New beginnings

25

Caitlin was busy getting ready. It was the hospital's annual Christmas bash, and as a nurse it was her duty to attend. Suddenly her phone rang. She smiled as she saw it was Barry 

"Latte, I need your help"

"Hello to you to Barry"

"Ok, I'm sorry. Hello latte, how are you?"

"That's better. I'm fine. What do you need help with?"

"My dad told me it's your hospital's annual Christmas bash."

"Yes it is"

"Great, so do you think I should ask my girlfriend if she wants to come with me?"

"You have a girlfriend?"

"I think so"

"Well then go ask her. Why are you bothering me?"

Caitlin threw her phone across the room and screamed. She had been stupid she realised to believe Barry's words. He just said what she wanted to hear. All men are the same she thought, he couldn't get what he wanted from me so has gone elsewhere. There was a knock on her door

"Go away Barry" she shouted

"Latte, let me in. You got the wrong end of the stick"

"What?"

"Let me in and I can explain"

"This should be good" said Caitlin as she reluctantly opened the door 

"Wow, you look amazing"

"Barry, stop it. I don't think you're girlfriend will like you complimenting me"

"She won't mind"

"Anyway, what are you doing here? Don't you want to go ask your girlfriend to the dance?"

I just did"

Caitlin looked confused and suddenly the penny dropped 

"Girlfriend?"

"I know we haven't put names on what we are, but after everything we've been through, I was hoping you'd be my girlfriend"

Caitlin looked at Barry.

"I'm not sure. What if putting a label on this ruins everything?"

"It won't"

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I won't let it. Everything will still be the same. Please latte, I'm asking you to trust me once again"

Barry outstretched his hand and waited. Caitlin looked at him nervously. Finally she put her hand in his

"I'd love to be your girlfriend"

Barry smiled as Caitlin took his hand. They entered the party hand in hand. Barry's friend came up to them

"Lovely to see you miss Caitlin. I'm glad you two managed to sort everything out" he said kissing her hand

"Me too" said Caitlin snuggling into Barry

"You must be a very carefree girlfriend"

"Why's that?"

"Stop talking idiot. Caitlin, let's go"

"No, I want to know what he meant"

"Well obviously ......."

"I said shut up"

"No Barry, let him finish"

"Well you obviously don't care that Barry's ex is here. The one he dumped for you to concentrate on winning the bet"

"What?" questioned Caitlin, pulling her hand away from Barry 

"You didn't tell her? Dude, if you're going to bring your new girlfriend to a party where your old girlfriend is, at least tell her"

"Absolutely" said Caitlin running away

"Latte wait. I can explain . Now look what you've done"

Caitlin ran and ran. She had no idea where she was going, just that she wanted to be far away from Barry. She wasn't hurt that Barry's ex was here, no she was mad that Barry hadn't considered her important enough to tell her. After everything they had been through, he still wasn't being honest with her. That hurt.

"Latte wait"

Caitlin ran into a room and locked the door. She didn't want to talk to Barry at this moment. 

"Barry go away"

"Not until you've heard me out"

"Just go away Barry, before I say or do something I regret"

"Don't be like that"

"Please Barry, if you love me as much as you say you do, you'll leave me alone"

"But latte please, I'm going now. But please don't let this come in between us"

Caitlin wept into her hands. What was she going to do? She exited the room, only to be pulled into a side room

"Barry what the hell?"

"Sorry, I couldn't leave it like that"

"What do you want?"

"To hear my side of the story"

"Look Barry, I don't care if you have an ex girlfriend and that she's here. Everybody has an ex. I don't care. I'm hurt that you didn't tell me. After everything we've been through, you still don't trust me enough to tell me anything. Wow Barry"

"I'm going home now. I need time to think. Don't follow me"

Duff duff duff! Oh Barry, what have you done? As always feedback appreciated