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Catherine

He's been avoiding me.

I mean I get it. He's tired with all the ghost busting but he could barely keep eye contact or even stay for a little small talk.

It's like being with a ghost. And it's more awkward than scary.

Can you believe it? Months before the door broke, and it only took him about half an hour to put the new one on.

He still cooks for the both of us, but our conversations were mostly about my work. Once I say "It's alright.", the talking stops and we just had to finish eating like two strangers on the first day of school.

It was living alone all over again.

And I didn't like it. Not even one bit.

"You know I miss Bradley, but what happened to the other one? You know, the one with the big bike?"

I lifted my head to see Rose tapping her foot on the steps outside our building. I was trying to find my keys and she asked me if she could catch a ride home.

Ever since that Gwen fiasco,she started dating my sister. Nothing much has changed. Except now, well, she's dating my sister.

"He's got other things to do you know. The cars don't costumise themselves."

I'm used to him being around, that it feels weird when I only get to see him during supper. Or he comes home late, his face too tired that I knew starting small talk was a no-go. Sometimes I even get tempted to offer him a massage.

"I thought you two were hitting it off." She opened the door to the passenger seat and got in before pulling her phone from her bag.

"We're not hitting anything. I'm not his type." I frowned when she looked at me and smiled. "What?"

"See there's the key word. You said I. I'm not his type."

I pinched her side before starting the car. "You notice the little things too much."

She smiled and looked out her window. "It's the little things that help you see the big picture Cat."

I haven't seen her this happy before. Rose would have this kind of enthusiasm that looked too forced that I sometimes think she's convincing not just the people around her, but also herself. Right now, she's kind of just accepting whatever good stuff comes her way.

There are times when I wonder when I'm going to find that kind of happiness.

It seems like all my life,I have found happiness because I worked for it. The kind where you know you're going to feel it because you thrived to feel it. The process was just there to help build up the feeling.

It just feels like asking for happiness was unfair.

I was so used to working for what I want,that simply asking for a thing that can't be bought by money felt like a crime. It was like asking for too much. Or maybe it's just me.

I mean I got all the basics covered. I don't starve myself to death. Have clothes. I have things some people don't have. I'm happy.

I think I am.

"Are you happy Rose?"

It hasn't ocurred to me to ask someone this until now. It just feels like it's a question people should ask other people. Some of them may lie, but maybe some of folks out there would like to just say it out loud. Like 'I just got a dog today. Yes, I'm happy.' Wouldn't that be nice?

"What's eating you?" Rose was giving me this strange look and I just...I had to.

"I  don't think I'm happy."

...

What did I just say...

"I figured." She patted my shoulder and I took a quick look before frowning. She smiled, "I know you're not happy. You see Cat, there's a thin line between being content,and being happy. Too thin if you ask me."

Is that it? Am I not content on being content anymore?

"Then...what am I supposed to do?" We both sat in silence and just thought about it. The silence was much appreciated.

Until Rose snapped her fingers.

"I got it!"

I raised an eyebrow and gave her an inquiring look.

"Try something new. Or the unimaginable. Just ye know, for fun."

What could I possibly do for fun. I was dying to tell her I've had enough just by living with a guy.

...

Okay that sounded so wrong but you know what I mean.

"Turn to that corner. " she pointed towards the main street. I don't know what she's trying to do here but the next thing I know, we were entering a shop and I was trying on things. "Gotta enjoy the little things."

I know striking a conversation with her was a bad idea

***
Thank you Damon for constantly reminding me to exercise.

I looked at the mirror and truly appreciated the nice pair of underwear I got the other day.

Well it isn't ladybugs.

Or any other insect. It was actually quiet plain. They say black is the color of the modern woman. Maybe for the next ten years it would be neon pink.

I just need to get rid of these extra fabulousness off my stomach.

Taking a step back,I felt the fabric of the shirt on my feet and I knew,

it would hurt.

***
Damon

Jogging at night has its perks.

No scorching sun.

No busy cars.

No Catherine Wright.

Exactly what I needed.

Wiping the sweat off my face with my already soaked shirt, I started walking my way up to the apartment. I was hoping she'd be locked inside her room by now. She had dinner with her sister and I just didn't feel like eating yet.

Everything was fine when I was taking my time on the shower. Probably would have a couple of hours of shut-eye before going back to the garage to sort things out on both of my business. The newbies keep messing things up.

I was thinking of maybe grabbing a sandwich before going to bed when I felt the floor shake.

I turned around and quickly got the key I was hiding at the bottom of a porcelain angel.

I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I had a spare key. This was far better than breaking it again.

"Bonbon?" I didn't even hesitate when I walked over to the other side of the bed.

And she was there.

"You broke my door! Again!" she quickly sat up,clutching her head and turned towards the door. Seeing that it was still in one piece, she turned to me. Then at my hand.

My ears felt hot. The southern regions too.

"What is that in your hand?"

