Christine

I'm in the dance studio at home dancing so I can forget everything else. The music is so loud I can't hear myself think. Which is the point. I went to the school and submitted my resignation. They tried everything to make me stay. Pay. Perks. Power. Everything. It did feel good to know how much they value me. It hurt my heart to leave for the last time. I stopped by the studio and just stared at it for a while before leaving. I cried the entire drive home but it's over and that's okay considering the alternative. This choice hurts way less. A job is replaceable. I mean... technically so is Katia to some degree but it wouldn't be the same. I've never met anyone like her. She's remarkable in every sense of the word. Beverly doesn't know shit and if she did she wouldn't have called Katia a child. She's the furthest thing from it. Though, I'm not sure why that's bothering me so much.

Okay. I do.

I'm a little insecure about our age difference at times. I'm not drastically older than her but I am older. I fear sometimes that she'll get tired of me or she'll get bored. She is young and I know people her age like to go out and party or club or whatever. I feel like I hold her back or she doesn't do certain things because of me.

I haven't danced this hard in a very long time. Honestly, I'm a little winded. I keep dancing though. It hurts but it feels so good. The music pulsing through my body takes me to another place. A better place. I usually dance to instrumentals but this mix has words. Again, Katia. I don't know anyone that loves music as much as her. She knows so many songs. I wonder how her brain has room for anything else.

The music stops. I turn around to see Katia standing by the sound system.

"I was kind of listening to that." I say before wiping my face with a towel. I didn't even realize she was here. Isn't like I could have heard her.

"Yeah so was the entire neighborhood." She quips.

"I don't have neighbors."

She rolls her eyes.

"How was your lunch?" I ask.

"First, tell me whatever it was that had you upset."

"What?"

"When you called me something was bothering you. What was it?" She sits in the chair that I usually watch her from. She knows me so well. Too well at times.

I swallow a mouthful of water and nod. "Okay. So I went to Beverly's house."

Katia blinks a few times and tilts her head to the side just slightly. Her eyes travel around the room but she doesn't say anything. She looks back at me. "Skip to the end for just a moment. Did you cheat on me?" She asks.

"No."

She releases a sigh. "Okay. Continue."

"I went there to apologize for yelling at her and to ask her to reconsider going to the board. Then she tried to seduce me in exchange for her silence. She said if we slept together or whatever, she wouldn't tell. I left after that. I went to the school and submitted my resignation. It's done." I shrug.

Katia frowns and looks away from me.

"Katia, I didn't. I swear. Nothing happened. I didn't kiss her or anything."

"No. I know. I believe you. Just... maybe you should."

"Excuse me?" I ask. I heard her but I don't understand.

"I mean.. you love your job. It's not like it would be cheating. I'd be aware. I'm consenting. If that's all it takes for her to shut up then.." she shrugs.

"You want me to... have sex with Beverly so I can keep my job?"

"No I don't want you to but I want you to be happy. I don't want you to be forced into retirement because some bitch you used to date can't get over you. I want you to decide. I just don't want you to resent me later on because you chose me." She bites her lip. "Sorry for cursing."

"She is a bitch." I agree.

There's a long period of silence. We both just stare into space. It feels like time isn't moving. I feel sad and relieved. A little confused.

"What are you thinking?" She asks.

"What I'm going to do with all of my new found free time."

"So you're not going to sleep with her?" She asks.

"No. I know what you said but I know it would still hurt you. You don't have to worry about me resenting you. I won't. I made my decision. I'm okay with it."

"Are you sure?"

I nod. "I'm sad right now but it'll pass."

She sighs and crawls over to me. She lays beside me on the hardwood floor. "I'm so happy to hear you say that. I was worried you'd actually do it."

"Never."

"I'm not joining her stupid little gay club."

I laugh. "I don't think she's expecting you to anymore babe."

"I love you, Chris."

"I love you too, Katia."

She grabs my hand and our finger intertwine. Her touch calms my mind and steadies my heart. I'm glad I have her. It's good she's here.

"So... Christine."

"Yes?"

"Does this mean I can tell people you're my girlfriend now?"

I chuckle. "Your dad is going to kill me."

"Not if I kill him first." She mumbles.

I sit up and look at her. "Your turn."

She takes a deep breath and starts from the top. She tells me everything, sparing no details. I even know what color Kristopher's shoes were. (Green if you were wondering.)

It seems as though she's coming to the realization that her dad isn't the guy she always believed him to be. It's hard seeing a hero fall from grace.

"It just fells like my world is upside down, you know?"

I nod. "I do."

