Catherine goes to a sloshed and gets party (Sunday night)
Catherine stood in front of the apartment complex where Marie lived, looking most perplexed as she glanced around trying to figure out how to open the door. She shuffled her feet and frowned self conciously, shifting the gift of a bottle of expensive wine from one hand to the next. She had never entered an apartment building before and had no idea what she was supposed to do.. She glanced at the name list and realised she didn't even know her friend's last name and she frowned sadly at this realisation. Perhaps she would have to call her?
Catherine glanced down at her bag, where her cell phone was hidden away. She was really worried about Takeru and decided to bring her phone in case he finally called her. She wanted to call him, but.. Since he didn't respond to her, she figured he probably was just not interested in talking with her.. Or perhaps she was what had made him sad.. The thought made her frown with despair as she thought of all the dumb things she had done that could have made him upset..
She decided to push that thought away. She had told Takeru that she was here for him and he knew that all he needed to do was call and she'd be there for him in a second... She had to let Takeru come to her when he was ready to talk. That was all there was to it. She didn't want to be a nuisance!
With a sigh, she went back to looking at the names on the list and started to reach for her cell phone when she heard a voice coming from the front doors.
"Catherine!"
The doors flew open and Marie came out with a smile on her face, dressed in a short tan skirt and dark brown top, her hair in a ponytail, as it always seemed to be. She beamed over at her friend and quickly ushered her inside.
Catherine felt very over dressed suddenly, glancing down at the long skirt and tank top she was wearing, covered by a warm jacket. She guessed she was right about the party not being one like her fathers. She quickly handed over the bottle of wine to her friend as she headed up the stairs and into the spacious apartment where she lived. Her parents obviously paid good money, for it was the size of a lot of people's houses.
"Aw, Catherine. You didn't have to bring anything, you know." Marie smiled, depositing the wine into the fridge.
Catherine blushed, wondering what her friend meant. After all, it was good manners to bring a gift of wine or flowers when visiting a person's house.. But she guessed that Marie was a lot less formal than normal people.
"How was the St.Patrick's Day party with Francois, by the way?"
Catherine blushed and a nervous smile crossed her face,
"Well.. It was a bit better than most of the parties I have gone to.." she responded, remembering the night before fondly, until she remembered the last few words she had exchanged with Francois. She frowned and let out a sigh. "Sort of.."
Marie frowned in response, not wanting to pry, but still wanting to help Catherine feel better. That was why she invited her over after all. She decided that perhaps after she got some drinks into Catherine, she might talk a bit. That was why she wanted to take Catherine clubbing tonight, in the first place.
"What happened, Cath? Can I call you Cath?"
Catherine appeared startled and quickly nodded. "Of course. And.. It was really, nothing much.."
Marie nodded her understanding and then nodded towards an open door a few yards away. "Come with me, let me get you in a more.. Party-like outfit, okay?"
Before Catherine knew what was happening, she was ushered into Marie's room and a make-over of sorts ensued..
~ Fast Forward! :D ~
Standing in awe up at the not so classy looking club building, Catherine stood wearing a black miniskirt, with a matching belt and a low-cut red top, her hair in a ponytail over her shoulder, a black hat over her head. She knew if her father caught her wearing this, she'd be dead, but she did not want to mention this to Marie, since she had gone to so much trouble to piece together the outfit.
"This.. Is where your party is..?"
Marie chuckled and put an arm around her shoulder, "Yep. I know, our parents would kill us for going to a club, but I think you need a night out on the town, Cath. Don't worry, I won't let any guys do anything to you. Promise."
Catherine blanched, wondering what she meant by guys doing things to her... But she didn't have a chance to argue, as Marie grabbed onto her hand and pulled her into the dimly lit building, lights were flashing multiple colours all over the place and music Catherine didn't recognize was coming from all around the room. There were people everywhere, dancing and chatting and drinking.. The bar was pretty packed, but some how Marie found a spot for the two of them and she went up to the counter and ordered them each a drink.
"So," Marie passed over the drink to Catherine and then took a drink of her own, reveling in the bitter taste of the alcohol. "Mind telling me what has you in such a tizzy lately?"
Catherine grimaced at the bottle, but not wanting to be rude, she gulped a large amount of it down before making a face. It tasted awful! How did people drink this junk all the time, she wondered.
"There is not much to tell..."
Marie raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "I don't beleive that for one second, Madame de Beaumont.."
Catherine took another big swig of the booze and then glanced over at Marie with a look of uncertainty, "It really is nothing of importance.."
Another big gulp for Catherine.
"Then why has your tennis been so off lately?"
"B..Because.." She frowned and finished off the bottle, not noticing as Marie nodded to the bartender to pass her a second. "Because of some confusion, is all.."
"What kind of confusion?" Marie took another drink of her beer. She was really concerned about Catherine and could think of nothing else she could do to pry the information from the girl. She hated to get her loaded, but she wanted to see Catherine happy again, damnit!
After another sip of her drink, Catherine pondered the question and chewed on her lower lip in thought.
"About men.." She said with a sigh, taking another long drink. She wondered why she hadn't finished it yet, but didn't ask. She really didn't care very much. The liquid was making her feel better in itself.
That was a start! Marie started her second beer as well, although she wasn't as quick to get drunk as Catherine, she guessed. The girl obviously didn't drink normally or her expression at the taste of the beer wouldn't have been so amusing to watch.
