something this weekend. We’re going to get you back to where you were before all the stress bore down on you. How does that sound?” Chrissy beams across from me.
My brain is shouting and firing alarms, but my heart is speaking louder. “That sounds like fun.”
I didn’t want to leave Korra. I had to pry her off my lap when it was time to go so Gwen and Ryan could close up the café. The cat chased me to the door and started meowing as I walked away. I didn’t let myself look back. I never thought of adopting a cat or dog. I’m home enough, but do I have enough time to provide them the care and love they require? It would be nice to come home and have someone there, even if it’s a ball of white fur.
“This Saturday around noon work for you?” Chrissy asks as we walk back to campus.
“Yeah, that’s great.”
“Anything specific you want to do?”
“Well... never mind.” I drop my gaze to the sidewalk.
“What is it?” she asks. “I’m up for anything. Well, maybe not anything, but you catch my drift.”
“You wouldn’t be into it.” I shake my head, but Chrissy doesn’t give up.
“Spill it, football boy.”
“There’s this movie I’ve been dying to see.” I sigh. “No one has wanted to go with me though.”
“What movie is it?” she asks with genuine interest.
“ Fearless , the movie about the haunted manor,” I answer while trying to hide my embarrassment.
“Seriously?” is all I need to hear to know it’s a stupid idea. “I want to see that too!”
“What? Really?” She’s left me speechless.
Everyone I’ve asked either didn’t have the time or they simply weren’t interested.
“Yes, really! Gwen and I want to see it, but she’s been too busy. I’m sure she won’t mind if I go without her. She can drag Ash the next time she’s off work. Oh my gosh, I’m so excited.” Chrissy bounces up and down, smiling wide.
“You really want to go?” I’m shocked. I was pretty sure she hated spooky things. She’s the last person I was expecting to bring to such a movie.
“Yes! Gwen has me hooked on scary movies. Now, listen. I can’t promise I won’t be a big baby though. I might scream and cling onto you for dear life.”
The idea of Chrissy throwing herself at me, needing me to protect her, makes me way too giddy.
“Oh, Wildflower. I’ll protect you, don’t worry.” I can’t help but shamelessly flirt with her.
Chrissy drops her gaze and blushes.
“I’d punch you in the arm, but all I’d do is hurt myself in the process.”
Leaning in close, I say, “I’d never hurt you on purpose, and I hope you know that.”