Lost It All

Katerina sat her dressing table as she finished taking off her stage makeup. She stared at the reflection in the mirror and wondered just who the woman was staring back at her. Known throughout the modeling world as “Kat”, she was famous for being one of the top models. Yet to those who really knew her, she was just Katerina. She had few friends here in New York. After graduation her grandmother passed away from kidney failure and she was shipped off to her Uncle Bert’s in Kentucky. But that was only temporary. Her Aunt Teresa didn’t want her there and made it very uncomfortable for Katerina to stay there. So Katerina took all the inheritance that her grandmother left her and took off to New York. It was far away from Kentucky and on the opposite side of the country from Andy Biersack. After all he hadn’t called her like he promised and why should she go search for him? Her best friend abandoned her, just like everyone else in her life.

Her first months in New York were brutal. She took any job she could from working at Starbucks to a movie theater. That’s when she was discovered by a rep from IMG models. She was brought in for test shots and they loved her fresh clean look. She started off doing commercial shoots and then slowly moved up to high fashion. Now her name was well known. Katerina made good money and she went by the moniker, Kat. Yet Andy never came.

“Hey Kat, you have some VIP fans waiting for you.” The stage manager stuck his head in the dressing room.

“Yeah ok. Tell them I’ll be right there.” She put a fake smile on her face as she nodded. Getting up she walked over to her stuff. Katerina put on a pair of black skinny jeans with a red satin tank. Then she put on her knee high black boots. To top the look off she put on her black leather jacket. Making sure she looked alright in the mirror, Katerina took a deep breath and headed out of the dressing room.

Ashley was the first one to see her. “Now there is the woman of my dreams.”

Katerina found herself blushing. She knew exactly who the guys where. How could she not? She laughed softly as she walked over to them. “You must have some pretty vivid dreams Mr. Purdy.” She shook her finger at him.

“She knows who I am!” Ashley teased. “I’m in Heaven!” He clutched his chest where his heart was.

“You have no idea about his dreams.” Jake groaned.

Katerina burst out laughing. “I’m not sure I want to.” She covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed. “I take it you guys know who I am? It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.”

“Ooo I take it we have a fan as well?” Jinx asked as he winked.

“Maybe.” Katerina’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

“Hello Kitty Kat.” Andy’s voice was soft as he broke the spell that everyone was creating.

Spinning around, Katerina turned to face Andy and she stared at him. She felt her breath catch in her chest as she tried to breathe. He stood about a foot away from her and to her it felt like miles. Wearing a pair of ripped up blue skinny jeans, they clung to his hips. He wore a black button up shirt that was topped off by his trademark black leather jacket. His hair was shorter on top but the fringe came down to his chin. But hell, those eyes. Those eyes haunted her dreams to this day. They were so bright blue that she swore they saw right through her. She licked her lower lip. “Hey Andy.”

Ashley looked from Katerina to Andy and then back again. “Wait, am I missing something? Do you two….know each other?”

“We’re just old acquaintances—“

“We’re best friends—“

They answered at the same time.

Andy stared at Katerina with a hint of hurt in his eyes. “Old acquaintances?” He challenged. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

Katerina crossed her arms over her chest. “Best friends?” Her brows arched. “Funny, I thought best friends were supposed to keep in contact with each other? Not tell you goodbye and then leave, never to speak to you again until seven years later.”

“Oh shit…” Jinx muttered.

“Kitty Kat….” Andy started.

“NO!” Katerina pointed her finger at him. “You lost the right to call me that when you walked out of the door seven years ago. I’m Katerina. Or Kat.”

Andy looked like he had been sucker punched in the gut.

“Kat you know Andy doesn’t always think.” Ashley tried to lighten the mood. “Why don’t you come out with us for drinks? I’ve been dying to meet you. That’s why I dragged these guys to the show. Just to see you.”

Katerina’s face softened as she smiled at Ashley. “That’s so sweet. It’s nice to be appreciated.”

Her words hit Andy right where it hurt and he glared over at Katerina and Ashley as they joked and laughed at each other. It felt as if his heart was being torn out as he watched his best friends joking around with each other. What hurt the most was that Katerina was right. He walked out and he never called her like he promised. All he cared about the time was the music and his dreams. He had no excuse. Because of that he lost his best friend.

“So Kat here is going to the club with us, isn’t that great?” Ashley grinned.

“Yeah, that’s great. Just great.” Andy sighed. Just wonderful.

Notes