"I'm not even sure how to bring it up. I'm scared it'll backfire. I still have another year of school that he needs to finance." She chuckles. "I don't want him to get mad and decide he doesn't want to."

"I could pay for it." I say.

"What? No. I couldn't ask you to do that. It's way too much."

"Yeah but you're not asking and there are ways you could pay me back." I smirk.

She giggles. "You're so bad."

"Okay okay but I'm serious. Just think about it and if you seriously want to pay me back, even though you really don't have to, we'll figure it out. Just don't feel like he's your only answer. I have your back."

She smiles and kisses me. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Katia?"

"Yes?"

"Did you ever find anything you wanted for your birthday?"

"No but I think I know now."

"Oh good. What?"

"I want you to dance for me."

I laugh. "You've seen me dance millions of times. I dance with you almost every day."

"Not exactly what I had in mind babe." She undresses me with her eyes and it makes my heart flutter.

"Ohhhh. Well I can't exactly wrap that and put it on the gift table."

"The idea is to unwrap it, Christine."

I bite my lip. "Oh is that right?"

"Mmhmm." She straddles me.

"Do I also get to unwrap something?" I ask.

"It's not your birthday."

I chuckle. "Oh. I see."

She smiles down at me. "I love you so much."

"I love you too."

______________________________________

Katia

It is finally my birthday... almost. Mistress is throwing a party at her house for me later and I'm so excited. I decided to sleep at home so I can be completely surprised by the decorations and all. Liv and Leah are coming. Tori and her plus one, whoever that could be, will be there. Markus, Lindsey, and Eve. Kandace and Clay. Brittany is coming. I'm a little nervous about her showing up though. I haven't seen or spoken to her since she sent that picture to Mistress, but I don't mind her being there. I'm not mad about that anymore. Elaine and Madison are coming too. Plus, a handful of Kandace's friends will be there. It should be really fun.

Sleeping at home also means that any minute Liv is going to kick my door in and sing happy birthday obnoxiously loud. She hasn't missed a year yet. No matter how much I wish she would. Just as the clock strikes twelve she marches in with an air horn. Oh my god.

"It's my best friend's birthdayyyy!!" She shouts before she starts singing loudly and off key. I put the pillow over my head as she jumps on my bed. I swear she's always loved my birthday more than me.

"Thank you Liv. That's enough!" I laugh as she hops on top of me. She's wearing an oversized party hat and she looks ridiculous.

"Of course. Here." She hands me a small box all wrapped up.

"This is way too perfectly wrapped. Did Leah do this?" I ask.

"Does it matter?"

I laugh and open it. It's a leather bracelet with a little silver infinity symbol on it. The word "Always" is engraved into the metal. She holds her wrist up to show off a matching bracelet that says "Forever."

I hold my wrist out for her to put it on me.

"I love it. Thank you, Liv."

"Yes! I knew you'd love it."

"I'm never taking it off."

She smiles widely. "Me either. I love you Kitty."

"I love you too."

She lays back, making herself comfortable on my bed. "Are you stoked for your party later?"

"I can't wait. It'll be the first time our friends meet and mingle. We don't have to pretend not to be dating or whatever. It's going to be great."

"Leah won't be there." She says matter of factly.

"Aw why?"

"We got into... a thing last night."

"A thing? An argument?" I ask.

"Not really but things got really awkward between us."

"What happened?"

"We had sex and she said she loved me during. I didn't say anything back and then afterwards she said it again."

I sigh. "And you didn't say it back."

She shakes her head.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't."

"How do you know?" I ask.

She shrugs. "I know what being in love and loving someone feels like. It doesn't feel like that."

I don't say anything. I know she's talking about me. Liv was my first love. It was pure and honest, sometimes painfully so. I grew so much in our relationship. So did she. We learned ourselves through each other. It's something I'll never forget. I don't think it's something you "get over" either. I will always love her.

"Do you think it's possible that you will eventually?" I ask.

"Maybe but I.." she shakes her head. "Never mind."

We stare at each other.

She breaks the silence, "I want-"

My phone's ringer cuts her off. I silence it.

"You want what?" I ask.

She looks down at my phone and chuckles. "Nothing. Tell Kandace happy Birthday for me."

She kisses my forehead and leaves me alone.

I answer the phone. "Happy Birthdayyyyy!" I say.

"Happy Birthday little sis!" She sings.

"Three minutes!" I yell. This is the first time we've celebrated our birthday together in years. I'm so excited to have her back in my life. Still.

She laughs. "I'll never let it go."

"I know. I'm happy I get to tell you happy birthday again. It makes the day even better."

"You're such a sap. I told Clay you'd do this."

