Holiday dangers

Chapter 8. Kate

Chapter 8. Kate

"Oh Kate, how you grew up." Her aunt mused. "I remember when you were just a little girl, hiding beneath a dining table."

"Yeah, time really flies." She answered absentmindedly, her eyes searching for Andrew in a crowded room.

"And look at you now! You look gorgeous!" Her aunt continued.

"Thank you aunty." She found him. He was standing by the Christmas tree, talking with David and her father. He had a beer in his hands, which he slowly sipped, occasionally bringing the bottle to his lips. From time to time, he would add a few words to the conversation, which was mostly led by her father and brother. She noticed that his eyes had also wandered around the room and when their eyes met, Kate smiled, and he winked at her in response.

"And Kate!" Her aunt's voice brought her back to the present. "That dress looks absolutely stunning on you! Where did you buy it?"

"Oh, I didn't buy it. I drew the design and made it myself." She said proud of her work.

"By yourself!" Molly's granddaughter jumped into conversation. "That is so cool."

"Well thank you," Kate replied.

"I wish I could pull something like that too." The girls said, pouting. "I still can't find anything to wear to the prom."

"Ah the kids these days and the prom frenzy" Molly butted in, clucking her tongue.

"Why can't you find a dress? I remember that there were some good shops around here when I was younger." Kate asked the girl.

"Oh most of the shops are closed now. They built a new shopping center, but it's not a big selection. And nothing fits just right, if you know what I mean..." The girl answered sadly.

"And how did you picture your prom dress?" Kate asked, grabbing a notebook and a pencil from a nearby table.

"Hmm," the girl pondered. "Something with light colors, maybe pastel pink or violet. And short and fluffy." She giggled. "Maybe a neckline like yours?"

"That's a lot of stuff for one dress." Kate watched the girl carefully for a few seconds, thinking, and then she started to draw something on the pad.

Everyone waited expectantly for her to finish what she was doing. And the girl was almost jumping in her seat with impatience.

"Maybe something like this?" She asked, turning the pad to them to show the sketch.

A sleeveless dress with thick straps and a short v-neck was drawn on paper. It came down close to the waist and then widened to the knees. Over the petticoat was a swirly layer of tulle that gave the dress an extra dimension.

"I think that a short v-neck would better fit your stature and age than this open-shoulder, strait line would." Kate added.

"It is perfect." The girl squealed. "It is even better than I imagined it!"

"It looks so nice Kate!" Her aunt added. "You really have talent for these things."

"But where could I found that same dress?" The girl said, suddenly feeling sad.

"Mom is my old sowing machine still here?" Kate shouted to her mother, who was standing a few steps further.

"Yes. It is in the attic. Why do you ask? Her mother replied, baffled.

"Okay, then it is settled. We will make this dress ourselves. We just need to find the right fabric and take your measurements."

"You would really do that for me! Oh thank you, Kate!" The girl squealed once again and jumped around Kate's neck.

"It is not a big deal." She loved sowing and this was a fun thing to do for her.

"Thank you, Kate, this really means a lot to her." Molly said, while her granddaughter ran somewhere, probably to brag to her friends.

"It is nothing, really. I am glad that she liked my design." She said reassuringly.

After that, the conversation continued with other topics. Kate participated as much as she could, but her social battery was draining more and more, as well as her constantly refilled glass of wine. By now she was quite drunk, so she excused herself to the guests and went out to get some fresh air in the garden.

She set on the swinging bench just enjoying the peace and quiet, when she heard the footsteps approaching. She hoped that it was not one of her relatives trying to bring her back to the party.

"Hey." A familiar voice spoke from behind.

She lazily turned around just to see Andrew standing there, hands in his pockets.

"Hey stranger." Kate slurred a little bit. "Did you run away from there too?"

"Yes," he admitted. "Am I bothering you?"

"No, you are not bothering me. We didn't get a chance to talk earlier. Come sit here with me." She ushered.

