Chapter 7
Baby I know you are hurting
Right now you feel like you could never love again
Now all I ask is for a chance
To prove that I love you
I'll Never Break Your Heart
"Say what?"
"Your bedroom. Kara and I were housesitting one day and we got bored so we, you know."
Nick looked upset, "I didn't need to know that."
Everyone laughed at him.
"Ok, Cathy are you game?" piped Kara.
"Sure" I answered, "I wanna have some fun."
"I dare you to kiss whoever this bottle of perfume points to, for no shorter than ten seconds."
"Have you been reading teenybopper magazines again?" I asked.
"Just do it", she spun the bottle and it pointed to Brian.
"You want me to kiss your boyfriend?"
"Sure, it's just for fun." she replied with a smile.
Angela held up her watch, "On my count..."
"Well, we're waiting" prompted AJ.
"Ok, ok" I leaned over and placed my mouth on Brian's. I didn't notice how long we were kissing until I heard somebody protest.
"Ok, guys that's ten seconds, break it up" said Nick as he pulled Brian to a sitting position next to him. I wiped my lips and felt my face turning red. Brian seemed a little embarrased too.
"Tsk, tsk," I heard Kevin say, " Somebody doesn't like the sight of his girlfriend and best pal making out huh?"
Nick glared at him, "Oh shut up."
"How about you, Sam?" Angela turned to my sister.
"Ok", she said, already sounding like she was feeling the effects of the alcohol.
"How about serenading one of the guys with your favorite song?"
"Sure" she turned to Kevin, who was the closest Backstreet Boy to her.
I interrupted, "This doesn't seem like a good idea, coz her favorite song is..."
Sam started singing, "Something about the way you move caught my eye, I really did have to try it, I can't deny it..." she ran her hand down his arm.
"...Lay Down Beside Me" I said quietly.
About halfway throught the song, Sam stopped because she forgot the words. The look on Kevin's face was either relief or disappointment.
"Frack, your turn" announced Brian.
"Hit me" said Nick confidently.
"Hmm, I don't know what to make you do..." muttered Brian.
"Dare me to prove how much I know about Cathy" answered Nick while looking at me. I turned away.
"How corny" said Kara, rolling her eyes.
I heard Angela whisper in her ear, " It's my idea, so shush."
I crossed my arms and didn't say anything.
"Here's one for you" said Sam, with a bit of a slur, "What's her middle name?"
A smile tugged at my lips. There was no way he knew the answer to this one.
"Great, a tough one" I whispered to myself.
He appeared to be lost in thought for a moment. We all watched as he scratched his head searching for an answer. Then he calmly turned to Sam.
"That's a trick question. I know Catherine's her middle name."
I crossed my arms and refused to look impressed. "What's my first name then, Mr. Bigshot?"
He paused then replied confidently, "Joan".
"How did you know that?"
He smiled. "I called your house one day, and your grandma answered the phone. That was the name she called you."
"Well, that's her name too" I told him.
I reached over and took his hand.
"What are you waiting for?" prompted Angela, "Kiss him".
Nick leaned over and his lips brushed mine while the others watched on and cheered.
An hour later, we were outside on the patio, waiting for Howie to come back. He got dared to run around the neighborhood wearing only his Backstreet Boys boxers.
"So, Cathy, what do you think was the funniest dare tonight." asked Nick.
I stopped to think, "Probably Kevin's. I can't believe he actually convinced my neighbor to donate to Charity for Washed-up Teen Idols. Ten bucks, that's something, considering how cheap old Mrs. Collins is"
He replied, "Oh no, Kara's was much better than that. Did you see the look on the pizza delivery guy's face when she told him she wanted to have his baby?" We both laughed.
"Here he comes" announced Brian as Howie came running from around the corner. He stopped when he reached the patio and paused to catch his breath.
"Geez guys, some neighborhood dogs started running after a block or so. Remind me NEVER to do that again," he panted.
We went back into the living room and the lights suddenly went back on. Everyone cheered.
In the corner, we could see AJ and Samantha asleep in the corner.
"Looks like somebody had too much to drink." I tapped Sam's shoulder and she said, "Wha...?" sleepily.
"Time to go" Angela and I took each of her arms and led her upstairs. Howie and Kevin carried AJ to the couch, while he was still asleep.
"Night, Cathy" Nick called after me.
"Night, Nick".