I giggle. "Shut up."

"But me too, Kat. I've missed sharing it with you. Oh wow."

"What?"

"Dad is calling me." She says surprised.

"Well if he asks tell him I'm sleep so don't call me." I haven't spoken to him more than once or twice since I spoke to my mother. I think he knows I'm avoiding him. I still can't believe he kept her away from us, from me. Kandace doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the whole ordeal. Meanwhile it has consumed my entire life. However, to be fair I haven't spoken to my mother either. The entire situation is just so confusing.

"Okay. I love you. See you later." She says.

"I love you too."

I get a few more texts from random people. One of those people being Sam. She apologized for gaining up on me with her goon squad that day in the studio. I forgave her but it wasn't the same after that. I never went out with her again. We didn't talk nearly as much. I tried to pair with different people in class. We're cordial but that's it.

My phone rings again. It's my dad. I silence it and roll over. I don't want to talk to him. It starts ringing again. I pick it up ready to silence it but it's my baby.

"Hiiiii." I say.

"Happy Birthday."

"Thank you. I miss you."

"I miss you more. I can't wait to see you later."

"Me either." I get comfortable and yawn. "This kind of feels like the beginning."

She chuckles. "It does. I hate it."

I laugh. "It's only for tonight. I'll be back in your bed tomorrow."

"Good night baby." She coos.

"I love you. Good night."

"I love you too."

_______________________________________

Christine

It's finally time for the party. I'm so excited. I was a little uncomfortable with Leah and Tori coming at first but I remembered I'm not a teacher anymore. I'm just Katia's girlfriend. So I guess it's okay. Plus that's a good thing. She's not ashamed of being with me. Not that she's ever given me a reason to believe that but it's still a nice reminder. Lindsey and Eve are here already helping me put the final touches on everything. I'm kind of freaking out.

"Chris." Eve says from behind me.

"Yes?" I turn to face her. She's holding a centerpiece in her hand.

"Are you feeling nervous?" She asks calmly and gently. I imagine that's the way she talks to Katia. It is soothing.

"No." I answer quickly.

"Liar!" Lindsey calls out from the next room.

"Maybe a little." I confess.

She puts a comforting hand on my arm and applies a little pressure. "Everything looks perfect. Katia is going to love it. You're being a great girlfriend."

"Thank you, Doctor Glen."

She chuckles. "You're welcome."

The doorbell rings. When I open the door, it's Tori. She looks nervous as I feel. It actually makes me laugh internally.

"Hi Tori. Come in."

She walks in carrying a gift bag. "Hi Ms Bell."

Olivia and Leah stroll up right behind her. "I told you to call her Chris." Liv plucks Tori's forehead.

Maybe I got confused but I thought Katia said Olivia's date wasn't coming but Tori's was. Doesn't matter. There's still enough places at the table.

"Right. Sorry. Chris." Tori says.

"It's okay."

I greet Liv and Leah and introduce Lindsey and Eve to everyone. They all exchange salutations and get acquainted. The good thing about having Lindsey around is she can talk to anyone and everyone. Making friends for her is as easy as breathing. It doesn't matter who they are. I wish I had that ability at times. The doorbell chimes again. This time it's Elaine and Madison.

Then Markus.

Brittany too.

Kandace's friends show up one by one. A few are in pairs.

Then Clay shows up alone. He's smiling so widely, as usual.

"Hey Clay. Good to see you."

"You too ma'am."

"Just call me Chris tonight."

He nods. "Yes ma- .. Chris."

I laugh. "Where's your birthday girl?"

"With yours. I dropped her off. They're getting a cab or something. I don't know."

I nod. "I see. Well come in. I'll introduce you to everyone."

When we get to the backyard everyone is standing around talking and laughing. Mingling. Perfect. Markus double takes at Clay before sashaying over to us. He extends his hand.

"I'm Markus and you are?" He asks with a wicked grin smeared across his face.

"Clay!" He says, excitedly shaking his hand. His innocence is endearing.

"Kandace's boyfriend." I add.

"Who's Kandace? Is she here?" Markus asks still holding Clay's hand.

"Katia's sister and she'll kick your ass." I say.

"Oh. She definitely will." Clay gently breaks away from the lingering hand shake. I think he gets it now. The smart ones always have such little common sense.

"I might like it." Markus takes another sip of whatever he's drinking. I see he wasted no time.

Clay laughs. "I always do."

Markus raises an eyebrow.

"Come on Clay. I'll introduce you to people who aren't trying to get into your pants." I say.

He laughs and follows me to the rest of the group.

--------------------

Katia