Chapter One ~ Catherine 16yrs Old
Eva & Justin’s Wedding;
“Holly, babe, close your mouth when you’re eating” I say trying to hide my laugh as my little sister makes funny faces whilst her mouth is stuffed with food clapping her hands happily.
My little sister Holly who is nearly ten years old is diagnosed with severe autism, she is amazing, and the most beautiful person inside and out.
We’re sat at our older sister Eva’s wedding sit down meal, me mum’s just gone freshen up and dad’s gone to get us some more drink’s. I look to Holly who’s rocking back and forth with the brightest smile on her face, just then I notice someone walking towards me and my eyes widen in surprise.
The lad grins and winks at me, I smile back politely not wanting to be rude, but find myself blushing. I look back at Holly, shaking my head.
Wow.
“Holly, looking at me” I say to her and gesture for her to look me in the eyes, and she does, I smile at her. “Hey beautiful, why don’t you put your headphones on and listen to some music, eh? Would you like that?” I ask as I show her the P.E.C.S symbol for headphones and music.
She rewards me with her beautiful smile again, flapping her hands in excitement. (P.E.C.S or picture exchange communication is basically a form of communication for the person to ask for what they want or for to guide them to what’s next) as I get her Spotify app up, I look for her playlist that has all her favourite songs on and press shuffle, little mix are her favourite right now, so majority of the songs on her playlist are from them.
I put her headphones over her ears, and she grins at me when she hears the first song ‘Black Magic’ and rocks to the music. I smile and watch my baby sister, god—she’s just amazing, takes everything in her stride. Oh, she has her moments, don’t get me wrong, but on her good days the rewards are priceless.
I’ve watched my parents struggle with the fact Holly has autism, she barely sleeps, she hardly keeps still unless it’s something that she loves.
To me, it was the struggle of watching my parents go through the diagnosis process for our Holly that made me want to study special needs, that’s my plan—to go to college, then university, I’m hoping to become a specialist teaching assistant like our Eva.
Our Holly’s excited laugh that breaks me out of my thoughts I look as she giggling pointing to the screen of the next song Olly Murs- Dance with me tonight.
I have to admit like, she’s got good taste, I chuckle to myself. All of a sudden, it’s like I can feel someone watching me, I look around the table until I look to the right of me it’s that lad who winked at me and fuck me he’s gorgeous, and he’s looking at me—why is he looking at me?
Oh, my god. He’s beautiful, blue eyes, brown hair that’s styled upwardly, he’s wearing a navy blue suit that fits his sexy muscular body almost like it was made just for him.
I bet he’s got a six pack–nah, an eight...
I must look like a right crank, staring at him cos he grins at me like he can hear my thoughts.
God, I’d like to kiss those lips—wait, WHAT?
I shake my head, trying to clear my lustful thoughts as he stands up—fuck, he’s tall as well as muscular. How did I not notice him before?
God, he’s FINE!!
My heart jumps into my mouth as he walks over to me—fuck!
Shit! Stay calm, Cat stay—calm.
“Hi, do you mind if I sit down?” He asks me gesturing to the chair beside me.
“I..I.. ju..pshh...sure, yep” I babble nodding gesturing to the chair.
Fuckin hell, Cat—what the fuck was that?
The lad laughs as he sits down next to me holding out his hand. “Hi, I’m Craig, and you are?” he asks.
“Catherine” I smile as I place my hand in his to shake, but he stuns the fuck outta me by bringing my hand to his mouth placing his warm soft lips to my skin.
“Catherine” he purrs kissing there again. “Pleasure to meet you” he croons making my whole body shiver.
What the fuck?
I gulp nervously, taking my hand from his gently giving him a small smile, his eyebrows draw together in confusion as if he’s missing something, but he collects himself then.
“So are you team Eva or team Justin?” he asks me.
I smile. “Well, seen as though Eva is mine and Hollys big sister” I say and gesture to our Holly who is flapping her hands excitedly. “I guess we’re Team Eva-Tin now,” I tell him laughing at my own pun, I cough covering my laugh blushing in embarrassment as Craig just grins at me. “And you? Who’s side are you on?” I ask him.
“Er, Justins—I guess, he invited us to come—along with my mum and dad” he gestures behind him to a couple who he’s pointed out as his mum and dad, looking over to them, I realise that they’re Russ’s mum and dad?!? So that means—this is Russ’s little brother.
Craig’s mum waves excitedly at me and his dad gives me a chin lift, I wave to them giving them a warm smile, looking back to Craig. “So you’re Russ’s brother?” I ask him.
“Yeah” He grimaces.
Weird, have I said something wrong?
“So, I’m gonna be honest here, Catherine—I already knew who you were,” he tells me, and I frown in confusion. “I saw you from across the room when I was with our Russ and Amber and soon as I saw you, I was mesmerised by you, you were smiling at your sister—you lit up Catherine” he tells me as he looks into my eyes and shakes his head. ”God, you’re fucking beautiful” he whispers.
I’m sorry what?!? I’m beautiful...
I blush furiously at the compliment, suddenly our holly grunts in annoyance and if I wasn’t so mesmerised by the boy in front of me I’d of laughed.
“Can I buy you a drink?” he asks me his eyes hopeful. “Non-Alcoholic, of course” he adds smiling.
