Chapter Twenty-Two

 

It was hard to believe it was the first week of October. The leaves were beginning to turn their fall colors. When Katie looked at the reds and oranges of the leaves, it reminded her of the colors of the canyon and took comfort in that for some reason. To occupy her time until Thanksgiving, she decided to write Drew some letters even though she couldn’t mail them. Katie planned to tuck them in the book and take them to him in November. It was a great day to write about those changing leaves.

Katie pulled open her desk drawer and retrieved a flat, lavender box. She went to a stationery store to purchase what she needed to write letters to Drew. It was fun trying to pick out what would be acceptable as old-fashion paper. She was tempted to buy an ink well and pen, but found out that fountain pens had been around a long time already. At the very least Katie was learning some history.

“Katie! Ty is here!” Her mother called up the stairs.

“I’ll be right down.”

“I’ve already sent him up!”

Katie was trying to avoid having Ty in her bedroom or being alone with him anywhere. It made things much simpler. She tried to make sure she gave him enough attention so he didn’t feel neglected because she didn’t want him following her again. Throughout the first month of school she thought she caught him behind her in the hallways or saw him at the mall when she was there with Lindsey and Jordyn. Still those were typical places that teens would be or hangout so maybe she was being too suspicious. Katie also kept Carl updated on everything like he asked. Just what she needed, a paranoid brother and a stalker boyfriend.

“Hey, Katie. It’s been a long time since I’ve been alone with you.” Ty sat on the bed.

Katie was glad she was at her desk. She slid the stationery box back in the drawer, closed it and turned in the chair to face him.

Tyson continued. “Homecoming’s Saturday. Football game is Friday night. Jordyn made all the plans for us. We’ll meet at the game, but we’re on our own getting there and coming home. On Saturday we’ll meet here since I just live across the street, then carpool from here to the restaurant and dance.”

“Sounds good. Jordyn is great at these things, remembering all the details. Hard to believe it’s October and time for Homecoming.”

Katie’s phone buzzed. She looked down and saw it was Carl. She quickly looked at the message and all it said was, Update!!!

“Hey, Ty, can we do something quick tonight. I need to get back here and touch base with Carl and then Lindsey.”

“Sure, whatever you want to do.” Ty pulled Katie over to her bed as she stood up. “I could just stay right here with you.” He kissed her cheek and moved down to her neck.

Katie was still having a hard time with that. In one way, she liked it but really wished he was someone else. Katie decided that she would stick to the plan. Go to Homecoming with Ty, gradually let him down and tell him being friends was what she wanted. She hoped Erin was waiting in the wings for him. Katie was pretty sure she was. Erin gave her the evil eye whenever she saw Katie and Ty together at school.

“You seem distracted.” He got up and shut her bedroom door. “I want all of your attention.”

“Ty, the rule is the door stays open.”

“I don’t think your parents would mind at all. They like me. Plus hear that lawnmower? I think your dad is cutting the grass. I heard your mom tell him she was going over to Maya’s for a bit. The timing’s perfect.” Ty smiled at her. He took off his shirt and lay back down on the bed. “Well, what do you think?”

Katie was shocked. “Think? About what?”

“I’ve been really working out. Come on, give me a break!”

“Oh, you look great, Ty. You always do,” Katie couldn’t help but notice.

“And so do you.” He took her hand and pulled her next to him. Katie couldn’t help herself. Ty was so cute, and he did look good with his shirt off. She put her hand on his chest and could feel his heart pounding. She let him kiss her until she felt like she was drowning.

“I love you, Katie. I really do.” Ty’s voice sounded like it was far away. She needed to come up for air.

“Ty, I’m sorry...” How could she say she wanted to be friends after he professed his love for her? She was caught in something that really confused her. For a moment she had felt something too. Or was it just the feelings for Drew surfacing, now that she knew he was real? All she knew was that she wanted Tyson to leave. “I have a lot of homework.”

“Only if you promise to say you love me, too.”

The shock of hearing Ty say he loved her was overwhelming, but now he needed to hear it back. This was too much to handle and she felt pressured.

“Ty, you know I’ve loved you since we were eight. That will never change.” Katie thought she found a good solution to answering his question.

“Not that kind of love. You know what I mean.”

“I don’t think you should be telling me I have to say it to you. That isn’t how it works, is it?” Katie felt cornered.

“You’re right as usual.” Ty got up. “I’ll wait for Friday night. Just teasing.” Tyson grabbed his shirt and pulled it on. He brushed past her as he went to open her door and left.

Katie paced back and forth. What had she gotten herself into? Ty loved her! That was ridiculous. When did that happen? She grabbed her phone and sent a message to Carl.

He says he loves me. She wrote it as ‘love’ not ‘l-u-v’ so he would get the point.

I’m coming home

No you’re not.

Then Katie’s phone rang.

“Okay, maybe I’m not coming home. But I think that boy is getting serious too fast. I also think he’s a little pushy and is good at making you do what he wants. He doesn’t let you give any opinions or even give you a chance to make your thoughts known. He just assumes. I don’t like it.”

“Take a breath, Carl. Give me some credit.” Katie told him of her plan of what would happen after Homecoming.

Before he hung up, Carl got very serious. “Katie, you’re young. This is all new to you. Ty isn’t from the 1920’s. Just be careful.”