I snapped out of it and stared dumbly at the little peace of metal that got me here in the first place.

"It's uh...uh." I cleared my throat as she got up. I beat her into grabbing her bedsheets and just quickly wrapped her around it as fast as my hands could manage.

Is this some sort of test?

She stepped back and glared at me before fixing the blanket around her.

"Stop barging in all the time."

I ran my fingers through my hair before breathing out. "Then stop doing stupid stunts!"

She was fixing her hair, groaning when her fingers got stuck. I bent down to pick up her glasses.

"I wasn't doing stunts. I was trying new things."

I handed her her glasses and she took them rather grumpily.

"Trying new lingerie isn't supposed to hurt, bonbon. But you..." I waved a hand at her and she puffed out an indignant sigh.

"But what. "

"You could manage to hurt yourself without even trying. Why are you even walking around wearing that." I turned to see her curtains drawn shut, relieved that at least she remembered to close her window. "What if some sick pervert was out there watching you? What then? You should really be careful."

She rolled her eyes and started pushing me towards the door. I wasn't ready to leave.

"And you're one nosy roommate. I swear I'm going to have an alarm that shouts "You shall not pass!" installed es-pe-cial-ly for you."

Laughing as I let her push me, she grabbed my shirt, almost choking me in the process.

"The key. Give me." she held out a hand and was struggling to keep the good stuff hidden under the sheets. She could try.

But lifting her arm gave me a brief glimpse of the lace-

"Damon!"

She was more annoyed than embarrassed really. And I guess I missed messing with her.

"Why'd you buy new underwear anyway?" I smirked when she started adjusting her glasses.

"People buy new underwear all the time."

I placed a hand at the door's frame,her jumping a little from the sudden closeness. "I've seen your laundry. What you have under that isn't exactly your taste."

She raised an eyebrow. "What exactly is my taste?"

Grinning,I placed a finger on my bottom lip and pretended to think about an answer. "Mainly animal and insect prints. Definitely not the flattering ones."

I could name a few .First off, there's the ladybug. Then the zebra print. The cheetah (except she has it in green and yellow). She has one that reminded me of koalas because of this odd fading grey color.

"Well maybe it's time for me to change my style then, since you've been highly critical about my undergarments. Maybe they're man repellants." she murmured the last words to herself and I almost gave a theatrical gasp.

Is that why she decided to buy herself these?

"What?" I stared at her in disbelief. "What you wear underneath doesn't make you who you are. I mean we appreciate the effort when you try to look good for us,but some of us would pretty much prefer it if you're comfortable as you are. You don't go out on first dates and ask them to take their clothes off just to see if they're wearing acceptable panties. That comes later." I saw her lips twitch a little, but she quickly coughed it out. "But you get my point right?"

She nodded and looked down at her bare toes. Shrugging a little to fix the droopy blanket on her shoulders.

She may have her reasons for buying new underwear and it shouldn't be any of my business. She can attract people just as she is. She doesn't need to try to attract someone. That's what her past relationships proved. They didn't end well but from what I know, none of 'em were murderers. I just got to be thankful that the romance novels she reads isn't giving her any crazy ideas.

I tried reading it once. Men do not say most of that stuff. And really? Soft porn in words? She laughed it out when I told her and asked me if I could manage fifty shades but the guys at the garage encouraged me.

I don't trust them when they encourage me.

"It looks nice on you though. T-The lace suits you."

Her cheeks were tainted this light shade of red,scratching her cheek, she whispered a thank you.

"Well I'm going out. Lock the doors." Eyeing her,I placed the key in her hands. Taking both of them on my own, I shook them a little. "Please."

She smiled and saluted.

You see,the blanket wasn't exactly the perfect fit.

I had to stare at sheet as it slid down her body.

I might just start training her for quicker reflexes.

When it landed with a silent thump, my eyes slowly moved from her pale feet, to her almost pink knees.

I tried to not look.

I tried.

She was half crouching, her eyes wide.

Swallowing whatever manly needs I have,I bent down and grabbed the blanket.

"Put some clothes on. You're going to catch a cold." throwing the blanket on her face, I turned around and almost ran my way out.

She better not be trying anymore new things while I'm gone. And if she ever hurts herself inside that damned bedroom, the other porcelain angel in the living room's hiding the other key.

I got out of the apartment, almost slamming into someone. After murmuring a quick sorry, I didn't even stop running for the first two blocks.

I just needed to get out.

What I didn't know was that the same person I bumped into a while ago, would be knocking at our apartment door. With a cheeky grin that probably made girls putty back on where he came from, he introduced himself as Ellie's nephew to a Catherine Wright wearing an oversized sweatshirt and jammies with lemon prints on it.

I should have stayed and stuck to my original plan of getting something to eat. But jogging was the next best thing once I laid my eyes on her.

Jogging at night has its perks.

No scorching sun.

No busy cars.

No Catherine Wright.

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