"About Francois?"
Catherine emptied her second bottle and the bartender replaced it with another.
"Yes... And about.. About.."
"About, Cath?"
Catherine looked at her friend and frowned sadly. "About Takeru.."
"Takeru?" She had never heard that name before. Marie was definitely more interested now. She could tell by the look on her friend's face that Takeru was obviously someone very important.. But Catherine rarely talked about herself to Marie and Marie had never seen her outside of tennis until today, so she was not too surprised that there was more to Catherine than she knew about. "Who's Takeru?"
Catherine was silent as she took a drink of the new beer. She was beginning to feel a bit tipsy, but again, at that point, she didn't care very much. She sighed and slumped her shoulders,
"A friend of mine from Japan.."
"And you like him?"
Catherine nodded, fingering the rim of her beer bottle and keeping her eyes averted.
"What about Francois?"
This question got her attention. Catherine glanced over at Marie and chuckled softly, "I don't know.. I decided to go out with him so I could forget about Takeru.."
What?! That was news to Marie. She practically coughed out the beer she had just poured into her mouth.
"You mean you like him more than Francois? Than why not just ask him out instead?"
Catherine's eyes seemed to glaze over and tears sprang to them. She shrugged, taking another drink and sighing.
"Because I think he is already dating someone.."
"You didn't ask..?"
Catherine shook her head quickly, "No! I don't want to ruin the friendship we have by making things awkward and telling him I like him when he is seeing someone already.." She paused. "Francois doesn't think I should see Takeru anymore.. He said so yesterday.. But.. I just can't do that.."
Marie nodded her understanding and watched as Catherine emptied the third bottle. She stopped the bartender this time. Her friend was a bit more than tipsy after just those three drinks.
"Well, you know what, Cath.. I think we should go and dance. It will cheer you up!"
"Dance?" Catherine craned her neck to look out at the dance floor. She had no idea how to dance to such music.
"I'll teach you, don't worry." Marie grinned and held out a hand to Catherine. She couldn't help her with her unrequited love, but she could at least listen to her problems and attempt to show her a fun time.
And so, Marie and Catherine went out to the dance floor where Marie taught a slightly drunk Catherine to dance in a club.
The two girls did have fun together, although after a while Catherine stopped and began looking around, a look of confusion on her face.
"What are you doing, Cath?" Marie stopped and put a concerned hand on her friend's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"I'm looking for a guy.. Marie, you are a great person.. You need a boyfriend.."
Marie stared at Catherine in confusion. Maybe she should have just taken her back to her place.
"Cath, that's not necissary.."
"Oh! There's one!"
Before Marie could react, Catherine strode over to a blonde haired young man, his back was turned to her, but she liked his hair. She gently touched the guy's arm and with a great big smile, she said a quick, "Pardon, Monsieur..?"
The youth turned around with a look of shock on his face, he had no idea who would be talking to him and he was surprised to see a beautiful blonde girl staring up at him with her big blue eyes. He blushed and raised an eyebrow. Was she going to hit on him?
Catherine's mouth opened to speak, but she found her words choked off when she saw the young man from the front. He had blonde hair and blue eyes and a face that resembled Takeru's very closely. Although the longer hair made him resemble Yamato just a bit, as well. The French girl was blown away by this, although in her drunken state, she didn't realise that this was not actually Takeru...
"Catherine!" Marie ran over to her and sighed in irritation. "I really shouldn't have kept you here after you started to get drunk... I'm sorry, Monsieur, I--"
"Takeru..." Tears began falling from Catherine's eyes and she launched herself at the guy, catching him totally off guard as she hugged onto him really tightly. "Takeru! Why did you not call me?! I've been so worried about you!!"
The guy looked totally freaked out as he began trying to pry her off of him, explaining over and over that he was not Takeru, he was Jean-Luc.. And that he certainly was not Japanese!
Marie attempted to detach Catherine, as well, although she had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. Did this guy really look that much like Takeru? He was good looking and all, but he was definitely not Japanese. His hair was blonde as blonde could be, after all.
"Catherine, we need to get you home now.." Marie said softly, sighing in despair.
"I won't leave without Takeru.." Catherine hid behind the guy, keeping a hold on one of his arms and peeking her head out from behind him and looking at her with teary eyes.. She didn't want to be seperated again from Takeru in her drunken state. She couldn't surrender him again. Definitely not! Not even for Marie..
To both of their surprise, "Takeru", or Jean-Luc, let out a gentle laugh. He turned at patted her on the head, a smile coming to his face.
"Come along, Cathy." He said gently, nodding to Marie. "Your friend is waiting."
"Why did you call me Cathy..?" She asked, glancing up at him in confusion. "Have you been spending too much time with Francois..? I thought you hated Francois..?"
"Sorry, Catherine." the youth corrected, winking over at Marie, who smiled at him thankfully. "I do hate this Francois, as you say. Now, come. I will take you home." he put an arm around her gently and then nodded to Marie, hoping she would get the point and show him where they were going.
He never would have expected that he'd go to a club and end up going home with two women, one of which was clinging to his arm for dear life. He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the young lady, she looked about the same age as he was and she was awfully pretty.. This Takeru guy had to be someone pretty important to her...
As they walked into the chilled night air, the last thing on Catherine's mind was calling home.. And what happened next? Even she doesn't know!