“Sure,” I stutter. “Orange juice, please” I squeak.
“And for Holly?” He asks looking at her with a warm smile as she rocks back and forth, my heart warms at the sight. “Same please” I say smiling shyly.
He grins with a wink. “Be right back, beautiful” he says before walking off to the bar.
“Oh, my god. Oh, my god. Oh, my god!” I whisper to myself, as I get my phone out to text my BFF Layla for some advice, my eyes always fleeting to our Holly as I type out a quick text.
Me: OMFG! You will never guess what’s just happened x
Her reply is instant.
Layla: WHAT? WHAT? X
Me: I’ve just been told I’m beautiful by THE most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid my eyes on, he’s gone to buy me and Holly a drink from the bar. What should I do? X
Layla: FYI I’ve told you plenty of times that you are... and spill, what’s he like? Just go with the flow babe, talk... dance x
Me: Yeah, that’s different. That’s you. He’s gorgeous, gorgeous blue eyes, brown hair, kissable lips, he’s tall and muscular and looks sexy as sin in a suit. I’m nervous x
Layla: Psssh! Whatevs woman your a fitty!! Don’t be nervous babe, but I want deets on monday. God, why did I have to be sick x
My heart starts to beat frantically as I see Craig walking over to us again with bottles of J20′s in his hand. “Here you are” he smiles warmly as he puts a bottle in front of Holly on the table. “And here you are” he croons passing me the bottle.
“Thank you” I whisper shyly as he sits next to me once again.
“You’re welcome” he grins. “So tell me about Catherine?” He asks as he puts the bottle to his lips drinking the juice and I’m sat here mesmerised by the movements of his throat.
“Catherine” he purrs making me jerk slightly.
I look wide-eyed to him as he smirks knowingly at me making me blush furiously. “Er, Sorry—I spaced out a bit then” I lie smiling awkwardly as he grins knowingly at me. “So, what do you wanna know?” I ask him nervously.
His eyes smoulder as he looks me in the eyes. “Everything” he murmurs as he glides the back of his hand down my cheek.
My breathe hitches at the contact, closing my eyes I subconsciously lean into his touch when Hollys sudden cries bring everything back to me. I open my eyes blinking furiously, quickly pulling myself away from Craig to calm Holly down, looking at her I see she’s looking tired and her iPad has ran out of battery.
Mum comes over then. “Oh, baby girl. What’s the matter, my beautiful baby?” She coos stroking Holly’s hair hugging her.
“I think she’s tired mum, and her iPad’s ran out of battery,” I tell mum.
Mum nods with a sigh. “It’s been an eventful day for her, hasn’t it beautiful? I’m so proud of you Holly, such a good girl for her mummy and daddy” she coos. “I’ll tell your dad and talk to Eva, do you wanna stay?” Mum asks looking back and forth between me and Craig she grins knowingly at me wiggling her eyebrows. “He’s cute” she mouths.
Fucksake.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I’ll stay here, tell dad I’ll get a cab” I tell her.
She nods winking at me. “Be good” she sings as she walks away with our Holly.
I groan out loud in embarrassment as I hear Craig’s chuckle. “You wanna dance?” He whispers in my ear giving me goosebumps.
“O-Kay” I stutter as he takes my hand in his taking us to the dance floor as Chris Brown’s ‘With You’ comes on. Craig takes my hands and wraps them around his neck and then takes his hands wrapping them around my waist, pulling me closer to him as we sway to the music.
“So tell me about you, Kitty Cat” he murmurs.
“Kitty Cat?” I grin.
He nods with a huge grin on his beautiful face, I laugh shaking my head and go to open my mouth to tell him about myself when my dad stands at my side. “Catherine, home—now” he growls. “And don’t you dare make a scene, it’s your sister’s wedding day” he adds as I go to open my mouth.
“But” I argue but I stop as he gives me a look that I know means. ‘Don’t push it’
I look to Craig, and his eyes are sad as he lets me go. “I’m sorry, Craig. I’ve gotta go” I tell him sadly placing a kiss to his cheek. “Bye” I whisper.
I turn to dad trying to keep my emotions in check, and walk past him without looking at him. I get in the cab were mum and Holly are waiting. “Drive” I say to the driver giving him our address leaving dad at the reception venue.
“Catherine” mum hisses. “What has gotten into you?” she growls.
Me?
“Me? Me?” I hiss trying to keep my voice down trying not to scare Holly. “It was dad, I was just dancing, and you told me you were goin home” I moan.
“Well your dad didn’t feel comfortable you getting a cab home by your self, that’s why he came back,” she says sadly. “You know what he’s like,” she sighs stroking my hair.
“I don’t care, mum. I was having a good time with Craig, and dad came over growling—I’m so embarrassed” I tell her.
“I’ll have a word with him when he gets home, he’s probably not gonna be happy as we waited for ages for this cab he’ll have to order another” she says to me as we arrive at our house she gives me the keys so she can pay the driver.
“And I’ll probably never see Craig again” I reply sadly as I help our Holly out the cab.
Using the keys, I unlock the front door letting us in the house. I take Holly upstairs to her bedroom to help her into her pj’s and then go to my room, take my own bridesmaid dress off changing into my pj’s and fall asleep all the while remembering how I felt being in Craig’s arms.
Happy.