"Okay," He agreed. "But on one condition. You have to take my jacket to warm up."

"No, no. Then you will be cold." She refused.

"Kate. You are almost naked in that thin dress. I have a sweater, I will be fine." His tone was such that he would not accept any opposition and Kate finally complied.

He sat next to her only after he draped his leather jacket over her bare shoulders.

"Better?" He asked.

"Yes, thank you." She said pulling his jacket closer to her. His warmth was still lingering in the leather. Earlier she didn't even noticed the cold but it wasn't until his warm jacket protected her from the wind that she realized how cold it really was.

"So how is life in a big city? Is it what you were hoping for it to be?" Asked Andrew.

"For a while it was a dream come true, but for some time lately I am not so sure." She told him truthfully. Life was hard lately, and that is something she didn't even tell her family.

"David told me that you are engaged. What about your fiancé? Is he treating you well?" He asked concerned.

She laughed at the expression on his face. For some reason, she found it funny that he thought that she was engaged. "First of all, I was never engaged. David likes to exaggerate everything. And second, we broke up."

"Can I ask why?" Andrew asked carefully, after a brief pause.

"Well at first he seemed to be part of that dream life, but he turned out to be an arshole. He cheated on me with one of my friends." She told him.

His face suddenly became stiff like stone and very, very cold. He gave off a murderous aura she had never felt from him before. "Do you want someone to teach him a lesson?" He asked menacingly.

But she laughed it off. "No, that thing is in the past now. And who would do it? You and David? Two nerds against a jym instructor? I don't like your odds."

"Don't underestimate us nerds, Kate. We know how to be nasty too. We could send him a Trojan virus that could do all sorts of stuff to his computer." His face softened and he laughed. But still, in the back of his eyes stayed that dark glimmer.

Just as she wanted to joke about their means of revenge, a little branch fell on the bench between the two of them. Kate looked up to see what was above them, and she chuckled in surprise.

"Look! A mistletoe!" She pointed above. "You know what that means..." She slowly moved closer to him.

"You will have to remind me..." He dragged, a joyful glimmer in his eyes.

She reacted, not even thinking. Now she was sure that she was drunk, because sober she would never be this daring. She kissed him. She didn't even think about the fact that he may have a girlfriend or even a wife and kids. Only this moment with him metered.

And what is the craziest part, he returned the kiss. And it felt amazing. She never felt like she belonged with someone as much as she did with him. Not even with her former boyfriend, or guys before him.

But the moment passed and they separated. And then the weight of what she had done hit her. She kissed her brother's best friend, who she didn't see for almost ten years.

"Oh. Wow. I am sorry, I shouldn't have done that. It must be alcohol." She stuttered, standing up from the swing.

"Kate calm down. It's okey. I am not seeing anyone right now, and we are both adults." He offered a friendly smile.

And that smile made her think she had made a mistake despite his words. He didn't see her that way. She would always be a friend's little sister. She is not special to him. But why would he return the kiss so passionately if it meant nothing to him?

"Still, I am sorry. I didn't think straight." She moved back and took off his jacket. "I should go back in there." She said while giving him back the jacket he lent her earlier. She was almost at the door when she stopped and turned around to face him. "I'm glad I was able to see you again, Andrew. And I hope that we can catch up some other time. I want to hear what you have been doing all this time. I will be here for a few days, so call me." She gave him her best smile and went inside.

"Bye, little Kate!" She heard him call after her. She felt truly happy to see him. He was always someone very special to her.

After he left, she mingled at the party for a little while before she went to her room. She changed the nightgown for comfortable pajamas. But she just couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned on the bed all night. That kiss constantly playing in her mind.

Did she make a mistake kissing him like that? But he did return the kiss and passionately so. But she was not sure about anything anymore.

While she was fighting her inner demons, the older folks were still partying, all the way until the early dawn, as far as she could hear.