“Katharine just told me how much she hates being in a huff with you. The bottom line is that she misses you and I can tell that you miss her too.” I know that Sophie is correct in her words. However, I do still feel anger towards Katharine. How dare she ask me to stay away from Michael? I knew him first and he is Adrian’s stepbrother, although he and I are not together right now, I still feel obliged to him. I could not ignore Michael and my bottom line is that, I do not want to ignore him. I am selfish; I do want him in my life and I will do everything in my power to keep him there. If Michael is all that I have left of Adrian, then I will hold onto him for as long as I can. I slowly rise up from the bed and I walk over to Katharine. I have not looked at her properly since I came into the room. I notice that she is dressed in the trendiest new clothes. Her hair is longer, and her makeup is much more subtle. She also has a brand new Chanel bag, and I know that she cannot afford handbags like that. The more I look at her, the more I realise that she is wearing exactly the same type of clothes as I do. The jeans are the same, the shoes and her sweater is something I would also wear. I glance again at her handbag and I soon conclude that, it is the identical bag, which Adrian bought me. I look into her blue eyes and they are not plastered in thick mascara that usually covers them. Her usual red painted lips are in a nude gloss and I wonder if Michael influenced Katharine’s makeover.
“Katharine, I think we should talk.” I say firmly. She looks at me for the first time and again I am surprised by the changes that I see in her. I try to not let that be a factor, instead I look back at her and wait for her impending words.
“You are right Alanna, we do need to talk.” She says and her voice is equally as firm as mine was. I notice Sophie getting up from the bed.
“I will give you two sometime alone. Please, play nice.” Katharine and I both smile at Sophie as she heads out the room and into the noisy crowded hallway. I turn back Katharine.
“Do you mind if I sit?”
“No, of course not, sit down Alanna.” She says quickly and I take a seat onto the bed next to her. I part my lips, as I talk first.
“Things are strained between us; I want to sort this out. Please, talk to me and tell me how you feel.” Katharine considers her words carefully; she relaxes her tense arms and wipes cool sweat from her forehead. Her eyes look serious and I am anxious about what she will say.
“I want that too, however, you have to understand that I am in a difficult position.” She says in a kind but firm voice. I shift the weight from my legs nervously. I glance into her dark blues eyes,
“I do understand and I know how you feel about Michael, I wouldn’t want to come between you two.” I insist.
“That’s the problem; I know you don’t want that, but no matter how much Michael says he doesn’t love you, I know that he always will. Having you around him makes it impossible for me to trust him.” I sigh.
“He may not be completely over me, however he now realises that nothing will ever happen between us. I have told him several times and I feel that he understands my feelings more now. Adrian is not here but I still love him and I will not give up on him.” I protest in my most sincere voice.
“Are you sure that’s how Michael feels?” Katharine questions as she runs her fingers through her hair.
“Yes, he told me.” She looks surprised by my confession.
“I know that asking you to stay away from him was out of order, but I hope that you see my point of view?” She says awkwardly. I run my fingers along my neck and I feel the diamond chain, I twist the black diamond pendant that Adrian gave me. Ever since I have been apart from him, the necklace gives me comfort. It takes me back to happier time and I long for that feeling again. I again twine the pendant in my fingers nervously and I gaze at Katharine. I feel that she was very out order in asking me to stay away from Michael. However, things are slowly resolving and I do not want to anger that. I also feel that, any feelings I have towards Katharine should be put to her and we ought to at least try to accept the bad feelings along with the good.
“I do see your point of view; however you were out of order. Michael had just stepped in front of a bullet for me and you wanted me to ignore him.” Katharine sighs and I notice the distress on her beautiful face.
“I feel awful. Looking back on it now, I realise it was a selfish, jealous thing to ask. I know that you and Michael have some type of connection that I will never fully understand. I also believe you when you say that friends, is all you two are.” I smile at her for what seems like the first time ever. She slides over her hand and grabs mine. Katharine looks up at me, her face is different, and her clothes are different but her eyes remain the same, soft kindness as before.